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President Donald The President’s meeting Thursday with China’s top leader Xi Jinping produced a raft of decisions to help dial back trade tensions, but no agreement on TikTok’s ownership. “China will work with the U.S. to properly resolve issues related to TikTok,” China’s Commerce Ministry said after the meeting. It gave no details on any progress toward ending uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the U.S. The The President administration had been signaling that it may have finally reached a deal with Beijing to keep TikTok running in the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday that the two leaders will “consummate that transaction on Thursday in Korea.” Wide bipartisan majorities in Congress passed — and President Joe Biden signed — a law that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if it did not find a new owner to replace China’s ByteDance. The platform went dark briefly on a January deadline but on his first day in office, The President signed an executive order to keep it running while his administration tries to reach an agreement for the sale of the company. Three more executive orders followed, as The President, without a clear legal basis, extended deadlines for a TikTok deal. The second was in April, when White House officials believed they were nearing a deal to spin off TikTok into a new company with U.S. ownership. That fell apart when China backed out after The President announced sharply higher tariffs on Chinese products. Deadlines in June and September passed, with The President saying he would allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States in a way that meets national security concerns. The President’s order was meant to enable an American-led group of investors to buy the app from China’s ByteDance, though the deal also requires China’s approval. However, TikTok deal is “not really a big thing for Xi Jinping,” said Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific program, during a media briefing Tuesday. “(China is) happy to let (The President) declare that they have finally kept a deal. Whether or not that deal will protect the data of Americans is a big question going forward.” “A big question mark for the United States, of course, is whether this is consistent with U.S. law since there was a law passed by Congress,” Glaser said. About 43% of U.S. adults under the age of 30 say they regularly get news from TikTok, higher than any other social media app, including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, according to a Pew Research Center report published in September. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about one-third of Americans said they supported a TikTok ban, down from 50% in March 2023. Roughly one-third said they would oppose a ban, and a similar percentage said they weren’t sure. Among those who said they supported banning the social media platform, about 8 in 10 cited concerns over users’ data security being at risk as a major factor in their decision, according to the report. The security debate centers on the TikTok recommendation algorithm — which has steered millions of users into an endless stream of video shorts. China has said the algorithm must remain under Chinese control by law. But a U.S. regulation that Congress passed with bipartisan support said any divestment of TikTok would require the platform to cut ties with ByteDance. American officials have warned the algorithm — a complex system of rules and calculations that platforms use to deliver personalized content — is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, but no evidence has been presented by U.S. officials proving that China has attempted to do so. Associated Press Writer Fu Ting contributed to this story from Washington. —Barbara Ortutay, AP Technology Writer View the full article

The government-sponsored enterprise's bottom line results, like Fannie Mae's, came in above the previous quarter's but below year-ago numbers. View the full article

Sticking to a workout schedule is tough even when everything is going normally and you have a pretty standard daily routine. Once you add travel into the mix, it can feel impossible. Sure, hotels have fitness centers, but if you've ever gone to one only to learn it's nothing more than a few dumbbells and an ancient treadmill, you know how aggravating those can be. There are two apps I use to stick to my routine and prioritize my health while I'm on the road, but I use them quite differently. ClassPassAfter discovering last month that ClassPass houses a little-known, but varied, selection of at-home workout classes to stream, I happily re-downloaded the app for the first time in years. If you're not familiar, you buy monthly credits that you can redeem at gyms and fitness studios, trading a handful of credits for, say, a yoga or HIIT class. (You can also use it for salon and spa services, which is a cool upgrade that app has gotten since I last used it.) I used it all around my neighborhood in New York City for a month, checking out all the boutique studios near me, and found some I loved and others I was glad I didn't spend full price on a trial class for. But last week, when I was home visiting my mom in North Dakota, I checked ClassPass—and sure enough, yoga, barre, spin, and Pilates classes came up. I hadn't entirely expected it to work; it's one thing for a well-populated location like Manhattan to have a bunch of offerings on there, but Bismarck? Yes, Bismarck! I went to a barre class and it was awesome, exactly what I needed to stay on track with my workout schedule and destress after a disastrous night of airline mishaps. In the next three months, I'm going to West Virginia, Nebraska, and Mississippi. That's how your vacation schedule looks when you're on a mission to visit all 50 states (and I only have eight to go). According to ClassPass, I'll be able to take a yoga class in Charleston, do HIIT in Omaha, and book time at a pickleball court in Biloxi. All of that beats a hotel fitness center by a mile. Even the smallest cities are well-represented on this app and you can get a real, full class experience wherever you are. PelotonI am a dedicated Peloton user and the app gets daily use from me, even if I'm only using it to track my outdoor walks. If you can't find the time or transportation to get to an in-person class, you have loads of options through Peloton, many of which can be completed in your hotel room, like yoga or stretching. There are guided walks available so you can take yourself on a mindful explorative journey around wherever you are, but you can also find loads of hotels that have Peloton cardio equipment. Usually, the Bikes or other equipment are in a fitness center, but I've seen hotels that even have them available in-room. Even if you can only devote 10 minutes to working out, it's better than nothing and keeps you in your groove, which is why I value the Peloton app so much. I did, of course, use it to track the barre class I took in Bismarck, plus the Les Mills Body Pump and Solidcore classes I took there, too. View the full article

‘Contract for difference’ providers using high-pressure sales techniques to persuade clients to abandon protections, FCA saysView the full article

