McDonald’s to spend $8.5B on revamping restaurants and staff training to boost salesMcDonald's plans to provide $8.5 billion in franchisee support through 2036 as part of its NEXT strategy to modernize restaurants and boost growth.

McDonald's on Wednesday announced new details as part of its long-term growth strategy, which will include a focus on upgrading restaurants and staff training, at an investor day at the corporate headquarters in Chicago.

The fast food giant announced its NEXT growth and productivity strategy in June and outlined plans to implement changes throughout its system.

McDonald's said that to speed up the modernization of restaurants, deployment of technology and other operational improvements, it plans to provide about $8.5 billion in NEXT partnering support for franchisees through 2036, with roughly $5 billion provided through 2030. 

The NEXT support for franchisees will include a combination of capital support and rent relief.

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The support comes with a target of about 250 basis points of gross restaurant-level efficiency improvements amounting to about $100,000 in annual cash flow benefits for the average restaurant, with the company saying the majority of that would benefit the restaurant's bottom line over time.

McDonald's announcement noted that the restaurant component of the plan aims to boost growth and productivity through simplified operations, elevated execution, modernized restaurant design and deploying generative AI-enabled ArchIQ at scale.

MCDONALD’S SHAKES UP FALL COFFEE LINEUP AS PUMPKIN SPICE SEASON HEATS UP

The company also announced a multiyear training program called "Make it Golden" that will begin on Founder's Day, Oct. 5, which aims to improve customer service to create more consistency for patrons and increase repeat visits.

"McDonald's has the unmatched scale, customer insights, brand loyalty, and operational capabilities to not only adapt to the next wave of change in our industry, but to turn it into an advantage," said McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski. "That's what McDonald's > NEXT is about: to be the first choice for more customers, more often – while making our restaurants stronger and easier to run." 

MCDONALD'S SERVING UP NEW KIND OF ENERGY BOOST ON MENUS NATIONWIDE

"We are confident that executing across the key components of NEXT will unlock stronger restaurant economics, generate attractive returns for the Company, our franchisees and shareholders, and increase capacity to keep investing in growth," Kempczinski added.

McDonald's announcement also included new market share targets, calling for 1.5 percentage points of growth in both chicken and beverages by 2030, while also maintaining the company's leadership in beef market share.

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Sales growth from unit expansion is also targeted to contribute nearly 2.5% to system-wide sales growth in 2027, moderating to about 2% by 2030.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/mcdonalds-spend-8-5b-revamping-restaurants-staff-training-boost-sales

Tech giant CEO announces she will attend Trump-Xi state dinnerAMD CEO Lisa Su confirmed she will attend the Trump-Xi state dinner alongside tech leaders Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Jensen Huang and Tim Cook.

As U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and the semiconductor industry remains a central economic and national security issue, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Chair and CEO Lisa Su said she will attend President Donald Trump's state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"I'm honored to say that I will be at the dinner tomorrow night," Su told FOX Business' Liz Claman in a fireside chat on Wednesday during a trip to the New York Stock Exchange celebrating women in business. "It is an honor… to be there."

"This summit between the presidents, President Xi and President Trump, is very impactful, very important. I think technology is one of those areas where we rely on the global ecosystem to come together. So, yes, I think we're anxiously looking at what will come out of it. And the truth is, we want to ensure that there's good stability across the global ecosystem as it relates to technology."

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Su will join other prominent American tech leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Apple's Tim Cook. The tech leaders' anticipated attendance at the Trump-Xi state dinner comes at a time of geopolitical tensions, including over the development of AI and access to both models and the chips that power them.

The U.S. and China are competing to develop increasingly capable AI tools, a source of tension between the two countries. China's access to specialized chips that power advanced AI models has been restricted through U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors, including those made by Nvidia.

President Trump recently described AI as potentially the greatest industrial revolution in history. As demand for compute capability grows, leaders in the industry face a dual responsibility to expand U.S. technology while establishing technical safeguards.

"I am an AI optimist," Su said. "You know, I will say that for sure… And I'm not, you know, just saying this because I'm a technology person. In terms of power, of technology and what I've seen over my career over the last 30 plus years, it is the most powerful technology I've ever seen."

"The world is going to be very ambitious with AI. The world should be very ambitious with AI. And I think we as technology companies and we as the American U.S. ecosystem must continue to be very aggressive while also ensuring that everybody comes together and realizes that we must build trust in AI," she continued. "It is absolutely non-negotiable that we must build trust in AI."

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A red carpet rollout is planned for when Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arrive at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday evening, replete with an arrival ceremony for the man who has found himself at odds with Trump on issues ranging from artificial intelligence and intellectual property theft, trade practices, rare-earth minerals to the communist country's support for Iran during America's military conflict there. Xi hasn't visited the nation's capital in more than a decade.

AI will be a major topic of discussion during the two-day summit, which officially begins Thursday morning and ends Friday evening, according to a senior administration official.

READ MORE FROM FOX BUSINESS

FOX Business' Eric Revell and Fox News' Peter D’Abrosca and Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/tech-giant-ceo-announces-attend-trump-xi-state-dinner

McDonald's will spend big on restaurant upgrades, training to drive growthThe plans are part of the fast-food giant's new growth strategy, called McDonald's > NEXT.{}

The plans are part of the fast-food giant's new growth strategy, called McDonald's > NEXT.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/23/mcdonalds-investor-day-remodels-training-chicken-growth-plans.html

IRAQ: ‘Art Is the Only Weapon That Doesn’t Hurt or Kill’

IRAQ: ‘Art Is the Only Weapon That Doesn’t Hurt or Kill’

CIVICUS discusses public art, gender-based violence and censorship in Iraqi Kurdistan with Tara Abdullah, a multidisciplinary visual artist from Sulaymaniyah who is currently based in Oslo, Norway as part of the Safemuse – Safe Havens for Artists residency.

Read the full story, “IRAQ: ‘Art Is the Only Weapon That Doesn’t Hurt or Kill’”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/09/23/44126 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/09/Tara-Abdullah-100x100.jpg"}

Floods, Hunger and Disease Pile on Myanmar’s Civil War Misery

Floods, Hunger and Disease Pile on Myanmar’s Civil War Misery

YANGON, Myanmar, September 23 (IPS) - Isolated and at constant war with itself, Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis is deepening as global challenges far exceed the capacity to respond of a military regime increasingly focused on its own survival.

Read the full story, “Floods, Hunger and Disease Pile on Myanmar’s Civil War Misery”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/09/23/44125 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/09/IMG_9782-100x100.jpg"}

Employees at AI companies back Bernie Sanders bill cracking down on developmentSen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar are pushing to halt advanced artificial intelligence development and establish a new cabinet-level AI agency.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, are introducing sweeping legislation Wednesday that would permanently ban artificial "superintelligence" and temporarily halt advanced AI development, an effort that has garnered support from several tech industry insiders.

The formal rollout of the legislation and an accompanying statement of support from employees at leading AI firms were first reported by The Associated Press.

The lawmakers' proposal would establish a new cabinet-level agency, the Department of Artificial Intelligence, to oversee advanced AI systems. Under the bill, advanced AI development would be paused until the new agency establishes federal safety rules and a model review process, after which advanced systems would be subject to federal approval before deployment.

The legislation would permanently prohibit the development and deployment of artificial superintelligence and impose penalties on people or companies that attempt to violate or circumvent its restrictions. Individuals could face up to 20 years in prison, according to a legislative framework released by Sanders' office.

TRUMP REBRANDS AI, REJECTS ‘GLOBALIST SCHEME’ TO CONTROL TECH

The bill defines artificial superintelligence as systems that surpass human intelligence or possess certain dangerous capabilities, including the ability to subvert shutdown commands.

Multiple employees at leading AI companies, including OpenAI and Google DeepMind, signed a statement supporting the legislation, the AP reported.

"Superintelligence could either go extremely right or extremely wrong," OpenAI Safety Systems researcher Juan Felipe Cerón Uribe said in a statement supporting the bill obtained by the AP, adding that society "shouldn't be playing such games."

"It doesn't take a genius to say, 'slow it down,'" Sanders told the AP in an interview.

FOX Business has reached out to Sanders' and Casar's office for comment as well as OpenAI and Google DeepMind. 

