Wookey Hole, as we all know, is a cave-aged mature cheddar from Somerset, England. It boasts a creamy yet crumbly texture, with earthy characteristics and a distinctly nutty, tangy flavor. It's best paired with a good ale, just like your Monday morning newsletter! There's clearly an awful lot of angst in the air of late, and today's 'sletter has a general theme based on Bobby McFerrin's 1998 song Don't Worry Be Happy: The landlord says the rent is late, and he may have to litigate! —Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor P.S. We've got a robot helping people park in super tight spaces on our 'gram. |
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"People need to calm down and stop buying more [toilet paper] than they need to allow inventories to remain stable." — Ronalds Gonzalez |
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1. Big Mac Gets McChicken Makeover, So Quit Worrying About Eating Too Much Beef |
The first time I had a Big Mac I was six years old. My childhood friend's father drove us there in South London in a white BMW while smoking cigarettes in the front seat, and there were a few of us in the back. His mum was a Danish model, so that car reeked of glamo(u)r almost as much as it was about to reek of fried food.
We spent the whole trip to the Golden Arches discussing what we were going to get. I settled on a Big Mac with fries and a strawberry milkshake, a set of menu choices I'd gleaned from listening carefully to my friends. They all seemed experienced; I was a McVirgin. My friend's dad worked in marketing for a record company, wore a leather jacket, and (much to our admiration at the time) had something to do with Michael Jackson. Nothing about the passage of time has dimmed my impression of that experience, even the whole Michael Jackson thing. The taste of that meal for me was, quite simply, victory. My own bourgeois parents were horrified when I told them what I'd eaten when I got dropped home.
In totally related news which I, with my journalism degree, am delighted to report on, McDonald's is now set to launch its Chicken Big Mac in the United States on October 10. Accounting for a quarter of your daily recommended calorie intake, it's already become the firm's most popular new launch ever abroad. It sold out in 10 days in my native England. The sandwich replaces the traditional beef patties with two tempura-battered chicken patties while retaining the "iconic" Big Mac elements like the signature sauce, sense of guilt, pickles, shredded lettuce, American cheese, and three sesame buns. It's probably still best enjoyed, of course, in the company of a smoking record company executive who works for Michael Jackson, even if only spiritually. Good luck with that part. Read More |
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2. Quarter of a Million Jobs Created in September, So Quit Worrying About The Economy |
The U.S. job market blew past expectations in September, adding 254,000 jobs against a 140,000 predicted gain. It's an uptick on August's revised figure of 159,000 jobs and drops the unemployment rate slightly to 4.1% from 4.2%. The service sector — particularly health care, leisure, and hospitality industries — was a significant driver, contributing over 202,000 jobs.
The robust job growth indicates continuing resilience in the labor market and the economy. It also suggests a high likelihood of achieving a "soft landing" in the economy, with the Fed aiming to rein in inflation without initiating a recession. Moreover, the Fed's recent half-point rate cut is seen as a positive signal for future hiring.
The numbers are particularly good news for Vice President Kamala Harris, with recent polls showing her pulling alongside former President Donald Trump on the question of who can best handle the economy and inflation. Read More |
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| Look, no hands!
HL Mando, a South Korean company, has developed an autonomous valet parking robot called Parkie. This little gadget can slide under your car, lift it, and squeeze it into super tight spots where the doors can't even open.
Drivers hop out first, and then Parkie takes over parking duties.
Right now, HL Mando is aiming their invention at owners of big buildings and parking lots, helping them fit in more spaces by packing cars closer together. |
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3. Taxpayers in 24 States Can Now File Directly with the IRS Next Year, So Quit Worrying About Filing Your Taxes |
Next year taxpayers in 24 states will have the option to file their taxes directly with the IRS for free, thanks to an expansion of the Direct File program. Initially launched as a pilot in 12 states last year, the program allows eligible taxpayers to calculate and submit their returns to the government without the need for commercial tax preparation software. Guess who hates it? That's right — people who make commercial tax preparation software!
30 million people could benefit from the new program. The 2024 program successfully processed $90 million in refunds. Meanwhile, New York literally sent me my refund last Thursday, October 3, after I filed my taxes through my accountant in April. That's called government efficiency, the kind that my taxes are subsidizing. Read More |
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4. Thousands of Dock Workers Back to Work, So Quit Worrying About How to Wipe Your Butt |
Striking members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) went back to work on Friday after reaching a tentative wage agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents shipping lines, terminal operators, and port authorities.
The agreement proposes a significant $4-per-hour raise each year across a six-year contract, effectively raising wages by 62% over the contract's lifespan. The deal ensures a more than 10% raise in the first year from the current top pay of $39 an hour.
The strike, which began early Tuesday morning, had halted the flow of goods at ports from Maine to Texas, threatening significant disruptions to the US economy and supply chains.
Toilet paper manufacturers were quick to tell people to stop freaking out over the strike, as social media videos emerged of people stockpiling Charmin. 85% of American toilet paper is made in the U.S. and wasn't affected.
"People need to calm down and stop buying more [toilet paper] than they need to allow inventories to remain stable," Ronalds Gonzalez, an associate professor in the Department of Forest Biomaterials at NC State, told USA Today.
Still, imagine having to use your left hand like the vast majority of India. I've done it. It's fine. Just be sure to eat with your right, afterwards, and wash your hands. Read More |
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5. Will Spirit Airlines File for Bankruptcy?! You Can Worry About THAT! |
Spirit Airlines is reportedly in discussions with bondholders concerning a potential bankruptcy filing following a failed merger with JetBlue Airways. Spirit shares fell by over 30% following a Wall Street Journal report on the potential bankruptcy discussions.
The airline is also considering an out-of-court restructuring of its balance sheet. The possibility of a bankruptcy filing is not immediate but reflects the company's efforts to manage its $3.3 billion debt load, with more than $1.1 billion in secured bonds due in less than a year.
Spirit has not seen an annual profit since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Its attempts to merge with JetBlue were thwarted by a federal judge's ruling in favor of the Justice Department, which argued the merger would reduce competition and harm budget travelers. Ironically, of course, the bankruptcy of Spirit could also reduce competition, harming budget travelers. I'm sure it's fine. Read More |
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