Investments and Business

Microsoft has responded forcefully to Delta Airlines’ allegations following a significant IT outage, saying the airline repeatedly rejected its offers of assistance. Microsoft responded to Delta’s claims Tuesday after the airline announced its intention to seek damages from Microsoft and CrowdStrike over thousands of flight cancellations caused by a major IT outage. The incident, which began July 19, stemmed from a failed CrowdStrike software update that affected millions of Microsoft Windows systems, resulting in losses for Delta of about $500 million, according to CEO Ed Bastian. Bastian stressed that Delta, known for its punctuality and premium services, had “no choice”…

With just four weeks to go in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the action on the track will be intense as drivers battle for a spot in the playoffs. Cup drivers will travel to Richmond, Mich., Daytona and Darlington before the 16-driver playoff field is determined. Twelve drivers have secured at least one win this year (Austin Cindric, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez), leaving four spots up for grabs. In addition to the main focus on who will make the playoffs,…

Disney is set to raise subscription fees for its streaming platforms, including Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, starting in mid-October. The company announced Tuesday that most plans for these services will see a $1-2 per month price increase. The biggest increase will be Hulu’s live TV packages, which will increase by $6 per month. For Disney+, the basic plan will now cost $9.99 per month, while the premium plan will be priced at $15.99. Hulu’s ad-supported plan will cost $9.99 per month, and the ad-free version will cost $18.99. ESPN+, which includes ads, will be priced at $11.99 per month. These…

Jenna Ellis, a former campaign lawyer for President Donald Trump, has reached an agreement to assist Arizona prosecutors in their criminal cases against individuals accused of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. In exchange for Ellis’s cooperation, prosecutors dropped nine felony charges against her, including wire fraud, forgery and conspiracy. The deal is intended to strengthen the case against the 17 remaining defendants. “This settlement marks an important milestone in our ongoing investigation,” Mayes said in a statement. “I appreciate Ms. Ellis’ willingness to assist in our prosecution efforts.”…

The stock market is seeing significant fluctuations today, with several major companies experiencing notable mid-day moves. Major players making headlines include Robinhood, Nvidia, Intel, and a few other major stocks. Here’s a closer look at what’s driving these changes: Robin Hood: The trading platform's shares are on the move following recent announcements that have impacted its user engagement and financial outlook. Nvidia:The tech giant is seeing activity as investors react to the latest developments in artificial intelligence technology and demand for semiconductors. Intel:The semiconductor manufacturer is experiencing fluctuations in its stock price due to new product launches and competition in…

KEY WEST, FLORIDA — Throughout modern history, parents have only had one choice when it comes to disposable diapers: plastic. Single-use products, typically made from fossil fuels like petroleum, can take hundreds of years to decompose, making them the third largest consumer item in U.S. landfills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, they are not as breathable as other materials, potentially making accidents like diaper rash more common. However, plastic diapers from big brands like Pampers, owned by Procter & Gamble, and Huggies, owned by Kimberly-Clark, continue to dominate the market. Amrita Saigal, founder and CEO of Kudos, is…

Berkshire Hathaway’s closely watched cash reserves could top $200 billion, exceeding Hungary’s entire annual GDP, following an unusual sell-off in some of his favorite stocks by CEO Warren Buffett. The Omaha-based conglomerate is expected to announce that its cash reserves have surpassed the previous record of $189 billion, set in the first quarter, when it reports its second-quarter earnings Saturday morning. Berkshire’s results come as Buffett has unloaded winning investments in Apple, Bank of America and others, leading some to believe the Oracle of Omaha is worried about the bull market overheating. "It looks like he's trying to de-risk the…

Sun Valley, Idaho — Jeff Bezos, known for his lavish acquisitions, such as a $165 million estate in Los Angeles and a $500 million yacht, is now making major inroads into artificial intelligence through his family office, Bezos Expeditions. According to exclusive data from FINTRX, a private wealth intelligence platform, every investment made by Bezos Expeditions this year has been in artificial intelligence. While exact amounts were not disclosed, Bezos Expeditions has participated in funding rounds totaling more than $1 billion. In January, Bezos invested in Perplexity AI, an AI search engine company, in his $73.6 million Series B round…

As the aviation industry ramps up efforts to reduce carbon emissions, hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution. But how exactly would hydrogen-powered planes work? According to the International Energy Agency, aviation contributed 2% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022. In response to the urgent need for greener alternatives, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This ambitious goal involves the collaboration of IATA’s 330 member airlines, which will use sustainable aviation fuel, carbon offsets and capture, and innovative technologies. Hydrogen and electric technologies are expected to play a crucial role,…

Washington DC — Sports streaming service Venu, priced at $42.99 a month, faces a major marketing challenge: finding its audience. Venu, jointly owned by Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery, announced Thursday that it will launch this fall. While it’s more expensive than services like NetflixMax and Peacock, it costs less than YouTube TV at $73 a month or a standard cable package, but those include a wider variety of entertainment, not just sports. Venu will provide access to a selection of networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, and truTV. Subscribers will…