Phone and Internet Outage Hits Eugene, Oregon
A major phone and internet outage has hit Eugene, Oregon, affecting over 2,000 customers. Reports have been received this morning from customers experiencing internet and phone signal outages in the area. X-Finity’s website confirms that more than 2,000 outages are occurring in the Eugene area. Verizon has also reported limited service for data, voice, and text as the company addresses the issues. This is a developing situation, and more information will be provided as it is received.
Dodge Unveils Fully-Electric 670 Horsepower Charger
Dodge has unveiled its fully-electric 670 horsepower Charger, a radical new addition to the iconic US muscle car lineup. The electric Charger offers impressive performance and striking design, with top speeds of 134mph and 137mph. These electric Chargers mark a significant milestone as the first vehicles to utilize Stellantis’s ‘STLA Large’ platform, designed to accommodate extreme power in an electric vehicle.
Facebook and Instagram Restored After Global Outage
Facebook and Instagram have been restored after a global outage attributed to a ‘technical issue’. The disruption impacted users worldwide, highlighting the widespread reliance on Meta’s platforms. Despite recent outages, Meta faces challenges and initiatives, including addressing AI-generated content and legal action in London.
Uncertain Future for Joann Fabrics and Crafts Stores
The future of Joann Fabrics and Crafts stores in Schererville, Hobart, and Michigan City is uncertain as the retail chain considers filing for bankruptcy. The company hopes to reorganize and secure additional capital, but this could entail the closure of underperforming stores. Joann Fabrics currently carries a debt of $976 million and suffered a $200 million loss in the previous year, with net sales declining by 8.3% to $2.2 billion. The traditional brick-and-mortar retail sector has faced significant challenges due to the growing dominance of e-commerce, consumer spending cutbacks influenced by inflation, and surging credit card debt.
MicroStrategy Adds 3,000 Bitcoin to Its Holdings, Bringing Total to 193,000 Coins
MicroStrategy, the largest corporate owner of bitcoin, has added 3,000 tokens to its cryptocurrency holdings, bringing its total to 193,000 coins. With an average price of $51,813 per coin, the company’s unrealized profit from its holdings stands at an impressive $3.8 billion.
IRS Cracks Down on Wrongful Employee Retention Credit Claims
Recent reports from the IRS indicate a crackdown on businesses that wrongfully claimed the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). The IRS has open investigations and under review cases regarding the ERC as of January 25. Those who voluntarily disclose their erroneous claims must provide the name of the promoter who encouraged them to take the credits. The IRS also introduced a voluntary withdrawal program for unprocessed ERC claims. Recipients of disallowed ERC claims will be informed that the IRS will recapture the erroneously claimed payments through normal tax assessment and collection procedures. The IRS is focusing on tax years 2020 and 2021, with impending letters for the latter expected to be sent out this spring as the statute of limitations for 2020 draws near in April.
German trade union calls for Lufthansa ground staff strike
Verdi, a major German trade union, has called for a Lufthansa ground staff strike in Germany on March 7 and 8, potentially causing delays and cancellations. The strike is part of ongoing negotiations for pay raises, with around 25,000 employees represented by the union seeking a 12% increase or a minimum of €500 per month. The strikes have disrupted flights and drawn criticism from Lufthansa, with the upcoming strike tailored to impact passenger flights. The fifth round of talks is scheduled for March 13 and 14, with no signs of a breakthrough in negotiations.
SpaceX Falcon 9 to Launch Transporter-10 Rideshare Mission with 53 Payloads
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket set to launch Transporter-10 rideshare mission with 53 payloads, offering opportunity for small payloads to reach low Earth orbit. Live coverage provided by Spaceflight Now. First stage booster expected to touch down at Landing Zone 4 after fifth flight. Mission to deploy 53 payloads, including satellites from Exolaunch and NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative.
Spirit Airlines Pilots to Reopen Contract Negotiations Amid Industry Developments
Spirit Airlines pilots to reopen contract negotiations amid termination of multi-billion dollar merger deal with JetBlue Airways. The move signifies potential shift in relationship as company seeks to address labor-related issues. Stock market reacts with 10.84% decrease in Spirit Airlines, Inc. Equities (SAVE) stock price. Industry events reverberating across financial markets, prompting shifts in investor sentiment and trading patterns.
Stock Market Fluctuations and Natixis Advisors L.P. Increases Position in Super Micro Computer, Inc.
Today’s stock market saw fluctuations, with the S&P 500 at 5,130.95 (-0.12%), the DOW at 38,989.83 (-0.25%), and the QQQ at 444.02 (-0.36%). Tech giants AAPL and MSFT experienced stock price dips, while NVIDIA (NVDA) showed a significant increase of 3.61%. Natixis Advisors L.P. has increased its position in Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) by 31.4% during the 3rd quarter, with other institutional investors also showing interest in SMCI.