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Business
Major Jewelry Company Ends Lab-Grown Diamond Business: Here's Why Major Jewelry Company Ends Lab-Grown Diamond Business: Here's Why
Major Jewelry Company Ends Lab-Grown Diamond Business: Here's Why De Beers Group is shutting down its company specializing in lab-grown diamonds as falling prices widen the gap with natural diamonds. The diamond company will close its brand called Lightbox, De Beers announced in a news release on Thursday, May 8. The closing marks a major shift for the global jewelry giant as it doubles down on natural diamond production. De Beers said it's seeking to sell off Lightbox's assets and inventory. "The planned closure of Lightbox reflects our commitment to natural diamonds," said De Beers CEO Al Cook. "We are also excited at the growing commerc…

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by Chris Spiker
Politics
'What President Talks Like That?' Biden Blasts Trump In First Interview After Leaving Office 'What President Talks Like That?' Biden Blasts Trump In First Interview After Leaving Office
'What President Talks Like That?' Biden Blasts Trump In First Interview After Leaving Office In his first interview since leaving office, former President Joe Biden criticized President Trump at length.  Biden described Trump's actions regarding the Russia-Ukraine war as "modern-day appeasement," saying it's foolish to think Russian President Vladimir Putin would stop if Ukraine cedes territory.  "Anybody that thinks he's going to stop is just foolish," Biden told BBC. Biden expressed concern about the potential breakdown of US-Europe relations under Trump's leadership, stating it "would change the modern history of the world."  He emphasized the importance of NATO…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Skechers Sold In $11B Deal As Trump's Tariffs Raise Worries For Shoemakers Skechers Sold In $11B Deal As Trump's Tariffs Raise Worries For Shoemakers
Skechers Sold In $11B Deal As Trump's Tariffs Raise Worries For Shoemakers A private equity firm will purchase Skechers as President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs create growing uncertainty for US footwear companies. 3G Capital will buy Skechers for what could be worth up to $11 billion, the shoemaker announced in a news release on Monday, May 5. Once finalized, the deal will make Skechers private and it'll be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. Skechers, which is the third-largest footwear brand globally behind Nike and Adidas, will continue to be led by CEO Robert Greenberg and president Michael Greenberg. The company's headquarters will remai…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Exploding Lids Burn 100+ People, Sparking Recall Of 1.85M Pressure Cookers Exploding Lids Burn 100+ People, Sparking Recall Of 1.85M Pressure Cookers
Exploding Lids Burn 100+ People, Sparking Recall Of 1.85M Pressure Cookers Meal prep turned dangerous for more than 100 people after pressure cooker lids flew open, sending scalding food flying. SharkNinja is recalling about 1,846,400 of its Foodi OP300 Series Multi-Function Pressure Cookers, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, May 1. About 184,240 pressure cookers were also sold in Canada. The CPSC said 106 people reported burn injuries. More than 50 victims suffered second- or third-degree burns to their faces or bodies. The hazard stems from a defect that allows the lid to open while pressure is still inside, causi…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Xbox Console, Game Prices Rise As Trump's Tariffs Hit Gamers: Here's What You'll Pay Xbox Console, Game Prices Rise As Trump's Tariffs Hit Gamers: Here's What You'll Pay
Xbox Console, Game Prices Rise As Trump's Tariffs Hit Gamers: Here's What You'll Pay Xbox video games, consoles, and accessories are now more expensive as gamers navigate higher production costs and mounting trade pressure from President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. The Xbox Series X now costs $599.99, up from $499.99, Microsoft announced on Thursday, May 1. The cheaper Series S 512GB model is up to $379.99, while the 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition console price jumped to $729.99. Some new, first-party games are expected to cost $79.99 by the holiday season. "We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given ma…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Amazon Won't Show Tariff Price Hikes After 'Pissed' Trump Reportedly Calls Jeff Bezos Amazon Won't Show Tariff Price Hikes After 'Pissed' Trump Reportedly Calls Jeff Bezos
Amazon Won't Show Tariff Price Hikes After 'Pissed' Trump Reportedly Calls Jeff Bezos Amazon is denying that it planned to show US tariffs on product listings, after a report sparked backlash from the White House and an angry phone call from President Donald Trump to billionaire Jeff Bezos. The online retail giant refuted a report from Punchbowl News that said Amazon would show how Trump's tariffs are raising prices on many goods. The political news website reported that Amazon would "display how much of an item’s cost is derived from tariffs – right next to the product's total listed price" at checkout. Amazon said the idea was only floated for the compa…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
DHL Ends High-Value Delivery Pause As Trump's Tariffs Spark Customs Backlog DHL Ends High-Value Delivery Pause As Trump's Tariffs Spark Customs Backlog
DHL Ends High-Value Delivery Pause As Trump's Tariffs Spark Customs Backlog A major global shipping company has lifted its pause on high-value shipments to the US after stopping them for a week due to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. DHL has resumed business-to-consumer deliveries for packages with declared values of $800 or more. The company made the announcement in a website update on Monday, April 28.  The German shipping giant paused high-value shipments on Monday, April 21. DHL warned customers that the latest tariff-driven rule changes to inspections had overwhelmed its clearance systems, triggering multi-day delays. The re…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Major Shipping Company Halts High-Value US Deliveries Due To Trump's Tariff Rules Major Shipping Company Halts High-Value US Deliveries Due To Trump's Tariff Rules
Major Shipping Company Halts High-Value US Deliveries Due To Trump's Tariff Rules A major global shipping company will stop delivering high-value consumer packages to the US as President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs trigger customs delays. DHL is pausing business-to-consumer deliveries to the US with declared values over $800 on Monday, April 21, the company said. The German shipper cited a surge in customs backlogs caused by new federal rules linked to Trump's trade wars. The impact of Trump's policies has overwhelmed DHL's clearance systems, triggering multi-day delays across the shipping network. "This change has caused a surge in formal customs clearanc…

