In the ever-evolving landscape of American politics, the transformation of public figures is a common occurrence. However, few transitions have been as intriguing as that of Matt Gaetz, a former congressman from Florida, who is set to join One America News Network (OAN) as an anchor starting in January. This shift, announced by the network, marks a significant milestone in Gaetz's career and the trajectory of OAN, a far-right news outlet that has positioned itself as a staunch advocate for conservative principles.

General Motors (GM) has announced a strategic shift, discontinuing its pursuit of autonomous taxi fleets and refocusing on driver-assistance technologies that necessitate human intervention. The company cited the extensive time and resources required to scale the autonomous taxi business, along with an increasingly competitive market, as the primary reasons for this decision. In a statement, GM highlighted the challenges of scaling the business and the growing competition in the autonomous taxi sector.

As President-elect Donald Trump embarks on his mission to achieve more affordable fuel prices, he may encounter a few bumps along the way. During an October rally, Trump proclaimed, "Frack, frack, frack and drill, baby, drill." He has expressed his ambition to reduce the current average gas price of $3.07 per gallon to below $2. Recently, he appointed Chris Wright, the CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy and a staunch advocate for fracking, as the secretary of energy. Despite the booming American oil industry and the potential for increased output, this does not guarantee a decrease in gas prices. The United States currently produces over 13.4 million barrels of oil daily, with projections indicating a rise to approximately 13.6 million by the end of 2025, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). This record is "unlikely to be broken," as no other nation has approached 13 million barrels per day.

Residing in the heart of Uzbekistan, the bustling metropolis of Tashkent is home to an estimated five million inhabitants, positioning it as the nation's most populous city and a significant urban center in Central Asia. However, this figure is set to rise dramatically as the city embarks on an expansion project of unprecedented scale. A vast expanse of 20,000 hectares, located just east of Tashkent's current limits, is being meticulously developed to transform the city into a leading metropolis, a project known as New Tashkent. This urban growth initiative is anticipated to play a pivotal role in generating employment opportunities, attracting investment, and stimulating the economic development of the country. "New Tashkent is poised to become a nucleus for numerous new economic ventures," remarked Christine P. Chan, Principal Urban Development Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in a recent interview.

Americans are growing increasingly weary of the mounting costs at the grocery store, and many are looking to President-elect Donald Trump for economic relief. However, one of Trump's key campaign promises could potentially intensify the pain at the checkout. Trump has consistently vowed to "reduce prices" in supermarkets and throughout the economy, a promise that resonated strongly with voters struggling with the high cost of living, contributing to his decisive electoral victory.

Over the past few years, Americans have been vocal about their concerns regarding inflation. However, when compared to Russia, the price surges are staggering, reflecting an economy that is rapidly overheating. According to official statistics, the cost of butter, certain meats, and onions has increased by approximately 25% compared to the previous year. Some supermarkets have resorted to locking away butter in secure cabinets due to thefts, as evidenced by Russian social media. The overall inflation rate is hovering just under 10%, significantly higher than what the central bank had forecasted. The inflation is primarily fueled by the swift increase in wages, as the Kremlin invests billions into military industries and deploys millions of soldiers to Ukraine. Amidst warfare, businesses outside the defense sector struggle to compete for labor without offering substantially higher wages, leading to higher prices and perpetuating the cycle. Alexandra Prokopenko from the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin stated, "Prices are rising because of the war. The demand in the economy is skewed towards unproductive expenditures. Wages rise as employers compete for labor." Other economists refer to this phenomenon as growth without development, where national income increases without a corresponding improvement in health, education, technology, and infrastructure.

Enjou Chocolat, a modest confectionery in Morristown, New Jersey, continues to grapple with the economic pressures of inflation, with rising costs of cocoa and escalating labor expenses taking their toll. Consequently, the boutique chocolate shop, which employs approximately two dozen staff members, has recently increased the prices of numerous items for the third time within the past year. This decision has been met with significant customer discontent, as reported by, a business partner. He recounted an incident where a long-standing customer, accustomed to purchasing half-pound bags of foil-wrapped chocolate at $10.99, was outraged by an additional $4 charge. The customer declared it an "outrageous overcharge" and threatened to cease patronage, a sentiment that deeply affected he. Although inflation has subsided from the peak levels observed in 2022, it has left a lingering bitterness that is believed to have contributed to President-elect Donald Trump's significant triumph over Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent US presidential election.

As Elon Musk publicly endorses a candidate for the role of Treasury Secretary under Donald Trump's administration, he has leveraged his social media influence to sway public opinion. Musk, who has become a significant figure in shaping Trump's economic team, has advocated for Howard Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, to be appointed to the position. This comes as Scott Bessent, the founder of Key Square, has been widely regarded as the leading contender for the role. Musk's statement on social media emphasized that while Bessent represents the status quo, Lutnick is poised to bring about real change. He urged his followers to voice their opinions to Trump, highlighting the need for a departure from conventional economic practices that he believes are detrimental to America's financial health.

