Cracker Barrel announced that CEO Julie Masino will step down and be replaced by David Deno on August 10. Masino led a controversial logo redesign in 2025 that faced public criticism and caused the company’s value to drop, leading to the decision to keep the original logo.
Key Facts
Julie Masino was CEO of Cracker Barrel since 2023.
Masino led a new logo redesign in 2025 that removed an iconic image from the branding.
The redesign caused public backlash and a nearly $100 million drop in Cracker Barrel’s value.
Cracker Barrel decided to keep the original logo after the negative response.
David Deno, former CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, will become the new Cracker Barrel CEO on August 10.
Masino will stay as an advisor until October 9 to help with the transition.
Masino also changed the restaurant’s menu, aiming to make it more relevant.
David Deno expressed enthusiasm about leading Cracker Barrel and its traditional brand.
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The U.S. is building millions of new homes to address a housing shortage, but the focus on speed and low costs risks creating future problems like high maintenance costs and environmental harm. Experts say housing should be designed with long-term quality, sustainability, and residents’ health in mind, not just quick construction.
Key Facts
The U.S. needs over four million more housing units to meet demand.
Home prices and rents are rising faster than wages in many areas.
Current housing debates focus mainly on how fast and how much to build.
Building quickly often ignores long-term costs, energy use, and residents’ health.
Developers face high interest rates, materials costs, and supply chain problems.
Sustainability and good design are often cut to save money in the short term.
Energy-efficient homes can reduce monthly costs and improve health.
Long-lasting housing benefits communities over decades, not just at construction.
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Oil prices dropped sharply after a pause in fighting between the U.S. and Iran, leading to gains in the U.S. stock market. Diplomacy efforts are ongoing, with some talks focusing on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. military presence in the region continues to increase.
Key Facts
Brent crude oil price fell by $6.35 to $90.41 a barrel, a 6.6% drop.
U.S. benchmark oil, West Texas Intermediate, dropped 5.7% to $84.23 a barrel.
U.S. stock indexes rose: S&P 500 up 0.9%, Dow Jones up 1.2%, Nasdaq up 0.9%.
The price drop came after oil had surged above $100 a barrel recently.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said the pause in fighting aims to allow diplomacy some time.
Iran denied direct talks with the U.S. but acknowledged discussions with Oman about maritime rules.
Higher oil prices and new tariffs could increase inflation and affect U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decisions.
The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates steady in its upcoming meeting.
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Debt collectors must follow federal and state laws when trying to collect money you owe. You have rights that can help you verify a debt, avoid unfair treatment, and understand when a debt might be too old to be legally enforced.
Key Facts
You can ask debt collectors to prove that you owe the debt by sending a written validation request within 30 days of first contact.
Debts can be sold many times, and records may be inaccurate or lost.
Some debts become too old for collectors to sue you because of the "statute of limitations," which means the time period to legally enforce the debt has expired.
Making payments or acknowledging old debts can reset the time period, so be careful before agreeing to anything.
Most debt collectors cannot take money from your paycheck without suing you first and getting a court order.
Debt collectors are not allowed to harass or threaten you and must follow specific rules about how they communicate.
Knowing your rights can help you stop unfair collection calls and avoid costly mistakes in repaying debt.
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Data centers that support artificial intelligence are growing in the U.S. but are facing opposition from some local groups worried about their environmental impact. Labor unions, however, support the construction of data centers because they create many good-paying jobs and help the economy.
Key Facts
Data centers use a lot of electricity and water to run and cool their servers.
Some communities worry data centers raise electric bills, use too much water, and create noise.
Labor unions want data centers built because they provide many union construction jobs.
Unions prefer data centers built in states with strong labor and environmental standards.
In states like Illinois and California, unions support policies that encourage building data centers.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker paused some data center projects to review rules protecting resources and affordability.
Unions want data center growth to happen responsibly with protections for workers and communities.
This issue creates political tension because environmental groups oppose data centers while unions support them.
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Gold and silver prices rose sharply earlier this year but have fallen since January. Experts say prices in August could either rise again or stay steady depending on factors like Middle East conflicts and U.S. interest rates.
Key Facts
Gold reached nearly $5,600 per ounce in January 2025, while silver peaked at $116 per ounce.
By July 27, gold priced around $4,102 and silver at $59 per ounce.
The outcome of the conflict in Iran may influence gold prices; less fighting might lower oil prices and inflation, leading to higher gold prices.
Gold prices in August could range between $3,900 and $4,350 per ounce, with a possible rise in the last quarter of the year.