The The President administration has agreed to resume student loan forgiveness for an estimated 2.5 million borrowers who are enrolled in certain federal repayment plans following a lawsuit from the American Federation of Teachers. Under the agreement reached Friday between the teachers union and the administration, the Education Department will process loan forgiveness for those eligible in certain repayment plans that offer lower monthly payments based on a borrower’s earnings. The government had stopped providing forgiveness under those plans based on its interpretation of a different court decision. The agreement will also protect borrowers from being hit with high tax bills on debt due to be forgiven this year. “We took on the The President administration when it refused to follow the law and denied borrowers the relief they were owed,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a statement. “Our agreement means that those borrowers stuck in limbo can either get immediate relief or finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.” The Education Department said the The President administration is reviewing forgiveness programs to identify ones that were not affected by court rulings that blocked much of the Biden administration’s efforts to cancel student debt. “The Administration looks forward to continuing its work to simplify the student loan repayment process through implementation of the President’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the department said in a statement. Several forgiveness programs are included According to the deal, the The President administration must cancel student debt for eligible borrowers enrolled in the following plans: income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, income-contingent repayment plans, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) plans. If borrowers have made payments beyond what was needed for forgiveness, those payments will be reimbursed. The Education Department must also continue to process IDR and PSLF “buyback” applications. Balances forgiven before Dec. 31 will not be treated as taxable income, as they will in 2026 due to a recent change in tax law. The administration must also file progress reports every six months with the court to show the pace of application processing and loan forgiveness, according to the AFT. How many borrowers are waiting for forgiveness? An estimated 2.5 million borrowers in IDR plans will be affected by the agreement, and another 70,000 are waiting for forgiveness through the PSLF program. Even with the agreement in place, mass layoffs at the Education Department could factor into processing times for forgiveness, said Megan Walter, senior policy analyst at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. If borrowers continue to make payments while their application is pending forgiveness, that will be refunded to them if they are successful, Walter said. “But keep really good records,” she said. What are the PSLF and buyback forgiveness programs? Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which has been in place since 2007, forgives federal student loans for borrowers who have worked at non-profit organizations or in public service after 120 payments, or 10 years. The Biden administration also created an option for borrowers to “buy back” months of payments they missed during forbearance or deferment in 2023, to allow more people to qualify for that forgiveness. To determine if you qualify for a buy-back under the PSLF program, consult this page at the Education Department. The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. —Cora Lewis, Associated Press View the full article

Every month, millions of individuals worldwide choose to drive or deliver with Uber, underscoring a growing demand for flexible work opportunities. At the recent “Only on Uber” event in Washington, DC, the company outlined new developments designed to enhance the earning potential and safety of drivers and couriers. For small business owners, these updates may signal shifts in market dynamics that could affect everything from customer engagement to logistics. Key among the announcements was the introduction of digital tasks in the Uber Driver app, a pilot program currently launching in the U.S. After early success in India, Uber aims to provide drivers more avenues to earn while offline. “Drivers have asked for more ways to earn, even when they’re not on the road,” said Uber. These tasks include simple activities like uploading photos to assist in training AI models. This innovation could offer small businesses more cost-effective ways to gather data or conduct market research through drivers. A redesigned offer card enhances the trip experience, allowing drivers to make more informed decisions with additional time and information regarding trip requests. Small business owners can leverage the potential increase in driver confidence to improve service levels in rideshare logistics. Safety was also a major focus. With the expansion of features like Women Rider Preference, women drivers can choose to accept rides only from female riders, catering to an existing demand for safer service options. Uber noted that in markets where this feature is operational, women drivers often opt-in for over 150 million trips. For small businesses, the emphasis on safety can translate into customer trust, a critical component for companies engaging in delivery services. Uber also announced enhancements to trip navigation, such as a new Rides Heatmap that provides real-time data highlighting areas of high demand. For small business owners, employing drivers who utilize these tools can optimize delivery operations, potentially increasing service efficiency. “With better data and more transparency, it helps drivers decide where and when to go so they can stay busy and earn more,” said Uber. In terms of fair compensation, the new Delayed Ride Guarantee promises drivers will receive additional payment for trips taking longer than estimated. This can alleviate stress for those involved in logistics and delivery, ensuring that costs are transparent and predictable. Moreover, with tipping reminders integrated into rider prompts, actual earnings for drivers can be better assured, enhancing service reliability. However, the rollout of these features isn’t without potential challenges for small businesses. Smaller operators may find the expanding competition and improved services difficult to navigate, particularly when it comes to pricing and service offerings. As Uber continues to invest in driver satisfaction, small businesses could face pressure to keep pace in a rapidly evolving landscape. Drivers also gained enhanced control over their rater preferences, allowing them to set a minimum rider rating they’re comfortable with. This flexibility may influence the types of customers small businesses attract and retain, as drivers may prefer to work with clients who uphold a certain standard. As small business owners explore partnerships with gig economy platforms like Uber, understanding these updates can help them leverage innovative services to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. Adjustments in the Uber platform may soon shape how delivery and rideshare services operate, impacting financial models and customer engagement strategies across various sectors. “As always, serious violations, including safety issues, may result in losing access to Uber altogether,” said the company, emphasizing accountability. Small business owners looking to harness Uber’s features should stay informed about these updates, aligning their operations to take advantage of enhanced driver capabilities. Understanding the interplay between driver experience and customer satisfaction could prove beneficial as rideshare and delivery services continue to evolve. For further details on these developments, you can read the original press release from Uber here. Image via Envanto This article, "Uber Launches New Features to Enhance Earning Flexibility and Safety" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Every month, millions of individuals worldwide choose to drive or deliver with Uber, underscoring a growing demand for flexible work opportunities. At the recent “Only on Uber” event in Washington, DC, the company outlined new developments designed to enhance the earning potential and safety of drivers and couriers. For small business owners, these updates may signal shifts in market dynamics that could affect everything from customer engagement to logistics. Key among the announcements was the introduction of digital tasks in the Uber Driver app, a pilot program currently launching in the U.S. After early success in India, Uber aims to provide drivers more avenues to earn while offline. “Drivers have asked for more ways to earn, even when they’re not on the road,” said Uber. These tasks include simple activities like uploading photos to assist in training AI models. This innovation could offer small businesses more cost-effective ways to gather data or conduct market research through drivers. A redesigned offer card enhances the trip experience, allowing drivers to make more informed decisions with additional time and information regarding trip requests. Small business owners can leverage the potential increase in driver confidence to improve service levels in rideshare logistics. Safety was also a major focus. With the expansion of features like Women Rider Preference, women drivers can choose to accept rides only from female riders, catering to an existing demand for safer service options. Uber noted that in markets where this feature is operational, women drivers often opt-in for over 150 million trips. For small businesses, the emphasis on safety can translate into customer trust, a critical component for companies engaging in delivery services. Uber also announced enhancements to trip navigation, such as a new Rides Heatmap that provides real-time data highlighting areas of high demand. For small business owners, employing drivers who utilize these tools can optimize delivery operations, potentially increasing service efficiency. “With better data and more transparency, it helps drivers decide where and when to go so they can stay busy and earn more,” said Uber. In terms of fair compensation, the new Delayed Ride Guarantee promises drivers will receive additional payment for trips taking longer than estimated. This can alleviate stress for those involved in logistics and delivery, ensuring that costs are transparent and predictable. Moreover, with tipping reminders integrated into rider prompts, actual earnings for drivers can be better assured, enhancing service reliability. However, the rollout of these features isn’t without potential challenges for small businesses. Smaller operators may find the expanding competition and improved services difficult to navigate, particularly when it comes to pricing and service offerings. As Uber continues to invest in driver satisfaction, small businesses could face pressure to keep pace in a rapidly evolving landscape. Drivers also gained enhanced control over their rater preferences, allowing them to set a minimum rider rating they’re comfortable with. This flexibility may influence the types of customers small businesses attract and retain, as drivers may prefer to work with clients who uphold a certain standard. As small business owners explore partnerships with gig economy platforms like Uber, understanding these updates can help them leverage innovative services to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. Adjustments in the Uber platform may soon shape how delivery and rideshare services operate, impacting financial models and customer engagement strategies across various sectors. “As always, serious violations, including safety issues, may result in losing access to Uber altogether,” said the company, emphasizing accountability. Small business owners looking to harness Uber’s features should stay informed about these updates, aligning their operations to take advantage of enhanced driver capabilities. Understanding the interplay between driver experience and customer satisfaction could prove beneficial as rideshare and delivery services continue to evolve. For further details on these developments, you can read the original press release from Uber here. Image via Envanto This article, "Uber Launches New Features to Enhance Earning Flexibility and Safety" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Central bank says labour market is ‘robust’ and private balance sheets are ‘solid’View the full article

