Author: David Miller

Retail sales in the US experienced a rebound in February, with a 0.6% increase from the previous month, though slightly below economists’ expectations. The decline in January was attributed to cold weather keeping consumers at home, but overall retail sales have shown growth in seven of the past 10 months. The categories that saw the biggest boosts in sales were home improvement stores, car sales, electronics and appliances, and restaurants. Gas station sales also increased, while furniture, grocery stores, clothing retailers, and online sales experienced declines. Economists are predicting that higher interest rates and the depletion of pandemic savings will…

The latest estimate for Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 has increased to 2.4% following a sharp rise in inflation last month. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the consumer price index (CPI) climbed 3.2% in February compared to a year ago, leading to the higher COLA projection. Increases in shelter, medical, and transportation costs for older adults have outpaced overall inflation, further impacting the need for a higher COLA. The CPI-W index, on which the adjustment is based, rose by two-tenths in February to 3.1%. The Social Security Administration determines the COLA annually based on the average…

In a surprising turn of events, Apple has decided to allow Epic Games to launch its online marketplace for iPhones and iPads in Europe after initially blocking the move. This decision comes in response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which aims to regulate the behavior of big tech companies. Epic Games had accused Apple of violating U.S. antitrust rules by imposing high commissions on in-app payments, leading to a legal battle between the two companies. Despite losing the court case in the U.S., Epic has managed to secure a victory in Europe with Apple’s about-face on the issue.…

The James Webb Space Telescope, humanity’s most powerful space observatory, is making groundbreaking discoveries as it peers into galaxies near the dawn of time. Among these discoveries is the exceptionally luminous galaxy GN-z11, one of the youngest and most distant ever observed, challenging scientists to understand its brightness. Using Webb, scientists have found evidence for the existence of Population III stars in the outskirts of GN-z11. These stars are believed to be the first to bring light to the universe, shedding light on the early stages of cosmic evolution. Additionally, GN-z11 is hosting a central supermassive black hole that is…

Apple’s latest M3 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models have been the talk of the town since their release, with users praising the sleek design and impressive performance. However, a recent report by YouTube channel Max Tech has shed some light on the thermal performance of these devices, particularly the M3 MacBook Air. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch M3 MacBook Air models continue to feature a fan-less cooling design, while the M3 MacBook Pro comes equipped with a single fan for improved sustained performance. Despite this, it has been reported that the M3 MacBook Air can get uncomfortably hot during…

Residents at a city-run shelter in Pilsen were abruptly awakened at 1 a.m. on Friday by health department workers announcing a measles outbreak. The news was particularly alarming as a confirmed case of measles was found in a young child at the shelter. Residents were informed that there would be a 10-day quarantine in place, and anyone who left would lose their place at the shelter. Health department workers began assessing residents’ vaccination status to determine who could leave the shelter. Those who were vaccinated were allowed to leave starting late morning on Friday. However, concerns were raised about the…

Costco Exceeds Earnings Expectations Despite Slight Revenue Miss In the latest earnings report released by Costco (COST), the retail giant reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.92, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $3.62. However, revenue came in slightly lower than anticipated at $58.44 billion. Despite this, Costco saw a strong quarter with several key highlights. Same-store sales, excluding gas and foreign exchange, saw an impressive increase of 5.8%. US same-store sales grew by 4.8% while international stores exceeded expectations with an 8.2% increase. Digital sales were a key driver of growth, expanding by more than 18% due to increased demand for…

Travis Kelce Supports Brother Jason at Retirement Conference Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce was seen showing emotional support for his brother, Jason Kelce, during his retirement news conference. The heartfelt moment came as Jason recalled major moments of his successful career, leaving Travis visibly moved to tears. Jason Kelce, who was a crucial player for the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl win in 2017, was a seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro selection. He played in 193 games, marking the second most in team history, and made an impressive 156 consecutive starts – setting a franchise record.…

Apple and Epic Games’ ongoing feud has taken a new turn in Europe, with Apple blocking Epic Games from launching its own online marketplace on iPhones and iPads. The dispute between the two tech giants began with Epic Games’ allegations that Apple’s 30% commission on in-app payments violates U.S. antitrust rules. European lawmakers have stepped in, enforcing the Digital Markets Act, which requires Apple to allow third-party marketplaces on its devices. This new regulation comes into effect this week. Brussels antitrust regulators have also fined Apple a hefty sum of 1.84 billion euros for impeding competition from music streaming rivals…

The Gulf of Aden was rocked by tragedy as an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Houthi militants in Yemen struck a cargo ship, resulting in the death of three crew members and injuring four others. This marks the first reported deaths since the series of attacks by the Houthis began in November, disrupting commercial shipping in the region. Fortunately, a U.S. official confirmed that there were no Americans aboard the cargo ship. The Houthi militants have claimed responsibility for the missile strike, asserting that they will only halt their assaults when the siege on Palestinians in Gaza is lifted. This…