Comcast earnings highlight NBCUniversal strength ahead of planned splitComcast said earlier this year it would split the cable businesses from the media business, creating two separate publicly traded companies.{}
Cyclospora outbreak tests RFK Jr.'s promise to overhaul food system, rebuild trust in CDCCyclospora presents a test for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s promise to overhaul the food system and restore confidence in the agencies overseeing it.{}
Eli Lilly says it will file for approval of next-generation obesity drug in 2027 as it clears two more trialsThere are now positive results from five late-stage trials on retatrutide, which Lilly is positioning as the next pillar of its obesity portfolio.{}
American Airlines stock tumbles 8% as fuel spike further postpones turnaroundAmerican Airlines further cut its 2026 earnings outlook, citing higher fuel costs.{}
Human-Caused Climate Change, Not El Niño, Drives Most Coral Bleaching Events – Research
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, July 23 (IPS) - Every morning, as the Indian Ocean retreats from the reef off Zanzibar’s Jambiani village, Chiku Chande steps into the knee-deep lagoon carrying bundles of seaweed seedlings. Years of farming these waters have taught her about every channel and coral outcrop. But lately, the corals that once glowed in brown and gold have become chalky white.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/07/23/43652 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/07/CORAL-REEF-100x100.jpg"}Comcast earnings highlight NBCUniversal strength ahead of planned splitComcast said earlier this year it would split the cable businesses from the media business, creating two separate publicly traded companies.{}
Fidelity estimates retirees will spend $185,500 on healthcare and medical expenses in retirementFidelity's 2026 estimate shows a 65-year-old retiree may face $185,500 in medical expenses despite Medicare coverage, a 7.5% jump from last year.
Fidelity Investments released its 25th annual estimate of retiree healthcare costs, which revealed a significant jump from a year ago as medical care and related expenses become more expensive.
The report estimated that a 65-year-old who retires in 2026 can expect to spend an average of $185,500 on healthcare and medical expenses throughout their retirement. That amount is an increase of 7.5% from last year amid rising healthcare prices, growth in the utilization of medical services and growing costs stemming from chronic conditions.
"Financial planning for retirement is about more than reaching a savings target, especially as retirement itself continues to evolve," said Shams Talib, head of Fidelity Workplace Consulting.
"Whether Americans fully stop working, phase into their retirement, or pursue new ways to stay engaged, healthcare consistently remains one of the largest expenses they will face," Talib added. "Providing a benchmark to consider can help them plan with purpose and more confidence."
POPULAR DRUGS ADDED TO MEDICARE PRICE NEGOTIATION PROGRAM: WHAT IT MEANS FOR AMERICANS
Fidelity's report has been compiled each year since 2002 and yields an estimate designed as a benchmark for long-term planning around possible healthcare costs a retiree will incur despite standard Medicare coverage.
The estimate assumes enrollment in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), as well as Medicare Part D – which includes premiums, copayments and out-of-pocket costs for medical care and prescription drugs throughout retirement. The figure doesn't include potential long-term care expenses.
Out of the total estimate of $185,500, Fidelity's analysis finds that about 45% of that amount goes to monthly premiums for Medicare Part B and Part D.
US SHOULDERS DISPROPORTIONATE COST OF NEW MEDICATIONS, REPORT FINDS
Another 48% go to covering other medical expenses under Medicare cost-sharing provisions – such as copayments, coinsurance, deductibles for things like hospital visits and outpatient services.
That figure also includes other medical services that aren't covered by Medicare plans, such as vision and hearing exams.
The final 7% of the total comes from out-of-pocket expenses, like co-payments and amounts that aren't covered by Medicare Part D and are out-of-pocket expenses for generic, branded or specialty drugs.
OBAMACARE EXCHANGE FLAW EXPOSED AMERICANS TO UNEXPECTED HEALTH PLAN SWITCHES, WATCHDOG FINDS
"Medicare is a critical part of retirement health coverage, but it does not eliminate every healthcare expense," said Steve Betts, head of Fidelity Health.
"This estimate helps illustrate why both pre-retirees and retirees alike will benefit from carefully considering out-of-pocket expenses and how they will pay for them as they build out their retirement income strategy," Betts added.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/fidelity-estimates-retirees-spend-185500-healthcare-medical-expenses-retirementAmerican Airlines slashes 2026 earnings outlook as fuel costs spikeAmerican Airlines further cut its 2026 earnings outlook, citing higher fuel costs.{}
Comcast earnings highlight NBCUniversal strength ahead of planned splitComcast said earlier this year it would split the cable businesses from the media business, creating two separate publicly traded companies.{}
Comcast earnings highlight NBCUniversal strength ahead of planned splitComcast said earlier this year it would split the cable businesses from the media business, creating two separate publicly traded companies.{}
American Airlines slashes 2026 earnings outlook as fuel costs spikeAmerican Airlines further cut its 2026 earnings outlook, citing higher fuel costs.{}
American Airlines slashes 2026 earnings outlook as fuel costs spikeAmerican Airlines further cut its 2026 earnings outlook, citing higher fuel costs.{}
China's Geely to make EVs at Ford plant in Spain under new joint ventureFord and Geely plan for the joint venture will begin operations in the first half of 2027, with the first new vehicles scheduled to roll off the line in 2028.{}
Why three automakers dominate the fast-growing hybrid vehicle marketHybrid sales are surging in the U.S., and Japanese and Korean manufacturers making them are reaping the benefits.{}
A tax break for preserving land has drawn IRS scrutiny. Here’s when it still makes senseFor wealthy landowners, conservation easements can still make sense if you avoid these IRS red flags.{}
Senate panel advances China auto bill that could bar Mercedes-Benz from U.S.Mercedes-Benz’s largest individual shareholder is Chinese state-owned BAIC. Cruz warned the bill could hurt Mercedes and accused GM of backing it.{}
Comcast earnings highlight NBCUniversal strength ahead of planned splitComcast said earlier this year it would split the cable businesses from the media business, creating two separate publicly traded companies.{}
American Airlines slashes 2026 earnings outlook as fuel costs spikeAmerican Airlines further cut its 2026 earnings outlook, citing higher fuel costs/{}
China's Geely to make EVs at Ford plant in Spain under new joint ventureFord and Geely plan for the joint venture will begin operations in the first half of 2027, with the first new vehicles scheduled to roll off the line in 2028.{}
Florida stock rising: How it became world's 14th largest economy as blue states continue a 'death spiral'Florida's $1.8T economy is now the 14th largest in the world, overtaking Australia and Mexico. Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Wilson tells Fox News Digital why free enterprise wins.
Pulling in capital, talent and corporations at a historic clip, Florida is no longer just competing with rival states — it’s competing with global economies.
New data from the Florida Chamber of Commerce shows the Sunshine State's $1.8 trillion economy has climbed to No. 14 globally, according to the Florida Chamber Foundation. The Chamber says the ranking demonstrates the state's emphasis on lower taxes, streamlined regulations and free enterprise.
"The best way to help America move forward is to have Florida lead the country forward when it comes to free enterprise and freedom," Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson told Fox News Digital. "If we would follow Florida's lead, everyone wins."
Last week, the Chamber announced Florida had climbed to No. 14 among the world's largest economies by gross domestic product (GDP). The state's economy reached $1.8 trillion after growing 6.3% over the past year, surpassing Australia and Mexico, according to the Chamber. Florida now ranks behind South Korea at No. 13 and would need roughly 2% additional growth to surpass it and about 21% more growth to overtake Canada, which ranks No. 10.
CALIFORNIA WEALTH CHARTS A QUIETER PATH TO FLORIDA AS GULF COAST ENTERS MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR BOOM
"We're trying to grow the private sector and shrink the government sector," Wilson explained. "I mentioned the 'death spiral,' when you look at New York, when you look at Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota, California, they keep increasing taxes. They keep increasing government regulations, and they keep forcing people to leave their states or incentivizing people to leave their states… so it only increases our resolve."
Florida’s daily population migration has normalized from its post-pandemic peak down to about 500 to 600 people a day, yet the wealth migration stayed solid at over $4 million every single hour. That metric has remained strong, Wilson said, as "places like New York and California are losing population, they're losing wealth, they're losing businesses and places like Florida are gaining [them]."
