MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024
Economy
Fast-Food Prices Get Upsized in California
As California raises the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 an hour, leading chains in the state are passing on the increased labor costs to consumers by hiking prices on burgers, burritos, and other menu items, prompting some customers to shift their spending to independent restaurants.
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024
Energy
Global Power Demand Surges on AI and AC
As demand for electricity surges worldwide, driven by the growth of energy-intensive technologies like artificial intelligence and air conditioning, as well as industrialization and economic development in the developing world, renewable energy sources are struggling to keep up, leading to an increased reliance on fossil fuels like coal, which is the worst offender in terms of emissions.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024
Energy
Big Data Hubs Slow Green Shift
The rapid growth of energy-intensive data centers in Northern Virginia, which account for 70% of global internet traffic, is forcing electric utilities to burn more fossil fuels like coal and natural gas to meet the surging power demand, slowing the transition to renewable energy and drawing criticism from tech companies, consumers, and regulators who want to see a greener power grid.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2024
Real Estate
Defaults On Office Loans Approach Record
With over $38 billion of U.S. office buildings facing loan defaults, foreclosures, or other forms of distress, the highest amount since 2012, the office market is experiencing a widespread financial upheaval as high interest rates and weak demand force owners to capitulate.
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024
Sustainable Business
Yeast-Like Bacteria Cuts Emissions, Creates Sustainable Fuel
LanzaTech's technology that uses a yeast-like bacteria to convert carbon emissions from industrial sites into ethanol, which can then be used to produce sustainable aviation fuel, plastics, and other environmentally friendly products, has shown promise but the company is struggling financially and its stock price has plummeted despite backing from major brands and government funding.
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024
Insights
Noise or Trend? Inflation Vexes the Fed
While the fundamentals suggest inflation should still be headed down, the recent stall in the decline has left the Federal Reserve uncertain whether this is temporary noise or the start of a new inflationary trend, complicating its policy decisions as it tries to balance the risk of prematurely easing monetary policy and the possibility that inflation may be more persistently high than expected.
SATURDAY/SUNDAY, MAY 4 - 5, 2024
EV
At Tesla, Musk Moves To Get More Essential
Elon Musk is dramatically reshaping Tesla's strategy, downplaying the traditional car business in favor of a greater focus on robotics, AI, and autonomous driving technology like robotaxis. He is seeking to boost his ownership stake in the company, suggesting he could take his ideas elsewhere if not given more control. This shift has caused concern among some investors as Tesla faces challenges like increased EV competition and a slowdown in sales growth, with Musk's erratic decision-making adding to the uncertainty around the company's future direction.