Scott Leiendecker announced he is buying Dominion Voting Systems, a company involved in 2020 election controversies. His new company, Liberty Vote, suggests changes but privately reassures customers that operations will stay similar. Liberty Vote's public announcement focuses on restoring trust in elections and aligns with conservative priorities.
Key Facts
Scott Leiendecker has bought Dominion Voting Systems and aims to transform it into Liberty Vote.
Dominion Voting Systems was central to controversies and legal issues after the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
Liberty Vote claims to focus on restoring trust in elections with secure and transparent voting systems.
Leiendecker has a history in election technology, having started KNOWiNK, the largest U.S. vendor for voter check-in technology.
Liberty Vote's press release highlights 100% American ownership and aligns with President Trump's executive order on election security.
In private communications, Liberty Vote assures existing customers that operations will remain similar to Dominion's.
Some election officials express concern that the company's public messaging could increase suspicion and drama.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff apologized for suggesting President Donald Trump should send National Guard troops to San Francisco. His comment led to backlash, especially with the backdrop of recent military deployments ordered by the Trump administration in various U.S. cities. Benioff aimed to address safety concerns for Dreamforce, Salesforce's annual event, but received criticism from political figures and others.
Key Facts
Marc Benioff is the CEO of Salesforce, a major tech company.
He apologized for suggesting President Trump send National Guard troops to San Francisco.
The comment was made ahead of the Dreamforce conference, Salesforce's annual event.
Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, criticized Benioff's comment.
Ron Conway, a venture capitalist, resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board over differing values.
President Trump has been deploying the National Guard to various cities, causing legal and public backlash.
Benioff has been a notable donor to civic causes in San Francisco.
The issue is part of broader concerns about security and political tensions in U.S. cities.
Lamborghini's chief executive, Stephan Winkelmann, stated that the company will continue to focus on internal combustion engines and hybrids for at least the next decade. Despite previous plans for all-electric models, the company now sees waning enthusiasm for electric cars and considers hybrids a better option. Lamborghini is reassessing its plans for future electric vehicles, such as the Lanzador.
Key Facts
Lamborghini will use internal combustion engines for at least the next 10 years.
The company sees a decline in enthusiasm for electric cars among buyers.
Lamborghini is considering whether the new Lanzador model will be all-electric or a hybrid.
Currently, Lamborghini's main models, the Temerario and Revuelto, are plug-in hybrids.
The Urus SUV is available as both a plug-in hybrid and a conventional petrol car.
A previously planned all-electric SUV model has been delayed until at least 2035.
Lamborghini sold about 10,000 cars last year, a small fraction compared to global car production.
New petrol and diesel cars, including plug-in hybrids, are set to be banned in the EU and the UK from 2035.
Investors are experiencing fluctuations in the U.S. stock market due to various concerns, including banking sector issues, U.S.-China tensions, and speculation about the AI industry's future. Despite recent worries, the overall stock market has remained resilient and shown gains throughout the year. Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, although they acknowledge potential risks.
Key Facts
Investors are worried due to recent losses reported by two U.S. regional banks.
Concerns arise from rekindled U.S.-China tensions over tariffs and technology.
Notable bankruptcies in the auto industry have sparked nervous discussions.
Major stock indexes have still posted gains since the start of the year, with the S&P 500 up about 13%.
Analysts are concerned about high share prices and potential bubbles in the AI industry.
Institutions like the Bank of England and the IMF have warned about market risks and valuations.
Despite worries, some analysts predict a positive end to the year for the S&P 500.
Conditions such as inflation and political events in Washington are additional factors influencing market sentiment.
Tesla is facing pressure regarding a proposed $1 trillion pay package for CEO Elon Musk. The advisory firm ISS suggested that investors vote against this large compensation plan. This proposal will be discussed at a Tesla shareholder meeting on November 6.
Key Facts
Tesla proposed a $1 trillion pay package for CEO Elon Musk.
The advisory firm ISS recommended that investors vote against Musk’s compensation plan.
This is the second year ISS has advised against the pay plan for Musk.
The compensation plan could still give Musk significant financial rewards due to the structure of the plan.
