Culture & Society

US Implements Sweep of 75 Countries in New 'Public Charge' Visa Freeze

The U.S. State Department has announced a sweeping freeze on immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, citing concerns that these individuals may become reliant on public assistance. This action,

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Coinbase Flexes D.C. Muscle Amid Crypto Regulation Push
Business2d ago

Coinbase Flexes D.C. Muscle Amid Crypto Regulation Push

Coinbase, valued at nearly $70 billion, demonstrated its growing influence in Washington by effectively halting a Senate committee vote on the Clarity Act, a major crypto bill. CEO Brian Armstrong publicly opposed the bill due to concerns over provisions impacting Coinbase's products and SEC authority, highlighting the company's willingness to leverage its market position to shape crypto regulation. This action underscores the increasing power of the crypto industry, particularly Coinbase, in the political landscape.

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Trump's Gaza Board Faces Uphill Battle Amid Representation Concerns
Business14h ago

Trump's Gaza Board Faces Uphill Battle Amid Representation Concerns

The White House's newly announced Gaza "Board of Peace" faces scrutiny due to its lack of Palestinian representation on the executive boards overseeing investment, diplomacy, and on-the-ground operations. The "founding Executive Board" includes prominent figures like Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff, alongside World Bank President Ajay Banga, raising concerns about the initiative's perceived colonial approach and potential market impact in the region.

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Creator Economy's Tax Headache: OnlyFans Sparks Debate
Business2h ago

Creator Economy's Tax Headache: OnlyFans Sparks Debate

UBS Global Wealth Management suggests the creator economy's impact, projected to match radio and newspaper ad revenue share by 2025, is underestimated due to measurement difficulties. This growth, fueled by accessible online platforms and creators bypassing traditional gatekeepers, presents challenges for fiscal authorities in taxing diverse side hustles and accurately assessing economic activity.

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Trump's Gaza Peace Panel: Can Big Names Overcome Huge Hurdles?
Business7h ago

Trump's Gaza Peace Panel: Can Big Names Overcome Huge Hurdles?

The White House's newly announced Gaza "Board of Peace" faces scrutiny due to its predominantly American composition, raising concerns about its approach to the region. The "founding Executive Board," focused on investment and diplomacy, includes figures like Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner, alongside World Bank President Ajay Banga, while a separate "Gaza Executive Board" will oversee on-the-ground work. The initiative's success hinges on navigating complex political dynamics and securing buy-in from Palestinian stakeholders, despite the absence of Palestinian representation on the senior boards.

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UK Economy's Pulse: Consumer Confidence in Focus
Business1h ago

UK Economy's Pulse: Consumer Confidence in Focus

UK consumer confidence, as measured by the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer, remains a key indicator of the nation's economic health and future political direction. This long-running survey, tracking consumer optimism versus pessimism, provides insights into spending habits and overall economic sentiment, though its predictive power has evolved over the past five decades. The current figures suggest neither a boom nor a recession, but rather an opportunity for policy adjustments to improve economic certainty and consumer vibes.

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Creator Economy's Rise: Taxing Side Hustles Faces New Scrutiny
Business1h ago

Creator Economy's Rise: Taxing Side Hustles Faces New Scrutiny

The creator economy is poised to capture a significant share of global ad revenue, potentially matching radio and newspaper industries by 2025, according to a WPP Media analysis cited by UBS. This growth, fueled by accessible online platforms and individual content creators, presents challenges in economic measurement and taxation due to the informal nature of many side hustles. The rise of the creator economy highlights the need for updated economic tracking methods to accurately reflect its expanding influence.

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Google Meet Turns Meetings into Searchable Company Knowledge
Business1d ago

Google Meet Turns Meetings into Searchable Company Knowledge

Google Meet is leveraging AI to transform meetings into a searchable knowledge base, aiming to capture the critical decision-making processes and rationale often lost after meetings conclude. This initiative seeks to convert meetings into a new form of organizational IP, potentially impacting how companies preserve and utilize internal knowledge assets. By synthesizing meeting content, Google Meet aims to improve decision recall, reduce redundant discussions, and enhance overall organizational efficiency.

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US Cuts Taiwan Tariffs in Exchange for $250B Investment
Business2d ago

US Cuts Taiwan Tariffs in Exchange for $250B Investment

The U.S. will reduce tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15% following commitments from Taiwanese semiconductor and technology firms to invest at least $250 billion in U.S. domestic production. This agreement, spurred by pandemic-era supply chain vulnerabilities, aims to bolster U.S. self-sufficiency in semiconductor manufacturing, complementing substantial government subsidies and encouraging investments from industry leaders like TSMC. The deal also provides tariff carve-outs for Taiwanese semiconductor companies investing in the U.S.

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Iran's Internet Blackout: How Starlink Bridges the Digital Divide
Business2d ago

Iran's Internet Blackout: How Starlink Bridges the Digital Divide

Amidst a near-total internet shutdown in Iran due to anti-government protests, SpaceX's Starlink is providing crucial internet access to a small segment of the population, mirroring its role in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. This connectivity is enabling the flow of information to the outside world, despite government efforts to suppress it, though the specific financial impact on Starlink and the overall market is not quantified. With over 2,600 people reportedly killed, the satellite internet service is proving vital for activists seeking to bypass censorship.

