Investments and Business

In the spring of 2021, Chet Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, sparked controversy by declaring that it would be a “white boy summer.” Initially ambiguous, the phrase has since been co-opted by white supremacist groups, according to a report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. This year, the slogan has appeared in thousands of Telegram posts, used by far-right groups to recruit, organize protests, and incite violence, particularly against immigrants and LGBTQ individuals. The phrase now symbolizes an unabashed celebration of white heterosexual masculinity, often at the expense of women and people of color. Wendy Via, co-founder of…

Ray Kurzweil, a renowned inventor and futurist, continues to claim that humans will soon merge with artificial intelligence. During an interview at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, Kurzweil showed a graph illustrating the exponential growth of computing power over the past 85 years. This steady increase, according to him, indicates that the so-called Singularity, when humans and AI become one, will occur within the next two decades. Kurzweil, who has made a career out of making bold predictions, reiterated claims in his 2005 book, The Singularity is NearWith the advent of AI technologies like ChatGPT and efforts to implant…

Jane McAlevey, an influential organizer and labor scholar, died Sunday at her cabin in Muir Beach, California, at the age of 59. Her half-brother, Mitchell Rotbert, confirmed that multiple myeloma was the cause of death. McAlevey had previously undergone surgery for breast cancer. Throughout her career, McAlevey was a staunch advocate for the working class, emphasizing the importance of worker-led unions. She believed that member-led unions were the most powerful tools for combating economic inequality. In her numerous writings and media appearances, she criticized many U.S. labor leaders for what she saw as their complacency and collusion with corporate interests.…

Tesla’s U.S. electric vehicle market share fell below 50% for the first time in the second quarter of the year, according to recent estimates from research firm Cox Automotive. Tesla’s share fell to 49.7% from 59.3% in the same period last year. The decline is notable as battery-powered vehicle sales have hit record highs during the same time frame. From April to June, Tesla faced increasing competition from General Motors, Ford, Hyundai, and Kia. Cox Automotive estimates, based on filings, company reports, and other data, highlight this shift. The latest quarter marks a significant milestone, as it is the first…

Nigel Farage, known for his support of former President Donald J. Trump, his pivotal role in Brexit and his reputation as Britain’s most notorious political provocateur, has been elected to Parliament for the first time. At the helm of the emerging Reform UK party, Farage defied expectations by securing four seats in Parliament, beating many analysts’ predictions in a system that typically disadvantages smaller parties. His party platform has focused heavily on anti-immigration policies. Farage won a decisive victory in Clacton, a declining coastal town where pre-election polls had indicated strong support for him. The victory comes after seven previous…

After Sunday's snap legislative elections in France, the nation faces a deadlocked parliament and significant political uncertainty. No major political factions, left, center or right, have won an outright majority. The left-wing New Popular Front emerged as the leading group with 178 seats. President Emmanuel Macron's centrist coalition followed with 150 seats, while Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration Rassemblement National party and its allies secured 142 seats. Contrary to expectations, the National Rally did not win a clear victory. A strategic move by centrists and leftists to form a "republican front" against the National Rally in the second round of voting…

In the heavily blockaded Gaza Strip, cigarettes have become a rare commodity, often selling for $25-30 each. Both U.N. and Israeli officials have reported that coordinated attacks by groups seeking to profit from these contraband cigarettes are severely hampering the transportation of essential aid into southern Gaza. Israeli authorities carefully monitor all goods entering and leaving Gaza through checkpoints under their control. Despite these efforts, cigarettes have managed to pass for weeks inside aid trucks, mainly through the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza. To evade Israeli controls, traffickers in Egypt hide cigarettes in sacks of flour, diapers and even…

It was their private club. Five women who collaborated at the Public Theater, who met to drink and dream, to share frustrations and ideas, to commiserate, to brainstorm and laugh together. They coined their alliance "Women and Ambition," a cheeky nod to the fact that "ambitious" still had a strong connotation for young women. Their meeting at Public in the mid-2010s proved more than just a fond memory: each has now become an empowered leader in a field desperately in need of fresh inspiration. “These women changed the course of my life,” said Maria Goyanes, now artistic director of the…

Imagine a baseball season without the iconic crack of an ash bat. That could be a reality thanks to the ash beetle, a small beetle that is causing massive destruction of ash trees across North America. For decades, ash has reigned supreme in baseball bats. From legendary players like Babe Ruth to modern hitters like Mark McGwire, ash has been the material of choice for its feel and performance. Companies like Hillerich & Bradsby, makers of Louisville Slugger, churned out hundreds of thousands of ash bats each year. However, the ash beetle has changed the game. This invasive insect, about…

Longtime friends Martin Schwartz and Matthew Mandel enjoy a rare sports moment as Miami teams battle for the championship. Martin Schwartz and Matthew Mandel are living a dream come true. The longtime friends and South Florida residents hit it big with the Miami Heat and Florida Panthers both reaching the finals, competing for NBA and NHL titles at the same time. Schwartz and Mandel, who have shared season tickets with both teams for years, have seen their fair share of ups and downs. They’ve endured tough seasons, like the Heat’s 15-win campaign in 2007-08, and watched away fans dominate the…