Tesla's board aims to retain Musk because of his track record and leadership vision.
Musk will have a say in the vote, owning about 13.5% of Tesla's voting power.
Tesla's shares rose after the compensation plan was announced.
ISS valued the stock-based award at $104 billion, while Tesla estimated it at $87.8 billion.
A collection of iPad drawings by artist David Hockney, titled "The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate," sold for £6.2 million at a Sotheby's auction. These 17 prints, created as part of a series, were sold at more than twice the expected price, marking a rare occasion for collectors to acquire a large group of Hockney's digital artwork.
Key Facts
David Hockney's iPad drawings sold at a Sotheby's auction for £6.2 million.
The collection includes 17 prints titled "The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate."
Hockney started this series in 2011 after moving from Beverly Hills to Bridlington.
The artworks sold for more than double the estimated price.
The drawings came from a private collection.
The sale took place alongside the Frieze art fair in London.
Hockney, now 88, created these works as he visited different spots in Woldgate daily.
The series was first shown at the Royal Academy of Arts in 2012.
Customers have filed a lawsuit against the shoe company On, saying their sneakers make loud, unwanted squeaks. They claim the noise makes the shoes annoying to wear, and they want refunds and other damages. On is a Swiss company that reported high sales, but it has not commented on the lawsuit.
Key Facts
Customers are suing the athletic shoe company On for creating sneakers that squeak loudly.
The shoes in question are called "CloudTec" and are priced around $200.
The sneakers have holes in their soles, which are designed to make them feel soft and comfortable.
The lawsuit claims the shoes are especially problematic for people who wear them all day, like nurses.
Customers say the shoes require home fixes, and returning them was not an option.
The lawsuit mentions the Cloudmonster and Cloudrunner models specifically.
On has not responded to requests for comment about the allegations.
The company, backed by Roger Federer, saw strong sales from direct consumer purchases recently.
Panda Express is adding a new dish called Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef to its menu for a short time starting October 8. The dish is available nationwide and is part of efforts by several restaurant chains to introduce new menu items this fall.
Key Facts
Panda Express introduced a new menu item: Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef.
The dish is available starting October 8 for a limited time at all locations.
It includes shrimp in tempura batter, crispy beef strips, vegetables, and a spicy sauce.
Panda Express operates over 2,500 locations in the U.S. and has stores in 11 other countries.
The company also launched "Wok Wednesdays," a game in their app for more engaging customer rewards.
Similar menu updates are happening at other chains like Taco Bell, Popeyes, and Starbucks during the fall season.
Taco Bell brings back Crispy Chicken items and introduces Frank’s RedHot Diablo sauce.
Popeyes is selling pre-seasoned Cajun-style turkey for Thanksgiving.
A report by Medallia found that Gen Z customers are the most likely to leave complaints online compared to other age groups. They are twice as likely to provide feedback and four times more likely to include complaints compared to Boomers. This behavior may impact how businesses cater to different generations.
Key Facts
Medallia surveyed 2,000 U.S. consumers about their feedback habits.
Gen Z is twice as likely as Boomers to leave feedback on review sites or social media.
Gen Z is four times as likely as Boomers to include complaints in their feedback.
People aged 13 to 28 are considered part of Gen Z.
Gen Z was found to be 44% less likely to praise a specific employee than Boomers.
Despite more complaints, Gen Z feels a stronger attachment to brands, being 22% more likely than Boomers to do so.
Gen Z customers expect fast, seamless service and often use online reviews to guide their purchase decisions.
Apple will broadcast Formula 1 in the United States for five years starting in 2026. The deal is worth about $750 million and will make F1 content available to Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. as part of their regular subscription.
Key Facts
Apple signed a five-year deal to air Formula 1 in the U.S., starting in 2026.
The deal is valued at about $750 million, or $150 million per year.
F1 content will be included for Apple TV subscribers at no extra cost.
This marks Apple's first foray into sports broadcasting as part of a regular subscription.
Apple has previously covered Major League Soccer, but for an additional fee.
The service will include live coverage of all on-track sessions.
Commentary will likely be sourced from either F1 TV or the UK's Sky network.