With federal SNAP food assistance set to run dry this weekend amid the protracted U.S. government shutdown, Louisiana, New Mexico and Vermont became the latest states Wednesday to announce help for low-income households that rely on the funds to eat. They join states from New York to Nevada in scrambling to find ways to get food to people who are increasingly anxious and will otherwise go hungry without their normal monthly payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Several states take action Wednesday In Louisiana, where nearly one in five residents receive SNAP benefits, lawmakers authorized $150 million in state funding Wednesday to help avoid Saturday’s expected interruption. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry backed a bipartisan measure to allow most of the state’s nearly 800,000 SNAP recipients to receive their full monthly benefit amount. “Our priorities are specific, we’re going to protect the most vulnerable population in Louisiana — which is our kids, disabled and elderly,” Landry said. But officials said that while program details are still incomplete, the effort will likely exclude “able bodied” adults who aren’t caring for children or don’t share a household with elderly or disabled members — about 53,000 recipients. Elsewhere, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday that her state will provide $30 million in emergency food assistance to residents through EBT cards, backfilling SNAP benefits temporarily. The Democrat leads a state where 21% of the population relies on SNAP — the highest rate in the nation. Officials said the benefit would cover about 30% of what residents usually see at the start of the month. New Mexico held a two-day special legislative session at the outset of the shutdown to shore up food banks and pantries with $8 million in new funding, along with $17.5 million in SNAP-related costs to offset cuts under President Donald The President’s spending and tax cut bill. The emergency funding is expected to last about 10 days, while Democratic state House Speaker Javier Martínez said the Legislature is positioned to approve more if necessary because “children going without basic food staples is an emergency.” Lujan Grisham said state officials are aware that 10 days isn’t enough but they are prepared to deal with the issue for as long as they can. “We’re not going to let food insecurity creep into this state,” she said. In Vermont, Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic legislative leaders approved using $6.3 million in state funds to cover 15 days of SNAP benefits and provide $250,000 to food banks. The Legislature had previously put $50 million aside for such emergencies. Different strokes for different states So far, state responses have been mixed. Some, like Rhode Island, say they will funnel reserve federal welfare funds directly onto the debit cards issued to people who buy groceries with SNAP. States including Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, West Virginia plan to boost funds to food pantries to help cover for low-income families needing food. Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo are both seeking to direct $30 million in state funds to cover food assistance. Other states such as Alabama, Texas, Kansas and Florida have not acted. In Nebraska, the state Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement Tuesday announcing it would pause SNAP benefits the next day. It said it is “actively coordinating with food banks, nonprofit partners, and community organizations,” and listed area food banks for those seeking help. Leaving people to fend for themselves will mean the most vulnerable — like children and the elderly — will go hungry, said Tashara Leak, a registered dietitian and nutritional researcher and professor at Cornell University. She also serves on New York State Council on Hunger and Food Policy that routinely meets with New York’s governor. “The panic is already starting,” Leak said, adding families with limited resources are “already rationing food in preparation to not receive benefits on Nov. 1.” States can’t do what the federal government can Despite the best efforts of states, local governments and food charities, it won’t be enough to cover what the federal government does under SNAP. Even states with fat budget surpluses couldn’t cover the SNAP tab much beyond November. That tab nationwide totaled about $100 billion in 2024. “There’s no way for the states to be able to fill in the gap for the month of November, especially with such short notice,” Leak said. Democrats have called on the The President administration to release contingency funding to ensure uninterrupted SNAP payments, but it has declined to do so. Recently, a group of Democratic state officials filed suit, asking a judge to require the The President administration to keep funding SNAP benefits. They say that the government is required to use one contingency fund, which has around $5 billion, for that purpose and that another larger reserve fund of about $23 billion is also available. A hearing is set for Thursday in federal court in Boston. Delays in benefits are nearly certain for most beneficiaries whose debit cards are replenished early in the month — even in states that are planning to pay for benefits or if a judge orders the federal government to load the cards immediately. The legal filing asserted that in California, for instance, there will be a one-day delay in benefits available for every day after Oct. 23 that the process of putting money on cards hasn’t begun. That means that if a judge orders the program to continue on Thursday, the first cards would likely not be ready until around Nov. 10. Christopher Bosso, a Northeastern University professor of public policy and political science who has published a book about SNAP, said even a delay would be deeply felt. Beneficiaries often stock up on groceries at the start of the month, and stores often hold sales then that encourage shoppers to do so. “We’re about to find out how much this program matters, in ways that people hadn’t realized,” Bosso said. AP writers Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report. —Margery A. Beck and Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press View the full article