While tourism, agriculture and construction remain foundational industries, Chamber data shows Florida ranking No. 1 nationally for new business startups and manufacturing job growth. Wilson also highlighted growth in aerospace, defense, fintech, healthcare, logistics and Central Florida's $11.6 billion modeling-and-simulation industry.
"The secret sauce for us in Florida is this has been part of a 20-year plan," the CEO said. "From the governor to the legislature, to nearly all of us in the business community, we've been on an ultra-focused pathway here of doing the right things from a policy standpoint so that we can grow Florida the right way. So people can work, people can live the American dream and we can show the rest of the country and the world how to do it."
Wilson argued that running the state like a business with low debt protects local enterprises from national economic turmoil and Washington's debt crisis, with the Chamber reporting that Florida has the nation's lowest state debt per capita at less than $1,000 per resident. By comparison, New York carries more than $6,500 in state debt per resident.
However, a recent Bloomberg analysis found that U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data indicates the combined cost of living in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach region — dubbed the "Gold Coast" — is roughly 5% higher than in the New York metropolitan area and its surrounding suburbs.
"We're taking a deep dive into that [report], that actually doesn't compare New York to Florida, it compares Miami to New York City," Wilson responded. "And what we're looking at is not just the cost of living, but there are things like crime. Miami is now one of the safest places in America… It's safe to walk the streets at night. Sometimes there's no price tag you can put on some of these amenities Florida has."
"The leadership in the Miami area, I've spoken to them and we're in partnership that over the next several years, we're going to continue to do things like an improve an already awesome education system, and make sure that we have the affordable workforce housing solutions so that more and more people can live the American dream right here in Florida," he continued.
Wilson also discussed high-profile billionaires and major corporations relocating to the Sunshine State, responding to critics who argue the influx has driven up housing costs and inflation for working-class families.
"They're looking for places where they're welcomed," he said. "What's interesting is a lot of billionaires are relocating to Florida, but they're also investing in Florida businesses… There's no question that when a lot of wealth moves into an area, it can increase the cost of living in an area. There's no question that that's true… But it also brings with it an overwhelming value proposition of more wealth, more jobs, more businesses."
"I would hate to be New York, Illinois or California where the billionaires are leaving, the millionaires are leaving, the middle class is leaving. And there's no one left to pay the taxes."
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Wilson and the Chamber are confident Florida can reach the world's top 10 economies by the end of the decade. The Florida 2030 Blueprint outlines a 10-year strategic plan targeting fiscal, workforce and civic goals, with a focus on life sciences, defense, ag-tech, commercial space, logistics and cybersecurity.
"It's like a military operation where we have all the branches, from education to infrastructure, to taxes, to regulation, to litigation — we all realize that we have a country to save," the Chamber CEO said. "If we're better than other states in certain metrics, then those states can up their game. If some states have found some things that Florida can learn from, then we'll learn from them, and that's gonna make America better."
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/florida-stock-rising-how-became-worlds-14th-largest-economy-blue-states-continue-death-spiralZuckerberg says AI should empower people, not replace them, in new Meta visionMark Zuckerberg says Meta's AI vision is about empowering people, not replacing them, pushing back against dystopian narratives about the technology.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the company's latest vision for artificial intelligence Wednesday, arguing the technology should empower people rather than replace them.
The social media giant released a new video outlining its approach to AI, contrasting it with what it described as a growing "fear" or "dystopian" narrative surrounding the rapidly evolving technology.
The announcement comes as major technology companies race to shape the future of artificial intelligence, with Meta positioning itself as a company that believes AI should benefit everyone.
"Meta has always believed in giving people the power to share, connect, and shape your world in the ways you want," Zuckerberg said.
"As we enter this next wave with AI, we continue to believe the future is for everyone," he continued. "We're focused on giving every person the tools to reach your full potential and making sure the benefits of technology are distributed to everyone."
In the video, Meta pushed back on concerns that artificial intelligence will make people less connected or leave them behind.
"Some people will have you believe AI will make us less connected, that it's gonna leave us behind," the video says. "We couldn't disagree more. Call us optimists, call us dreamers. Just as we've always done, we're betting on people."
INSIDE THE AI BOOM: A TALENT CHIEF'S PLAYBOOK FOR WINNING IN THE JOB MARKET
Meta said it has connected more than 3.5 billion people and 200 million small businesses across its platforms during its 22-year history.
The company argued AI is simply the next chapter of that mission.
"Because while technology will change, our intention behind it never will," the video says. "The future we see is one with less barriers and more breakthroughs. More tools designed to unlock your imagination. Bigger engines to drive your ingenuity."
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Meta said advances in artificial intelligence will help build stronger communities and create more meaningful connections.
"We like those odds," the company said. "The future is for everyone."
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/meta-ai-vision-empower-people-mark-zuckerbergJaguar Land Rover recalls more than 15,000 vehicles over visibility-limiting defectMore than 15,000 Land Rover vehicles were recalled by Jaguar over a rearview camera defect due to insufficient drain holes that may cause water damage.
Jaguar Land Rover is recalling more than 15,000 vehicles over an issue that could affect the rearview camera, which could limit the driver's rear visibility while reversing, according to federal regulators.
A total of 15,535 vehicles are potentially affected by the recall, covering 2021-2025 Land Rover Discovery models, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in its recall notice.
The NHTSA said that "insufficient drain holes" could prevent water from draining properly, damaging the rearview camera and increasing the risk of a crash.
FORD RECALLS NEARLY 388,000 VEHICLES OVER SECOND-ROW SEAT INJURY HAZARD
"Water may not be able to drain away from the rearview camera due to insufficient drain holes, which may result in damage to the rearview camera," the agency said.
"A water-damaged camera may not display an image, or may display an unclear image, when requested to do so," the notice reads.
Jaguar Land Rover has received 100 U.S. claims and field reports related to the issue. No related crashes, injuries or fires have been reported.
Car owners are instructed to take their vehicles to a dealership for inspection, where the camera will be replaced at no cost if necessary.
Dealers will also drill additional drain holes in the underside of the tailgate trim.
BMW RECALLS NEARLY 30K VEHICLES OVER ENGINE STARTER DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE FIRE
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Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on or before September 11.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/jaguar-land-rover-recalls-more-than-15000-vehicles-over-visibility-limiting-defectDisney reportedly lays off hundreds of employees, Pixar hit hard despite blockbuster successPixar absorbed the largest share of Disney's latest layoffs as ESPN, National Geographic and other entertainment divisions also faced significant workforce reductions.
Disney laid off several hundred employees Tuesday morning across multiple divisions, with Pixar absorbing the largest share of the cuts.
At least 116 employees were laid off at Pixar's Emeryville, California, headquarters, according to TheWrap, citing sources. Disney Entertainment Television, Disney Studios and ESPN were also affected by the latest round of workforce reductions.
The layoffs came as Pixar’s newly released "Toy Story 5" dominated the global box office, grossing about $962 million worldwide and putting the film on track to surpass the $1 billion mark.
The cuts also mark Pixar's largest round of layoffs in the last two years, despite "Inside Out 2" becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time with $1.69 billion worldwide in 2024.
DISNEY LAYS OFF 1,000 EMPLOYEES ACROSS TV AND FILM UNDER NEW CEO
Within Disney Entertainment, National Geographic is expected to be among the hardest-hit brands, according to the report.
ESPN also cut several high-profile on-air personalities, including Karl Ravech, a longtime SportsCenter anchor and Baseball Tonight host who has been with the network since 1993, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
Ryan Clark, a former NFL player who has served as an ESPN football analyst for more than a decade, was also named.
DISNEY CEO DEFENDS MASSIVE AI DEAL, SAYS CREATORS WON'T BE THREATENED
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro told staff in a memo Tuesday morning that the company made the decision after an extensive evaluation of its teams and organizational structure.
"Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress integrating the NFL assets that we acquired into ESPN. Throughout this process, we have taken the time to carefully evaluate our collective teams, resources and organizational structure to best position us for the future. As a result, we had to make some difficult decisions about job impacts that we will be communicating today," Pitaro said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The cuts may have been triggered in part by the underperformance of "Hopper," Pixar's original film that launched earlier this year, sources told TheWrap.
The movie reportedly finished slightly below breaking even under Hollywood accounting standards.
