Author: Editor-In-Chief

Hollywood breathed a sigh of relief. Gen Z isn’t just going to the movies, they’re also driving box office growth.During the pandemic, when theaters closed and streaming became a dominant force in the media landscape, there was growing concern that this younger generation would shun the big screen as they grow into more engaged consumers. But this generation, roughly 14 to 29 years old, is one of the most active movie-going demographics, going to more movies per year than some older generations, according to Fandango data.In 2025, Gen Zers watched an average of seven movies in theaters, matching the average…

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue Summit in Singapore on May 29, 2026 (Photo by JAM STA ROSA/AFP, Getty Images)Jamstarosa | AFP | Getty ImagesDefense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said that despite increasing defense spending and revising arms export guidelines, “the door to dialogue is always open” to the international community.At the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan has always respected international law, adding, “Japan’s path as a peaceful nation has been valued by the region and the international community. This fact is true and will not be swayed by false claims.”He also said…

In the early 2000s, when music executive Anjula Acharya began shipping superstar actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas to Hollywood, her label partner Jimmy Iovine (the name behind pop sensations like Eminem and Lady Gaga) told her it was 20 years too early to bring South Asian talent to the United States.Currently, Acharia is warner music group Focuses on investing in South Asian artists specifically in the US”It sounded crazy to think 20 years too soon, but now, 20 years later, we’re seeing an explosion of people like Diljit Dosanjh and Karan Aujla… South Asian artists are coming here and really selling…

Josh Brown, one of Wall Street’s most prominent financial advisors, said the rise of passive investing is creating demand for a different type of product: concentrated portfolios aimed at capturing the market’s biggest winners. The Ritholtz Wealth Management CEO and CNBC contributor recently launched an independently managed account called Porterhouse. The account, named after the premium cut of steak, was built to hold what he believes is the best opportunity in the market. Run in partnership with Franklin Templeton, our rules-based momentum strategy favors companies with strong revenue growth and sustained stock price strength.”Everyone has broad stock market diversification. You…

After the Iran war, oil markets may face the new reality that exports through the Strait of Hormuz will not return to levels once considered normal. Shipowners now have to consider the risk of sudden fighting erupting in the volatile Persian Gulf. Additionally, if Hormuz is under Iran’s de facto control, Western commercial ships are likely to be reluctant to transit through Hormuz, especially if they have to work with the Revolutionary Guards, putting them at risk of violating U.S. sanctions. Given the important role Holmes plays in global energy markets, this is a scenario with consequences that are difficult…

Shoppers enter and exit Dior’s luxury boutique in Venice, Italy, on November 16, 2025.Michael Nguyen/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesTravelers to Europe may leave money on the table when they buy goods there. I learned about this during a recent trip to Italy. My girlfriend bought shoes in Venice and was able to claim a refund of the VAT she paid on the purchase. She ended up getting back €17 (US$20) of her total purchase of €155 (US$181). Refunds on the value-added tax, known as VAT, can be worth “a lot of money” to U.S. travelers to Europe, depending on what they…

The American flag flies near the container ship Evermemo in the Port of Los Angeles on May 28, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Tama Mario | Getty ImagesBusinesses large and small are starting to receive tax refunds after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump lacks the constitutional authority to impose high import taxes on goods from nearly every other country.But the process could come to a standstill after the Trump administration announced Friday that it intends to appeal a federal judge’s order allowing it to seek refunds from all companies that paid the voided tariffs, not just…

Provisions in a bill to be introduced in the U.S. Congress could bring the U.S. and Israeli militaries closer together and deepen cooperation in weapons research, production, and technology.The proposal, titled “U.S.-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative,” will appear as Section 224 in the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027, the U.S.’s annual defense policy bill.Recommended stories list of two itemsend of listThis measure is still in its early stages. The NDAA sets U.S. military policy and is passed annually by Congress to authorize defense programs and spending levels.If passed, this…

SoftBank Group today announced plans to spend up to 75 billion euros (approximately $87 billion) to expand data center capacity in France. The company said its goal is to develop and operate up to 5 gigawatts of additional data center capacity. The first phase of the plan will see the construction of data centers in Dunkirk (Rune Plage), Bosker and Bouchamps, delivering 3.1 GW of capacity to the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. SoftBank, an OpenAI investor and customer, says this will be its largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. In a statement, French Economy Minister Laurent Lescure called the announcement…

Making more money may seem like the answer to dealing with financial stress and anxiety. But new data suggests that increasing income alone may not help much.A new survey of 1,875 U.S. adults by investment app Acorns found that increasing income does not significantly reduce financial anxiety. Based on the survey results, what soothed respondents was the increase in their household’s net worth (assets minus debts). According to the Acorns survey, just over half (51%) of respondents making less than $20,000 a year said they felt financially insecure, compared to 46% of those making $60,000 to $80,000 a year.65% of…