Summer tourists flock to boardwalks and piers while sticking to their budgets
NEW YORK (AP) -- Small businesses along popular vacation destinations like boardwalks and piers in the U.S. say the number of tourists flocking to the waterfront is back to normal, meaning pre-2020 levels. But while affluent tourists are spending freely, lower-income vacationers are sticking to carefully planned-out budgets and buying less on impulse. According to the U.S. Travel Association's forecast, 2024 tourism volume is expected to top 2019's numbers for the first time since the pandemic began, with 2.45 billion trips taken. Domestic tourism is rebounding faster than international tourism, according to the USTA.
Susan Wojcicki, former YouTube CEO and longtime Google executive, has died at 56
Susan Wojcicki, the former YouTube chief executive officer and longtime Google executive, has died. Her husband, Dennis Troper, said in a statement posted on social media late Friday that Wojcicki, who was 56, has died after suffering with non small cell lung cancer for the past two years. No other details of her death were provided. Wojcicki stepped down as YouTube's CEO in 2023 after spending nine years running the video-sharing service that reshaped entertainment, culture and politics. She also played a key role in Google's creation and rented her garage in Menlo Park, California, to the company's co-founders.
US colleges are cutting majors and slashing programs after years of putting it off
Colleges large and small in the U.S. are cutting programs and eliminating majors to make ends meet. Among their budget challenges: Federal COVID relief money is expiring, operational costs are rising and fewer high school graduates are going straight to college. At St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, officials announced a plan to cut 42 degree programs and 50 minors, music among them. The move has created turmoil for students who chose the campus to study music. Humanities and the arts often top the list of cuts across the country. Some colleges are phasing out the programs. In others, students are abruptly forced to find a new school or change directions.
The US Navy's warship production is in its worst state in 25 years. What's behind it?
The U.S. Navy is struggling to build affordable warships needed to face expanding threats around the world. Among the numerous challenges obstructing its efforts are a serious shortage of skilled workers, poor shipyard employee retention, last-minute design changes and the Pentagon's shifting priorities. Eric Labs is a longtime naval analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. He says the shipbuilding industry is in its worst state in 25 years.
Families of Brazilian plane crash victims gather in Sao Paulo as French experts join investigation
SAO PAULO (AP) -- More than 40 families of victims of an airliner crash in Brazil have gathered at a morgue and hotels in Sao Paulo as three French government investigators arrived in the country. Forensics experts worked on Sunday to identify the remains of the 62 people killed in the crash on Friday. Local authorities say the bodies of the pilot and co-pilot were the first to be identified by forensics experts. The ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop operated by Brazilian airline Voepass was headed for Guarulhos international airport in Sao Paulo with 58 passengers and four crew members aboard when it went down in Vinhedo. The location is about 50 miles or 80 kilometers north of the city.
Thousands protest lithium mining in Serbia. Officials say it's a plot against populist president
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) -- Tens of thousands of protesters have rallied in downtown Belgrade against lithium mining in Serbia. That's despite official warnings that the demonstration on Saturday was an alleged plot to topple populist President Aleksandar Vučić and his government. He said earlier that he has been tipped off by the Russian intelligence services that a "mass unrest and a coup" were being prepared in Serbia by unspecified Western powers. Organizers of the Belgrade protest have said the protest would be peaceful. The rally in the downtown of the capital comes after weeks of protests against the mining in cities throughout Serbia.
Wall Street ends a wild and scary week almost exactly where it began. More tests loom next week
NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stocks closed a wild, whipsaw week for Wall Street with modest gains. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% Friday, coming off its best day since 2022, trimming its loss for the week down to less than 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.5%. Both also finished the week with only modest losses after sharp, earlier drops on worries about the U.S. economy and other factors. Expedia Group helped lead the way after a stronger-than-expected profit report. Treasury yields eased in the bond market ahead of big reports coming up next week on the economy.
Considering a mortgage refi? Lower rates are just one factor when refinancing a home loan
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mortgage rates haven't been this attractive in more than a year, good news for homeowners eager to refinance. Many homeowners have already jumped at the opportunity to lower their monthly payment, spurring a surge in mortgage refinancing applications. The rush to refinance makes sense, as even a slight drop in mortgage rates can translate into significant savings over the long run. Still, there are more variables to consider than the mortgage rate, including the costs to refinance, the time it will take to break even and whether to hold out for lower rates. Here are some key factors to consider.
World Federation of Advertisers discontinues small brand safety initiative after Elon Musk's X sues
NEW YORK (AP) -- A small brand safety initiative is ceasing operations -- days after being targeted by social media platform X in a lawsuit alleging the group helped coordinate a "massive advertiser boycott" after billionaire Elon Musk bought the company in 2022. The World Federation of Advertisers has confirmed that it's discontinuing its Global Alliance for Responsible Media initiative. X, formerly Twitter, sued the World Federation of Advertisers and member companies Unilever, Mars, CVS Health and Orsted on Tuesday. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Texas, took particular aim at GARM. The end of GARM' may mark a victory for X right now, but the company could still face a lengthy battle in court with the group of advertisers it's sued.
Are you a Cash App user? You may be eligible for a piece of this $15 million settlement
NEW YORK (AP) -- Current and former Cash App users could be eligible for a hefty piece of a proposed class-action settlement from the popular online payment service. Earlier this year, Cash App Investing and its parent company Block Inc. agreed to pay $15 million to settle a lawsuit . The suit alleged a "failure to exercise reasonable care" in protecting user information leading up to and after recent data breaches. The class-action complaint cited two incidents where access to some account data was compromised. It said this resulted in numerous unauthorized charges impacting Cash App customers. Now, those consumers can submit a claim for a settlement payment -- which could include reimbursement of up to $2,500 in out-of-pocket losses -- ahead of final approval.