The legislation comes amid a broader debate in Washington over whether rapid advances in AI require stronger federal safeguards. While some tech leaders have warned about potentially catastrophic risks, President Donald Trump has resisted calls for additional AI regulation and emphasized maintaining U.S. leadership in the rapidly developing sector.

Trump reiterated his opposition to new AI regulations during an address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, while saying the Justice Department could step in if necessary to rein in the industry.

The prospect of slowing American AI development while China continues advancing has emerged as a central concern among opponents of sweeping restrictions as the two countries compete for technological dominance.

Sanders has argued that avoiding the most dangerous forms of AI will ultimately require international cooperation. His legislation would make it U.S. policy to pursue international agreements, coordination with allies and other measures aimed at preventing the development of artificial superintelligence around the world.

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The Vermont senator has repeatedly compared the challenge to nuclear arms control during the Cold War. In public remarks last week, Sanders called for binding international AI safety rules and urged Trump to negotiate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a potential pause in advanced AI development and a ban on superintelligence.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/employees-at-companies-back-bernie-sanders-bill-cracking-down-development

Charities say gifts by deceased donors are getting held up at financial firmsNonprofits are pushing back against policies by financial institutions to collect personal information of charity employees before releasing a gift.{}

Nonprofits are pushing back against policies by financial institutions to collect personal information of charity employees before releasing a gift.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/17/charities-ira-gifts-hurdles.html

McDonald's CEO expects high inflation, flat traffic are not going away for restaurant industryMcDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said that he expects that high inflation and flat traffic will continue to weigh on the restaurant industry.{}

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said that he expects that high inflation and flat traffic will continue to weigh on the restaurant industry.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/23/mcdonalds-investor-day-ceo-chris-kempczinksi-inflation.html

McDonald's CEO expects high inflation, flat traffic are not going away for restaurant industryMcDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said that he expects that high inflation and flat traffic will continue to weigh on the restaurant industry.{}

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said that he expects that high inflation and flat traffic will continue to weigh on the restaurant industry.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/23/mcdonalds-investor-day-ceo-chris-kempczinksi-inflation.html

McDonald's will spend big on restaurant upgrades, training to drive growthThe plans are part of the fast-food giant's new growth strategy, called McDonald's > NEXT.{}

The plans are part of the fast-food giant's new growth strategy, called McDonald's > NEXT.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/23/mcdonalds-investor-day-remodels-training-chicken-growth-plans.html

Royal Caribbean agrees to take 50% equity stake in Sandals for $3 billionRoyal Caribbean has been trying to diversify beyond cruises and become a leader overall in vacations.{}

Royal Caribbean has been trying to diversify beyond cruises and become a leader overall in vacations.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/royal-caribbean-sandals.html

National Grocers Association CEO warns America could be left with just 'five or six national chains'The National Grocers Association warns America is facing an "inflection point" where independent grocers could vanish, leaving just five or six national chains.

Independent grocers are facing mounting pressure from national retailers, with the head of the National Grocers Association warning that weak competition could eventually leave Americans with only a handful of major grocery chains.

Greg Ferrara, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association, told FOX Business that independent stores are fighting to maintain access to products and competitive terms in an increasingly consolidated industry.

He warned that America was approaching an "inflection point."

"Independent grocers want to make sure they're going to be around for the next generation. They're going to be around for their Main Street and their communities and all the organizations they support there," Ferrara said. "But they're not going to be here, quite frankly, if they aren't able to compete."

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"If we don't have free markets, we don't have open markets, if we don't allow the best entrepreneur out there to win and serve their customers, we're gonna wake up one day in this country and we're gonna have just five or six national chains that are gonna be serving most of our customers," Ferrara said.

"I think at the end of the day, that's bad for America, that is bad for the communities that we serve, and it's bad for consumers," he continued.

Ferrara said independent grocers sometimes struggle to obtain the same products, promotions and purchasing terms available to the largest national retailers. For example, he said new products can be offered exclusively to a large chain for a period of time, leaving local competitors unable to sell something their customers want.

"Consumers want those products and they want to be able to buy them at their local stores, but they can't," he said. "So they're now being boxed out and forced to go to one national chain that often has it."

THE FAST-FOOD CHAIN WHERE MANAGERS AVERAGE MORE THAN $200K A YEAR

Ferrara stressed that independent grocers aren't seeking favoritism: "They're not asking for special treatment. They're not asking for a leg up. All they're saying is give me a chance to compete."

According to NGA, independents represent more than 38% of total supermarket spending. Ferrara argued they can purchase products efficiently and at scale.

"They buy in truckloads and they buy efficiently," he said. "They just need the access to those products and to those items to be able to be successful."

Ferrara said independent grocers operate on net profit margins of less than 2%, leaving little room to absorb additional costs or competitive disadvantages.

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"When you're effectively having one arm tied behind your back because you can't get access to the products that the consumer wants or the package size that they want, that's a challenge," he said.

He said some NGA members believe the situation in certain product categories is "worse than ever."

The Justice Department recently expanded its beef affordability investigation to include eight major grocery retailers — Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize, Costco and Amazon — after previously opening an antitrust investigation into major meatpackers.

DOJ is examining retail beef prices, margins, purchasing arrangements and other factors influencing prices, FOX Business previously reported.

Ferrara said he did not want to prejudge DOJ's investigation but argued that greater competition would benefit consumers.

COSTCO RAISES PRICE OF KIRKLAND MOTOR OIL AND LIMITS HOW MUCH SHOPPERS CAN BUY

"We believe the more competition there is in the marketplace, that will ultimately benefit consumers, that will drive prices down," he said. "It gives consumers choice and it gives our retailers the ability to serve and support local ranchers and farmers."

"Ultimately, the DOJ needs to run their course," Ferrara said. "I won't weigh in on that."

Beef prices remain high, Ferrara acknowledged, but he said independent grocers are seeing consumers adjust rather than abandon beef altogether.

"The price definitely may cause consumers to pull back a little bit," he said. "Instead of buying a roast, they're going to buy a smaller cut... or ground versus a steak, and they're gonna trade down."

To counter the potential sticker shock, Ferrara said independent stores might run stronger promotions on ground beef or offer smaller packages so shoppers don't face as high a total price at checkout.

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Looking ahead, Ferrara said he remains optimistic about the future of independent grocers.

"I think we're gonna see a future that corrects course because ultimately that's what consumers want," he said. "We want to make sure that we're taking the steps today to ensure that these businesses will be successful tomorrow."

https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/national-grocers-association-ceo-warns-america-could-left-just-five-six-national-chains

New York overtakes San Francisco Bay Area as largest US tech talent market by workforce sizeEliseAI's Fran Loftus says New York has become a major AI hub as the city overtakes the San Francisco Bay Area in tech workforce size for the first time.

New York has overtaken the San Francisco Bay Area as the nation's largest tech talent market by workforce size for the first time, as the artificial intelligence boom helps reshape where technology companies are hiring and expanding.

CBRE's 2026 Scoring Tech Talent report found that New York's tech workforce grew by 30,640 workers between 2022 and 2025 to 394,300, while the San Francisco Bay Area's tech workforce shrank by 23,900 to 375,730.

Fran Loftus, chief experience officer at New York-based EliseAI, told FOX Business that the numbers reflect what her company is seeing on the ground.

"I definitely think New York has become a major AI hub," Loftus said.

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"Walking down Fifth Avenue, seeing so many other AI companies, it's clear that there is a concentration of great AI technical talent here, which is exactly why we've grown our New York footprint."

But why has New York become an AI hub?

Loftus explained that being in New York puts the company close to both its customers and the people using its products, while the city's broad mix of industries gives AI companies access to workers with different types of experience.

EliseAI, a New York City-based AI startup that automates workflows for housing and health care operators, recently moved into a new 109,000-square-foot headquarters in the former Tiffany & Co. building on Fifth Avenue, joining several other AI and tech tenants on the block.

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"New York's strength is its diversity of industries, which is amazing for us to pull from as a fast-growing company in AI," Loftus said, adding that the city is "a great place for AI catalysts."

As AI becomes more prevalent across the economy, Loftus acknowledged that the technology is changing jobs.

"You can say it replaces some, it creates others," she said.

But she argued that in housing and health care, AI can automate repetitive or administrative work while employees move toward more complex responsibilities.

"Generally, the organization structure is just changing to now give a lot of this work to AI and up-level the responsibilities of the teams that are managing these workflows today," Loftus said.

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When asked about growing concerns surrounding AI, Loftus said its real-world applications are key to evaluating the technology's impact.