Recently, Figma CEO Dylan Field assembled employees from throughout the company for a demo of a new-ish tool for generating, refining, and editing synthetic images and videos. Rather than being built around one-off prompts, it allowed users to create visual workflows for comparing and manipulating options created by different AI models. It also facilitated putting imagery through multiple rounds of polishing and remixing, adding a large dose of human taste and quality control to the process. According to Field, they were “mesmerized” by what they saw. “We had it scheduled for 20 minutes,” he remembers. “And 20 minutes came, and everyone’s like, ‘No, no, please keep going. We’ll cancel the next session—this is the most magical thing.’ We went for an hour.” The tool that wowed the Figmates, as Figma employees call themselves, was the creation of an Israeli startup. Both were known as Weavy—but not for long. Figma had already agreed to acquire the company. Slightly rebranded as Figma Weave, its product will join Figma’s growing portfolio of web-based apps for designing interfaces, whiteboarding ideas, creating presentations, AI-assisted coding, and more. Figma isn’t disclosing the terms of the acquisition, its first since its July IPO. It will result in around a dozen Weavy staffers joining the company, including cofounders Lior Albeck, Jonathan Alumot, Jonathan Gur-Zeev, and Itay Schiff. Describing its vision as “artistic intelligence,” the startup was founded in 2024 and announced a $4 million seed funding last June. In its short existence, it had lined up an impressive customer list, including Google, Nvidia, Toyota, Dyson, Panasonic, and HP. Its product’s interface provides a canvas for connecting building blocks called nodes to create a flowchart-like system of inputs and outputs. One example project starts by feeding a prompt into several still-image generators, then sends the nicest one on to serve as source material for several video generators. Another deconstructs an image into editable layers, allowing for the sort of masking and tweaking that was once solely the province of a product such as Photoshop. A third starts with an actual beauty shot of a dessert taken in a studio, then generates purely synthetic images of other foodstuffs that retain its look and feel. Workflows can accept user input that affects their operation, turning them into mini-apps with ongoing value. Many tools have long helped users perform programming-like feats via workflow builders with some conceptual similarities to Weave, if not its emphasis on AI and imagery. One you might be familiar with is Apple’s Shortcuts. Field himself remembers using another called LabVIEW in middle school. But the unusual degree of buzz around Weavy’s implementation of the idea attracted his attention. “I started to hear about it from people who are connoisseurs of product and have good taste,” he says. “It spiked as something to check out.” Meeting with the startup’s founders, Field bonded over their approach to balancing power and approachability, which struck him as Figma-esque. As he explains it, ”My job to get right every day, from a product standpoint, is, how do you balance the power of a tool with approachability and simplicity? It’s a constant battle. I just felt like the way that they were thinking about that aspect was extraordinary.” Field was also attracted by the fact that their product didn’t spit out AI images and videos allegedly ready for use. Instead, it was about making it easier for human creators to slice, dice, and otherwise rework them before they ever appeared anywhere. “It’s easy to consider AI outputs as the final destination, but that’s not the way you should think about it,” he says. “They’re just this new creative starting point. 
You can use them like clay, and you can figure out how to transform them. And I think [Figma Weave] does a really good job of showing how it’s possible.” Field says that Figma is working on integrating Weave with its broader ecosystem—both making it possible to bring Figma designs into Weave and adding elements of Weave to other products. It’s also planning to speed further development through additional hires. Maybe most of all, he’s mindful of the delicate work involved in not screwing up what Weavy created on its own. “They’ve got the trust of their community,” he told me. “I think it’s very important for Figma to show that we’ll be a good steward of the team, of this platform—and that we’re doing everything we can to help them build.” View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Even though the newer Hero13 Black is out, the Hero12 Black still nails the fundamentals that made GoPro the go-to name for action cameras. And right now it’s available at a solid discount—$299.95 at Walmart, down from $349.99, and cheaper than Amazon’s current $369 listing. GoPro Hero12 $299.95 at Walmart $349.99 Save $50.04 Get Deal Get Deal $299.95 at Walmart $349.99 Save $50.04 It’s waterproof, tough enough to survive crashes and splashes, and compact enough to mount just about anywhere. PCMag gave it an “outstanding” rating upon its launch, praising its stability, image quality, and ease of use, while Lifehacker’s own Stephen Johnson called it one of his favorite products ever. Performance-wise, the Hero12 Black can shoot up to 5.3K at 60 frames per second, offering 91% more resolution than 4K, and the stabilization makes handheld shots look like they came from a gimbal. Plus, you get both front and rear displays, which make framing easy, whether you’re filming yourself or capturing what’s in front of you. The Hero12 also shoots in an 8:7 aspect ratio, making it easy to crop videos for both widescreen and vertical social content. That versatility is a big deal for creators who want to repurpose the same clip for YouTube and Instagram without reshooting. Footage is stored via a microSDXC card, and you get Bluetooth, wifi, and USB-C connectivity for quick transfers. One of the biggest changes in this generation is what GoPro removed. There’s no built-in GPS, which means you won’t get automatic speed or route overlays, but you also won’t burn through battery as quickly. That said, the battery still won’t last a full day if you’re recording continuously, so a spare is worth having on hand. On the bright side, it’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters) without a case, which makes it great for beach trips, pool footage, or even rainy hikes. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $459.95 (List Price $649.99) Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, White with Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), White — $59.99 (List Price $99.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $29.99 (List Price $69.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $27.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 with Ring Chime Pro — $149.99 (List Price $259.99) Introducing Amazon Fire TV 55" Omni Mini-LED Series, QLED 4K UHD smart TV, Dolby Vision IQ, 144hz gaming mode, Ambient Experience, hands-free with Alexa, 2024 release — $699.99 (List Price $819.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 2-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $51.99 (List Price $129.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point Wednesday for the second time since September. Before that, it had gone nine months without a cut. The federal funds rate is the rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another. While the rates consumers pay to borrow money aren’t directly linked to this rate, shifts affect what you pay for credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and other financial products. “While the full economic impact of such a move will unfold over time, early indicators suggest that even modest rate cuts can have meaningful consequences for consumer behavior and financial health,” said Michele Raneri, vice president and head of U.S. research at credit reporting agency TransUnion. The Fed has two goals when it sets the rate: one, to manage prices for goods and services, and two, to encourage full employment. Typically, the Fed might increase the rate to try to bring down inflation and decrease it to encourage faster economic growth and increase hiring. The challenge now is that inflation is higher than the Fed’s 2% target but the job market has been weak. The government shutdown has also prevented the collection and release of data the Fed relies on to monitor the health of the economy. Still, the Fed has projected it will cut rates once more before the end of the year. Here’s what to know: Interest on savings accounts won’t be as appealing For savers, falling interest rates will slowly erode attractive yields currently on offer with certificates of deposit (CDs) and high-yield savings accounts. Three of the top five high yield savings accounts had rate cuts after the last Fed rate cut in September, according to Ken Tumin, founder of DepositAccounts.com, while two of the big five banks (Ally and Discover/Capital One) cut their savings account rates. The top rates for high yield savings account right now remain around 4.46% to 4.6%. Those are still better than the trends of recent years, and a good option for consumers who want to earn a return on money they may want to access in the near-term. A high yield savings account generally has a much higher annual percentage yield than a traditional savings account. The national average for traditional savings accounts is currently 0.63%, according to Bankrate. There may be a few accounts with returns of about 4% through the end of 2025, according to Tumin, but the Fed cuts will filter down to these offerings, lowering the average yields as they do. A cut will impact mortgages gradually For prospective homebuyers, the market has already priced in the rate cut. “Mortgage rates, in particular, have responded swiftly,” said Raneri. “Just in the past week, they fell to their lowest level in over a year. While mortgage rates don’t always move in lockstep with the Fed’s target rate — often pricing in anticipated future cuts, the continued easing of monetary policy may well push rates even lower.” Bankrate financial analyst Stephen Kates said a declining interest rate environment will provide some relief for borrowers over time. “Whether it’s a homeowner with a 7% mortgage or a recent graduate hoping to refinance student loans and credit card debt, lower rates can ease the burden on many indebted households by opening opportunities to refinance or consolidate,” he said. Auto loans are not expected to decline soon Americans have faced steeper auto loan rates over the last three years after the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate starting in early 2022. Those are not expected to decline anytime soon. While a cut will contribute to eventual relief, it might be slow in arriving, analysts say. “If the auto market starts to freeze up and people aren’t buying cars, then we may see lending margins start to shrink, but auto loan rates don’t move in lockstep with the Fed rate,” Kates said. Prices for new cars remain at historically high levels, not adjusting for inflation. Generally speaking, an auto loan annual percentage rate can run from about 4% to 30%. Bankrate’s most recent weekly survey found that average auto loan interest rates are currently at 7.10% on a 60-month new car loan. Credit card rate relief could be slow Interest rates for credit cards are currently at an average of 20.01%, and the Fed’s rate cut may be slow to be felt by anyone carrying a large amount of credit card debt. That said, any reduction is positive news. “While inflation continues to exert pressure on household budgets, rate cuts offer a potential counterbalance by lowering debt servicing costs,” Raneri said. Still, the best thing for anyone carrying a large credit card balance is to prioritize paying down high-interest-rate debt, and to seek to transfer any amounts possible to lower APR cards or negotiate directly with credit card companies for accommodation. The Associated Press receives support from the Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. —Cora Lewis, Associated Press View the full article

