Core Insights - The U.S. business investment boom is intensifying, with non-defense capital goods shipments up 9.9% at an annual rate over the past three months, nearly double the twelve-month rate [2] - New orders for non-defense capital goods have increased by 8.5% over the past three months, compared to a 5.5% increase over the past year [2] - The surge in capital expenditures (capex) is attributed to tax policies implemented by the Trump administration, which allow for immediate expensing of investments [3] - GDP growth has been robust, with annual rates of 3.8% in Q2, 4.4% in Q3, and potentially 5% in Q4, indicating a strong economic environment [4] - Business-to-business spending is a significant driver of economic growth, as it supports job creation and wage payments [5] Investment and Productivity - Increased business investment is contributing to a productivity boom, with corporate profits and margins at record levels, enabling businesses to hire more and pay higher wages [6] - Rising take-home pay, approximately 4%, is outpacing core inflation measures, providing an economic benefit of about $2,000 for an average family [7] Economic Policy and Outlook - The current economic environment is characterized by low taxes, deregulation, and rising productivity, which are fostering a manufacturing boom and lowering prices [9] - The new Federal Reserve chair should align with the principles of Trumponomics, which emphasize that economic growth does not inherently lead to inflation [9] - Concerns are raised about potential candidates for the Federal Reserve who may not align with these economic principles, suggesting a preference for candidates who understand supply-side economics [10][11]

Southwest Airlines is officially ending two signature policies that have long set the carrier apart from its competitors.  Starting Tuesday, the controversial policies announced last year will raise ticket prices for plus-size passengers and also end the airline’s decades-old open-seating arrangement. Southwest first announced in July 2025 that it would end its open-seating policy, partly to boost revenue and in response to what it described as passengers’ growing preference for purchasing premium seating o ...

From value-packed bulk items to $1.50 hot dogs, Costco is renowned for its focus on savings. The warehouse giant, however, offers far more than just its in-store products. From travel and automotive programs to remodeling and cleaning services, here are some lesser-known benefits that members may be missing. Costco TravelCostco Travel offers a variety of trips, including international destinations, theme parks, cruises and other excursions. Packages typically include accommodations, such as hotels and resor ...

Costco is facing a class-action lawsuit accusing the warehouse retailer of falsely advertising that its Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken contains no preservatives, according to court documents.   The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleges that Costco’s in-store signage and website "create an overall net impression that the Rotisserie Chicken does not contain added preservatives." But the suit further claims those representations are ...

Group 1: Proposal Overview - The Trump administration is developing a proposal that would allow prospective homebuyers to withdraw from their 401(k) retirement accounts for a down payment on a home [1][5] - National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett indicated that the typical monthly payment for homebuyers has doubled, and the required down payment has increased from approximately $15,000 to $32,000 [6][8] Group 2: President's Position - President Trump expressed his disapproval of the 401(k) withdrawal proposal, stating he prefers to keep 401(k) accounts intact due to their strong performance, which has seen increases of 80%-90% [2][3] - Trump emphasized the importance of maintaining the health of 401(k) accounts over using them for home down payments, noting that many individuals report significant gains [3] Group 3: Broader Economic Context - The administration's affordability agenda includes a proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10% for one year, addressing rising credit card debt as a barrier for Americans saving for down payments [9][12] - Trump's plan to restrict institutional investors from purchasing homes is aimed at addressing rising housing prices, which he claims is unfair to the public [12][14]

Economic Growth and Oil Politics - The American economy is experiencing a significant boom, with growth rates potentially exceeding 5 percent, driven by declining oil prices and rising wages [5][6][7] - Gasoline prices and various oil-related costs are decreasing, contributing to an increase in disposable income for the middle class, estimated at an additional $1,500 due to lower inflation and tax refunds [6] - The decline in oil prices is seen as beneficial for the American economy, while negatively impacting Russia and China by eliminating cheap oil discounts for China [4][5] Geopolitical Strategy - President Trump's actions are perceived as reducing the influence of Russia and China in the Western hemisphere, with potential regime changes in countries like Venezuela and Cuba [2][3] - The negotiation for military access in Greenland is part of a broader strategy to enhance American security and sovereignty in the region, reminiscent of historical military arrangements [3] - The Trump administration's approach is characterized as a modern interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, aiming to prevent foreign interference in the Americas [3] Diplomatic Maneuvering - Trump's diplomatic efforts are viewed as effective in outmaneuvering Russian and Chinese interests globally, positioning the U.S. as a dominant player on the world stage [8] - The administration's strategy is described as a successful chess game, with Trump securing various international deals that bolster American influence [1][8]

