Here is a rundown of Cheddar News' top market stories of the day.
BED BATH & BEYOND SEEKS BUYER
Bed Bath & Beyond is reportedly in talks with a number of potential buyers and lenders to help pull the retailer back from the brink of bankruptcy. The goal is to find a buyer that will keep the Bed Bath & Beyond name, as well as its buybuy Baby chain. Funding-wise, the company is seeking $100 million to stave off bankruptcy, which could still occur in the coming weeks.
APPLE INTRODUCES NEW HOMEPOD
Apple has announced the second generation of the HomePod. The original was discontinued almost two years ago, and Apple is touting a number of improvements in the new version, from sound quality to the ability to send notifications when a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off. The company is calling the product "groundbreaking," but one critic from The Verge noted that the new model was strikingly similar to the last one.
AMAZON FINED FOR WORKER VIOLATIONS
U.S. regulators have fined Amazon more $60,000 for violations of workplace safety law. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration charged the company with overworking its employees at warehouses in Deltona, Florida, Waukegan, Illinois, and New Windsor, New York. "Each of these inspections found work processes that were designed for speed but not safety, and they resulted in serious worker injuries," said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker in a news release.
NEW TWITTER PLAN
Twitter Inc has announced a new $11 price for a Twitter Blue subscription per month and a cheaper annual plan as well. The price is the same for Android and iOS subscribers, despite the latter coming with higher app fees.
James Gallagher, CEO and Co-Founder of GreenLite, discusses the challenges of rebuilding the fire-affected LA area and how permitting complicates the process.
Super Bowl Champion, Julian Edelman, talks Chiefs' conspiracies, his fave TSwift song and his bet for Super Bowl LIX. Plus, the best time for a bathroom break.
Ron Hammond, Sr. Director of Government Relations at the Blockchain Association, breaks down Trump’s plan to strengthen U.S. leadership in financial technology.
BiggerPockets Money podcast is now available on Cheddar Wednesdays at 10am ET! Mindy Jensen shares how her podcast is helping people gain financial freedom.
The social video platform's future remains in doubt, as players scramble to profit from the chaos. Plus: Big oil gets bigger, DOGE downsizes, and tariffs!
Ty Young, CEO of Ty J. Young Wealth Management, joins Cheddar to discuss Trump's moves as he returns to Washington D.C. and how it may affect the U.S. economy.
Starbucks’ decision to restrict its restrooms to paying customers has flushed out a wider problem: a patchwork of restroom use policies that varies by state and city. Starbucks announced last week a new code of conduct that says people need to make a purchase if they want to hang out or use the restroom. The coffee chain's policy change for bathroom privileges has left Americans confused and divided over who gets to go and when. The American Restroom Association, a public toilet advocacy group, was among the critics. Rules about restroom access in restaurants vary by state, city and county. The National Retail Federation says private businesses have a right to limit restroom use.
President Donald Trump is talking up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, will start building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House. The initial investment is expected to be $100 billion and could reach five times that sum. While Trump has seized on similar announcements to show that his presidency is boosting the economy, there were already expectations of a massive buildout of data centers and electricity plants needed for the development of AI.
Chris Ruder, Spikeball Founder and CEO, explains how he and his friends put roundnet on the global map, plus, how Spikeball helps people "find their circle."