Shares of Meta Platforms (Nasdaq: META) were down about 9% in premarket trading on Thursday. It follows what can only be described as a mixed bag of a quarter-three earnings report on Wednesday, October 30. On the one hand, Meta announced $51.2 billion in revenue, a 26% increase year-over-year (YOY) from $40.6 billion and a quarterly record for the company. The boost also beat Wall Street’s estimate of $49.6 billion, according to consensus estimates cited by Bloomberg. However, Meta also reported a non-cash income tax charge of $15.93 billion. This one-time charge led to a significant decrease—83%—in Meta’s net income YOY. It also meant the company’s earnings per share dropped to $1.05 from 2024’s $6.03. While the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads points out that its earnings per share would have been $7.25 without the tax charge, in reality it severely missed Wall Street’s predicted $6.70, according to consensus estimates cited by the Guardian. “Our compute needs have continued to expand” Meta also increased its estimated total expenses for 2025, from between $114 billion and $118 billion to $116 billion and $118 billion. Similarly, its estimated capital expenditures for the year rose to $70 billion to $72 billion, up from a range of $66 billion to $72 billion. Why the higher numbers? It all comes down to AI. In an earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that despite building an “aggressive assumption” worth of AI infrastructure, the demand keeps increasing in a way that “is very likely to be a profitable thing.” He claimed that there are more than a billion people actively using Meta AI on a monthly basis. “As we have begun to plan for next year, it’s become clear that our compute needs have continued to expand meaningfully, including versus our own expectations last quarter,” Zuckerberg stated. “We are still working through our capacity plans for next year, but we expect to invest aggressively to meet these needs, both by building our own infrastructure and contracting with third-party cloud providers.” Zuckerberg does admit that there could be unnecessary overflow, but he claims that it could be converted into “intelligence and better recommendations” for Meta’s family of apps and advertisements. He further shared that capital expenditures and total expenses will be “significantly” higher in 2026 than 2025, due to infrastructure and employee compensation costs. Notably, Meta laid off 600 people from its AI “superintelligence” research lab just last week. “By reducing the size of our team, fewer conversations will be required to make a decision, and each person will be more load-bearing and have more scope and impact,” Meta chief AI officer Alexandr Wang stated in a memo about the layoffs. Zuckerberg only announced the new “superintelligence” lab in June. View the full article

UK hospitality chains have increased service charges to offset the high cost of employmentView the full article

Rob Jetten seeks quick agreement with centrist partners, but rightwing ructions could delay coalitionView the full article

