Costco Says Its New Pre-Scan Checkout System Takes 8 Seconds — So I Put It to the Test
Costco is piloting a "pre‑scan" checkout system that promises an eight‑second transaction by having employees scan items while shoppers wait in line. Early trials in a Raleigh warehouse showed mixed results: one successful scan saved time, while another failed and required a traditional checkout. The pilot aims to ease congestion without fully eliminating lines, positioning Costco against rivals like Sam’s Club that already offer app‑based skip‑the‑line options. CEO Ron Vachris highlighted positive member feedback but acknowledged the technology still needs refinement.
Prologis Q1 2026: Data Centers Steal the Show
Prologis posted a strong Q1 2026, beating both revenue and earnings expectations, with net earnings jumping to $980 million and FFO rising to $1.50 per share. The company launched $2.1 billion of new development, including a $1.3 billion data‑center push that now secures 5.6 GW...
Kyodo News Digest: April 18, 2026
Japan and Australia signed contracts for the first three of eleven frigates based on the upgraded Mogami‑class, deepening defence ties amid China’s assertiveness. Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is open for commercial ships during a Lebanon cease‑fire, while the...
Welcome to the Second Gilded Age
The piece declares that the United States has entered a "Second Gilded Age," where record housing cost burdens, stagnant real wages and tech‑driven monopoly power echo the 1870‑1914 era. It traces the shift to free‑market policies beginning with Reagan, deregulation,...
What To Watch Saturday: WrestleMania 42, Bryan Fuller's Dust Bunny, And More
Saturday’s TV slate blends live sports, premium drama and niche movies, highlighting the evolving media landscape. WWE’s WrestleMania 42 Night 1 streams on the ESPN App at 6 p.m. ET, drawing a global audience and premium ad dollars. At 8 p.m., HBO launches Bryan...
Comesa Okays Green Hydrogen Energy Plan
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) approved a 2026 Action Plan and Green Hydrogen Roadmap to diversify its power mix and address chronic supply gaps. The plan establishes a regional Centre of Excellence on Green Hydrogen to...
Bheja Fry Stars Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey Got only Rs 25,000 Each; Film Made Rs 11 Cr
The 2007 comedy Bheja Fry, made on a shoestring budget of about ₹1.5 crore (~$180k), earned roughly ₹11.8 crore (~$1.42 million) worldwide. Its three leads—Rajat Kapoor, Vin Pathak and Ranvir Shorey—were each paid only ₹25,000 (≈$300) for the 22‑day shoot. The film’s unexpected sleeper‑hit...
Cabinet Approves ₹24,815 Crore Rail Capacity Projects, to Add 601 Km Across UP, Andhra Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two multitracking railway projects worth ₹24,815 crore (approximately $3 billion), adding about 601 km of third and fourth lines across Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The upgrades cover the 403 km Ghaziabad‑Sitapur corridor, currently operating at 168% capacity, and...
Where To Find All Chaos Cubes In Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2
Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2 introduces a Dark Voyager quest line where players hunt 70 glowing Chaos Cubes across the map. The first 40 cubes are available immediately, with 30 more added every two weeks. Each cube awards 4 K XP, and completing...
Spotify Spotlights Premium with AI DJ and Lossless Audio Push
Spotify has launched a five‑week, multi‑channel campaign in India to promote its Premium tier, spotlighting two new features: an AI‑driven DJ that curates music in real time and lossless‑quality audio for richer sound. The ads emphasize personalization and high‑fidelity listening,...
Kelvinator Uses "Frozen" Live Performer at Carter Road to Showcase Air Conditioner Efficacy
Kelvinator launched a three‑day experiential activation called “Summer Paused” on Mumbai’s Carter Road promenade, featuring a live performer frozen in mid‑motion against an icy backdrop. The installation includes interactive games like “Break the Freeze” and an Instagram‑driven content mechanic to...