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Pixar’s "Elio" also struggled at the box office, earning about $154 million worldwide in 2025 against a reported production budget of $200 million. It marked the studio’s lowest-grossing film since the COVID-impacted "Onward."
The latest round of layoffs marks the third wave of job cuts to hit the media giant this year.
In April, Disney laid off roughly 1,000 employees across its television and film divisions under newly appointed CEO Josh D’Amaro.
The executive cited the need to "streamline" operations amid the "fast-moving pace" of change across the entertainment industry.
In January, Disney reportedly consolidated its marketing departments under Chief Brand Officer Asad Ayaz, leading to additional cuts in those areas, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/disney-lays-hundreds-employees-pixar-hit-hard-despite-blockbuster-successTesla touts 380,000 unsupervised robotaxi miles with ‘zero notable incidents’Tesla’s AI chief said the electric vehicle maker’s expanding robotaxi fleet logged more than 380,000 unsupervised miles with “zero notable incidents."
Tesla said Wednesday that its robotaxi fleet has logged more than 380,000 unsupervised miles across six cities in two states without what the company described as a "notable" safety incident.
Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s vice president of AI software, highlighted the fleet’s safety record during the electric vehicle maker’s second-quarter earnings call, telling investors it had recorded "zero notable incidents."
Any reported incidents involved "other actors impacting us when we were stationary," Elluswamy said.
"I'd like to emphasize how safe the operation has been so far," Elluswamy said. "Zero notable incidents over 380,000 miles."
MUSK SAYS TESLA, SPACEX TO BUILD ADVANCED CHIP MANUFACTURING FACILITY
Elluswamy said the results support Tesla’s camera-based approach to autonomous driving.
"Historically, the so-called experts have always claimed that you need lidars, radars, HD maps and the entire kitchen sink to drive safely," he said. "Here, we show that such is not true. You can have safe, comfortable and affordable autonomy with just cameras."
Tesla said mileage traveled by its unsupervised robotaxi fleet has grown at a double-digit weekly rate for months.
"We have grown at such a high compounding rate on a week-over-week basis over the last several months," Elluswamy said. "Not only that, we expect to continue growing at such a large rate through the rest of this year."
ELON MUSK REVEALS PRICE OF TESLA'S CYBERCAB
The remarks came one day after Tesla expanded its robotaxi service to Orlando and Tampa, according to Reuters.
Tesla launched the service in Austin in June 2025, initially placing safety monitors inside the vehicles.
It later began offering fully unsupervised rides in Austin and expanded the service to Dallas, Houston and Miami, Reuters reported.
Unlike Waymo, which uses "light detection and ranging" or "lidar" sensors, Tesla relies mainly on cameras and AI software, according to the outlet.
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"We expect that the time to launch to a new city will continue to trend towards zero, towards an end where we operate in entire states as a whole, instead of going city by city," Elluswamy added.
Tesla could not immediately be reached by FOX Business for comment.
Reuters contributed to this report.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/tesla-touts-380000-unsupervised-robotaxi-miles-zero-notable-incidentsTarget, Kroger, Meijer fruit purée pouches recalled over plastic risk: FDAPT Organics recalled select Pumpkin Tree fruit purée pouches sold at Target, Kroger and Meijer over possible plastic risk.
PT Organics Limited is voluntarily recalling select Pumpkin Tree Peter Rabbit Organics Banana & Strawberry fruit purée pouches sold at Target, Kroger and Meijer stores nationwide because of a packaging defect that may result in strands of soft, food-grade plastic in some pouches.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the recall Tuesday.
The affected 4-ounce (113-gram) fruit purée pouches were sold between March 6 and July 13, according to the Lake Oswego, Oregon-based company.
No injuries have been reported, and no other Pumpkin Tree products, flavors or best-by dates are affected, PT Organics said.
FORD RECALLS NEARLY 388,000 VEHICLES OVER SECOND-ROW SEAT INJURY HAZARD
PT Organics said it initiated the recall after its packaging supplier recalled a production run of defective pouches last week.
The company said inspections of finished products confirmed that some pouches contained a strand of soft, food-grade plastic attached to the inside of the packaging.
The issue was linked to the pouch packaging itself rather than the fruit purée, according to the company.
Consumers can identify the recalled products by checking for barcode 8 15367 01078 0, a lane number of 4 printed on the rear right-hand side seam and best-by dates of Jan. 19, 2027; Jan. 20, 2027; March 17, 2027; March 18, 2027; May 14, 2027; or May 15, 2027.
The barcode, lane number and best-by date are stamped in black ink on the back of each pouch, according to the company.
Consumers who have the recalled product should not eat it or feed it to another person.
Instead, the company said customers should dispose of the affected pouches or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
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Consumers with questions can visit Pumpkin Tree's website or contact the company's consumer support line at 888-566-2363, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/target-kroger-meijer-fruit-puree-pouches-recalled-over-plastic-risk-fdaLARRY KUDLOW: Call it swag, swagger, rizz, aura, or just plain messaging, the GOP doesn’t have itWhatever these definitions, the Republican party appears to have lost its mojo
According to Google, a definition for swag is "Short for "swagger," describing someone with a cool, confident, and fashionable demeanor. If someone says you "have swag," it means your personal style and attitude are on point." Or you can go to Webster’s and their definition of swag is "bold or brash self-confidence."
Whatever these definitions, the Republican party doesn’t have any right now. No swag. They’ve lost their mojo. We’re not draining the swamp by getting rid of all the fraudulent and corrupt spending left by President Biden’s big government socialism.
And we’re not helping middle-class folks so they won’t have to pay taxes on Joe Biden’s inflation. There’s no growth from the GOP. And no swamp draining.
Nowadays the young people talk about rizz and aura. Google’s definition of rizz, which is short for charisma, is "having a smooth, confident, and magnetic personality." And the definition for aura is "a person’s coolness, star power, or suave swagger." As usual the young people have it right, and whatever their total meaning, the Republican party doesn’t have that either.
While the President is fighting a war to end the nuclear threats to freedom and civilization from radical Islam, the Republicans and the House and Senate are doing him and the GOP midterm election outlook no favors. They are bungling budget policy.
They are bungling the affordability issue. They are bungling the growth issue. They are concocting weird inside the beltway word-salad reasons why they’re not getting anything done that will actually help make life easier for hardworking taxpayers.
Inflation indexing capital gains or raising the exemption for gains on the sale of homes should be easy. Curbing hundreds and hundreds of billions of waste, fraud, and corruption should be easy. Then you put in the funding for voter ID, the Save America bill, and the military supplemental for Iran.
There’s nothing hard about this. But the GOP leadership is letting everyone down. Whether it’s swag, swagger, rizz, aura, or how about just plain messaging. The GOP doesn’t have any of it.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/larry-kudlow-call-swag-swagger-rizz-aura-just-plain-messaging-gop-doesnt-haveThese American cities are trending toward a buyer's marketNine metro areas, including Atlanta, Houston, and San Antonio are emerging as buyer's markets with rising inventory and growing seller concessions.
Americans in the market for buying a new home are seeing the markets in some parts of the country turn in their favor after years of seller's markets prevailing.
Realtor.com on Tuesday released the second-quarter edition of its market clock report, which analyzes national and metro-level housing conditions based on factors like months of supply, time on the market, price fluctuations and list-to-sale ratio.
Of the 100 metro areas included in the analysis, it found there are 19 metro areas that are in buyer's market territory and nine trending toward that may join those ranks by the end of the third quarter.
The nine metro areas that are emerging as buyer's markets are spread around the country and include Atlanta; Bakersfield, California; Birmingham, Alabama; Honolulu; Houston; Memphis; Riverside, California; San Antonio; and Syracuse, New York.
THE UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITY THAT COULD HELP CLOSE AMERICA'S HOUSING SHORTAGE
That geographic diversity stands in stark contrast to the list of the 19 metro areas currently in a buyer's market, 18 of which were located in the South, with Colorado Springs, Colorado, the lone exception.
Here's a look at what's driving the improving conditions for would-be homebuyers in five of the nine emerging buyer's markets identified in Realtor.com's report:
"Our inventory has been building, homes are sitting on the market longer and sellers are becoming more willing to negotiate on price, closing cost and mortgage rate buy-downs," said LeAnne Weathers, a realty agent with eXp in Atlanta, adding that buyers have "more choices and less pressure" in this environment.