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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
Business
Here's What’s About To Cost More As Trump's China Tariffs Target Popular US Imports Here's What’s About To Cost More As Trump's China Tariffs Target Popular US Imports
Here's What’s About To Cost More As Trump's China Tariffs Target Popular US Imports Smartphones, shoes, toys, and cookware are just a few of the Chinese-made goods that could soon cost more as the Trump administration ramps up its trade war with China. A new Washington Post analysis highlights the impact of rising tariffs on consumer products widely used across the United States.  China is the second-largest exporter of goods to the US, shipping nearly $439 billion in products last year.  That includes a wide range of items found in everyday homes—many of which are now directly in the tariff crosshairs. Among the top targets: Smartphones ($41.3B in imports), …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Switch 2 Preorder Date Set After Nintendo Hit Pause Over Trump's Tariffs: See What Costs More Switch 2 Preorder Date Set After Nintendo Hit Pause Over Trump's Tariffs: See What Costs More
Switch 2 Preorder Date Set After Nintendo Hit Pause Over Trump's Tariffs: See What Costs More Preorders will soon begin for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 console, but gamers playing as Mario and Luigi may need to spend a few more coins due to President Donald Trump's tariffs. Nintendo will open preordering on Thursday, April 24, the video game giant said in a news release on Friday, April 18. The release date of Wednesday, June 5, remains unchanged. The original Switch 2 preorder date was originally Wednesday, April 9. It was delayed two weeks in the wake of Trump's "liberation day" announcement. While the Switch 2 will still start at $449.99, Trump's tariffs will drive …

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by Chris Spiker
Sports
28-Year-Old Who Played Pro Soccer In US Dies After Fall 28-Year-Old Who Played Pro Soccer In US Dies After Fall
28-Year-Old Who Played Pro Soccer In US Dies After Fall A professional soccer player who competed in the United States and helped lead his club to a championship season has died. Aaron Boupendza, a former striker for FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer, died on Wednesday, April 16, after falling from a building at his home in China. He was age 28. A native of the Central African nation of Gabon, he signed with  Cincinnati-based team in June 2023 as a designated player, arriving after the club transferred top scorer Brenner.  "Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and loved ones," FC Cincinnati wrote in a post on social media. "He…

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by Joe Lombardi