"I think when you're looking at the application of AI, and EliseAI in particular's application of AI, I think it's pretty clear that this growth is sustainable and the impact is positive to the end user, the renter or the patient," she said.

For young professionals entering the workforce or looking to break into the tech industry, Loftus said they should take advantage of the AI boom.

"There's a ton of opportunity," she said.

"I think that the role opportunities for folks that are very entrepreneurial are massive in AI organizations like ours," she continued.

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Loftus argued that as AI changes jobs in industries such as health care and housing, automating repetitive work could make some career paths more attractive.

EliseAI itself is hiring across several markets, including New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Austin and Toronto, according to Loftus.

She also said EliseAI recently surpassed $200 million in revenue and has doubled its revenue every year for the past five years, adding that its AI agents now support roughly one in six U.S. apartment units.

While New York has become the largest tech talent market by total workforce, the San Francisco Bay Area remains a major technology center.

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According to CBRE, tech workers account for more than 10% of overall employment in the San Francisco Bay Area, putting it among North America's most tech-concentrated labor markets.

Loftus also said EliseAI is expanding in San Francisco, even as New York remains its largest office.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/new-york-overtakes-san-francisco-bay-area-largest-us-tech-talent-market-workforce-size

Jaguar Land Rover recalls 23,000 SUVs over risk of sudden drive power lossJaguar Land Rover recalled more than 23,000 vehicles over an electronic system error that may lead to the loss of drive power and exterior lighting.

Jaguar Land Rover expanded an existing recall to include an additional 23,677 vehicles over an electronic system error that may lead to the loss of drive power and exterior lighting, according to federal regulators.

About 23,677 vehicles are affected by the recall, including 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2021-2024 Jaguar F-Pace, 2021-2024 Jaguar E-Pace, 2020-2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2021-2024 Land Rover Discovery and 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender models.

The recall was initiated because a DC-DC converter may malfunction due to an electrical overload that can happen during high power demand, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in its recall notice.

VOLKSWAGEN RECALLS 208,000 SUVS OVER BOLTS THAT COULD CAUSE STEERING LOSS

A software error can also cause the converter to stop functioning at vehicle start-up, which may result in the loss of drive power and exterior lighting.

"Failure of the DC-DC converter will result in the loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting," the notice reads.

Jaguar Land Rover estimates that all the listed vehicles are affected by the defect.

FORD RECALLS MORE THAN 223,000 VEHICLES OVER FUEL TANK ISSUE

The affected vehicles use a high-voltage battery system alongside a conventional 12-volt battery that powers systems such as lighting and electronic accessories. The DC-DC converter charges the 12-volt battery from the high-voltage system.

The lithium-ion battery is charged at a charging station, and the lead battery is charged with power from the lithium-ion battery, according to Panasonic. As the lithium-ion battery is charging, a DC-DC converter converts high-voltage DC power into low-voltage DC power.

Jaguar Land Rover has received 393 claims and field reports about the issue in the U.S., according to the NHTSA.

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No accidents, injuries or fires have been reported.

Dealerships will update the vehicle software at no cost. The update will introduce a new "limp-home" mode, providing a warning to the driver in case the DC-DC converter goes offline.

Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed on Nov. 13. Additional letters will be sent out once the final remedy is available. 

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/jaguar-land-rover-recalls-23000-suvs-over-risk-sudden-drive-power-loss

Two Maryland malls set to enact juvenile curfews after violent incidentsWestfield Montgomery and Westfield Wheaton will require anyone under 18 to be accompanied by an adult after 3 p.m. beginning Sept. 28 after a series of violent incidents.

Two shopping malls in Maryland will begin enforcing a juvenile curfew next week after a string of violent incidents at the properties.

Westfield Montgomery in Bethesda and Westfield Wheaton said the new policy will take effect Monday, Sept. 28. Under the rules, anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult to enter either mall after 3 p.m., according to FOX 5 DC.

Security officers will enforce the policy through ID checks, and anyone under 18 without an accompanying adult will be required to leave the property, FOX 5 reported.

TOYS R US MAKES MAJOR COMEBACK WITH 120 NEW STORES OPENING ACROSS US THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The policy follows multiple violent incidents at the malls over the past year.

At Westfield Wheaton, a 17-year-old allegedly shot and injured a 13-year-old boy near a children's play area on July 31. An armed mall security officer detained the suspect until police arrived, and the teen was later charged as an adult, FOX 5 reported.

Earlier this year, nine teenagers were arrested after authorities said they stabbed another teen inside a bathroom at Westfield Wheaton, according to the outlet.

On Christmas Day last year, investigators said masked suspects — some believed to be juveniles — burglarized more than two dozen stores at the mall, FOX 5 reported.

COSTCO RAISES PRICE OF KIRKLAND MOTOR OIL AND LIMITS HOW MUCH SHOPPERS CAN BUY

Westfield Montgomery also experienced a fight involving teenagers earlier this summer after someone reportedly displayed a gun, according to the outlet.

The new policy has received mixed reactions from shoppers. Some said a 3 p.m. curfew is too early, arguing it prevents students from gathering at the mall after school while many parents are still at work. 

Others said the changes are necessary in light of the recent violence, according to FOX 5.

The move also comes amid heightened concerns over juvenile crime across the Washington metropolitan area.

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Earlier this year, a chaotic "juvenile takeover" disrupted the Navy Yard neighborhood in Washington, D.C., as hundreds of teens flooded the area, sparking fights, robberies and gunfire.

In May, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro vowed to crack down on juveniles who commit violent crimes in the nation's capital, as well as their parents, after another violent brawl at a Chipotle restaurant in Navy Yard.

Westfield Montgomery and Westfield Wheaton could not immediately be reached by FOX Business for comment.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/two-maryland-malls-enact-juvenile-curfews-violent-incidents

What Isn’t Named Isn’t Protected and being Named Isn’t Enough

What Isn’t Named Isn’t Protected and being Named Isn’t Enough

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, September 23 (IPS) - Rightsholders came to Ulaanbaatar from across the world, carrying declarations, demands and years of experience defending the lands on which their communities depend. Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Afro-descendant Peoples, women and youth were equally clear about what they needed from COP17. But being in the room is not the same as having power in the room.

Read the full story, “What Isn’t Named Isn’t Protected and being Named Isn’t Enough”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/09/23/44118 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/09/COP17-in-Ulaanbaatar_-100x100.jpg"}

Climate Week NYC Kicks off With World Leaders’ Commitments to Action

Climate Week NYC Kicks off With World Leaders’ Commitments to Action

NEW YORK, September 22 (IPS) - The Climate Group’s annual conference in New York City has attracted thousands of attendees this year, among them world leaders, corporate heads, philanthropists, and climate advocates. Those leaders present at the opening ceremony of Climate Week have made clear calls to collectively tackle climate issues.

Read the full story, “Climate Week NYC Kicks off With World Leaders’ Commitments to Action”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/09/22/44111 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/09/Helen-Clarkson-CEO-Climate-Group-Credit-Climate-Group-100x100.jpg"}

Check your freezer: Popular Walmart item recalled over possible listeria riskTwo lots of Bettergoods frozen pasta sold at Walmart stores nationwide are being recalled after routine sampling indicated they may contain Listeria monocytogenes

Walmart shoppers are being urged to check their freezers after a supplier recalled certain packages of Bettergoods pasta sold nationwide over potential listeria contamination.

Gias Foods Inc. is recalling two lots of Bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine distributed at Walmart stores across the country, according to a company announcement posted by the Food and Drug Administration. 

The recalled pasta is sold frozen in 22-ounce yellow plastic packages under Walmart's Bettergoods brand. The affected products have UPC 194346442706 and are marked with lot numbers L6079C or L6080C.

Packages with lot number L6079C have an expiration date of Sept. 19, 2027, while those marked L6080C have an expiration date of Sept. 20, 2027. Both the lot number and expiration date are stamped on the back of the packaging.

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No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products, the company said.

The recall followed routine sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The sampling indicated that the finished products may contain Listeria monocytogenes, according to the announcement.

Gias Foods has stopped distributing the affected product while the company and FDA continue investigating what caused the potential contamination.

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Representatives for Gias Foods and Walmart did not immediately respond to FOX Business' requests for comment.

The FDA posts company recall announcements as a public service and notes that publishing an announcement does not constitute an endorsement of the product or company.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, according to the recall announcement.

Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms, including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. A listeria monocytogenes infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Because the recalled product is frozen and carries expiration dates extending into September 2027, consumers are being urged to check packages they may have stored in their freezers.

Consumers who purchased either affected lot should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund, according to Gias Foods.

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Customers with questions can contact Gias Foods at sales@giasfoods.com or 917-675-4890.

The company said email inquiries will receive a response within 24 hours.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/check-your-freezer-popular-walmart-item-recalled-over-possible-listeria-risk

The Laughing Cow ditches iconic smile and teases cheese shoppers with cryptic message on packagingThe Laughing Cow cheese wedges swap their iconic grin for a frown in a mysterious campaign featuring a QR code and the cryptic message "We need to talk."

The Laughing Cow is no longer laughing and shoppers want to know what wiped the iconic grin off her face.

For the first time in more than 100 years, the laughing red cow has traded her trademark smile for a somber expression on select packages of The Laughing Cow Creamy Original cheese wedges rolling out nationwide.

The surprise makeover is part of a mysterious new campaign dubbed "The Not Laughing Cow," but the company is keeping shoppers guessing about what wiped the smile from its mascot’s face.

SHOPPERS ARE GOING HOG WILD FOR PIGGLY WIGGLY'S RETRO PIG MERCHANDISE

Bel Brands told Fox News Digital the frown is only temporary and promised the mystery will begin to unravel in the coming days.

"The Laughing Cow has spent more than 100 years reminding us not to take life too seriously. So when she suddenly gets serious, you pay attention," Jamee Pearlstein, chief marketing officer of Bel Brands USA, U.S. Cheese, said in a news release.

COSTCO BRINGS BACK A FAN-FAVORITE FOOD COURT TREAT AFTER YEARS OFF THE MENU

"Whatever finally got to her must be worth talking about. We’ll let her explain when she’s ready," Pearlstein added.

The new packages feature the suddenly stone-faced cow alongside a QR code and the cryptic message, "We need to talk." The code directs shoppers to TheNotLaughingCow.com, where the brand is inviting fans to speculate about the reason for her abrupt mood shift.

MCDONALD’S ONCE SOLD BELOVED COOKIES FEATURING FORGOTTEN CHARACTERS FROM THE CHAIN'S PAST

Videos on the campaign website lean into the mystery, showing the usually upbeat mascot looking downcast and alone. In one clip, she sits by herself in a diner. Another shows her somberly swinging alone as the words "The Laughing Cow stopped laughing" and "We need to talk" flash across the screen.

The serious-faced mascot has also appeared in parks, diners and across the brand’s social media channels, according to the company.

The company said shoppers began noticing the change even before the brand formally acknowledged it, with fans reaching out directly to ask what had happened to The Laughing Cow.

DANNON'S DECISION TO KILL BELOVED YOGURT SPARKS FAN REVOLT: 'IT'S WHAT I GOT OUT OF BED FOR'

"We’ve been excited to see that curiosity and conversation continue to build as more of The Not Laughing Cow packages appear on shelves," Bel Brands told Fox News Digital.

The special packages are available in select markets in every state across the continental U.S. and can be found in more than 4,700 stores, according to the company.

Bel Brands stressed that the new expression is not a permanent logo or packaging change. 

Once consumers learn why the mascot stopped laughing, the company said it is confident she will eventually smile again and the packaging and social media channels will return to the joyful expression shoppers have known for more than a century.

The temporary redesign marks a dramatic break from an image shoppers have recognized for generations. The Laughing Cow said its smiling mascot has promoted optimism and encouraged consumers to see the positive side of life since 1921.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-food-drink/laughing-cow-ditches-iconic-smile-teases-cheese-shoppers-cryptic-message-packaging

Qantas to start selling tickets next year for its New York to Sydney nonstop flightQantas plans to start selling tickets for its first New York to Sydney nonstop flight.{}

Qantas plans to start selling tickets for its first New York to Sydney nonstop flight.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/qantas-flight-new-york-sydney-nonstop.html

Nature and the Environment: How Can the UN Improve Its Work on the Environment?

Nature and the Environment: How Can the UN Improve Its Work on the Environment?

APEX, North Carolina / SAN FRANCISCO, California / VIENNA, Austria / SHEFFIELD, United Kingdom / GENEVA, Switzerland, September 22 (IPS) - In March 2025, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres launched “UN80”. Recognizing that the world is in a state of dramatic and rapid change at a time when funding for the UN is under threat from budget cuts, Guterres declared that, on the anniversary of the UN’s 80th birthday, a review of its work was long overdue. Now, UN80 is coming to a head with a set of recommendations that cover almost every aspect of the UN’s work.

Read the full story, “Nature and the Environment: How Can the UN Improve Its Work on the Environment?”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/09/22/44109 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/09/floods-in-Kenya_-100x100.jpg"}

Declining Marriage and Increasing Cohabitation

Declining Marriage and Increasing Cohabitation

PORTLAND, USA, September 22 (IPS) - Marriage is declining in many countries, with fewer people marrying and many postponing marriage until later in life. At the same time, increasing numbers of men and women are choosing cohabitation instead of marriage.

Read the full story, “Declining Marriage and Increasing Cohabitation”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/09/22/44108 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/09/decliningmarriagerates3-100x100.jpg"}

LARRY KUDLOW: Trump offers historic optimistic vision at UNThe president speaks movingly to all of the UN members about ‘the enemies of humanity’

Now all the headlines from President Trump’s United Nations speech are focused on his prior statements warning Iran that the Tehran regime has to either make a deal or face annihilation.

I believe annihilation refers to the regime. And he warned them not to focus on the midterm elections because he’s going to be president for another two and a half years. So, in effect, Mr. Trump discounted the midterm elections, and took them off the table. A bad day for Iran.

As Mr. Trump said: "They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election. What they don’t realize is that I’m not running. I did that already and won in a landslide. We won in a giant landslide, and I’ll be here for two and a half years." He added that "I gave absolutely no credence and will not give credence to the election. When it comes to Iran. It doesn’t even enter my mind. The only thing that does is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. The cowards and traitors —" here applause interrupted the president.

Please note carefully that big applause when he said Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. The UN is not usually, the member’s not usually applauding Mr. Trump, but they did actually on several occasions as we will discuss. Again, another bad day for Iran. 

The point is, even the UN hates Iran. So we’ll see about all of that and how it works out after the election. Before he got to the Iran warning, he talked about America having the hottest economy in the world. Creating a million new jobs, record-low poverty, and high real incomes in the 2025 Census, of course cutting taxes, getting rid of regulations, record stock market, by the way the Nasdaq tech rallied again to a new record high.

Then there was the issue of AI — which is now super intelligence now — is here to stay. And there will be no radical climate change type hoax or doomsday scenarios with our super intelligence. Nor will there be any global regulation of our super intelligence. By the way, no global regulation of anything. Including the International Criminal Court, UN agencies who won’t protect our children from transgenderism, or the persecution of Christians. Or promoting mass migration.

He emphatically said no to any global carbon tax, and in fact generalized "there will be no global taxes." End quote. Full stop. Good for him. How about that? In front of the UN, Mr. Trump makes a no new tax pledge. Phenomenal. And the Nasdaq index hits another record high. 

Yet on all these points, Mr. Trump struck a positive, constructive, optimistic tone. This was a different kind of speech. This was a speech that had praise and applause that was unusual for his UN meetings. Yes, even the UN hates Iran and wants to stop them from having a nuclear weapon. For sure. 

Yet several times, Mr. Trump praised the UN, and its Security Council. For, say, helping on Iran, and for endorsing his 20 point Gaza peace plan, and approving the Board of Peace. And permitting the first lady, Melania Trump, to preside over a meeting of the Security Council, which has never been done before by a president’s wife.

Yet there’s more. Mr. Trump praised the leaders of Pakistan, Rwanda, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, for helping him in making peace deals.

To be sure, he mentioned the successful regime change and world oil implications of Venezuela. And he issued a very tough warning to Cuba — where Secretary of State Marco Rubio is working hard for some kind of regime change.

And of course, the new security arrangement in Greenland, which will protect the Western hemisphere and Europe from Chinese and Russian threats. But Mr. Trump had good things to say about NATO, which has come around toward his view on the need for 5 percent of GDP spending on defense.