Emergency Room Survey Uncovers Measles Vaccine Gaps and Hesitancy Across the US
A University of California Riverside‑led study surveyed 2,459 adult patients in ten U.S. emergency departments and uncovered widespread gaps in knowledge, receipt, and acceptance of the measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine. The data, collected from April to December 2024, show that many...
Palantir, Thales, and a Startup Are Competing to Build the FAA’s Predictive Air Traffic AI
The Federal Aviation Administration is developing SMART, an AI-driven system that will extend air‑traffic conflict prediction from the current 15‑minute window to two hours. Palantir, Thales, and Boston‑based startup Air Space Intelligence are vying for the contract, which sits within...
ICICI Bank Beats Profit Forecast on Robust Lending Growth
ICICI Bank, India’s second‑largest private lender, reported net profit of ₹137 billion ($1.5 billion) for the March quarter, an 8.5% year‑over‑year increase. The earnings beat the Bloomberg consensus of ₹127.03 billion, driven by strong loan‑book expansion across retail, SME and corporate segments. The...
Lessons From Global Media Markets on Building Enduring Content Franchises
Global media success now hinges on building IP ecosystems rather than single‑hit shows. Rose Audio Visuals emphasizes franchise potential, citing examples like Stranger Things, Money Heist, Squid Game, and creator‑driven brands such as MrBeast. The article argues that authentic regional...
India Approves $1.4 Billion Maritime Insurance Pool
India has approved a 129.8‑billion‑rupee ($1.4 billion) guarantee for a new maritime insurance pool that will run for ten years, with a possible five‑year extension. The pool, backed by the government, will cover hull, machinery, cargo and war‑related risks, addressing a...
All Rocket League Rivals and Rockets Rewards: How to Get Havoc Car
Epic Games’ Rivals and Rockets crossover, running from April 17 to the end of the month, links Rocket League and Fortnite with shared challenges and rewards. Players complete five Rocket League tasks for 10,000 XP each and a Drippy Player...
No 2 Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing
The RAF Regiment’s 34 Squadron transitioned in summer 2022 into a dedicated counter‑uncrewed aerial systems unit, forming the core of the No 2 Counter‑Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing at RAF Leeming. The wing, alongside 63 Squadron and the 609 Royal Auxiliary Air...
Tycoon 2FA Loses Phishing Kit Crown Amid Surge in Attacks
Tycoon 2FA, once the dominant phishing‑as‑a‑service platform with an 89% market share, lost its crown after a coordinated law‑enforcement seizure of 330 domains in March. Barracuda Networks reports that attacks using the four major kits—Tycoon, Mamba, EvilProxy and Sneaky—have risen from...
Asus TUF Gaming A14 (2026) Review: GPU-Less Gaming Laptop
The Asus TUF Gaming A14 replaces a traditional discrete GPU with AMD’s new Max+ 392 APU, delivering integrated graphics that can reach 71 fps at 1200p medium settings. Its 14‑inch chassis packs a 2560×1600, 165 Hz display and a robust port selection,...
How To Find And Hire NPCs In Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2
Fortnite Chapter 7, Season 2 adds a roster of sea‑faring and returning NPCs, each offering gold‑priced services such as health boosts, ammo restocks, Rift activation, or specialist hires. Players locate NPCs via the Characters screen at spots like Builder's Barracks, Squibbly Shores,...
Kanavi= "I Focused on Farming Rather Than Defending the Bottom Dive"
Hanwha Life Esports defeated Gen.G 2‑0 in the first round of the 2026 LCK regular season, improving its record to 5‑1. The team secured an early advantage in Game 1 and, despite a rough start in Game 2, used disciplined macro play...
Building Circularity at Scale: How Beverage Bottlers Are Powering India’s Recycling Ecosystem
India’s non‑alcoholic beverage market, worth about $15 billion in 2024, is set to grow at a 7.36 % CAGR through 2030, driving consumption of 250‑300 million plastic bottles daily. The government’s updated Plastic Waste Management Rules impose Extended Producer Responsibility and a 40 %...