"The biggest local factors driving that shift are increased housing supply, higher mortgage rates — keeping some of the buyers on the sidelines — and a more balanced market overall."
STARTER HOME AFFORDABILITY IS CRAWLING BACK. THESE REGIONS ARE BEST FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS
Daniel Beer, an eXp realty agent in Riverside, said in the Southern California community's markets, "buyers have the most leverage with condos. Inventory levels for condos are significantly higher than single-family homes and continue to grow."
"Skyrocketing HOA fees due to government regulations and other factors contributing to increased operating costs are pushing more owners to sell, giving buyers a lot of choice," Beer added.
"Buyers in our market have had less competition in the past six months, which is allowing for more contracts to be accepted with home inspection contingencies," said Ben Gray, an eXp realty agent in Syracuse.
"Many buyers are expanding their search criteria to include homes further out from the metro area, going as far as 45 to 50 minutes to get offers accepted," Gray said.
THE OVERLOOKED OBSTACLE KEEPING AMERICA FROM BUILDING THE HOMES IT NEEDS
Thao Nguyen, an eXp realty agent in Houston, said "buyers finally have options again" in the metroplex, noting data from the Houston Association of Realtors showed that single-family inventory has risen to 5.2 months.
"That means buyers have more time to compare homes, conduct inspections and negotiate instead of feeling pressured into bidding wars. As a listing agent, I'm also seeing more sellers willing to contribute toward closing costs or mortgage rate buy-downs to get deals across the finish line," Nguyen added.
"New construction is where buyers have the strongest negotiating position. Builders are aggressively offering interest rate buydowns, covering closing costs and providing additional incentives that many resale sellers simply can't match," said Rommy Deais, an eXp realty agent in San Antonio.
Mario Victorica, also a realty agent with eXp in San Antonio, said the area is "already seeing longer days on market, more price reductions and increased seller flexibility."
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"Unless mortgage rates decline significantly and bring a surge of buyers back into the market, those conditions should continue to favor buyers over the next few months," Victorica added.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/american-cities-trending-toward-buyers-marketChick-fil-A security incident may have exposed some customer account dataThe fast-food chain said it contacted affected customers after detecting suspicious login activity tied to certain Chick-fil-A One loyalty accounts.
Chick-fil-A said Wednesday that a recent security incident may have exposed personal information linked to a limited number of customer loyalty accounts.
The Atlanta-based fast-food chain told FOX Business that it moved quickly to secure affected accounts and notify customers who may have been impacted.
"We recently identified a security incident that may have affected a limited number of Chick-fil-A One Loyalty accounts," a company spokesperson said. "Upon discovering the issue, we took steps to immediately address, secure and restore accounts, and we are communicating directly with all customers who may have been impacted."
CHICK-FIL-A EXPANDS ITS ‘GHOST KITCHEN’ MODEL WITH NEW DELIVERY-ONLY STORE IN FLORIDA
The spokesperson added that the company "sincerely apologize[s] for any inconvenience or concern" and remains "committed" to maintaining customers’ trust.
The company notified potentially affected customers Monday after discovering suspicious login activity involving certain Chick-fil-A One accounts, USA TODAY reported.
SALADS OUTSELL FRIED FAVORITES AT THIS CALIFORNIA CHICKEN CHAIN GROWING NATIONWIDE
According to the notice, "unauthorized parties" targeted the company’s website and mobile app between June 17 and June 19. The attackers used account credentials obtained from a "third-party source," the outlet reported.
The incident affected customers in Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, D.C., according to USA Today.
A DAD REVEALED HOW HIS FAMILY OF 5 EATS AT CHICK-FIL-A FOR UNDER $45
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The data that may have been compromised included customers’ names, email addresses, Chick-fil-A One membership and mobile payment numbers, the last four digits of payment cards and the amount of Chick-fil-A credit stored in their accounts.
Chick-fil-A said it reset passwords for affected accounts, restored any impacted loyalty balances and added rewards to customers’ accounts, USA TODAY reported.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/chick-fil-a-security-incident-may-have-exposed-some-customer-account-dataThe untapped opportunity that could help close America’s housing shortageZillow identified more than 300,000 empty lots that could support new construction and help narrow America’s multimillion-home housing deficit.
More than 300,000 empty lots listed for sale could help reduce America’s housing shortage, according to new research from Zillow.
The real estate company said 300,242 empty lots of five acres or fewer were listed for sale on Zillow in June, accounting for 17.4% of all for-sale listings.
Building one home on each lot would reduce the estimated national housing deficit from 4.7 million homes to about 4.44 million, a decline of 6.3%, Zillow said.
The typical lot for sale is 0.57 acres and has a median price of $79,000. Zillow said many of the parcels may be large enough to support more than one home, making its estimate conservative.
STARTER HOME AFFORDABILITY IS CRAWLING BACK. THESE REGIONS ARE BEST FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS
"The more than 300,000 lots currently listed for sale represent the lowest-hanging fruit in addressing a housing shortage that’s two decades in the making," Zillow Senior Economist Kara Ng said.
Ng said loosening zoning rules, streamlining permitting and expanding access to financing could reduce the cost and uncertainty associated with construction.
WHY HOMEBUYERS ARE RACING TO THIS PENNSYLVANIA PORT CITY
Florida had the most empty lots listed for sale, with 42,601, followed by Texas with 40,907, California with 18,508, North Carolina with 14,226 and Georgia with 10,334.
Empty lots made up the largest share of for-sale listings in North Dakota, at 45.9%, followed by South Dakota at 38.7% and Alaska at 34.6%.
Rural markets had the highest concentration of empty lots, accounting for 25.3% of listings, compared with 13.6% in suburban areas and 9% in urban markets.
MORTGAGE RATES JUMP TO HIGHEST LEVEL IN ALMOST A YEAR
Rural lots were also the least expensive on a per-acre basis, with a median of about $75,000 per acre. That compares with more than $181,000 per acre in suburban areas and approximately $500,000 per acre in urban areas.
Zillow said expanding access to manufactured homes could also help address the shortage because they can be built faster and at a lower cost than traditional site-built homes.
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The company is participating in a 12-week federal technology initiative with the U.S. Census Bureau’s Opportunity Project focused on increasing access to small-dollar housing loans in rural communities and reducing barriers for buyers interested in purchasing and building on empty lots.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/untapped-opportunity-could-help-close-americas-housing-shortageTrump’s Authoritarian Gambit to Muzzle the Foreign Press
NEW YORK, July 23 (IPS) - Under a new rule proposed by the Department of Homeland Security, the duration of “I visas” for foreign media will be slashed from renewable multi year periods—often up to five years—to a maximum of 240 days, and just 90 days for Chinese journalists. Renewals would no longer be a routine administrative step tied to continued employment and compliance with the law, but a discretionary privilege the government can grant or withhold at will.
Read the full story, “Trump’s Authoritarian Gambit to Muzzle the Foreign Press”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/07/23/43651 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/07/protecting-journalists_-100x100.jpg"}Don’t Cry for Milei, Argentina
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 23 (IPS) - Sunday’s World Cup final focused world attention on the stench of corruption, past and current, surrounding some of its main protagonists, including Argentina, and the presidents of FIFA, Argentina and the main host nation.
Read the full story, “Don’t Cry for Milei, Argentina”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/07/23/43650 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2018/09/jomo_180-100x100.jpg"}Senate panel advances China auto bill that could bar Mercedes-Benz from U.S.Mercedes-Benz’s largest individual shareholder is Chinese state-owned BAIC. Cruz warned the bill could hurt Mercedes and accused GM of backing it.{}
EU antitrust regulators clear Paramount-WBD merger as it faces challenge by U.S. statesEuropean regulators signed off on Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.{}
Google expands Miami office as co-founders flee California for South FloridaLarry Page and Sergey Brin purchased multimillion-dollar homes in South Florida as California voters weigh a billionaire wealth tax this November.
Google reportedly expanded its office presence in Miami this year after two of its co-founders purchased houses in South Florida.
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, signed a lease expanding its existing 10,000-square-foot satellite office in Miami's financial district by an additional 45,000 square feet, two people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News.