We really haven’t heard him praise NATO much before. He talked about stopping the drug cartels throughout Latin and South America.

Yet importantly, he had very positive things to say about Mexican cooperation. Again, optimistic, positive, constructive. And then finally, well, no one seems to want to report on this toward the back end of the speech. I believe the president spoke movingly to all of the UN members about "the enemies of humanity." 

He declared: "That is the challenge for every nation in this room. If we go forward strong and united against the enemies of all humanity, if we reject the voices who would have us give in to fear and doubt, if we refuse to shrink from our duties to our people, then together, through bold action, we will make this world far safer and a far better place."

And he concluded again by reaching out to all those UN nations who really are not our best friends, but he exhorted them to "leave our nations far stronger."

He said: "We will grow our economies far bigger, and we will not just speak of peace, prosperity, and justice. Here at the United Nations. We will stand for them all over the world. Together, we will build a future for our people that is brighter, more hopeful, and more magnificent than ever before. Thank you. God bless the nations of the world and God bless America"

This is why I’m calling this a historic speech.

This is an optimistic vision of freedom, peace, and prosperity, where this 47th President of the United States is asking all the nations to join him in this great crusade. Mr. Trump’s optimism was Reaganesque. I’d say this was pretty great stuff.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/larry-kudlow-trump-offers-historic-optimistic-vision-un

Why the Fed isn't ready to declare victory on inflationThe Federal Reserve raised interest rates, and markets now price in up to two more hikes by year's end as inflation remains above the 2% target.

The Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates last week may mark the first of several hikes aimed at taming stubborn inflation, and one central bank leader weighed in on where inflation may go from here.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin said in a speech before CFA Society Baltimore Tuesday that the "risks to inflation outweigh the risks to maximum employment. That's why we raised rates."

Barkin, who is a non-voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) this year, compared the Fed's dual mandate between promoting maximum employment and price stability to raising children, saying "inflation is our troublemaker" and noting it's been above the 2% target for five years, which contributed to the decision to hike.

"Where do we go from here? We are committed to returning inflation sustainably to our 2% target. Last week's hike will help. Will additional hikes be required and how many? We'll see," Barkin said, explaining that inflation could ease as price shocks fade or prove persistent.

FEDERAL RESERVE HIKES INTEREST RATES FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2023 AMID STUBBORN INFLATION

"I'm open to the possibility that inflation could come back down in short order. Some of these recent shocks could reverse. Consumers could start to reach their limit. The investment boom could slow. Markets could correct. Employment could falter, making the labor market the problem child," Barkin explained.

"On the other hand, inflation could prove more stubborn. Temporary shocks could drag on. New cost pressures could develop. Firming demand conditions could flow through to prices, as could the impact of today's inflation," he said.

Barkin added that the shocks from the Iran war and the AI buildout "aren't proving to be short-lived or one-off events," adding that while they "may pass in time, I do expect it will take time. In the interim, there is a risk that current elevated levels of inflation could affect future inflation."

CONSUMER PRICES REMAINED ELEVATED IN AUGUST AHEAD OF FED'S NEXT MEETING

The market expects the Fed to move forward with at least one more 25 basis point rate hike before the end of the year.

The CME FedWatch tool shows a 48.3% chance of one hike to a target range of 4% to 4.25% after the October and December meetings, along with a 40.7% chance of a second hike before year's end.

Federal Reserve policymakers also released their economic projections, which reflected one hike before the end of the year, while Fed Chair Kevin Warsh maintained his stance in not offering forward guidance during last week's post-meeting press conference.

WHAT WARSH'S JACKSON HOLE SPEECH SIGNALS ABOUT WHERE INTEREST RATES ARE HEADED

Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, told FOX Business Barkin's comments echoed the FOMC's rate hike decision because while "policymakers had displayed patience in waiting for core inflation to converge toward 2%, that patience has seemingly run out, and most policymakers now favor adopting a modestly more restrictive monetary policy stance."

"In our view, a Fed hiking cycle, if implemented, could create further strain for already-constrained interest-sensitive sectors while doing little to slow the AI-led investment surge beyond increasing the risk of a stock market correction," he explained.

Daco added that the "key missing element in Warsh's narrative was transparency around how tighter policy would address the inflation overshoot," with policymakers looking to potentially undo some or all of the 75 basis points of rate cuts late last year.

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"The objective is tighter financial conditions and disinflationary demand destruction. The risk is substantial for an economy already facing income erosion, supply-driven inflation and persistently elevated rates," Daco said.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/why-fed-isnt-ready-declare-victory-inflation

Royal Caribbean nears $3 billion deal to take 50% equity stake in SandalsRoyal Caribbean has been trying to diversify beyond cruises and become a leader overall in vacations.{}

Royal Caribbean has been trying to diversify beyond cruises and become a leader overall in vacations.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/royal-caribbean-sandals.html

Trump administration removes around 760,000 Obamacare enrollments, alleging fraudVice President JD Vance's White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud estimates the action will save roughly $2.2 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies.{}

Vice President JD Vance's White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud estimates the action will save roughly $2.2 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/trump-administration-removes-around-760000-obamacare-enrollments.html

Life-Changing Humanitarians Empower Women Against Violence in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands

Life-Changing Humanitarians Empower Women Against Violence in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands

SYDNEY, Australia, September 22 (IPS) - In the remote Highlands region of Papua New Guinea (PNG), humanitarians are life-saving beacons to women and girls facing myriad forms of violence. Despite years of awareness programmes and advocacy, the incidence of domestic and sexual violence is not declining. But Janet Kilea is one survivor who has rejected the fear and stigma of her experience and now dedicates her energy to transforming other women’s lives.

Read the full story, “Life-Changing Humanitarians Empower Women Against Violence in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/09/22/44107 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/09/CE-Wilson-Image-3-GBV-Public-Advocacy-Street-Sign-Highlands-Region-PNG-100x100.jpg"}

Guterres: ‘Cracks have become canyons’ as world faces four tests of power

Guterres: ‘Cracks have become canyons’ as world faces four tests of power

Humanity faces four defining “tests of power” – around war or peace, inequality, climate change and AI – that will determine whether the world moves towards a new era of cooperation or deeper division, the UN chief warned the General Assembly on Tuesday.

Read the full story, “Guterres: ‘Cracks have become canyons’ as world faces four tests of power”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/09/22/44113 {"url":"https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Collections/Production%20Library/2026/09/22-09-2026-UN-Photo-Guterres.jpg/image100x100cropped.jpg"}

Meta's Muse becomes App Store's hottest downloadMeta's Muse personal AI agent topped the Apple App Store, surpassing ChatGPT, by autonomously handling tasks like booking travel and emails.

Meta's recently launched Muse personal artificial intelligence (AI) agent app rose to the top of the Apple App Store after it launched earlier this month.

Muse ranked as the top free app in Apple's U.S. App Store, ranking ahead of another popular AI tool, OpenAI's ChatGPT.

The rise of Muse reflects a shift in how consumers are using AI, with agentic apps that help users with a variety of tasks, as opposed to a chatbot that can respond to a user's conversational prompts and perform research.

The Muse AI agent debuted in early September and is designed to access a person's apps across categories like email, calendar, payments, health, shopping and the smart home, the company said after the launch.

META INTRODUCES MUSE, A PERSONAL AI AGENT THAT CAN SEND EMAILS, BOOK TRAVEL

Modeled on the open-source AI agent OpenClaw, Muse can autonomously send emails, book travel on the user's behalf, sell a car and lower a bill, according to Meta.

The Muse app allows people to choose what apps the AI agent can connect to and revoke access at any time.

Each Muse agent runs on its own virtual machine, a cloud-based emulation of a personal computer, which enables it to keep carrying out requests in the background even when a person is not actively using it.

ZUCKERBERG LAYS OUT VISION TO PUT SUPERINTELLIGENT AI IN EVERYONE'S HANDS

Meta said that users can tell Muse what they need to get done, and it will take action using the Muse Spark model that the company built for real-world agentic work. It can handle tasks such as sending an email or booking travel, as well as bigger projects.

The company said that once a user shares a goal with Muse, it helps them develop a personalized plan and coordinate their time and resources, while advancing the work on its own – opening browsers, filling out forms, and even negotiating on the user's behalf.

For longer tasks, Muse can continue to work after the app is closed but can come back when something changes or if it needs approval, like before sending an email or making a purchase, Meta said.

