Browsed by
Month: July 2025

4 ways to keep your financial data safe

4 ways to keep your financial data safe

With data breaches and new scams constantly emerging, you might be wondering: How can I keep my financial data safe?

Related Articles

The bad news? It’s not easy, especially given the increasing sophistication of scammers.

“There’s no silver bullet to protect you from all threats,” says John Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud at the National Consumers League, a nonprofit advocacy group.

The good news?

“There are steps you can take to reduce your risk,” he says.

Experts share their tips for keeping your financial information safe. read more

Disney: Jordin Sparks, Beach Boys set for Epcot concerts

Disney: Jordin Sparks, Beach Boys set for Epcot concerts

Walt Disney World has revealed the performers for this year’s Eat to the Beat concert series, the musical element of the Epcot International Food  & Wine Festival. New acts on the list include Jordin Sparks, KT Tunstall and, in the final concerts of 2025, the Beach Boys.

The lineup includes several returning favorites, including Boyz II Men, Hanson (the only act on stage for four nights), Tiffany, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy and Joey Fatone & Friends, which will be the opening headliner act on Aug. 29, the Friday before Labor Day.

The schedule, subject to change, includes:

• Aug. 29-30: Joey Fatone & Friends

Aug. 31-Sept. 1: MercyMe

Sept. 5-6: KT Tunstall

Sept. 7-8: TobyMac

Sept. 12-14: Starship featuring Mickey Thomas

Sept. 15: Bacilos

Sept. 19-20: Sheila E.

Sept. 21-22: Ben Rector

Sept. 26-27: Tiffany

Sept. 28-29: Jesse & Joy

Disney World: Epcot’s revamped Test Track zooms to future

Oct. 3-4: Baha Men

Oct. 5-6: TBA

Oct. 10-11: The Wanted 2.0 read more

Tesla sales plunge again as anti-Musk boycott shows staying power and rivals pounce on the weakness

Tesla sales plunge again as anti-Musk boycott shows staying power and rivals pounce on the weakness

By BERNARD CONDON, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Sales of Tesla electric cars fell sharply in the last three months as boycotts over Elon Musk’s political views continue to keep buyers away, a significant development given expectations that anger with the company’s billionaire CEO would have faded by now.

The 13% sales plunge over a year earlier suggests Musk’s embrace of U.S. President Donald Trump and far-right politicians in Europe has had a deep and enduring impact on Tesla’s brand appeal. The new figures reported by Tesla on Wednesday also show rival electric-vehicle makers have wasted no time pouncing on the company’s weakness to steal market share, and signals Tesla’s quarterly earnings report later this month could also disappoint.

Sales fell to 384,122 in April through June, down from 443,956 in the same three months last year. During the latest period, Musk formally left the Trump administration as a cost-cutting czar, and hopes rose that sales would recover. Musk himself recently said that Tesla was in the midst of a “major rebound” in sales. read more

Lululemon’s lawsuit against Costco highlights the rise of fashion ‘dupes’

Lululemon’s lawsuit against Costco highlights the rise of fashion ‘dupes’

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Business Writers

NEW YORK (AP) — Fashion “dupes,” or less expensive versions of high-end clothing and other accessories, are just about everywhere these days. They’re also drawing some businesses into legal battles.

In the latest example, Lululemon filed a lawsuit against Costco on Friday, accusing the wholesale club operator of selling lower-priced duplicates of some of its popular athleisure apparel.

Across the retail industry, it’s far from a new phenomenon. But social media is pushing the culture of online dupe shopping to new heights as influencers direct their followers to where they can buy the knockoffs. Want a taste of Hermès’ $1,000 fuzzy slippers? Target has a version for $15. Looking for a $2,800 price Bottega Veneta hobo bag? There’s a version for $99 on online clothing and accessories upstart Quince, which has become a go-to for fashionistas.

It’s not even the first time Lululemon has encountered what it says are knockoffs of its clothing, which often carry steep price tags of over $100 each for leggings and sporty zip-ups. Without specifying additional sellers beyond Costco in Friday’s complaint, Lululemon noted that a handful of companies have “replicated or copied” its apparel to sell cheaper offerings — including those popularized online through hashtags like “LululemonDupes” on TikTok and other social media platforms. read more

Microsoft’s largest layoff in years hits Xbox, sales and other divisions

Microsoft’s largest layoff in years hits Xbox, sales and other divisions

By MATT O’BRIEN, AP Technology Writer

Microsoft is firing thousands of workers, its second mass layoff in months and its largest in more than two years.

The tech giant began sending out layoff notices Wednesday that hit the company’s Xbox video game business and other divisions.

The company declined to say how many people would be laid off but said that it will comprise less than 4% of the workforce it had a year ago.

Microsoft said the cuts will affect multiple teams around the world, including its sales division.

“We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace,” it said in a statement.

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer also sent a memo to employees Wednesday that said the cuts would position the video game business “for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas.”

It would also “follow Microsoft’s lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness,” Spencer wrote. read more