The outlet reported that the expansion was driven in part by the recent home purchases in the area by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin – two billionaires who have bought homes outside of California and relocated business entities out of the Golden State as voters weigh a billionaire tax on this fall's ballot.
Google first opened an office in Miami in 2016 and the expansion will increase its presence in Florida – though the South Florida office remains much smaller than the corporate headquarters at its Mountain View campus in California, which has over 10 million square feet of space, and its 1.7 million-square-foot Hudson Square campus in New York.
GOOGLE CO-FOUNDER RIPS CALIFORNIA BILLIONAIRE TAX: 'I FLED SOCIALISM'
Page and Brin left their roles as executives in 2019 but remain on Google's board. Brin has reportedly taken an active role in shaping the company's initiatives around artificial intelligence (AI).
A report from earlier this year by the Wall Street Journal noted that Page bought a waterfront compound for $101.5 million in December as well as a nearby home for $71.9 million, which he bought in early January, while Brin was reportedly closing in on a purchase at that time as well.
Bloomberg's report said that Brin bought a $51 million waterfront home in Miami Beach shortly after Page's purchase.
Brin was also linked to the purchase of a $42 million mansion on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe in December.
The moves occurred as California voters will vote on a proposed one-time wealth tax on billionaires this November.
The proposed constitutional amendment would levy a one-time, 5% wealth tax on taxpayers and trusts with over $1 billion in covered assets for the purpose of funding the state's healthcare and food assistance programs, as well as public education.
GOOGLE CO-FOUNDER SERGEY BRIN JOINS CALIFORNIA EXODUS: REPORT
Assets covered by the tax would include businesses, securities, art, collectibles, and intellectual property – though real property, pensions and certain retirement accounts would be exempt.
If passed, the tax would apply retroactively to taxpayers who lived in California as of Jan. 1, 2026, with the tax due with 2027 tax filings.
Taxpayers could pay the tax in five equal installments, with subsequent payments subject to an annual deferral charge of 7.5% of the balance that remains unpaid.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/google-expands-miami-office-co-founders-flee-california-south-floridaCVS offers new pharmacy option for pet ownersPet owners can fill select medications for dogs and cats at CVS Pharmacy stores, with delivery, automatic refills and other services available.
CVS Pharmacy is expanding into pet health care by allowing customers to fill common prescriptions for dogs and cats at roughly 9,000 locations nationwide.
The pharmacy chain said pet owners can obtain select medications, including antibiotics, allergy treatments, flea and tick control products, insulin and pain relievers.
Customers can bring a written prescription to a CVS Pharmacy location or ask their veterinarian to contact the pharmacy directly. Eligible prescriptions may also be available for delivery.
The expansion gives pet owners another option beyond veterinary offices, online pet pharmacies and specialty retailers, particularly when filling recurring prescriptions for animals undergoing ongoing treatment.
CVS said eligible pet prescriptions will qualify for some of the same services available for human medications, including automatic refills and prescription synchronization.
Pet owners can also add their animals to CVS.com profiles and manage eligible prescriptions through the CVS Health app. The company said electronic prescribing capabilities for veterinarians are expected to become available in the coming months.
"With the addition of pet medication dispensing, CVS Pharmacy can now serve every member of the family," Sid Tenneti, CVS Health’s senior vice president and interim president of pharmacy and consumer wellness, said in a statement.
POPULAR PET FOOD RECALLED OVER POSSIBLE SHARP METAL AND PLASTIC CONTAMINATION
CVS has also expanded the selection of pet food, grooming and wellness products available in its stores and online. Its offerings include flea and tick products, dental treats, toys, grooming tools, cat litter and training pads.
The company did not disclose how much it expects the prescription service to contribute to sales.
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CVS Health operates approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations and more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care clinics.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/cvs-offers-new-pharmacy-option-pet-ownersChildren in Conflict Zones and Remote Areas Bear the Brunt of Poor Health Access
UNITED NATIONS, July 22 (IPS) - Despite growing up and working in vastly different geographic regions and environments — one shaped by decades of armed conflict and political instability, and the other by remote, hard-to-reach areas — both Sagal and Johao encounter children daily who have never been vaccinated. Sagal and Johao are members of UNICEF’s Global Youth Health Advisory Group, where they advance children’s health by shaping UNICEF’s strategies, policies, and campaigns, while working directly in their own countries to connect community realities to global conversations about children’s health.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/07/22/43643 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/07/immunization_-100x100.jpg"}Africa’s Health Defenses Have Improved But Its Funding Has Not
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, July 22 (IPS) - In September 2024, an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in South Ethiopia was confirmed, contained, and declared over within three months.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/07/22/43642 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2025/04/WH0-Africa-03-100x100.jpeg"}The FDA made a big reversal in its cyclosporiasis probe, but it still thinks iceberg lettuce is to blameThe FDA's investigation into the source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak is causing confusion as companies and consumers alike navigate new updates.{}
Taco Bell says it has removed lettuce linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak from its restaurantsTaco Bell, which the CDC linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak, will likely recover soon from the health safety scare, according to analysts.{}
Cathie Wood says battered SpaceX could become 'most important company in global history'ARK Invest allocated $80 million to SpaceX after its IPO, and CEO Cathie Wood remains bullish even as the stock sheds nearly $1.4 trillion in market value.
ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood is defending her fund's stake in SpaceX, declaring the aerospace and satellite network pioneer could become the "most important company in global history" despite the stock's recent slide and an upcoming $116 billion share unlock.
During an interview on "Mornings with Maria" Wednesday, Wood explained why she remains bullish on SpaceX after funds managed by ARK Invest allocated $80 million to the position following its public debut.
"[Down] from its peak, it is," Wood said, "but of course not from the IPO price. We think this could become the most important company in history, and I mean in global history."
"We're talking about not only really exploring a new world — the universe — in terms of its launch capabilities and helping others to do so as well, but also a global communications network. Really, think telecom, that's been a very local business. In fact, the way to break into countries historically was to buy the [telecommunications companies], no longer."
Just before Wednesday's opening bell, SpaceX stock was trading around $123.50 per share. According to Barron's, the stock is down about 47% from its high of about $225, and has shed nearly $1.4 trillion in market value. This puts SpaceX in eighth place by market capitalization, behind Meta for the first time since its debut.
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Wood previously said in a May interview with Bloomberg that she imagines SpaceX will be "volatile," but applauded founder Elon Musk's "incredible" ability to vertically integrate all of his companies, including Tesla, xAI and Neuralink.
Musk warned investors against trying to short-sell the stock last week in a post on X, saying, "The survival probability of firms that maintain a significant short position in SpaceX over time is very low."
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/cathie-wood-says-battered-spacex-most-important-company-global-historyChinese asylum-seeker accused of draining elderly NY woman’s $360K life savings in fake Microsoft scamA Chinese asylum seeker living in NYC allegedly targeted an elderly woman in a $360,000 tech support scam involving fake IRS agents and gold bullion, sparking warnings over rising cyber fraud.
A Chinese national seeking asylum in New York City allegedly attempted to scam an elderly Buffalo-area woman out of $360,000 of her inheritance and life's savings, using an internet fraud scheme while claiming to be a "Microsoft security" representative.
Didi Zou, 39, was arrested in June for conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud and faced a July detention hearing where U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah McCarthy ordered him to remain in custody while the federal case proceeds, The Buffalo News reported Wednesday.
Attorney Jeffrey T. Bagley, an assistant federal public defender representing Zou – a temporary work visa-holder seeking asylum in New York City – claimed in court that Zou is an alleged "white-collar" crime defendant and "not one that's a violent one," according to the News.
SCAMMERS DRAIN SENIORS' SAVINGS AT STAGGERING RATES, FTC REPORT WARNS
"So stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from elderly people would not be a danger?" McCarthy asked. "It’s callous, it’s greed-driven, and it had devastating consequences to members of the community."
Zou is alleged to have directed an elaborate scam that led to the unnamed elderly Tonawanda woman giving him, as he posed as an IRS agent, $20,000 and "gold coins/bullion to protect their funds in the ‘IRS Banking’ account," according to the Justice Department.
"Mr. Zou is nothing more than a mule," Bagley claimed in court, according to the report, adding, "The masterminds behind the stealing, they're not going to be the ones showing up for face-to-face interactions."