ZUCKERBERG SAYS AI SHOULD EMPOWER PEOPLE, NOT REPLACE THEM, IN NEW META VISION

Muse also remembers a user's preferences, giving it the ability to make suggestions unprompted and take action on details that were only mentioned once.

As an example, Meta said that Muse can turn a recipe reel saved on Instagram into a grocery list, then generate a suggested menu for a dinner party that takes into account their friends' dietary restrictions from prior gatherings before sending invites.

Syncing the Muse agent with a range of other apps that could contain a person's data increases the range of capabilities for the new tool, though it also poses safety and reliability risks if Muse misbehaves after being granted access to the user's personal information.

Meta said that it initially delayed the release of Muse in April to make it more secure, and the additional work allowed it to "cross the threshold" and meet minimum requirements for product safety, security, privacy, model performance and other metrics, according to Vishal Shah, vice president of AI products at Meta.

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The company plans to introduce Muse Confidential VM later this year, which will keep a user's data and communications with Muse in an encrypted format that only the user holds.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/metas-muse-becomes-app-stores-hottest-download

Trump rebrands AI, rejects 'globalist scheme' to control techPresident Donald Trump rejected calls to regulate AI as a "globalist scheme" during a speech before the UN General Assembly, saying he will ensure the U.S. wins superintelligence.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. will reject what he called a "globalist scheme" to control artificial intelligence (AI) and emphasized the importance of the U.S. winning the race in emerging tech.

The president made the remarks in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

"The United States also totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control for the artificial intelligence being spoken of so much now," Trump said, adding that he thinks AI should be referred to instead as "superintelligence" (SI).

"Whoever wins AI, you have to remember this, and now I say whoever wins SI, whoever wins superintelligence, wins. That's the group that wins," Trump said. "We're leading now over China by a lot and everyone else. We're going to keep it that way. We're going to keep it very straight and very strong."

NVIDIA'S JENSEN HUANG REJECTS AI DOOMSDAY FEARS: '2030 IS NOT GOING TO BE THE END OF THE WORLD'

"I'm not going to stifle growth of something that will be bigger than the industrial revolution, many say bigger than the industrial revolution or the internet itself," Trump said, adding that the U.S. "will be very careful" and the Department of Justice will help oversee the industry.

"We will only encourage superintelligence. We're going to encourage it, not rein it in. We're going to watch it closely through the Department of Justice," Trump said.

TECH POWER PLAYERS LAND SEAT AT TABLE FOR HIGH-STAKES DINNER WITH TRUMP, XI

"The United States leads the world in superintelligence and will continue to do so safely and responsibly. Americans have never been a nation that retreats from a frontier or shrinks from a challenge, no matter how great or how daunting that challenge may be," Trump said.

The president's comes ahead of a highly-anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week, in which the two geopolitical rivals are expected to discuss AI issues. 

The president will also host a state dinner for Xi, which is expected to have tech leaders including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook in attendance.

NVIDIA CEO DRAWS LINE ON AI SAFETY AFTER ALARMING INCIDENTS: 'IF IT'S NOT READY, JUST HOLD IT BACK'

FOX Business' Edward Lawrence reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will present Trump with an AI-related agreement between the U.S. and China to create a "hotline" for direct communication on AI, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

The hotline would give the two sides the ability to communicate about any AI-related problems that arise related to hacking, national security concerns, rogue AI or other issues, and would function similar to lines of communication maintained by the two countries' militaries.

The sources told Lawrence that Trump will make a determination about the hotline this week before he meets with Xi.

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The White House has indicated that Trump plans to greet Xi on Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews before spending time with him on Thursday and Friday.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-rebrands-ai-rejects-globalist-scheme-control-tech

Peloton is revamping its treadmills with new features in the next phase of its turnaroundWith its new treadmills, Peloton aims to appeal to customers from casual workers to more serious athletes.{}

With its new treadmills, Peloton aims to appeal to customers from casual workers to more serious athletes.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/peloton-announces-new-tread-peloton-iq-features.html

Autonomous trucking company Aurora looks to accelerate toward profitabilityAurora's founder and CEO told CNBC the company is targeting positive free cash flow by 2028, driven by a substantial increase in the number autonomous trucks.{}

Aurora's founder and CEO told CNBC the company is targeting positive free cash flow by 2028, driven by a substantial increase in the number autonomous trucks.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/aurora-autonomous-semi-ride.html

Autonomous trucking company Aurora looks to accelerate toward profitabilityAurora's founder and CEO told CNBC the company is targeting positive free cash flow by 2028, driven by a substantial increase in the number autonomous trucks.{}

Aurora's founder and CEO told CNBC the company is targeting positive free cash flow by 2028, driven by a substantial increase in the number autonomous trucks.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/aurora-autonomous-semi-ride.html

Peloton is revamping its treadmills with new features in the next phase of its turnaroundWith its new treadmills, Peloton aims to appeal to customers from casual workers to more serious athletes.{}

With its new treadmills, Peloton aims to appeal to customers from casual workers to more serious athletes.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/peloton-announces-new-tread-peloton-iq-features.html

DoorDash customer picks up order from driver at crash scene: 'I think that's my food right there'A Maryland man's viral video shows him wrestling with guilt as he retrieves his DoorDash order from the scene of his delivery driver's crash. The driver later launched a GoFundMe after his car was totaled and he lost his job.

A man went viral on social media after filming himself picking up a DoorDash order at the scene of a crash involving his delivery driver.

Glenn Ndibnu began recording as he arrived at the wreck on Church Road in Bowie, Maryland, where multiple ambulances were present.

"I DoorDashed some food, and my DoorDasher told me he got in a car accident, and he was like, ‘I can come meet him and get the food from him,'" he explained in the video.

CALIFORNIA WOMAN CHASED, FATALLY SHOT BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DOORDASH DRIVER WHO STALKED HER FOR MONTHS: DHS

He then expressed guilt over crossing the road to go pick up his food after what happened to his driver.

"I think that's my food right there. Is it f---ed up for me to walk across and pick it up?" Ndibnu said. "I look so f---ed up right now about to go get this food."

Ndibnu ultimately got his food and apologized to the driver, William Koroma, who later launched a GoFundMe campaign to help replace the car that was totaled in the crash.

DOORDASH GETS FAA APPROVAL FOR ITS OWN DELIVERY DRONES

In subsequent posts on Instagram, Ndibnu linked to the online fundraiser.

"My vehicle experienced brake failure, and I was involved in a major accident," Koroma wrote on the GoFundMe page. "My car was totaled, and I am deeply grateful that I survived and that no one else was seriously injured."

He added: "Since the accident, I have been facing several challenges at once. Losing my vehicle has left me without reliable transportation, and I have also lost my job."

Koroma did not elaborate on his injuries, but said he has also been hit with medical bills.

The GoFundMe has raised nearly $14,000 as of Tuesday morning.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-us/doordash-customer-picks-up-order-from-driver-crash-scene-i-think-thats-my-food-right-there

Autonomous trucking company Aurora looks to accelerate toward profitabilityAurora's founder and CEO told CNBC the company is targeting positive free cash flow by 2028, driven by a substantial increase in the number autonomous trucks.{}

Aurora's founder and CEO told CNBC the company is targeting positive free cash flow by 2028, driven by a substantial increase in the number autonomous trucks.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/aurora-autonomous-semi-ride.html

Peloton is revamping its treadmills with new features in the next phase of its turnaroundWith its new treadmills, Peloton aims to appeal to customers from casual workers to more serious athletes.{}

With its new treadmills, Peloton aims to appeal to customers from casual workers to more serious athletes.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/peloton-announces-new-tread-peloton-iq-features.html

McDonald's is hosting an investor day as its U.S. business struggles. Here are 4 things to expectThe presentation comes as McDonald's U.S. business disappointed in its most recent quarter.{}

The presentation comes as McDonald's U.S. business disappointed in its most recent quarter.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/22/mcdonalds-mcd-hosts-investor-day.html

Florida Chamber gives JB Pritzker 'runner-up' for 'Economic Developer of the Year' award on Chicago billboardsFlorida Chamber of Commerce billboards along Chicago's Stevenson Expressway dub Gov. JB Pritzker the runner-up "Florida Economic Developer of the Year."

EXCLUSIVE: Whether heading into Chicago or leaving it behind on the Stevenson Expressway, commuters are driving past a new billboard campaign from Florida's top business lobby.