Grain Economics of Whisky: How Barley, Water and Volatility Are Reshaping India’s Single Malt Playbook
India’s single‑malt whisky sector is moving beyond novelty by leveraging its native six‑row barley and diverse mineral water sources. The high diastatic power of six‑row barley ensures stable starch conversion even under climate‑driven crop variability, while contract‑farming partnerships improve kernel...
Austria Recalls Baby Food Jars in Health Scare
HiPP, a leading baby‑food supplier in Austria, has recalled its entire line of 190‑gram carrot‑potato baby food jars sold at SPAR after authorities could not rule out tampering with a lethal substance. The recall is identified by a white label...
Far Cry 7 Development Reportedly In Trouble
Ubisoft’s next flagship, Far Cry 7, is reportedly in development trouble, with insider Tom Henderson describing it as a "complete mess" and several years from release. The studio aims to shift the series toward a stronger multiplayer focus, adding a 24‑hour time‑limit...
FABULOUS and AMT Certify a Complete SLS Workflow for Food-Contact 3D Printed Parts
FABULOUS and Additive Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) have jointly validated a complete SLS workflow for food‑contact parts, pairing FABULOUS’s bio‑based DETECT PA11 polyamide with AMT’s PostPro Pure vapor‑smoothing consumable. Independent testing confirmed compliance with U.S. FDA 21 CFR §177.1500 and EU Regulation No 10/2011, with extractable‑substance levels...
Amnesty Flags Growing Censorship Risks in India’s Proposed Digital Media Framework
Amnesty International has called for the immediate withdrawal of India’s proposed Information Technology (IT) Rules amendments, warning they grant the state sweeping powers to censor and monitor online content. The draft expands the definition of “news and current affairs” to...
Gen.G's 'Canyon': "The Game Flow Felt Unnatural"
Gen.G was swept 0‑2 by Hanwha Life Esports, dropping its record to 3‑3 after a dominant 29‑1 season last year. Head coach Yoo Sang‑wook called the defeat "listless" and blamed a rigid, objective‑focused approach. Star mid‑laner ‘Canyon’ echoed the sentiment,...
India’s Protein Revolution: Why Dairy Still Holds and Advantage over Alternatives
India’s protein market, worth $1.6 billion in 2026, is projected to exceed $2.2 billion by 2030 as rising incomes and health awareness drive demand. Despite this growth, roughly 73 % of the population remains protein‑deficient, creating a sizable consumption gap. Dairy retains a...
3 ETFs to Benefit From Oil Price Surge Without Direct Investment
Oil prices have surged, prompting investors to seek indirect exposure through specialized ETFs. The Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF (PXJ) delivered roughly 40% YTD return with a 2.26% dividend yield, while the iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services...
Should You Rent an EV for Your Road Trip? As Gas Prices Rise, Let's Look at the Costs
As gasoline prices climb amid global supply strains, rental firms are expanding electric‑vehicle (EV) fleets with daily rates between $40 and $90, often matching or undercutting gas‑car prices. Electricity costs range from $0.08 to $0.20 per mile, but fast‑charging fees...
From Farm to Fashion: Why India’s Textile Future Begins in the Fields
India’s textile sector, a historic global powerhouse, now leverages Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 5F vision—Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign—to create a fully integrated value chain. The government’s PM MITRA mega‑textile parks and a Production...
India’s HDFC Bank Beats Estimates on Strong Loan Growth
HDFC Bank, India’s largest private‑sector lender, posted a 9% rise in net profit to 192.21 billion rupees ($2.1 billion) for the quarter ended March, beating the Bloomberg consensus of 182.35 billion rupees. The earnings beat came on the back of strong loan‑book expansion...
AI in Manufacturing
Manufacturers are eager for AI, but most systems falter when faced with the complex, multimodal data that powers real‑world equipment failures. While AI can surface hidden knowledge and reduce dependence on veteran technicians, accuracy often stalls at 40‑60% on technical...