A NEW MEDICARE SCAM PROMPTS FCC WARNING
Assistant U.S. attorney Colleen McCarthy says there is evidence of Zou having traveled from New York City to New Jersey and Indiana, for potential "other pickups" and internet fraud victims, according to the News.
Zou is alleged to have used internet hacking, passwords, fake names and posing as a federal agent to scam the elderly women in the elaborate scheme.
"He was not used," McCarthy said, rejecting Zou attorney's claim of being an unwitting "mule." "He was involved."
The scheme allegedly started on May 15, when the elderly woman was logging payments and bills into a Microsoft Excel workbook. She received a purported Microsoft alert on her computer screen with the phrase, "Microsoft Security," and instructions to call a phone number, according to the criminal complaint.
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY SCAMS: DON'T BE THE NEXT VICTIM
She called that number, which kicked off a month-long scheme, allegedly directed by Zou, "to set up a bank account with the IRS on their personal banking website and move their funds to the IRS Bank because of the 'hackers' in their computer," according to a DOJ release.
Fearing hackers, the woman downloaded software at the alleged scammer's instruction that surrendered remote access to her computer, as well as banking details and passwords.
The reported $360,000 in assets included "profits from the sale of their parents’ house, inherited savings, and multiple CDs."
The alleged scheme led the woman to give $20,000 to an IRS "agent" at a coffee shop near her home in Tonawanda, New York, and make five purchases of gold coins/bullion and hand those over at the local coffee shop through June 18.
6 WAYS TO BEAT FINANCIAL FRAUDSTERS
The gold was fake and tagged with tracking devices after the victim worked with FBI agents, the IRS and New York State Police in a sting.
Zou was taken into custody after a traffic stop, telling a New York state trooper he was dropping off a friend in the Buffalo area and heading back to his home in Brooklyn, according to the News.
Microsoft is not a party to this criminal scheme, but told FOX Business it is warning to users "not to provide any personal information."
"We advise consumers to always treat all unsolicited messages with skepticism and not to provide any personal information," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement. "If a message feels unexpected, urgent, or unusual, especially from someone claiming to be a government agency asking for money or sensitive information, pause and verify who you’re dealing with.
"If an individual thinks they may have been the victim of a scam, they should immediately file a report with law enforcement authorities. We also encourage consumers to report their experience at www.microsoft.com/reportascam," the statement continued. "Doing so assists Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit in its ongoing investigations with law enforcement as we take appropriate action against those targeting our customers."
Tech-support impostor scams have surged nationwide, frequently weaponizing consumer trust in major brand names like Microsoft, Apple, or Amazon, the FBI warns.
CRYPTO FRAUD TOPS FBI'S ANNUAL CRIME REPORT AS AMERICANS LOSE BILLIONS TO SCAMS
"Scams today move across trusted platforms and use impersonation to gain trust," the Microsoft spokesperson statement added.
"Any communication with Microsoft must be initiated by the individual. Microsoft will never send unsolicited messages or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information, or to provide technical support to fix your computer."
According to federal cyber regulators, these schemes generally follow a familiar playbook:
The Pop-Up Trap: Malware or compromised web browsers trigger an unclosable banner or loud audio warning claiming the device is infected or hacked.
The Fake Hotline: Victims are instructed to call a toll-free number where operators act helpful while establishing control.
The Financial Drain: Scammers often persuade victims to grant remote access to their computers, log into online bank accounts, or transfer cash, wire funds, buy gold bars, or convert money into cryptocurrency under the guise of "safekeeping" or "fixing the breach."
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Major tech firms, including Microsoft, emphasize that legitimate corporations never display unsolicited pop-up messages containing phone numbers to call for technical support, nor do they ask for payments in cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
Law enforcement agencies warn consumers that if an unexpected warning freezes a computer screen, they should never call the phone number listed. Instead, reboot the device, disconnect from the internet, and verify any account issues directly through official corporate websites.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/chinese-asylum-seeker-accused-draining-elderly-ny-womans-360k-life-savings-fake-microsoft-scamUS Plans to Restrict Visas to Foreign Journalists Come Under Fire
UNITED NATIONS, July 22 (IPS) - A proposal to restrict US visas to foreign journalists assigned to cover the US has triggered a strong protest from the New York-based Foreign Press Association (FPA).
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/07/22/43640 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/07/fpa_220726-100x100.jpg"}Africa Can Grow Faster With AI—If It Moves Now
WASHINGTON DC, July 22 (IPS) - A farmer in Kenya gets weather and planting advice on a basic phone. A teacher in Nigeria uses a chatbot to help students catch up in math. South Africa’s revenue authority uses data analytics to better target tax audits. These are not futuristic examples from Silicon Valley. They are early signs of the broader transformation that artificial intelligence (AI) could bring to sub-Saharan Africa.
Read the full story, “Africa Can Grow Faster With AI—If It Moves Now”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/07/22/43641 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/07/cf-ai-in-ssa-luke-draygetty__-100x100.jpg"}Nike to cut off thousands of online distributors in China, restructure digital footprintNike is streamlining its online business in China as the company looks to stabilize pricing and branding and get back to growth.{}
Wall Street is selling more rental homes, as buying ban takes effectThe largest landlords are all net sellers year to date, with 3,180 more homes sold than bought since Jan. 1.{}
Renting a yacht in the Mediterranean this summer just got cheaperSummer charters in the Med are down 20% to 30% from last year, yacht brokers say, with a growing number offering special discounts for July and August.{}
Mavis Tire to acquire iconic auto-service chain in $700M dealThe $700 million deal will expand Mavis' network to over 4,400 service centers, but Carl Icahn's company retains key assets including AAMCO Transmissions.
Icahn Enterprises on Tuesday announced that the company reached a deal to sell Pep Boys to Mavis, one of the largest independent tire and service providers in the country, in a $700 million deal.
Pep Boys has nearly 800 locations around the country and offers auto services including tires, repairs, oil changes and maintenance.
The deal will expand Mavis' presence in new and existing markets, particularly in the western U.S. where Pep Boys has a significant presence, and will increase Mavis's network to over 4,400 service centers around the U.S. and Canada.
MILLIONS OF CAR OWNERS ARE DELAYING MAINTENANCE REPAIRS AS COSTS RISE
"Today's announcement marks a significant milestone as Mavis continues to execute its growth strategy. Pep Boys is one of the most well-respected names in the automotive aftermarket, and we look forward to welcoming it into the Mavis family of brands," said Mavis co-CEO David Sorbaro.
Sorbaro added that the deal "will create a stronger, more geographically diverse platform with the scale and capabilities to provide dependable service to even more customers and create meaningful opportunities for employees."
MECHANIC SHORTAGE PERSISTS AS WORKERS AGE OUT OF PROFESSION
Pep Boys CEO Joe Auriemma said that, "For more than 100 years, Pep Boys has earned the trust of drivers across the country by delivering quality service with honesty and care," adding that Mavis shares those values and its network will give Pep Boys the "scale, footprint, and operational and technological strength to continue building on its legacy as it enters a new chapter of growth."
Carl Icahn, chairman of Icahn Enterprises, welcomed the deal and said that they "believe that the combined businesses will benefit greatly from the inevitable economies of scale and from the great experience of the Mavis team in the industry."
HIGH-TECH CARS DRIVE UP PRICES, TURNING AUTO REPAIRS INTO MAJOR INVESTMENTS
Under the deal, Icahn Enterprises will retain the real estate it obtained from Pep Boys, as well as the AAMCO Transmissions and Precision Tune Auto Care businesses.
Pep Boys was acquired by Icahn Enterprises in 2016, taking the auto service chain private in an all-cash $1 billion deal after it had been publicly traded.
Mavis operates other auto service brands including Midas, Tire Kingdom and Tuffy.
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The transaction is expected to close in the coming months.
Reuters contributed to this report.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/mavis-tire-acquire-iconic-auto-service-chain-700m-dealRenting a yacht in the Mediterranean this summer just got cheaperSummer charters in the Med are down 20% to 30% from last year, yacht brokers say, with a growing number offering special discounts for July and August.{}
Inside Wealth: Renting a yacht in the Mediterranean this summer just got cheaperSummer charters in the Med are down 20% to 30% from last year, yacht brokers say, with a growing number offering special discounts for July and August.{}
Miami overtakes NYC in return-to-office race as companies expand South Florida footprintFlorida's tax benefits and business climate are driving office attendance past pre-pandemic levels, with firms doubling down on commercial real estate in Miami.
