Author: Georgia McKoy

President Joe Biden has raised concerns about the practice of “shrinkflation,” where companies reduce the size of their products but maintain the same price.  In a message shared on social media ahead of the Super Bowl, Biden criticized this practice as “a rip-off” and urged snack companies to cease these tactics.  The Problem of Shrinkflation Source: Franki Chamaki/Unsplash CNN explains that shrinkflation is identified as a widespread practice that impacts consumers by offering them less product without a reduction in price.  This cost-saving tactic is particularly prevalent during periods of inflationary pressure. Biden noted that, despite inflation reaching a three-year…

Voahangy Rasetarinera, the owner of The Giving Pies in San Jose, faced unexpected financial strain when Tesla abruptly canceled a $16,000 order.  The order, initially seen as a significant business opportunity, was canceled without prior notice, causing considerable disruption and financial loss for the bakery. Tesla’s Interaction with The Giving Pies Source: The Giving Pies/Facebook The New York Post reports that Tesla reached out to The Giving Pies on Valentine’s Day, requesting a substantial order of 2,000 mini pies for imminent delivery.  Rasetarinera, encouraged by the opportunity to work with such a prominent company, prepared to meet the demand, reflecting…

President Joe Biden is contemplating executive action to restrict migrants’ ability to seek asylum at the US-Mexico border, specifically targeting those who have crossed illegally.  This plan mirrors measures taken during the Donald Trump presidency, which were met with significant criticism from immigration advocates. The situation at the border has been challenging for Biden, with migration levels reaching record highs and thousands of migrants arriving at the border, creating a complex issue for the administration to address. Legislative Challenges and Executive Considerations Source: Getty Images CNN reports that the White House’s consideration of new immigration restrictions appears to be in…

A recent poll by Monmouth University revealed that about one-third of Republicans believe in a conspiracy theory involving Taylor Swift.  According to the poll, these individuals think Swift is part of a covert government operation aimed at ensuring Joe Biden’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. This theory, lacking any factual evidence, gained traction in right-wing media circles particularly around Super Bowl LVIII. The Nature of the Conspiracy Source: Wikimedia Commons The Guardian reports that the conspiracy suggests that Taylor Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is a government-fabricated plot. The aim was allegedly to use…

The electric vehicle (EV) boom in America has encountered significant obstacles as demand for EVs declines, leading to layoffs and the pausing of multi-billion-dollar projects in the lithium and nickel industries. These metals are crucial for the batteries that power EVs.  The shift has been abrupt, with companies like Ford and General Motors having to adjust their strategies rapidly due to changing market conditions. This development marks a stark contrast to previous expectations of job growth and industry expansion in small towns across the nation. Job Cuts and Project Delays Source: rorozoa/freepik The decline in interest for electric vehicles has…

A group of truckers, expressing support for former President Donald Trump, have decided to stop delivering goods to New York City.  This decision comes in the wake of a civil fraud judgment against Trump, which resulted in a fine of over $350 million. The ruling has sparked significant reactions among his supporters, including those within the trucking community. The Catalyst for the Boycott Source: Chicago1Ray/X The New York Post reports that the boycott was initiated by a truck driver known on social media as “Chicago1Ray,” who called on fellow truckers to refuse shipments to NYC as a form of protest. …

By the year 2100, a significant transformation is expected across the United States, with thousands of cities potentially becoming akin to ghost towns. This is based on a study published in Nature Cities, which projects a stark decline in the populations of approximately 15,000 cities. This widespread depopulation is anticipated to spare only Hawaii and Washington, D.C., reshaping the urban landscape of the country dramatically. Factors Driving Urban Depopulation Source: Getty Images Scientific American reports that the decline in urban populations is attributed to a variety of factors, including the downturn of industrial sectors, reduced birth rates, and the consequences…

The Biden administration is considering a significant move to ban menthol cigarettes, a decision that has broader implications for the tobacco sector. As a result of this, the cigar industry finds itself in a precarious position, fiercely contesting a proposed ban on flavored cigars. The industry’s argument hinges on the belief that flavored cigars are unfairly being grouped with menthol cigarettes in regulatory considerations. Advocates for consumer choice are actively lobbying against the proposed ban, highlighting a potential overreach into personal freedoms and choices in tobacco consumption. The FDA’s Proposal on Flavored Tobacco Source: Getty Images The Food and Drug…

Virgin Galactic self-reported an incident to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) involving a detached alignment pin from its suborbital spaceplane’s attachment system. This pin is critical for ensuring the correct alignment of the spaceplane, named Unity, to its mothership, VMS Eve, during ground preparations. Virgin Galactic emphasized the importance of this component for the safety and reliability of their operations. The Role of the Alignment Pin Source: Virgin Galactic/X The alignment pin’s purpose extends beyond ground operations. During flight, it facilitates the transfer of load from Unity to the shear pin fitting assembly and into the mothership’s pylon and…

In Southern California’s Orange County, a landslide has put at least three coastal homes in a precarious position, threatening their stability and safety. Reports have highlighted a dramatic scene in Dana Point where homes are now at risk of collapsing into the ocean. This event unfolded over the weekend when the cliffside they were built on crumbled. Visual Evidence of the Danger Source: Getty Images The Daily Mail reports that social media and news outlets have shared footage displaying one home in Dana Point hanging off the cliffside, partially suspended in the air, showcasing the immediate danger to these properties.…