The Federal Reserve's July meeting impacts gold because gold doesn’t pay interest, so rates staying steady or falling could boost gold’s appeal.
Silver prices may move more sharply than gold, possibly hitting resistance near $68 and a low around $55 per ounce.
Some experts expect gold and silver prices to stay range-bound for months to a year before recovering.
To avoid overpaying, investors are advised to buy gold and silver gradually over time and choose trustworthy products with low extra fees.
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Kat Lieu created a recipe for Rice Krispie Treats with black sesame and miso flavors. This recipe appears in her new cookbook called “108 Asian Cookies,” which gives a new twist to traditional treats by adding Asian ingredients.
Key Facts
The recipe uses black sesame seeds, black sesame paste, and red miso to add unique flavors to Rice Krispie Treats.
Kat Lieu developed this recipe inspired by her childhood memories and her mother’s liking for Rice Krispie Treats.
The brown butter is cooked until it has a nutty aroma before marshmallows are melted into it.
The marshmallow mixture is combined with the black sesame ingredients and cereal to make the treats.
The mixture is pressed into a cake pan lined with parchment paper, then left to set before cutting.
The cookbook “108 Asian Cookies” features a variety of recipes that blend Asian flavors with classic desserts.
The recipe offers an Asian twist on a popular Western treat by adding flavors typical in Asian cooking.
Preparing the treats takes about 55 minutes from start to finish.
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Australia may build its first new oil refinery in 60 years in Western Australia to reduce reliance on imported fuel. The federal and state governments will spend $4 million on a study to see if this refinery can be built, responding to higher oil prices caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Key Facts
Australia currently imports about 90% of its liquid fuels due to refinery closures over the last 25 years.
The Middle East war has caused oil prices to rise, increasing inflation risks worldwide and in Australia.
The federal government and Western Australia will jointly fund a $4 million study to explore building a new refinery.
Only two large oil refineries now operate in Australia: one in Brisbane and one in Geelong.
Building a new refinery would cost billions and likely need ongoing government support to compete.
The proposed refinery project would be led by Perdaman, a multinational company that may get government loans.
The government has a $10.7 billion fuel security plan, including funding for fuel reserves and studies to increase refining capacity.
Some environmental groups oppose expanding oil refineries, wanting a shift away from fossil fuels instead.
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AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, said the company must work as quickly as Chinese firms to stay competitive in the drug industry. He highlighted the growth of China’s pharmaceutical sector and said AstraZeneca is confident it will meet its sales goals by 2030 despite some drug trial setbacks.
Key Facts
AstraZeneca plans to reach $80 billion in annual sales by 2030, up from $59 billion in 2025.
The company reported a 6% revenue increase in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year.
CEO Pascal Soriot said Western drugmakers must increase innovation speed to compete with Chinese companies.
Chinese pharmaceutical firms are heavily investing in new technologies like antibody drug conjugates and cell therapy.
AstraZeneca experienced a recent failure in a major heart disease drug trial but continues to have a strong pipeline.
Soriot believes artificial intelligence (AI) will help speed up drug development and increase productivity, rather than reduce jobs.
The company plans to work with the new UK government leader, Andy Burnham, to clarify a US-UK drug deal linked to higher NHS medicine costs.
This deal was initially made under President Donald Trump and could raise drug prices in the UK significantly.
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DCC, a major energy company listed on the London Stock Exchange, has agreed to a £5.75 billion takeover offer from two US private equity firms, KKR and Energy Capital Partners. The company’s board supports the deal, but the founder and some large shareholders oppose it, claiming the offer undervalues the company.
Key Facts
DCC is one of the largest energy companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.
US private equity companies KKR and Energy Capital Partners plan to buy DCC for about £5.75 billion.
The DCC board recommends the takeover despite objections from its founder, Jim Flavin, and significant shareholders.
Jim Flavin believes the offer is too low given the company’s plan to increase profits by 2030.
The takeover price is £65.25 per share in cash, with an extra £1.25 per share if a related sale meets a price target.
The offer is 36% higher than DCC’s average share price before the takeover talks were public but still faces shareholder opposition.
Large shareholders like Aviva and Fidelity consider the price inadequate and plan to vote against the deal.
DCC’s board says the offer provides a guaranteed cash gain for shareholders immediately.
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Hawaii faces a serious housing affordability problem that is part of a larger economic issue. Many Native Hawaiians are leaving the state because jobs and opportunities are limited, not just because homes are expensive. A local entrepreneur believes that creating new industries, like using artificial intelligence (AI), can help build a stronger economy and keep people in the community.