While major metropolitan areas across the country continue to struggle with vacant office space, Florida’s pro-business climate is pushing office attendance above pre-pandemic levels.
According to recent data from Placer.ai's monthly Office Index, Miami ranked as the leading major metro for return-to-office performance in June 2026, with estimated office visits surpassing 2019 levels.
Additionally, Miami secured the No. 1 position nationwide for post-pandemic return-to-office recovery in five of the last six months, with New York ranking second during those same periods.
"Miami leading the country in office attendance is a clear sign we've become a genuine second center of gravity for business and finance," Blanca Commercial Real Estate founder and CEO Tere Blanca told Fox News Digital. "This is decades of investment in the region finally compounding, on top of companies giving employees a real say in where they want to build their careers."
MIAMI'S COST OF LIVING NOW TOPS NEW YORK CITY'S DESPITE FLORIDA'S TAX ADVANTAGES
"Businesses initially come to Miami for the business-friendly environment and tax benefits Florida offers. Then they stay for the convenience of airport connectivity with so many domestic and international flights, talent they can hire locally or relocate here, and a quality of life that's hard to match, including feeling safe," she continued. "That's what turns a visit into a lease, and a lease into a regional office, or in some cases, a full headquarters relocation."
Last week, Blanca Commercial Real Estate released its second-quarter Miami-Dade County Office Snapshot, noting that South Florida's commercial real estate market continues to evolve from attracting initial corporate relocations to supporting companies' expanded local presence.
The firm's research found that companies including Amazon, Blackstone, IRU, and Simpro Group have expanded their commercial footprints in Miami since their initial entry into the market.
"Companies that landed here since 2020 are now doubling and tripling down. IRU is one of my favorite examples. The tech firm grew from a small sublease in Coconut Grove to more than 25 times its original footprint in under two years, after announcing Miami as its new East Coast headquarters," Blanca told Fox News Digital.
Blanca CRE analysis also shows Miami's premier submarkets are exhibiting structural characteristics similar to established Manhattan corridors, where locations like Park Avenue, Grand Central and Hudson Yards command asking rents from $90 to over $100 per square foot, with top trophy properties reaching $300 to $320 per square foot.
"Companies are also still in a flight to quality. If they're asking people to come back to the office full time or on a hybrid schedule, they want space that feels like an upgrade from home," she added, "and that's why you’re starting to see our best buildings command rents that get compared to Park Avenue or Hudson Yards."
The data shows that secondary Manhattan submarkets command asking rents in the $60s and $70s per square foot, aligning closely with Miami-Dade's broader county average.
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"It’s never been Miami versus New York. Even across the whole region, our Class A and B office market is a fraction of the size of what Manhattan has. It’s nowhere near the scale at which companies operate there," Blanca said.
"Firms are clearly prioritizing real estate diversification right now, and that's why we're seeing more tours from New York companies looking for additional space down here. They want a presence in more than one city, not necessarily a full replacement for the one they already have. Miami is a complementary market, not a competing one. But based on what we're seeing on the ground, I'll just say this — keep watching, because more companies from New York are coming."
https://www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/miami-overtakes-nyc-return-to-office-race-companies-expand-south-florida-footprintRyanair passenger recounts being partly sucked out airplane window: 'I am lucky'The Ryanair passenger who was partly sucked out of a plane when a window was smashed during a flight earlier this month said he is lucky to be alive.
The Ryanair passenger who was partly pulled out of a Boeing 737 when a window was smashed during a flight earlier this month recounted his horrifying experience, saying he is lucky to be alive.
Ljubisa Karović, 61, was on a Ryanair flight operated by Malta Air from Thessaloniki, Greece, en route to Memmingen, Germany, on July 10 when debris believed to have come from the aircraft’s damaged engine struck and shattered a window shortly after departure.
The plane lost cabin pressure and was forced to make an emergency return to Thessaloniki. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said on Monday that preliminary findings suggested the engine may have suffered "foreign-object damage," although the cause remains under investigation.
Karović, a Serbian entrepreneur, told The Guardian that it is the moments before the "chaos, the catastrophe" that keep him awake at night.
RYANAIR CEO SAYS FOREIGN OBJECT MAY HAVE CAUSED GREECE WINDOW INCIDENT
"The explosion is what I remember," Karović told the outlet. "It’s the noise before the chaos, the noise that is always there when I close my eyes to sleep."
"They tell me I fainted twice and again inside the plane and that my face was briefly swollen and deformed because of the pressure, the rush of air," he continued.
Karović managed to survive the near-death experience after his wife and other passengers grabbed him and pull him back inside the aircraft.
His wife, Svetlana, was seated three rows back when she rushed over to grab her husband, who she said was "half in and out of the plane" for about two minutes.
"None of the cabin crew helped. It was the passengers," she said. "One man, I think he was an Albanian, was incredible. He did all he could to bring him in and then tried to block the window, first with a bag that was immediately sucked out and then with a suitcase, which worked. We are eternally grateful to him."
Ryanair disputed the suggestion that the crew failed to respond appropriately. The airline told The Guardian that during the depressurization and rapid descent, all passengers and crew were required to stay seated and put on oxygen masks, adding that the crew attended to Karović and arranged medical assistance once the aircraft descended to a safe altitude. Investigators have not yet publicly determined whether all required crew procedures were followed.
Karović was hospitalized after he suffered neck and shoulder injuries as well as friction burns. Doctors told Karović that his recovery will be slow and he must wear a neck brace for the next six weeks, at which point a determination will be made about whether surgery is necessary.
"I am lucky," Karović said. "I don’t remember much and my head and neck still hurt, but I am still alive."
Karović said his seatbelt may have saved him from being completely pulled through the window, although he did not rule out other factors.
"It could have been the seatbelt, the fact that I was still strapped in," Karović said. "But maybe it is fate."
"I believe in God and I thank him every day," he added.
Karović’s lawyer, Vasilis Tsiaras, said the man is "alive by mistake."
WHY A BLOWN-OUT PLANE WINDOW NEARLY SUCKED A PASSENGER OUTSIDE AT 16,000 FEET
"Ljubisa dipped in and out of death," Tsiaras said. "When the cabin lost pressure, he was hurled out of the window from his chest up and immediately lost consciousness. At 15,000 feet, he ended up with his head and right arm outside the aircraft as it moved at a speed of more than 600km/h [373 mph]. Imagine that!"
"He looked at death, that other world, and came back," the lawyer added.
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Flight records show the aircraft, which was delivered new to Ryanair in 2008, had been climbing past 15,000 feet about six minutes after takeoff before then descending to about 6,000 feet. The aircraft remained at the lower altitude for about 30 minutes to burn fuel before returning to Thessaloniki about an hour after departure, according to flight-tracking site Flightradar24.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation after Greece’s Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority delegated the probe to the U.S. agency. Greek investigators are also participating.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-travel/ryanair-passenger-recounts-being-partly-sucked-out-airplane-window-i-am-luckyOpenAI says AI model hacked another company's systems during internal testOne of OpenAI's models hacked into another company's systems during internal testing in what it called an "unprecedented cyber incident," according to the company.
OpenAI announced Tuesday that one of its advanced artificial intelligence models autonomously hacked into another AI company's infrastructure during internal testing in what it described as an "unprecedented cyber incident."
The company said AI startup Hugging Face detected and contained the breach last week after an AI agent compromised part of its infrastructure. The companies said they believe it may be the first publicly disclosed case of an AI model breaking into another company's systems on its own during a controlled evaluation.
OpenAI said the breach took place during an internal evaluation of several of its models, including GPT-5.6 Sol.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the incident in a post on X, writing that the company had "a significant security incident during evaluation of our models."
OPENAI UNVEILS CHATGPT WORK TO AUTOMATE WORKPLACE TASKS AS AI RACE INTENSIFIES
"We consider this incident to be an unprecedented cyber incident, involving state-of-the-art cyber capabilities, and are responding accordingly," OpenAI said in a news release.
The company said it was releasing preliminary findings to help security professionals better understand the capabilities of today's AI models while the investigation continues.