Expanding its multimillion-dollar recruitment campaign into the Midwest, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is launching its next "Free Enterprise" billboard campaign targeting Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker as the Chamber says data shows billions of dollars in income moving from Illinois to Florida.

"The billboards will look very much like the billboard we did in New York, but we'll have two of them in Chicago and we'll be naming Governor Pritzker the runner-up ‘Florida Economic Developer of the Year,’" Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson exclusively told Fox News Digital.

"This isn't personal, right? This is about policy. And the person responsible for all of Illinois's policies is the governor there, just like our governor in Florida has top responsibility for what we do here," he added. "When we look at how unsafe Chicago is, when we look at the extraordinarily high taxes that we have in Chicago — I'm from there, by the way, and so I have firsthand knowledge on what's happening in Illinois and what's happening in Chicago… And all of Illinois is losing people, more businesses are leaving Illinois than are moving to Illinois, and Illinois is losing billions of taxable income. And so the whole state is in a death spiral."

FLORIDA CHAMBER CEO: COMPANIES EYE SUNSHINE STATE ‘FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY’ AFTER VIRAL MAMDANI BILLBOARD

An image of Pritzker shrugging can be seen on billboards facing traffic in both directions along I-55, with the ads naming him runner-up and thanking him for jobs moving to Florida. Their launch comes just over one month after the Chamber named New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Florida's "Economic Developer of the Year" as part of a Times Square campaign. The Chamber says the campaigns are intended to argue that progressive tax and economic policies encourage wealth, businesses and families to move to Florida.

"Everything we do is scorecard driven, and we follow the data," Wilson said when asked why Chicago was the next stop on the campaign. "New York earned the number one spot, and if you look at the data, Illinois earns the number two spot… Florida's grown by about 1.9 million residents and Illinois's lost [75,000] or 100,000 residents over the same period of time… When we look at taxable income that's moved from Illinois to Florida, it's over $2 billion that has left Illinois and relocated to Florida."

Wilson also pointed to high-profile corporate exits from Chicago — most notably billionaire Ken Griffin moving hedge fund giant Citadel to Miami — as evidence for his argument that crime and tax burdens can drive employers out of the state.

"When bullet holes emerged in the Citadel building in Chicago, that was sort of one of the straws, right? You can't decriminalize things and then tell everybody you have a safer community... people don't buy that and it's not true," the CEO noted.

"They're raising taxes on the very people that are investing in manufacturing, they're investing in the community. And in fact, people like Ken Griffin are investing hundreds of millions of dollars and philanthropy into public education into making our communities safer," he continued. "This is about: bad policy in Illinois is moving Illinois in the wrong direction. It's made Illinois less safe, it's made it less competitive and it's made it a more expensive place to be."

The campaign isn't just targeting hedge funds and billionaires — Wilson said the Chamber is directly courting Illinois' advanced manufacturing, aviation and tech startup sectors.

"Advanced manufacturing, for example, is one of our top priorities in Florida. We're one of the only states with a chief manufacturing officer," Wilson explained. "Florida is currently the No. 1 state in the country for new business startups. So as people are coming up with good ideas in Illinois only to have their government policies quash them, we want them to know that they're more than welcome here in the Sunshine State."

According to Wilson, the initial Times Square campaign pushed the Chamber’s overall earned-media valuation to more than $100 million. While he declined to disclose how much the Chamber is spending on the billboards, he said, "it takes millions of dollars a year to do what the Florida Chamber of Commerce does."

"In Illinois, what we're hoping is that the governor's office reflects on the data," Wilson said. "Illinois has half as many people as Florida, but their budget and their debt is significantly larger than Florida… And what we hope to hear is that Illinois wants to take us up on our offer to join forces and introduce free enterprise into every aspect of Illinois. The people of Illinois deserve that. The businesses of Illinois deserve that."

Gov. Pritzker did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Looking ahead, Wilson acknowledged that Florida's rapid economic boom brings a heavy responsibility for state and business leaders to avoid the very pitfalls currently plaguing northern hubs.

"The biggest risk to the Florida model is that we allow to happen in Florida, what leaders in Illinois, New York, and California allowed to happen there," Wilson warned. "If you go back a few decades, California was a national leader. Everybody wanted to be like California... and they let it go."

Wilson said Florida's growth brings a responsibility for state and business leaders to avoid problems he sees in states including Illinois, New York and California.

"I often hear a refrain of, ‘Hey, at least we're not Illinois or California or New York.’ And the challenge is we need to compare ourselves to Florida's potential, right? Florida versus Florida."

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Though the Chicago billboards will remain active along I-55 for just one week, Wilson said the Free Enterprise Florida campaign will continue, with additional states potentially targeted.

"Our goal in all of this is to give a wake-up call to the residents of these states," Wilson said. "We want America to win. And if you want to look at the future of what America can look like, you look no further than what Florida has done."

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https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/florida-chamber-slaps-jb-pritzker-runner-up-economic-developer-of-the-year-award-chicago-billboards

Democratic lawmakers urge Trump to preserve ban on Chinese automakers as he prepares to meet XiPresident Donald Trump faces pressure from 27 Democratic lawmakers to maintain the ban on Chinese cars ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

More than two dozen Democratic lawmakers are calling on President Donald Trump to maintain existing restrictions that effectively keep Chinese automakers and keep them out of the U.S. market ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump is scheduled to meet with Xi on Thursday in Washington, where they are expected to discuss their trade agreement, AI, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and other key geopolitical issues.

Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., is leading a group of 27 lawmakers in pressuring Trump to preserve the U.S. restrictions on Chinese cars and vehicle technology.

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"We urge you to maintain strong protections against Chinese automobiles and connected vehicle technologies and ensure that China does not gain access to our market through direct imports, local production, and other avenues of circumvention," the lawmakers wrote.

Dingell also issued a video message on social media on Monday in which she said she is working to protect U.S. auto manufacturing and ensure Trump cannot "make any deal that allows China into our country where they're categorically not competing on a level playing field."

"The communist Chinese government subsidizes its production by more than 50% of the cost," she said. "They manipulate their currency, they use slave labor and now they want a foot in the door of our domestic auto industry, and they will try to destroy it. This year already China has exported more than 6.2 million passenger vehicles from China. That exceeds their total passenger vehicle exports for all of 2025, and now they're coming for North America. Our workers are the best workers in the world, and they can compete with anyone when the game isn't rigged and the risks extend far beyond just economic competition."

"Today's vehicles are supercomputers that are moving and collecting and transmitting all kinds of data. You don't even think about it when you're an autonomous vehicle. They're getting all the data that's in your personal iPhones, your computers and they drive by military installations or other companies and they are collecting data. That's a national security threat," the lawmaker continued.

Dingell said she introduced bipartisan legislation that has the support of a hundred of her congressional colleagues to ban China from "destroying our auto industry."

"That's why I reacted so viscerally when I heard the president say he would let China manufacture vehicles in the United States," she said.

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"Let me be very clear: it's not okay. American workers need our protection from anyone who will use unfair practices, wants to destroy our jobs and raise costs for everyone. I will always stand with the American worker and the manufacturing industry in these countries to protect jobs, our economy and our national security," Dingell said.

The congresswoman appeared to be referring to Trump telling Fox News earlier this month that he would accept Chinese auto companies building cars in the U.S.

Reuters contributed to this report.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/democratic-lawmakers-urge-trump-preserve-ban-chinese-automakers-he-prepares-meet-xi

Former United executive explains how New Jersey fiber cut disrupted Northeast flightsFormer United Airlines chief security officer Rich Davis explains how a severed fiber-optic line in New Jersey disrupted air travel across the Northeast.

A severed fiber-optic cable in New Jersey disrupted air travel across parts of the Northeast on Monday, showing how a single infrastructure problem can quickly ripple through the nation's airline system.

Rich Davis, senior security advisor at International SOS and former chief security officer at United Airlines, told FOX Business that even a localized outage can quickly disrupt flights far beyond where it begins because airline networks are tightly interconnected.

"It's like a spider web of activity that's happening and everybody is impacted, especially connecting passengers versus nonstop," Davis said. "… Something that is only happening in that Northeast corridor, it still impacts all of the connecting hubs."

Passengers with connecting itineraries often feel the biggest impact because disruptions at one major hub can quickly spread throughout the airline network, Davis said.