A hit F1 movie starring Brad Pitt helped Apple secure this deal.
The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) warned that the method used to calculate Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) is disadvantaging seniors. TSCL suggests switching from the current CPI-W index to the CPI-E index, which they argue better reflects the spending patterns of seniors. This issue affects millions of Americans who rely on Social Security payments.
Key Facts
TSCL claims seniors are losing Social Security benefits because the government uses CPI-W to calculate COLA.
CPI-W measures inflation for urban workers, while CPI-E focuses on expenses more relevant to seniors.
The CPI-E has historically been slightly higher than the CPI-W, averaging 0.1 percentage points more.
TSCL's report suggests seniors who retired in 1999 have lost about $5,000 due to the current calculation method.
If the index used doesn't change, those retiring in 2024 could lose over $12,000 in benefits.
Recent increases in inflation due to tariffs could lead to a higher COLA in 2026, between 2.7% and 2.9%.
Higher COLA might not fully cover increased costs for seniors, such as rising Medicare premiums.
Efforts to change the calculation method to CPI-E, like the Social Security Expansion Act, have stalled in Congress.
The article provides advice on how to earn money from your bank to help with Christmas expenses. It suggests ways to manage personal finance and banking for extra savings.
Key Facts
The article is about making money from your bank to help with Christmas costs.
It discusses personal finance strategies.
Martin Lewis is associated with the content, indicating his advice or involvement.
The content is available as an audio episode on BBC Sounds.
A report by Redfin revealed the most expensive homes sold in the U.S. this year, with prices between $60 million and $133 million. California and Florida had the highest sales, highlighting a challenging luxury market despite high price reductions.
Key Facts
The most expensive home sold for $133 million in Naples, Florida.
The second most expensive home was "The Manor" in Los Angeles, sold for $110 million.
The third-place property was a Los Angeles villa sold for $110 million.
The fourth most expensive was a California estate sold for $85 million.
Most homes on this list required price cuts before selling.
The price range was significantly higher than the median home price in the U.S.
The luxury market is also experiencing challenges similar to the general housing market.
Only one property in the top 10 was from the Northeast, selling for $60 million in New York.
Global stock markets dropped after two U.S. banks, Western Alliance and Zions, reported financial troubles, causing concerns that other banks might face similar issues. The UK's FTSE 100 and other global market indexes, such as Germany's Dax and France's Cac 40, also fell. This drop in shares has been linked to fears of poor risk management and recent failures in the U.S. banking and private credit sectors.
Key Facts
Two U.S. banks, Western Alliance Bank and Zions Bank, reported financial problems involving bad or fraudulent loans.
Western Alliance Bank has started a lawsuit claiming fraud.
Zions Bank reported a $50 million loss due to two loans.
The FTSE 100 index in the UK fell by about 1.5%, affecting big banks like Barclays and Standard Chartered.
Stock indexes in Germany and France also saw declines.
Recent U.S. company failures, Tricolor and First Brands, added to investor concerns.
Fears of an investment bubble in artificial intelligence have raised questions about stock overvaluation.
The price of gold reached a record high, and the VIX Fear Index hit its highest level since April, indicating market anxiety.
Boston Scientific announced plans to acquire Nalu Medical, a company that develops technology for chronic pain relief. The acquisition, valued at $500 million, is expected to finalize in the first half of 2026. Boston Scientific anticipates increased sales and significant growth following the acquisition.
Key Facts
Boston Scientific plans to buy Nalu Medical for $500 million.
The acquisition is expected to be completed by the first half of 2026.
Nalu Medical specializes in technology for chronic pain relief.
The Nalu Neurostimulation System is used to manage chronic pain with a minimally invasive method.
Boston Scientific has invested in Nalu Medical since 2017.
Nalu Medical secured $65 million in Series E funding in 2023.
Boston Scientific expects to see $60 million in sales from Nalu in 2025 with 25% growth in 2026.
Boston Scientific has made multiple acquisitions in recent years and reported high revenue in 2024.
American Express is changing its travel booking protections by expanding the Trip Cancel Guard program for certain card members. This new benefit allows travelers to cancel or change flights for any reason up to two days before departure and get back up to 75% of the nonrefundable costs. These changes help travelers deal with uncertainties and align with a trend among premium credit cards to offer more travel benefits.