Key Facts
The median home price in the U.S. is about $440,600, making housing hard to afford for many.
Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living in the country, with an index of 185 (where 100 is the national average).
More than half of Native Hawaiians now live outside Hawaii, mainly due to high living costs and lack of job opportunities.
People are leaving some areas because economic chances have moved elsewhere, not just because housing is too expensive.
AI jobs and investments are mostly growing in a few big cities, deepening economic gaps between regions.
Lauren Shim, CEO of Aloha AI, sees the housing crisis as a symptom of a wider economic problem where good jobs are scarce.
Shim founded Aloha AI to build new industries in Hawaii, aiming to create more economic opportunities locally using AI.
The company hopes AI can help diversify Hawaii’s economy beyond tourism and create a stable future for residents.
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The price of oil dropped by more than 9% on Monday after the US and Iran stopped attacks for a few days to allow talks to continue. This pause has eased fears about disruption to important shipping routes and global energy supplies, leading to lower oil prices.
Key Facts
Brent crude oil price fell below $88 per barrel, down from over $100 last week.
The US ambassador to the UN confirmed a pause in attacks on Iran for two nights to support negotiations.
Iran also announced it stopped retaliatory attacks in the region during this pause.
The conflict caused the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments.
An earlier June deal between the US and Iran had reopened the Strait, dropping oil prices to around $70 per barrel.
The ceasefire broke down earlier this month, causing oil prices to climb again.
Additional attacks by Yemeni Houthis on oil tankers caused concern over other export routes.
Higher oil prices have increased the cost of fuel and other goods, contributing to higher inflation worldwide.
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Sir Ian Wood, a well-known Scottish businessman and charity supporter, has died at age 84. He built his family's small fishing boat repair business into a large engineering company working in the oil and gas industry worldwide and later focused on charitable projects through The Wood Foundation.
Key Facts
Sir Ian Wood was based in Aberdeen, Scotland.
He grew his family business into a global engineering firm in oil and gas called the Wood Group.
The Wood Group was valued at over £5 billion and worked worldwide before being sold to a Dubai company in 2025.
Sir Ian retired as chief executive in 2006 and as chairman in 2012.
He started The Wood Foundation in 2007 to help reduce social and economic problems in Scotland and sub-Saharan Africa.
He was knighted in 1994 for his contributions to the oil and gas industry and joined Scotland’s highest order of chivalry later.
His family described him as kind, generous, determined, and dedicated to his family.
Sir Ian’s personal fortune was estimated at around £1.8 billion.
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Global stock markets mostly rose while oil prices dropped nearly 7% on Monday as tensions eased between the U.S. and Iran over a possible ceasefire. Chinese chipmaker CXMT’s shares surged over 460% on their Shanghai stock market debut, making the company China’s most valuable listed firm.
Key Facts
Oil prices fell about 7%, with Brent crude dropping to $85.49 a barrel and U.S. crude to $83.06.
The price drop followed a pause in attacks between the U.S. and Iran amid talks about stopping fighting.
World stock markets showed gains: Germany’s DAX up 1.6%, Paris’s CAC 40 up 0.8%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 up 0.5%.
Asian markets rose too, including Japan’s Nikkei 225 (+0.5%), South Korea’s Kospi (+1%), and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (+1%).
CXMT, a Chinese memory chip company, debuted strongly on Shanghai’s tech board with shares rising 466%.
This rise made CXMT China’s most valuable publicly traded company, valued at around 3.3 trillion yuan ($490 billion).
U.S. futures were up in early trading, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones futures both increasing by about 1%.
The Nasdaq slipped 0.6% due to losses in large tech companies like Micron Technology and Broadcom.
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Traffic will begin on Monday over the new Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. The $6.4 billion bridge is expected to improve trade, jobs, and travel between Canada and the United States.
Key Facts
The Gordie Howe International Bridge crosses the Detroit River between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
Canada held a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the bridge's completion.
U.S. and Michigan officials were not invited to the celebration due to recent U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods announced by President Donald Trump.
The bridge is named after Gordie Howe, a famous Canadian hockey player for Detroit’s NHL team.
Detroit is the busiest truck crossing point between the U.S. and Canada, handling over 70% of Canadian exports to the U.S.
The new bridge has six lanes, is 1.5 miles long, and rises 151 feet above the river.
Pedestrians and bicyclists with proper ID will be allowed to cross for free soon.
Canada paid for the bridge and will share toll revenues with the U.S. government for 15 years; Michigan will get a share after Canada recovers its costs.