Embracing Solo Dining: The Evolution of Eating Alone in Restaurants

Apple has sparked excitement among its fanbase with the preview of its "Apple Intelligence" AI system earlier this year. The company is now poised to demonstrate the practical application of this technology. Scheduled for its annual hardware showcase, which begins on Monday at 1 p.m. ET, Apple is expected to debut the inaugural series of iPhones specifically tailored for generative AI capabilities, allowing for the creation of text and images. The live event can be viewed here.

Nvidia's Stock Slide Threatens the Luster of Its 'Golden Handcuffs' Compensation Model

Investors are closely watching the upcoming US jobs report, which could influence the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rate cuts and provide insights into the health of the job market and economy amid signs of inflation easing and market volatility.

Strategies for Navigating a Volatile Market with Your 401(k)

Australia Considers Age Restrictions for Social Media to Protect Children's Well-being

The alliance of the world's leading oil exporters, known collectively as OPEC+, announced on Thursday its decision to prolong the reduction in oil production. This move comes in response to the ongoing decline in the prices of crude oil and fuel.

It's an innate understanding that we possess, a skepticism that arises whenever a corporation attempts to portray itself as more than a profit-driven entity seeking our hard-earned money. Reflect on the Pepsi ad featuring Kendall Jenner, where she seemingly fosters peace by offering a police officer a soda — a cringe-worthy moment we can all recall. Or consider the hollow Pride Month gestures, which have been criticized as "rainbow capitalism," leading to a wave of satirical memes that poke fun at such superficial support.

On Wednesday, Nvidia delivered another impressive earnings report, surpassing Wall Street's expectations yet again. Despite this, the markets have become accustomed to the company's remarkable performance over the past two years, and now, only exceptional results seem to satisfy investors' appetites.

A growing number of individuals in the United States are embracing a minimalist lifestyle, rejecting the consumerist culture that once dominated. This shift is evident in the rise of the "underconsumption core," a movement that advocates for a more sustainable and mindful approach to purchasing and using goods.

A recent study by Morningstar's Center for Retirement and Policy Studies has indicated that nearly half of US households may encounter financial difficulties if they retire at 65, with this percentage rising to 54% for those retiring at 62. This situation arises from the transition from a defined-benefit pension system, where employers provided a fixed monthly pension, to a defined-contribution system, requiring employees to save and invest a significant portion of their income for retirement.

US stocks have rebounded significantly following a global market downturn, with all three major indices posting their best weekly gains of the year, amid easing fears of recession and as investors anticipate the Federal Reserve's policy decisions in September.

US Steel is currently at a crossroads, facing the possibility of closing several of its mills if the Biden administration halts its proposed sale to Nippon Steel, a Japanese conglomerate. In a strategic move, Cleveland Cliffs, a competitor in the steel industry, has stepped forward, expressing its willingness to acquire the mills in question should the deal fall through.

Frequent flyer programs play a pivotal role in the profitability of the airline industry, with billions of dollars exchanged between banks and credit card issuers to purchase miles for rewarding cardholders. This revenue stream is crucial for airlines, as evidenced by Delta Air Lines receiving $6.8 billion and American Airlines garnering $5.2 billion from co-branded cards in a single year. The profit margin from these programs is approximately 50%, significantly higher than the industry's typical single-digit margins. These programs not only generate direct profits but also serve to encourage travel and foster customer loyalty in a competitive market. However, they are now under scrutiny, with the Department of Transportation launching an investigation to ensure fairness and transparency for consumers. The potential impact of legislative changes, such as capping credit card company fees, could significantly affect these programs. Despite this, industry experts argue that frequent flyer programs are vital for airlines' economics, both for the profits and for attracting and retaining customers.

Automotive conglomerate Stellantis has issued a recall for over 1.2 million Ram 1500 vehicles, citing a software glitch in the anti-lock braking system (ABS), as per an announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The affected vehicles encompass certain models from 2019, 2021 to 2024.

September Starts with a Market Downturn Amid Economic Concerns The financial markets began September on a sour note, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average experiencing a significant drop of 626 points, or 1.5%, on Tuesday afternoon.

US stocks have rebounded significantly following a global market downturn, with all three major indices posting their best weekly gains of the year, amid easing fears of recession and as investors anticipate the Federal Reserve's policy decisions in September.

This text provides an overview of the shifting perceptions of U.S. presidential greatness and notoriety. It highlights presidents celebrated for their visionary leadership, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who have left significant marks on American history. On the other hand, it also discusses presidents who have been criticized or considered controversial, including James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Richard Nixon, due to their ineffective leadership or involvement in scandals. The text emphasizes that these evaluations are subject to change as historical perspectives evolve and new information comes to light, particularly for more recent presidents whose legacies are still being shaped by current events.

Strategies for Navigating a Volatile Market with Your 401(k)

Investors are closely watching the upcoming US jobs report, which could influence the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rate cuts and provide insights into the health of the job market and economy amid signs of inflation easing and market volatility.