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The disruption began around 9:45 a.m. after a fiber-optic line in New Jersey was accidentally cut, causing a telecommunications outage and prompting ground stops at major airports in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia, according to Reuters.

By Monday evening, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the telecommunications lines had been repaired and airport operations across the Northeast were resuming, though travelers should continue to expect delays.

The outage contributed to roughly 7,000 flight delays and cancellations, including about 1,400 at New York City's three major airports, Reuters reported, citing FlightAware.

Davis said airlines classify events like Monday's outage as "irregular operations" — unexpected disruptions such as severe weather or equipment failures that can quickly throw carefully coordinated flight schedules off balance.

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Even after the original problem is fixed, airlines must reposition aircraft, pilots, flight attendants and passengers throughout their networks, creating a cascade of additional delays.

"There's always a downhill trickle of subsequent delays, diversions, cancelations," Davis said. "It's basically a fact of life."

Even so, Davis noted that airlines and airports have extensive experience managing these disruptions.

"Having said all of that, the airlines and the airports are so experienced in handling irregular operations, they do their best within their controls to minimize the effect on passengers," Davis said.

Despite the widespread disruptions, Davis stressed that airlines never compromise safety in an effort to restore schedules.

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"The number one priority every time, all of the time, is the safety of the passengers and the airline employees themselves," he said. "That's [the] number one priority. No shortcuts, no risks — follow the playbooks. Safety is more important than anything."

Reuters contributed to this report.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/former-united-executive-explains-how-new-jersey-fiber-cut-disrupted-northeast-flights

Hard Mountain Dew offers $1M bounty to anyone who can prove Bigfoot is realThe beverage brand's "Bigfoot Bounty" campaign offers adults 21 and older the chance to win $1 million by submitting verified evidence of the legendary creature.

Hard Mountain Dew is offering a $1 million prize to anyone who can provide proof that Bigfoot exists, as the alcoholic beverage brand launches a fall marketing campaign built around the legendary creature.

The "Bigfoot Bounty" promotion opened Wednesday and runs through Nov. 30, giving adults 21 and older the chance to submit what the company describes as "verified evidence" of Bigfoot's existence.

"Hard Mountain Dew has always been about chasing bold experiences, and Bigfoot Bounty takes that mindset to the next level," Erica Taylor, senior brand director for Hard Mountain Dew, said in a statement. 

According to Hard Mountain Dew, entries will be evaluated using standards developed with Bigfoot researcher Bryce Johnson, who has appeared in and produced a docuseries exploring reports of the creature.

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In order to be considered for the $1 million grand prize, participants must submit compelling evidence that meets the contest's verification requirements, including at least four types of supporting material.

Examples listed by the company include alleged Bigfoot footprints, handprints, thermal imaging, hair samples, audio recordings, environmental evidence and photographs purportedly showing the creature.

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Even if no one claims the grand prize, the company said 100 entrants will receive the equivalent of a free 12-pack of Hard Mountain Dew in the form of cash.

"Every fall, someone's got a story of a shape in the trees or a sound they can't explain. Whether you catch Bigfoot or just catch a good story trying, there's nothing better than an ice-cold Hard Mountain Dew at the end of the hunt," Taylor added.

Legends of Bigfoot have circulated for centuries, particularly across the Pacific Northwest, where stories describe a large, hairy, human-like creature roaming forests, according to the Washington State Military Department.

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The creature has long been the subject of reported sightings, footprint discoveries and blurry photos and videos.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/hard-mountain-dew-offers-1m-bounty-anyone-who-can-prove-bigfoot-real

Apple settlement could mean a payout for some iPhone ownersApple's $250 million class action settlement over iPhone 16 and Siri AI advertising delays could pay eligible customers up to $95 per device.

Apple customers may be able to collect up to $95 from a class action settlement that stems from a lawsuit alleging the tech giant put out false advertisements about the AI capabilities on devices which didn't have the tech fully integrated.

This spring, Apple reached a $250 million agreement to settle the class action lawsuit related to delays in the integration of AI and Siri capabilities in new devices.

The September 2024 release of the iPhone 16 created a "clear and reasonable consumer expectation" that AI features would be added to the devices. While the company did release Apple Intelligence features that year, the integration of ChatGPT with Siri and an emoji tool fell short of those expectations, according to the lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, members of the class who submit valid claims would receive a cash payment of $25 per device, which may be adjusted up or down to a maximum payment of $95 per device depending on the total number of valid claims submitted.

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To be eligible to receive compensation from the class action settlement, a customer must be a resident of the U.S. and have purchased an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.

Eligible customers must also acknowledge that they "expected at the time of purchase to receive certain Siri Apple Intelligence features on your device, which you did not."

To receive a payment, eligible customers must complete and submit a valid claim form by Dec. 21, 2026. They may submit a claim for each eligible device.

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The claimant must be the original purchaser of the device covered by the class action settlement, and may not have purchased it on a resale basis. Businesses are also eligible to submit claims for devices they bought.

Claims will be rejected if the submission is incomplete, contains false information, or isn't submitted by deadline, according to the settlement website.

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Claim forms must include current contact information and confirm that the class member purchased an eligible device that they expected to have Siri Apple Intelligence features within the timeframe of June 10, 2024, to March 29, 2025. They must also include information to confirm the purchase and ownership of an eligible device.

Eligible claims will be paid via physical or digital check after the final approval of the settlement. Payment may be delayed by any appeals to the settlement, though payments would be processed promptly if there aren't any subsequent appeals, according to the settlement website, which will provide further updates.

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A final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2027, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Jose.

The hearing will give the court the opportunity to determine if the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate, while also considering any objections.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/apple-settlement-could-mean-payout-some-iphone-owners

Social Security recipients may get bigger benefit boost in 2027The 2027 Social Security COLA estimates range from 3.4% to 3.6%, topping the 2.8% increase for 2026, with September CPI inflation data still to come.

Social Security beneficiaries are expected to see a larger cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2027 than they received for this year, according to new estimates that follow the release of August inflation data.

By law, the annual Social Security COLA is calculated using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index (CPI) inflation data for the months of July, August and September based on a variant of the dataset known as CPI-W. The COLA boosts beneficiaries' payments to account for a rise in the cost of living, and the COLA for 2026 amounted to a 2.8% increase.

The BLS released the August CPI inflation data that showed consumer prices were up 3.4% from a year ago, while the CPI-W was up 3.5% over the last year.

Several groups have released estimates for the 2027 COLA based on the data from the last two months and estimates for September's data, which have the COLA landing in a range from 3.4% to 3.6%.

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The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) estimated that based on the latest data, the 2027 COLA will be 3.4%.

AARP projected that the 2027 COLA will be 3.6%, based on its analysis of recent inflation readings and projections for the coming weeks.

Rich Johnson, vice president of financial security at the AARP Public Policy Institute, noted that many older adults rely on Social Security for the bulk of their income and that the group's forecast aims to help them plan based on how the COLA may affect their finances.

"Family budgets have been under increasing pressure because of rising prices. The sooner that we can give them reliable information as to how much their benefits might [increase next year], the sooner they can start planning," Johnson said.

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Johnson said that the AARP's estimate incorporates the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's inflation projections for September and that while those figures aren't "set in stone," the data helps compile the estimate.

"With only one month of inflation data to go until the 2027 COLA is finalized, there's less uncertainty about what that increase will be," he added. "Unless prices change dramatically in September, we're confident that the COLA will be in the mid-3% range."

The Senior Citizens League predicted the 2027 COLA will be 3.5% following the release of the August CPI inflation data, down slightly from its estimate of 3.6% the prior month. A 3.5% COLA would increase average benefit checks by $67.90 and would boost the monthly benefit from $1,940.08 to $2,007.98, TSCL reported.

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"The biggest thing we're watching with the COLA announcement coming are short-term shocks to the economy that push inflation way up or down in the next 30 days," said TSCL executive director Shannon Benton.

"No matter if the COLA announcement comes in slightly higher or slightly lower than our prediction, seniors will probably end up disappointed in the long run. The reality is that older Americans allocate their budgets differently than people still in the workforce, so inflation hits them differently. The CPI-W captures the experience of urban wage earners, which doesn't represent the average senior's budget," Benton added.

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The final piece of data for the 2027 COLA will be released on Oct. 14, when the BLS releases the September CPI inflation data.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/social-security-recipients-may-get-bigger-benefit-boost-2027