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Business
McDonald's Suffers Biggest US Sales Hit Since COVID-19 Pandemic Began: Here's Why McDonald's Suffers Biggest US Sales Hit Since COVID-19 Pandemic Began: Here's Why
McDonald's Suffers Biggest US Sales Hit Since Covid-19 Pandemic Began: Here's Why Sales at McDonald's experienced their sharpest drop since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as companies struggle to navigate chaotic economic conditions in the US. McDonald's sales in the US fell 3.6% in the first quarter of 2025, the company said in its earnings report on Thursday, May 1. The drop marks the fast food giant's steepest quarterly decline since the second quarter of 2020, when US sales plummeted by 8.7% as the pandemic forced restaurants worldwide to temporarily close. The slump was more than double what economists expected and came as inflation, tariffs, and…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Most Canadians Less Likely To Visit US Under Trump, New Study Says: Here's Why Most Canadians Less Likely To Visit US Under Trump, New Study Says: Here's Why
Most Canadians Less Likely To Visit US Under Trump, New Study Says: Here's Why A growing number of Canadians are refusing to visit the US as political tensions escalate under President Donald Trump's trade war and taunts about taking over Canada. Longwoods International said 60% of Canadians are now less likely to visit the US in the next 12 months because of American politics, trade practices, and recent government statements. The travel research firm released its study on Friday, April 25. Among Canadians with travel plans, 36% said they've already canceled US trips. Another 29% have postponed them, while 27% are heading to other countries like Mexico or Europe…

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by Chris Spiker
Politics
Trump's Approval Rating Shifts In Survey By Top-Rated Pollster Measuring Tariff Response Trump's Approval Rating Shifts In Survey By Top-Rated Pollster Measuring Tariff Response
Trump's Approval Rating Shifts In Survey By Top-Rated Pollster Measuring Tariff Response A new national poll from a top-rated research firm shows public opinion shifting after President Trump nears the three-month mark of his second term. The latest survey by AtlasIntel, conducted Wednesday, April 10, through Sunday, April 14, among 2,347 US adults, found that 52 percent disapprove of Trump’s performance, while 46 percent approve — a net approval rating of minus 6 points.  That marks a continued slide from March, when Trump’s net rating was minus 5 points, and February, when he briefly held a positive rating of plus 0.6. ATLAS POLL – DONALD TRUMP APPROVALThe latest Atl…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Inflation Fears Hit 44-Year High As Trump Tariffs, Market Crash Sink Consumer Sentiment: Survey Inflation Fears Hit 44-Year High As Trump Tariffs, Market Crash Sink Consumer Sentiment: Survey
Inflation Fears Hit 44-Year High As Trump Tariffs, Market Crash Sink Consumer Sentiment: Survey Concerns about inflation have spiked to their highest level in nearly 45 years, while consumer confidence plunged for the fourth straight month as Americans grow increasingly anxious about the economy, a new survey said. Americans now expect prices to climb 6.7% over the next year, the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers said on Friday, April 11. That's the highest inflation expectation reading since 1981 for the closely watched survey. While inflation cooled slightly in March, the latest federal numbers came before President Donald Trump announced his "liberat…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Egg Teethers Crack In Babies' Mouths, Sparking Huge Brunch-Themed Stroller Toy Recall Egg Teethers Crack In Babies' Mouths, Sparking Huge Brunch-Themed Stroller Toy Recall
Egg Teethers Crack In Babies' Mouths, Sparking Huge Brunch-Themed Stroller Toy Recall More than a quarter-million brunch-themed stroller toys have been recalled after babies were found with broken pieces of the toy egg in their mouths. Fisher-Price issued the recall for about 253,000 Brunch & Go Stroller Toys, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, April 10. About 4,500 toys were also sold in Canada. The toy features pretend avocado toast with a mirror tomato, crinkle bacon, and an egg teether. Fisher-Price said the egg's yellow yolk can crack, creating small parts that pose a choking hazard to young children. Five incidents have be…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Trump Retreats From Many Tariffs, Raises China's Rate To 125% After Days Of Market Freefall Trump Retreats From Many Tariffs, Raises China's Rate To 125% After Days Of Market Freefall
Trump Retreats From Many Tariffs, Raises China's Rate To 125% After Days Of Market Freefall President Donald Trump has stepped back from many of his tariffs while escalating Chinese duties even higher, sparking a dramatic market comeback after some of the worst trading days since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 90-day pause will apparently apply to some tariffs for more than 75 countries that haven't issued retaliatory duties. Trump announced the halt on his social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday, April 9. A 10% tariff will remain in place for the countries included in the pause. The White House said the 10% duty will also apply to Canada and Mexico, NBC News…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Meta To Limit Instagram Livestreaming For Some Teens: Here's How Meta To Limit Instagram Livestreaming For Some Teens: Here's How
Meta To Limit Instagram Livestreaming For Some Teens: Here's How Younger teens won't be able to go live on Instagram anytime soon unless they have a parent's permission. Meta has banned users under 16 from livestreaming unless approved by a parent, the tech giant said in a blog post on Tuesday, April 9. The change is part of a broader push to expand protections for teen users across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. There are at least 54 million active "Teen Accounts" worldwide, according to Meta. "With these changes, teens under 16 will be prohibited from going Live unless their parents give them permission to do so," Meta said "We'll …