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SNL Skewers Trump's Nobel Ambitions, Hegseth's Global Threats
Business2h ago

SNL Skewers Trump's Nobel Ambitions, Hegseth's Global Threats

Saturday Night Live satirized President Trump's Nobel Prize obsession and the U.S. military's Venezuela operation in its 2026 season premiere. The show's cold open featured Colin Jost as an outlandish Secretary of Defense and Jeremy Culhane as a disgruntled Vice President, lampooning recent political events and Trump's controversial foreign policy ideas. The sketch leveraged current affairs to deliver political commentary through humor.

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Disney Names First-Ever Company-Wide CMO in Strategic Shift
Business3d ago

Disney Names First-Ever Company-Wide CMO in Strategic Shift

The Walt Disney Company has appointed Asad Ayaz as its first-ever Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, a new role designed to unify marketing efforts across its diverse divisions, including parks, studios, and sports. Ayaz, previously head of marketing for Walt Disney Studios, will now oversee all Disney marketing teams, aiming to enhance campaign effectiveness and drive business growth for the entire company. This strategic move signals Disney's intent to create a more cohesive brand experience and improve audience engagement across its vast entertainment ecosystem.

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Trump's Greenland Dream: $1 Trillion Gamble, Little Payoff
Business19h ago

Trump's Greenland Dream: $1 Trillion Gamble, Little Payoff

Analysts estimate that President Trump's pursuit of acquiring Greenland could cost upwards of $1 trillion over two decades, driven by substantial infrastructure investments and workforce development. Despite potential access to natural resources, experts argue the acquisition lacks economic justification due to high extraction costs compared to other regions and existing opportunities for U.S. investment in Greenland. The potential deal poses significant financial risks with limited returns, challenging the strategic rationale behind the proposed purchase.

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Banks Fear Trump's 10% Rate Cap: Credit Card Chaos?
Business3d ago

Banks Fear Trump's 10% Rate Cap: Credit Card Chaos?

President Trump's call for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates has rattled banks, despite the unlikelihood of immediate implementation, as these fees are a major profit driver for card issuers. Bank stocks, particularly Capital One (down 7%) and Citi (down nearly 8%), have declined this week due to concerns that profitability would be impacted, potentially leading to reduced credit availability for consumers. Industry leaders argue that such a cap could backfire, raising inflation expectations and ultimately increasing rates over time.

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UK Economy Surges: Auto Sector Drives Unexpected 0.3% Growth
Business2d ago

UK Economy Surges: Auto Sector Drives Unexpected 0.3% Growth

The UK economy expanded by 0.3% in November, surpassing analyst expectations of 0.1% growth, driven by a rebound in car manufacturing, particularly at Jaguar Land Rover, and increased activity in the services sector. This growth, following a revised 0.1% contraction in October, suggests a modest expansion for the UK economy in the final quarter of 2025, with economists anticipating continued growth supported by easing post-Budget uncertainty.

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Trump's Gaza Peace Panel: Big Names, Steep Odds
Business13h ago

Trump's Gaza Peace Panel: Big Names, Steep Odds

The White House's newly announced Gaza "Board of Peace" faces scrutiny due to its lack of Palestinian representation on the executive boards overseeing investment, diplomacy, and on-the-ground operations. The "founding Executive Board" includes six Americans, such as Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff, alongside World Bank President Ajay Banga, raising concerns about the plan's perceived colonial approach and potential market impact in the region. The initiative aims to administer Gaza through the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), led by Dr. Ali Shaath.

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SNL Skewers Trump's Nobel Ambitions, Hegseth's Foreign Policy
Business1h ago

SNL Skewers Trump's Nobel Ambitions, Hegseth's Foreign Policy

Saturday Night Live satirized President Trump's Nobel Prize obsession and the U.S. military's Venezuela operation in its 2026 season premiere. The show lampooned Trump's ego through a mock press conference and cabinet meeting, featuring Colin Jost as an outlandish Secretary of Defense and Jeremy Culhane as a disgruntled Vice President JD Vance. The episode tackled current political events with comedic exaggeration, reflecting on Trump's controversial statements and actions.

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Citi's Q4 Profit Jumps; CFO Mason Preps Successor for Growth
Business2d ago

Citi's Q4 Profit Jumps; CFO Mason Preps Successor for Growth

Citi's Q4 2025 earnings showcased a profitable close to the year with net income of $2.5 billion on $19.9 billion in revenue, exceeding FactSet estimates and marking a leadership transition as CFO Mark Mason departs. Gonzalo Luchetti, head of U.S. personal banking, will succeed Mason, inheriting a bank demonstrating strength and positive momentum, particularly within the U.S. personal banking sector, which has seen 13 consecutive quarters of positive operating leverage.

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Leon Eyes Weight Loss Drug Boom for Business Growth
Business1d ago

Leon Eyes Weight Loss Drug Boom for Business Growth

Leon's boss, John Vincent, sees the rising popularity of weight loss jabs as a business opportunity for the fast-food chain, believing their existing menu aligns with the dietary needs of those using the drugs. This comes as Leon, which employs 1,000 people across 71 restaurants, undergoes restructuring after appointing administrators and closing 20 High Street locations, with plans to expand in travel hubs. Vincent aims to revive the company by focusing on providing protein-rich, low-sugar options that cater to the evolving consumer market influenced by weight loss medications.

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