If you’ve ever heard the word “kanban,” you probably remember it, since it is inarguably fun to say. You likely heard it tossed around by someone who works in a corporate office, as it's extremely popular in that setting. “Kanban,” it turns out, is more than a fun word or something practiced by that friend whose job makes no sense to you. It’s an effective system for scheduling tasks in a highly productive way—and it can be used by anybody, not just people who also use corporate jargon about how they'll "put a pin in that" and "circle back." Don't be intimidated. While it's a little involved, it's ultimately just a visual method for determining what you need to do, what your team needs to do, and what your organization needs to do to reach goals. It can get pretty weedy, but you can totally do it yourself on a smaller scale to maximize your own workflow and productivity. What is kanban all about?Kanban was developed by an industrial engineer at Toyota. The word itself translates from Japanese to mean “signboard” or “billboard” and a lot of kanban fans use regular old whiteboards to display their kanban boards. The idea is that to get things done, you have to know where you’re at in a project at any given time: You have to know what order things need to be done in, what has and hasn't been completed, what you need to do each of those, and when each needs to be finished before the next can begin or the project is ultimately complete. On your kanban board, you’ll have three columns: One is for work that hasn’t been started, one is for work that is in progress, and one is for work that is complete. You can label these “to-do,” “doing,” and “done.” When you’re using this system, all tasks start out on the left side of the board and migrate across it, giving you a visual representation of where everything is. In addition to the little confidence boost you get when you see tasks in the “done” column, this can help you see how long certain processes take you. Consider writing the date of each shift from column to column whenever you move something into any of the three, as well as writing each task's due date next to it. How to make a kanban boardYou have a few options when you’re trying to kanban: You can make a super-simple Excel sheet with the project name at the top and three columns for to-do, doing, and done. Leave yourself room for notes about holdups, special requirements, or anything else pertinent to the competition of a given task. You can also use pre-made kanban software from productivity companies like Asana and Trello, which allow you to add notes, files, and other important information, plus sync with your team so everyone is on the same page. Typically, people use whiteboards for this and write their tasks on sticky notes, making them easy to move from column to column. Like a thermometer chart, this is displayed somewhere in the office and you can move the sticky notes that correspond to your responsibilities as you go through your workflow. If you’re just doing your own project, not a team one, you can use a small whiteboard and keep it at your desk. View the full article

Europe’s largest carmaker among hardest hit by The President’s trade warView the full article

Fast-casual restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) is seeing its stock price plummet this morning after reporting third-quarter 2025 earnings and a sales forecast that alarmed investors. As of the time of this writing, CMG shares are down a staggering 19% to $32.21 in premarket trading. Here’s what you need to know about the company’s stock price crash. What’s happened? On Wednesday, Chipotle reported its Q3 2025 earnings after the bell. Some of what the company revealed has alarmed investors. But first, here are the company’s most critical quarterly metrics: Total revenue: $3 billion (a 7.5% increase) Comparable restaurant sales: up 0.3% Operating margin: 15.9% (down 1% point) Adjusted diluted earnings per share: $0.29 (up 7.4%) Stores opened: 84 As noted by CNBC, Chipotle’s adjusted EPS of 29 cents matched investor expectations, and its $3 billion in revenue came close to the $3.03 billion expected by LSEG analysts. However, while Chipotle’s main Q3 metrics largely met expectations, the company’s forecast led investors to dump the stock in the hours after it reported its latest earnings. Full-year comparable sales expected to decline Investors generally aren’t happy with only their expectations being met. They want unlimited growth into the future, too. A perceived lack of future growth can send investors fleeing—and that appears to be what is happening to Chipotle’s stock in premarket trading. After reporting its relatively expected Q3 results, Chipotle issued its full fiscal 2025 forecast, revealing that it was cutting its sales outlook. For the full fiscal year (the company is now in its Q4 2025), Chipotle says it expects “full year comparable restaurant sales declines in the low-single digit range.” This is the third time in a row that the restaurant chain has cut its sales forecasts. Back in February, the company had initially said that it expected full-year sales to increase by low-to-mid single digits. Why the gloomy outlook? As for the factors affecting its lowered sales forecast, Chiptole CEO Scott Boatwright cited several reasons on the company’s investor call. As consumer sentiment has declined “sharply” throughout the year, Chipotle stores have seen “a broad-based pullback in frequency” of customer visits, Boatwright said. This is especially true for low- to middle-income customers, which Boatwright says include households earning less than $100,000, representing about 40% of Chiptole’s total customer base. Boatwright says this segment of customers “is dining out less often due to concerns about the economy and inflation.” However, another segment of Chipotle customers is also having a large negative impact on Chipotle’s revenue as they cut back on visits, too. This segment comprises younger people aged 25 to 35. Boatwright says this cohort is facing particular economic challenges, leading them to pull back on discretionary spending. Those challenges include “unemployment, increased student loan repayment, and slower real wage growth.” “We believe that this trend is not unique to Chipotle,” Boatwright noted, “and is occurring across all restaurants as well as many discretionary categories.” At the same time, Chipotle may rely more heavily on younger diners than other chains. “We tend to skew younger and slightly over-indexed to this group relative to the broader restaurant industry,” Boatwright said. Forging ahead with new store openings Despite projecting full-year 2025 sales declines, Chipotle says it will expand its physical store footprint significantly in 2026. While the opening of new stores increases operational expenses, it could also help the company boost sales by expanding into new markets where no Chipotle stores exist or where the company is underrepresented. In 2025, Chitpotle said it will open between 315 and 345 locations by the end of the fiscal year. In 2026, the company said it expects to open even more stores. “We anticipate opening between 350 and 370 new restaurants,” Boatwright revealed. The CEO noted that these will include 10 to 15 new partner-operated restaurants outside of North America. Countries where these restaurants are expected to open include South Korea, Singapore, and Mexico, as well as parts of the Middle East. Chiptole also expects to open one or two company-owned stores in Europe. CMG share price plummets But investors seem to care little about Chipotle’s continued expansion and are instead focused on the company’s lowered sales forecast. As of the time of this writing, CMG shares have declined 19% in premarket trading to $32.21 per share. That’s a low that Chipotle’s stock price hasn’t seen since 2023. As of yesterday’s share price close of $39.76, CMG stock had declined more than 33% since the beginning of the year. At just above $32 per share in premarket trading this morning, Chipotle’s share price is now nearly half of what it was on the first trading day of 2025. View the full article

Analysts expect car group to unveil string of technological breakthroughs to combat slowdown in growthView the full article