Nissan is recalling 26,432 vehicles due to improperly welded door strikers that could increase the risk of injury or crash. The Japanese automaker said the issue is specific to its model year 2025 Sentra and Altima sedans, model year 2025-2026 Frontier pickups and 2026 Kicks SUVs. No other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles are affected by the issue."Certain Nissan vehicles may have been equipped with one or more door strikers that were improperly welded during the supplier’s manufacturing process," the National H ...

Core Insights - The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the largest infrastructure build-out in human history, significantly impacting job creation and salaries in construction trades [1][2][9]. Group 1: Infrastructure and Job Creation - The AI technology boom is leading to a substantial increase in jobs related to construction trades, including plumbers, electricians, and network technicians [2][5]. - Salaries for construction trade workers involved in building chip factories and AI-related infrastructure have nearly doubled, reaching six-figure salaries [2][5]. Group 2: AI Infrastructure Layers - AI infrastructure consists of a five-layer model, starting with energy, followed by chips, cloud services, AI models, and finally the application layer [6][9]. - The investment required for this infrastructure build-out is estimated to be in the trillions of dollars, which is deemed sensible for processing the necessary contexts for AI applications [10].

Core Viewpoint - The FDA has upgraded the recall of Gregory's Foods cookie products to Class I due to the potential presence of undeclared peanuts, posing serious health risks to individuals with peanut allergies [1][5][2]. Group 1: Recall Details - The initial recall involved 2-pound 8.5-ounce packages of "Bag Full of Cookies" White Chocolate Macadamia Nut frozen cookie dough, which were mistakenly filled with Monster Cookie Dough containing peanuts [1]. - The recall now affects over 300 cases, with each case containing six bags, and the products have a best by date of December 6, 2026 [5]. Group 2: Health Risks - The FDA indicated that individuals with peanut allergies face a risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the affected products [2]. - A Class I recall signifies a "reasonable probability" that exposure to the product could lead to serious adverse health consequences or death [5]. Group 3: Product Identification - The Monster Cookies frozen dough is distinguishable by visible chocolate chips and colored candy-coated pieces, unlike the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut frozen cookie dough [7]. - The affected products were sold in retail grocery stores across Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin [7]. Group 4: Consumer Guidance - Customers are advised not to consume the recalled products and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund [10]. - The FDA noted that the issue was isolated to specific units from one day's production and has since been corrected [10].

Core Insights - TikTok has finalized a historic deal to establish a majority American-owned joint venture to avoid a potential U.S. ban, marking a significant milestone after years of legal and political challenges since 2020 [1][4] Group 1: Joint Venture Structure - The new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, is built on the TikTok U.S. Data Security organization and aims to meet U.S. regulatory requirements set by a previous executive order [2][6] - American entities will hold an 80.1% stake in the joint venture, while ByteDance retains a 19.9% stake [7] - The joint venture will be managed by three companies: Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, each holding a 15% stake [7] Group 2: Governance and Management - The joint venture will have a seven-member board of directors, predominantly American, including representatives from major investment firms and technology companies [12] - Adam Presser has been appointed as the CEO of the new joint venture, with other board members including TikTok CEO Shou Chew and executives from Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX [12] Group 3: Data Security and User Experience - The venture will create a domestic cloud environment under Oracle to enhance data privacy and cybersecurity for U.S. user data, apps, and algorithms [10] - The content recommendation algorithm will be secured within Oracle's U.S. cloud environment [10] - The joint venture aims to ensure that U.S. users maintain a "global TikTok experience," allowing for worldwide creator discovery while managing commercial activities like e-commerce and advertising [13]