OpenAI warned that increasingly capable AI models are accelerating the discovery and exploitation of software vulnerabilities.
"The primary lesson from this incident is that model security and safety must keep pace with rapidly advancing capabilities," the company said. "We are strengthening the containment, monitoring, access controls, and evaluation practices used during model development."
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Hugging Face co-founder and CEO Clem Delangue also addressed the incident in a post on X.
"We suspected last week's cyberattack might have come from a frontier lab, given the sophistication of the agent. Turns out it did!" Delangue wrote.
"We've spent the past 24 hours working closely with the @OpenAI team (thanks!), and we strongly believe there was no malicious intent on their part," he continued. "It's quite mind-blowing that all of this happened autonomously! The investigation is ongoing, and we'll share more learnings from what might be the first incident of its kind!"
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According to OpenAI, the incident took place during an internal evaluation designed to measure its AI models' advanced cyber capabilities. Researchers disabled some built-in safety safeguards and ran the models in an isolated testing environment with limited internet access.
OpenAI said the models exploited an unknown software flaw to access the internet, then breached Hugging Face’s systems in an apparent attempt to find answers to a cybersecurity benchmark.
OpenAI's security team detected the unusual activity while Hugging Face independently identified and contained the intrusion.
Following the incident, OpenAI said it is implementing stricter security controls while vulnerabilities are patched and strengthening safeguards around future AI training and evaluations.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/openai-says-ai-model-hacked-another-companys-systems-during-internal-testFord recalls nearly 388,000 vehicles over second-row seat injury hazardFord is recalling nearly 388,000 vehicles over an issue with the second-row seating that could prevent occupants from being properly restrained.
Ford is recalling nearly 388,000 SUVs because an issue with the second-row easy-entry seats could increase the risk of injury, according to federal regulators.
A total of 387,911 vehicles are affected, including certain 2020-2026 Ford Explorer and 2020-2027 Lincoln Aviator models, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in its recall notice.
The NHTSA said the vehicles may have a defect that could cause a second-row seat to tip or slide unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving.
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"A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury," the NHTSA said.
"The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly," the agency explained.
The agency noted some warning signs that vehicle owners should keep an eye out for.
"If the button is stuck in the down position, the customer may not be able to use the easy entry feature or return the seat to its normal position after using the easy entry feature," the notice reads.
Ford's Critical Concern Review Group identified 14 reports as of June 16, 2026, of unintended second-row seat movement while the vehicle was in drive. Six involved vehicles that had already received a remedy under an earlier recall, while eight involved vehicles that were not covered by the previous campaign. Ford said it was not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the issue.
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Owners will be instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealership, where the second-row easy-entry switch bezel and housing will be replaced with a revised design at no charge.
Owner notification letters will be mailed out later this month, with another letter about the remedy expected to be sent out in January.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/ford-recalls-nearly-388000-vehicles-over-second-row-seat-injury-hazardCracker Barrel sells Maple Street Biscuit Company, closes 16 locationsThe restaurant chain sold 35 Maple Street locations and will close 16 others while raising $77 million through a property deal to help pay down debt.
Cracker Barrel is selling restaurant properties and exiting its Maple Street Biscuit Company business as it works to cut debt and improve profits.
The Southern country-themed chain said Monday it sold the Maple Street brand and assets tied to 35 locations to Biscuit Belly LLC. Cracker Barrel will close the remaining 16 Maple Street restaurants.
In a separate move, Cracker Barrel also completed a sale-leaseback deal involving 26 company-owned locations, generating roughly $77 million in net proceeds.
The company plans to use the money to pay down debt while continuing to operate the restaurants by leasing the properties from the new owner.
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"These efforts reflect the discipline we bring to managing our business and balance sheet as we position Cracker Barrel for long-term success and shareholder value creation," Julie Masino, president and CEO of Cracker Barrel, said in a statement.
"Our sale-leaseback transaction will allow us to opportunistically reduce debt while monetizing a portion of our owned real estate at an attractive valuation."
Masino added, "Divesting Maple Street sharpens our focus on the core Cracker Barrel brand and is expected to improve profitability."
Biscuit Belly, which currently has 15 locations, said the deal will allow it to expand more quickly. It plans to convert the acquired Maple Street restaurants into Biscuit Belly locations over the next 18 to 24 months.
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The first conversions will begin in the greater Cincinnati area and Richmond, Virginia. The deal will more than triple Biscuit Belly’s footprint and is expected to help the chain grow to more than 60 locations by the end of 2028.
"When we looked at Maple Street's geography, footprints, and established teams, a light bulb went off," Chad Coulter, co-founder and CEO of Biscuit Belly, said in a statement.
Maple Street accounted for less than 2% of Cracker Barrel’s annual revenue. Cracker Barrel said the sale is expected to improve adjusted EBITDA beginning in fiscal 2027.
Cracker Barrel expects to record between $37 million and $39 million in non-cash charges tied to the Maple Street exit during its fiscal fourth quarter. It also anticipates between $6 million and $8 million in additional cash costs.
The moves come as Cracker Barrel, which operates roughly 660 company-owned locations across 43 states, works to move past backlash over proposed changes to its logo and restaurant interiors last summer, including the removal of the "Old Timer" from its logo.
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The company reversed course less than a week later following customer complaints.
Cracker Barrel told FOX Business it had no additional comment beyond its press release.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/cracker-barrel-sells-maple-street-biscuit-company-closes-16-locationsTrump unveils phased tariffs on generic drugs to boost US productionThe White House said the policy will be implemented under Section 232 authority, giving drugmakers two years to shift generic drug production to the U.S. before tariffs rise.
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that imported generic drugs will remain tariff-free for the next two years before facing steep new import duties, saying the move is designed to encourage pharmaceutical companies to manufacture more medicines in the U.S.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said all generic drugs imported into the U.S. will continue to face a 0% tariff beginning Aug. 1, 2026, for a two-year transition period. After that, the tariff will rise to 100% for one year before increasing to 200%.
"Effective August 1st, 2026, all Generic Drugs being brought into the United States will continue to have a TARIFF of ZERO PERCENT for a two-year period of time, after which the TARIFF will be raised to 100% for a one-year period of time, and 200% thereafter," Trump wrote.
The president said the phased approach is intended to give pharmaceutical companies time to move production to the U.S. before the higher tariffs take effect.
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"This is done in order to RESHORE Generic Pharmaceutical Production into America, with a penalty to those Companies that decide not to build Plant and Equipment within the stated period of time given to them," Trump wrote.
Trump said the objective of the policy is "to protect the people of the United States."
The announcement marks the latest effort by the Trump administration to use tariffs as leverage to encourage domestic manufacturing in industries it considers strategically important, including pharmaceuticals. The administration has repeatedly argued that the U.S. has become overly dependent on foreign countries for critical medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients.
Trump said his administration's existing policy on patented, branded and innovative drugs would remain unchanged.
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"The Policy on Patented, Branded, or Innovative Drugs, which has been so successful, will remain as is," he wrote.
He also pointed to what he described as a surge in domestic investment by drugmakers.
"Pharmaceutical Facilities are being built, at a level never seen before, all over the United States of America," Trump wrote.
The Association for Accessible Medicines, which represents generic drug manufacturers, said it is seeking additional details on the proposal but supports policies that strengthen domestic manufacturing.
"We need to understand more the specifics of the policy, but the generics industry is committed to pursuing policies that support and stabilize both the industry and the access necessary to ensure patients have reliable options for affordable medicines," Association for Accessible Medicines President and CEO John Murphy III said in a statement shared with FOX Business.
Murphy said the industry has expanded manufacturing investments in the U.S. over the past two years but argued that structural problems involving purchasing and reimbursement continue to hinder additional growth. He said the group looks forward to working with the administration and Congress on policies to strengthen the domestic generic drug industry.
Generic drugs account for more than 90% of prescriptions filled in the United States, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
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Many also rely on global manufacturing networks and imported active pharmaceutical ingredients, making supply chain resilience a growing focus for policymakers and the pharmaceutical industry.
The announcement gives manufacturers a two-year runway before tariffs begin increasing, allowing companies time to decide whether to build or expand U.S. production facilities or continue importing products while facing substantially higher duties.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-unveils-phased-tariffs-generic-drugs-boost-us-production