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, small businesses find themselves at a crossroads where technology can either elevate their operations or overwhelm them. Intel has stepped in with a significant update to its AI Assistant Builder that promises to enhance the AI capabilities available to small business owners. This innovative software, previously known as SuperBuilder, is set to change the way entrepreneurs leverage artificial intelligence for everyday tasks. The AI Assistant Builder allows users to harness the power of AI right from their Intel-based PCs without needing an Internet connection. This feature highlights Intel’s commitment to user privacy and data security, which is essential for small businesses wary of data breaches and online vulnerabilities. According to Olena Zhu, Head of AI Solutions at Intel, the latest iteration of the software introduces a “hybrid solution” that combines local computing power with cloud resources. “With a newer hybrid solution, AI Assistant Builder is now able to take advantage of both local computer resources, local AI models as well as large language models available in the cloud,” she explained. Small business owners stand to benefit greatly from this dual approach. The hybrid model not only enhances performance with reduced latency and improved speeds but also aims to decrease overall operational costs. This could be particularly appealing, as every dollar saved can be reinvested into growing the business. The software’s release coincides with Intel’s Panther Lake technology slated for launch in 2026, which promises even greater computing power and efficiency. Zhu noted, “With Panther Lake, PC platforms will have much more computing power in terms of TOPs and memory bandwidth. The power of Panther Lake platforms combined with the hybrid AI framework… will usher in more exciting AI use cases that will improve the overall AI experience for PC users.” Intel has already demonstrated the capabilities of the updated AI Assistant Builder with practical applications such as a hybrid AI browser and a PowerPoint generation tool. These tools streamline processes that small businesses often rely on, such as presentations and online research. With the push towards embracing AI, the ability to automate mundane tasks allows business owners to focus on strategic initiatives and creative endeavors. However, before diving into this new technology, small business owners should consider some potential challenges. Integrating AI into existing workflows may require some adjustment. Employees will need training to make the most of these new tools, and there may be initial costs associated with the transition. Another consideration is the pace of technological change; as Intel continues to evolve its offerings, small business owners must stay informed and agile to avoid obsolescence. As for accessibility, the AI Assistant Builder is reportedly simple to download and use, designed for those without an extensive tech background. In just three easy steps, small business owners can add this powerful tool to their arsenal. This user-friendliness could be a game-changer, particularly for small enterprises with limited IT resources. The next few months are crucial for small businesses interested in exploring AI applications. With the anticipated updates and enhancements from Intel, the expectation is that similar technologies will follow suit, creating an environment ripe for innovation. Many are likely to keep a close eye on how these solutions unfold and deliver value. For small business owners keen to stay ahead of the curve, Intel’s updates offer a promising glimpse into a future where AI integration is not just a luxury for larger corporations but an accessible and practical tool for everyone. For those ready to embrace this change, diving into the world of AI could offer numerous avenues for growth and efficiency. To learn more about the Intel AI Assistant Builder and explore its offerings, visit the original post here. Image via Intel This article, "Intel Unveils Enhanced AI Assistant Builder with Powerful Hybrid Solution" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, small businesses find themselves at a crossroads where technology can either elevate their operations or overwhelm them. Intel has stepped in with a significant update to its AI Assistant Builder that promises to enhance the AI capabilities available to small business owners. This innovative software, previously known as SuperBuilder, is set to change the way entrepreneurs leverage artificial intelligence for everyday tasks. The AI Assistant Builder allows users to harness the power of AI right from their Intel-based PCs without needing an Internet connection. This feature highlights Intel’s commitment to user privacy and data security, which is essential for small businesses wary of data breaches and online vulnerabilities. According to Olena Zhu, Head of AI Solutions at Intel, the latest iteration of the software introduces a “hybrid solution” that combines local computing power with cloud resources. “With a newer hybrid solution, AI Assistant Builder is now able to take advantage of both local computer resources, local AI models as well as large language models available in the cloud,” she explained. Small business owners stand to benefit greatly from this dual approach. The hybrid model not only enhances performance with reduced latency and improved speeds but also aims to decrease overall operational costs. This could be particularly appealing, as every dollar saved can be reinvested into growing the business. The software’s release coincides with Intel’s Panther Lake technology slated for launch in 2026, which promises even greater computing power and efficiency. Zhu noted, “With Panther Lake, PC platforms will have much more computing power in terms of TOPs and memory bandwidth. The power of Panther Lake platforms combined with the hybrid AI framework… will usher in more exciting AI use cases that will improve the overall AI experience for PC users.” Intel has already demonstrated the capabilities of the updated AI Assistant Builder with practical applications such as a hybrid AI browser and a PowerPoint generation tool. These tools streamline processes that small businesses often rely on, such as presentations and online research. With the push towards embracing AI, the ability to automate mundane tasks allows business owners to focus on strategic initiatives and creative endeavors. However, before diving into this new technology, small business owners should consider some potential challenges. Integrating AI into existing workflows may require some adjustment. Employees will need training to make the most of these new tools, and there may be initial costs associated with the transition. Another consideration is the pace of technological change; as Intel continues to evolve its offerings, small business owners must stay informed and agile to avoid obsolescence. As for accessibility, the AI Assistant Builder is reportedly simple to download and use, designed for those without an extensive tech background. In just three easy steps, small business owners can add this powerful tool to their arsenal. This user-friendliness could be a game-changer, particularly for small enterprises with limited IT resources. The next few months are crucial for small businesses interested in exploring AI applications. With the anticipated updates and enhancements from Intel, the expectation is that similar technologies will follow suit, creating an environment ripe for innovation. Many are likely to keep a close eye on how these solutions unfold and deliver value. For small business owners keen to stay ahead of the curve, Intel’s updates offer a promising glimpse into a future where AI integration is not just a luxury for larger corporations but an accessible and practical tool for everyone. For those ready to embrace this change, diving into the world of AI could offer numerous avenues for growth and efficiency. To learn more about the Intel AI Assistant Builder and explore its offerings, visit the original post here. Image via Intel This article, "Intel Unveils Enhanced AI Assistant Builder with Powerful Hybrid Solution" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

