Walmart is rolling out new benefits for its employees, including a bonus plan and opportunities in skilled trade jobs
NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart has announced new perks for its hourly workers, such as a bonus plan and the chance to transition into skilled trade roles within the company. This perks program, revealed on Wednesday, comes at a time when the largest private employer in the US is experiencing a decrease in employee turnover. Despite this, Walmart, like many other companies, is facing a competitive job market and growing demands from its workforce. The retailer’s latest bonus plan for eligible part-time and full-time store employees is tied to the performance of each store, with the maximum bonus potential contingent on years of experience. The training program is set to begin with 100 workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Boeing is making another attempt to launch NASA astronauts for the first time following recent repairs
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Boeing is preparing for its first astronaut launch, scheduled for Wednesday morning from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This will be the third launch attempt for NASA test pilots onboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. Previous attempts were hindered by rocket-related issues. After the retirement of the space shuttles, NASA enlisted Boeing and SpaceX to transport astronauts to and from the space station. While SpaceX has been successfully ferrying astronauts since 2020, Boeing has faced setbacks, including severe software problems during its first test flight without a crew in 2019.
Online marketplace eBay is discontinuing American Express as a payment option, citing high fees and suggesting alternatives
NEW YORK (AP) — eBay, a major online marketplace, has announced that it will no longer accept American Express due to what the company deems as excessively high fees and the availability of other payment methods for online shopping. This decision deals a blow to American Express, known for having customers who are particularly attractive to merchants and spend a significant amount per month on their cards. This is not the first time that merchants have opposed AmEx’s business practices, as seen in Costco’s decision to part ways nearly a decade ago.
McDonald’s loses trademark battle with Irish rival Supermac’s in the European Union
LONDON (AP) — McDonald’s has lost the Big Mac trademark in the European Union following a ruling in favor of Irish fast food competitor Supermac’s after a lengthy legal dispute. The court’s ruling on Wednesday stated that the U.S. fast food giant failed to demonstrate genuine use of the Big Mac name over a five-year period in relation to chicken sandwiches, poultry products, or restaurants. This decision has larger implications beyond just burger names, as Supermac’s sought to expand in Europe and applied to register its company name in the EU.
Russian cosmonaut sets record for most days spent in space
A 59-year-old Russian cosmonaut has become the first person to spend 1,000 days in space, as announced by Russian space agency Roscosmos. Oleg Kononenko achieved this milestone after completing five journeys to the International Space Station since 2008, with his current mission starting in September 2023. If Kononenko’s mission concludes as planned in September 2024, he will have spent a total of 1,110 days in orbit. Despite political tensions, the International Space Station remains a space for close cooperation between the United States and Russia.
Phoenix adopts new method of treating heatstroke victims as temperatures soar in the Southwest
PHOENIX (AP) — The first heat wave of the season is bringing triple-digit temperatures to the Southwestern U.S., prompting Phoenix firefighters to employ innovative tactics to save lives. Maricopa County recorded 645 heat-related deaths last year. To combat this, the Phoenix Fire Department is now using ice immersion to treat heatstroke victims en route to area hospitals, with hospitals also increasingly utilizing this technique. Known as cold water immersion, this medical procedure can rapidly reduce body temperature, a critical step in preventing heat-related fatalities during extreme heatwaves.
Young people share advice on social media practices
Teens and young adults are offering insights on social media use, reflecting on what they wish they had known growing up with these platforms. One common suggestion is to take regular breaks from social media to avoid addiction, as well as setting boundaries and blocking individuals when necessary. As the generation raised with social media comes of age, they are sharing their experiences to help younger peers navigate the digital landscape.
Tranquilized black bear safely removed from suburban Pennsylvania neighborhood
CAMP HILL, Pa. (AP) — A young black bear that wandered into a suburban Pennsylvania neighborhood was safely removed after being tranquilized. The bear appeared near a school in Camp Hill, outside of Harrisburg, prompting officials to use a ladder truck to reach and sedate the animal. After being tranquilized, the bear fell into a tarp held by wildlife officials, police, and firefighters before being transferred to a bear trap for relocation to state-owned land.
Diddy sells his stake in media company Revolt
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs has sold his shares in Revolt, the media company he founded over a decade ago. The rapper and entrepreneur’s stake in Revolt has been fully redeemed and retired, with the Los Angeles-based company confirming the transaction. Although the details of the sale were not disclosed, Revolt’s CEO emphasized that the company’s mission transcends any individual, signaling a new chapter for the hip-hop news and entertainment company.
New York considers legislation to regulate children’s exposure to social media content
New York lawmakers are finalizing a bill aimed at empowering parents to control the content their children see on social media platforms. The proposed legislation would allow parents to block algorithm-curated posts, aiming to reduce the influence of feeds that critics argue contribute to excessive screen time. While proponents believe this bill could protect children, opponents warn that it may inadvertently lead internet companies to gather more user data. As the legislative session nears its end, Albany lawmakers are prioritizing the passage of this important piece of legislation.
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