Construction started in 2018 and was delayed partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A high-quality copy of the movie The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan, was leaked on the social media platform X and viewed by about 2.1 million people before the post was removed. Universal Studios, the film’s studio, said they acted quickly to take down the video and protect their rights.
Key Facts
The leaked video appeared on X and showed the full movie in high definition.
The post gained 2.1 million views in two and a half hours before the account was suspended.
A lower-quality version also appeared on X and was taken down after 50,000 views.
The Odyssey was shot entirely on 70mm IMAX film, designed for very large screens.
Universal Studios responded by starting takedown actions against the unauthorized posting.
The movie has earned $640 million worldwide so far, with $215 million in its second weekend.
Experts think the leak is unlikely to hurt the movie’s earnings much.
Christopher Nolan prefers viewers watch The Odyssey in theaters on the biggest screens possible.
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Oil prices fell about 6% after the United States paused attacks on Iran, reducing fears of a conflict that could limit global oil supply. The pause in fighting followed 13 days of strikes and helped bring Brent crude prices below $91 a barrel.
Key Facts
Brent crude oil price dropped below $91 per barrel, down 6%.
The US and Iran paused hostilities after nearly two weeks of fighting.
Iran stopped retaliatory attacks after two nights without US missile strikes.
The conflict began after attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on Saudi oil tankers.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for Gulf oil exports, increasing market sensitivity.
Energy company shares, including BP and Shell, fell due to lower oil prices.
US military officials advised President Trump that bombing Iran had limited effects.
Rising oil prices raised concerns about inflation and possible interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
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Oil prices dropped by over 5% as the US paused strikes on Iran, creating a chance for diplomacy. Meanwhile, DCC Energy agreed to a £5.75 billion takeover, and Shein reported a $99 million loss for its first quarter due to new US tariffs on small packages.
Key Facts
Oil prices fell 5.3% to $91.68 per barrel after the US paused military strikes on Iran.
Iran paused retaliatory attacks on US allies, but no formal ceasefire was declared.
DCC Energy agreed to a £5.75 billion takeover by KKR and Energy Capital Partners.
DCC Energy shareholders will receive £65.25 per share in cash, a £1.47 final dividend, and potential extra payments if a unit sells for $800 million.
Shein reported a $99 million loss for Q1 2026 after losing a US tariff exemption on small packages.
Shein plans to raise prices in the US to offset increased costs from new tariffs.
The EU introduced a €3 fee on low-value e-commerce imports to protect local businesses from competition.
Shein’s valuation has dropped from a potential $100 billion in 2022 to a current aim of $40-$50 billion ahead of its Hong Kong stock market listing.
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A self-employed driving instructor’s leased Nissan car was out of use for over three months due to a missing spare part, threatening his income. Nissan delayed repairs and reimbursement for a hired replacement vehicle, eventually agreeing to compensation after prolonged complaints.
Key Facts
The driving instructor’s dual-control Nissan car was off the road for over three months waiting for a spare part.
He had to rent another dual-control car costing over £2,500 and borrow money to cover these expenses.
Meanwhile, he kept paying about £1,500 for the original car’s finance despite not using it.
Nissan delayed repair dates multiple times and did not communicate clearly about timescales or reimbursements.
After intervention, Nissan agreed to reimburse hire car costs and offered compensation, though the amount was undisclosed.
Nissan initially offered free servicing for two years as compensation, which did not meet the instructor’s needs.
The repair was finally completed just before the hire car contract ended, avoiding further immediate hire costs.
Nissan acknowledged the customer experience was below their standards and apologized.
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The UK government has introduced a temporary 15% VAT cut on family attraction tickets, children's meals, and cinema tickets until September to help families save money during the summer holidays. Some families and businesses have noted small savings, while others say the impact is limited and other costs, like parking, still make outings expensive.
Key Facts
The government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme includes a 15% VAT reduction on children’s meals, family attraction tickets, and cinema tickets until 1 September.
The scheme also offers free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 in England.
Local authority-run attractions are exempt from VAT, so they do not benefit from the VAT cut.
Families report that holiday costs are still high, sometimes exceeding £100 for outings, and can add up quickly with multiple children.
Some businesses have passed the savings to customers by lowering prices slightly, such as kids’ lunchbox deals.
Parents say small discounts are helpful but changes to parking fees could also encourage more visits to town centers and attractions.
Financial experts believe the temporary VAT reduction can ease some financial pressure during holidays when typical costs can reach around £191 per child per week.
Visitor attractions see the summer holidays as their busiest time, and any support to boost visitor numbers is appreciated.
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