For all Labour’s belated muscularity on race and migration, it is not the winning cardView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Why is it so easy to form bad habits and so frustrating to try to form good ones? We crave routine, at least to some degree, so it's frustrating when you can't make productive or helpful habits stick. But consider that you already have a bunch of good, small habits, like putting the coffee on in the morning or washing your face before bed. As hard as you might be struggling with the bigger ones, you know you can do it because you've done it countless times before in smaller ways. In fact, those smaller routines can do more than prove your capability when it comes to building them; they can help you entrench larger habits and be even more productive. Let's go over a technique called habit stacking, which is basically like gluing a new habit to an existing one until it sticks. What is habit stacking?Habit stacking happens when you tack a desired behavioral change onto an existing routine. Theoretically, and eventually practically, that way the thing you’re having trouble sticking with just becomes part of your broader, ongoing string of habits. At some point, the behavioral change itself will become a habit on its own and you won't even think about doing it anymore, just like you don't think about the smaller habit you attached it to. Consider the things you already do every day: Brushing your teeth in the morning and at night, making your coffee in the morning, walking your dog at lunchtime, running to the corner store for a 3 p.m. energy drink, etc. During any one of those, you can add in a second necessary task that will benefit reciprocally from happening alongside your existing routine. This concept was popularized in 2017 by S.J. Scott, who wrote Habit Stacking: 127 Small Changes to Improve Your Health, Wealth, and Happiness. Since then, it’s blown up, with other psychologists adding their own support for the practice. Science agrees: Building routines is key to overall health and well-being, and our brains are wired to seek out routines. Once you have one habit neurologically wired in, building others around it is much easier. How to get started with habit stacking Once you’ve identified the things you want to do but don’t, think more about the things you do do, whether it’s taking a break every day at 12 p.m. to scroll social media or doing the dishes after every meal. Don't just pick hard habits to stack on easy ones; reevaluate the easy ones to see what else they could help you with. Examine each and look for ways you could stack the less-sticky tasks on top of them. If you forget to call your mom often, stack that on top of doing the dishes. If you need to study for a test, alternate drilling flashcards with your nightly cleaning routine tasks. The trick is to figure out which things can stack cohesively. You can’t return phone calls while you’re running at the gym, but maybe you can do so while you’re commuting. You can’t plan out your weekly schedule while you brush your teeth, but you can practice your deep breathing. Once you’ve determined which habits can stack, write down your plans somewhere like a Google doc—”I will respond to my emails every morning by 10, while I eat breakfast”—and for the first few days, actively check in on it to make sure you’re staying on top of them. Set reminders in your phone so you're getting notifications prompting you to double-up your tasks. Eventually, they’ll become habitual, just like the activities you’ve paired them with. View the full article

If you’ve been eager to try cultivated meat—meat grown from cells, without the need to raise an entire animal—your options, so far, have been limited. The innovation has only appeared on a handful of restaurant menus since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) But if you’re in the Bay Area, you’re in luck: Cultivated meat startup Mission Barns will be selling its pork meatballs (made with a base of pea protein plus the company’s cultivated pork fat) at Berkeley Bowl West, one location of an independent grocery store in California. It marks the first retail sale of cultivated meat in the United States, though the products are available for just one day only: Saturday, November 1. That said, those in the area will have more chances to try Mission Barns’s cultivated meat products. Along with the one-day sale, the company is hosting four in-store tastings at Berkeley Bowl, offering samples of its pork meatballs on November 1, January 17, and February 21, plus tastings of its cultivated pork salami on December 12. Cultivated meat in restaurants Cultivated meat (also called cell-cultured meat or lab-grown meat, though some in the industry contest that moniker) is still a nascent field. Mission Barns first launched in 2018. Others like Upside Foods, which makes cultured chicken, and Wildtype, which develops cultivated fish, have been around just a little longer—since 2015 and 2016, respectively. U.S. regulators approved the first sales of cultivated meat in 2023. And since then, a variety of call-cultured options have made a few brief appearances on restaurant menus. (That move followed Singapore’s 2020 approval of cultivated meat, and cultured meat has been sold both in restaurants and in retail in Singapore, like in the frozen section of a butchery.) The Michelin-starred Bar Crenn in San Francisco briefly sold Upside’s chicken. Chef José Andrés piloted cultured chicken from Good Meat (owned by Eat Just) at his China Chilcano DC eatery. Otoko, a sushi restaurant in Austin, Texas, offered Wildtype salmon last summer (but stopped selling it after Texas lawmakers enacted a cultivated meat ban). Mission Barns, too, debuted its cultivated pork meatballs and bacon at a few exclusive dinners at Fiorella in San Francisco this past September. But cultured meat hasn’t yet been sold in a grocery store in the United States, until November 1. Mission Barns CEO Cecilia Chang says the startup picked Berkeley Bowl for this milestone because it has a “track record for innovation”; it’s been an early adopter of new plant-based brands. A 12 pack of the cultivated pork meatballs will be on sale for $13.99. Cecilia Chang Mission Barns’s focus on fats Though a handful of states—including Texas, Florida, and Alabama—have moved to ban cultivated meat even before its widespread availability, Chang doesn’t see cultured meat as controversial. “I think people don’t know that much about it,” she says. The in-store tasting series is a way to build up that consumer awareness and education. Mission Barns is collaborating with researchers from Tufts University’s Center for Cellular Agriculture, who will observe the tastings to see how people react and talk about such products in a setting outside of a focus group. Mission Barns hopes to get crucial insights, too. Though the startup has created a handful of products under its own name—like meatballs, bacon, pepperoni, and salami—it doesn’t ultimately aim to be its own brand. Instead, it’s a B2B company, focused on selling its cultivated fats as ingredients to consumer packaged goods partners. That focus on fat makes Mission Barns unique in the cultivated space; the startup isn’t creating entire cuts of cultured meat like other companies. “Fat is really where a lot of that delicious, meaty, umami flavor comes from,” Chang says. And Mission Barns sees these fats as a “next generation functional flavoring ingredient that can go into alternative proteins or other savory applications.” Through the cell cultured process, the company can also “tune” its process to tweak nutrition details, like lowering the saturated fat and cholesterol or adding in more omega 3s. That includes plant-based meats like Mission Barns’s meatballs and bacon, or possibly soups, sauces, and so on. The products that will be on offer at Berkeley Bowl are like a proof of concept for cultivated fat as an ingredient, and a way to show other CPG companies what Mission Barns can offer. Working with established food brands also means Mission Barns won’t have to focus on building up its own brand, retail partners, and so on. “From our perspective, B2B is a much faster way to scale and grow,” Chang says. The startup already has partnerships in the works, though couldn’t name specific companies. For those who taste its offerings at Berkeley Bowl and want to know how to be customers in the future, “We’ll be telling them to watch the space,” Chang says. “We’ll hopefully be launching something in retail with a partner sometime next year.” View the full article

The prize of achieving so-called superintelligence outweighs the risks for Meta chiefView the full article