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by Chris Spiker
News
Fire Hazard Ignites Recall Of 21K+ Portable Propane Heaters Sold At Lowe's Fire Hazard Ignites Recall Of 21K+ Portable Propane Heaters Sold At Lowe's
Fire Hazard Ignites Recall Of 21K+ Portable Propane Heaters Sold At Lowe's A portable propane heater sold at Lowe's stores nationwide has been recalled after users reported it overheated due to confusing startup instructions, causing a potential fire or burn hazard. Enerco Group Inc. issued the recall for the Dewalt 70,000 BTU outdoor portable cordless forced-air propane heater, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, April 3. About 21,250 heaters were sold in the US, with an additional 500 sold in Canada. The heater's directions may cause consumers to press the start button too quickly, which can stop the fan from turning on and le…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Stocks Plunge, US Dollar Drops As Economists Warn Trump's Tariffs Are 'Worst Case Scenario' Stocks Plunge, US Dollar Drops As Economists Warn Trump's Tariffs Are 'Worst Case Scenario'
Stocks Plunge, US Dollar Drops As Economists Warn Trump's Tariffs Are 'Worst Case Scenario' Stocks plummeted on Wall Street and a wave of panic selling swept through global markets reacting to President Donald Trump's widespread "liberation day" tariffs. The tariff announcement sent stocks into their worst tailspin of 2025 so far and dragged the US dollar to a six-month low on Thursday, April 3. Trump unveiled the sweeping 10% tariffs on all imports and far steeper rates for key trade partners on Wednesday, April 2. By 11 a.m., the Dow Jones Industrial Average had plunged about 1,590 points, down 3.77%. The S&P 500 fell 4.35% – or about 247 points – while the Nasdaq …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Trump Imposes Sweeping Tariffs Amid Economic Fears, Says US Was 'Raped' By Trade Partners Trump Imposes Sweeping Tariffs Amid Economic Fears, Says US Was 'Raped' By Trade Partners
Trump Imposes Sweeping Tariffs Amid Economic Fears, Says US Was 'Raped' By Trade Partners President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new tariffs, accusing allies and adversaries of looting the US economy, despite consumer confidence sinking domestically and growing recession fears. Trump revealed the tariffs during a news conference in the Rose Garden at the White House on Wednesday, April 2. The President called the day "liberation day," alluding to what he claims is a trade imbalance caused by his predecessors. The new measures impose a baseline 10% tariff on all imports. Those will begin on Saturday, April 5, according to the White House. Sharply higher rates for dozens o…

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by Chris Spiker
News
REAL ID Enforcement Set To Start Nationwide: Here's When REAL ID Enforcement Set To Start Nationwide: Here's When
Real ID Enforcement Set To Start Nationwide: Here's When Travelers will soon need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license—or another approved form of identification—to board commercial flights and access federal facilities under updated security requirements. Enforcement begins Wednesday, May 7. Passed in 2005 in response to 9/11 Commission recommendations, the REAL ID Act established tougher security standards for state-issued licenses and ID cards. REAL ID credentials will be essential for domestic air travel, entering federal buildings, and accessing certain restricted facilities. TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, “Identity verification is …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Recession Odds Sharply Rise Before Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariff Rollout: Goldman Sachs Recession Odds Sharply Rise Before Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariff Rollout: Goldman Sachs
Recession Odds Sharply Rise Before Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariff Rollout: Goldman Sachs Goldman Sachs has nearly doubled the odds of a US recession, warning that President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs could drive up prices, slow growth, and force the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates because of higher unemployment. A recession is now 35% possible in 2025, the investment banking firm said in an economics research report published on Sunday, March 30. That's a dramatic increase from Goldman Sachs' 20% prediction made earlier in March. The increased odds come as Trump prepares to roll out sweeping new tariffs on Wednesday, April 2, which the President has dubbed "…

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by Chris Spiker