Key Facts
American Express is expanding its Trip Cancel Guard program for cardholders.
The program offers the flexibility to cancel or change flights up to two days before departure.
Cardholders can get up to 75% of their nonrefundable costs back.
Eligible members can buy this benefit at least five days before travel.
The benefit applies to flights bought on AmexTravel.com or directly on American Express's website.
American Express also made recent changes to its Platinum Card, increasing the annual fee and adding more perks.
The company aims to stay competitive in the luxury card market with these updates.
New offers are also available for dining and lifestyle benefits for cardholders in Spain.
Josh Wander, co-founder of 777 Partners, is charged with defrauding lenders and investors out of over $500 million. Prosecutors say Wander used fake financial documents to make the firm’s finances look better than they were. Wander denies the charges and his lawyer plans to contest them in court.
Key Facts
Josh Wander is a co-founder of 777 Partners, an investment firm.
Wander is accused of defrauding lenders and investors of more than $500 million.
Prosecutors allege he used false financial documents to inflate 777's financial condition.
Wander attempted to buy Premier League club Everton, but the deal failed in June 2024.
New owners, the Friedkin Group, bought Everton from Farhad Moshiri in December 2024.
Wander is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and securities fraud.
Each fraud charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Wander denies all charges, and his lawyer describes the case as a business disagreement.
The American whiskey industry faces major challenges, including a sharp drop in exports due to trade tensions and tariffs. Exports to Canada, a significant market, have dropped drastically, significantly affecting profits for U.S. whiskey makers, especially in Tennessee and Kentucky. While there are some positive signs, like the lifting of retaliatory tariffs by Canada, the overall impact of ongoing political and trade disputes continues to strain the industry.
Key Facts
The American whiskey industry has seen a 13% drop in export sales.
Exports to Canada fell by 85% in the second quarter of the year.
Canadian liquor boards in some provinces continue to boycott U.S. alcohol.
The boycott impacts U.S. whiskey producers' profits, especially in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Major markets like the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom also recorded export declines of 12%, 23%, and 29%, respectively.
Trade tensions and tariffs are major factors driving these declines in exports.
Domestic whiskey sales in the U.S. are stagnant, with inventory levels at record highs.
A timeshare fraud scheme in the UK deceived over 3,500 people, most of them elderly, out of a total of £28 million. Fourteen people were convicted for running this scheme, where victims were falsely promised that exchanging their timeshares for "Monster Credits" would bring future benefits. The leaders of the scam, Mark and Nicola Rowe, used the victims' money to fund a luxurious lifestyle.
Key Facts
The timeshare fraud involved more than 3,500 victims and a total loss of £28 million.
Fourteen individuals, including Mark and Nicola Rowe, were convicted for their roles in the scheme.
The scam targeted older people who wanted to sell their timeshares due to rising costs and health issues.
Victims were lured with promises of "Monster Credits" that would supposedly grow in value but turned out to be worthless.
The scam involved high-pressure sales tactics, with meetings lasting up to six hours.
Money from the scam funded the Rowes' lavish lifestyle, including personal bank transfers totaling £8 million.
Mark Rowe received a prison sentence of seven and a half years.
China's biggest shopping event, Singles' Day, started five weeks early this year. This change is an attempt by retailers to boost consumer spending in a slow market. Challenges such as youth unemployment and economic issues have made people in China more cautious about spending money.
Key Facts
Singles' Day is China's largest online shopping event, traditionally held on November 11.
This year, the sales began in mid-October to encourage more spending.
China's economy faces challenges like youth unemployment, a property crisis, high government debt, and trade tensions with the US.
The Chinese government is trying to boost spending with family subsidies and discounts.
Singles' Day was created by Alibaba and is similar to Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday in the West.
Retailers like Taobao, JD.com, and Douyin are promoting "11.11" sales with discounts and vouchers.
Alibaba is using artificial intelligence to improve shopping experiences on its platforms.
High-end brands, such as Louis Vuitton and Burberry, have seen a drop in sales in China.