Renishaw Introduces True-Absolute Multi-DoF Encoder System
Renishaw has launched a true‑absolute multi‑degree‑of‑freedom (Multi‑DoF) optical encoder system that pairs its RXMA30 1.5D scales with RESOLUTE absolute encoder readheads. The solution delivers position measurement across up to six axes, allowing direct X‑Y tracking without complex signal processing. By...
Slowpoke | Pokémon Guide
The Pocket Tactics guide offers a comprehensive look at Pokémon Slowpoke, covering its evolution paths, in‑game locations, base stats, and full moveset across all generations. Slowpoke evolves into Slowbro at level 37 and into Slowking via a trade holding a King’s...
OneArc Update on Latest Deals and a New FPV Drone Trainer
OneArc, created in December 2025 from the merger of Bohemia Interactive, Pitch and Terrasim, announced its latest deals and the debut of its FPV drone trainer, Flowstate, at the ITEC exhibition in London. The company highlighted the rapid migration of roughly...
Ukraine Has Finally Given Up on Trump
Ukraine has publicly abandoned reliance on the United States after a year of dwindling aid under President Trump. Kyiv is accelerating diplomatic and military outreach to Gulf states, Germany, and other European partners, leveraging its rapidly expanding drone industry. President...
This Modern Egyptian Restaurant Is London’s Fieriest Opening of the Year
Super 8’s newest venture, Impala, has opened in Soho, delivering a 90‑cover restaurant centered on an open‑fire grill. Chef Meedu Saad, formerly of Kiln, spent five years developing the concept, drawing on Egyptian heritage, Japanese technique and British produce. The space blends...
GAC Aion Unveils Battery-Electric Saloon with Swappable Battery From CATL
GAC Aion has introduced the Aion RT Super, a battery‑electric sedan equipped with CATL’s 54 kWh LFP “Chocolate‑Swap” pack that can be exchanged in roughly 90 seconds. The vehicle is priced at ¥88,800 (about $12,200) with the battery sold as a lease, lowering...
ICICI Bank Q4 Results: Profit Rises 8.5% YoY; NII up 8.4% YoY to ₹22,979 Crore
ICICI Bank reported a solid Q4 FY26 performance, with standalone profit climbing 8.5% YoY to ₹13,701.68 crore (≈$1.65 bn) and net interest income rising 8.4% to ₹22,979 crore (≈$2.77 bn). Total deposits surged 11.4% YoY to ₹1,794,625 crore (≈$216 bn), while advances grew 15.8% YoY, driven...
Pirelli Raises Prices as Part of Middle East Crisis Mitigation Plan
Pirelli has activated a mitigation plan to counter the Middle East crisis, combining price hikes with cost‑cutting measures. The firm presented its 2025 full‑year results, confirming 2026 forecasts but noting adjusted EBIT may sit at the lower end of guidance....
Marriott Launches Autograph Collection in India: Exclusive
Marriott International announced the launch of its Autograph Collection in India, debuting with the Noormahal palace hotel in Karnal, Haryana. The addition brings Marriott’s brand count in the country to 19 and underscores its strategy to grow a portfolio of...
All REMs Locations for Diana in Pragmata
Hardcore Gamer’s Adam Beck has compiled a comprehensive walkthrough that pinpoints every one of the sixteen Read Earth Memories (REMs) tied to Diana in the sci‑fi adventure Pragmata. The guide breaks down each hidden REM by sector, from the Globe in...
Japan's Sony, Honda to Pursue New Opportunities After Scrapping Afeela 1 EV, Reports Nikkei
Sony Group and Honda Motor announced they will abandon development of the Afeela 1 electric vehicle within their 50‑50 joint venture Sony Honda Mobility. The cancellation follows Honda’s overhaul of its EV strategy and forces the venture to decide the fate...
A Guide To Enjoying The East Coast’s Newest Chlorine Tube
Atlantic Park Surf has opened a 46‑module Wavegarden Cove wave pool in Virginia Beach, pairing the artificial surf experience with The Sitio, a 20‑room boutique hotel. The venue, backed by Pharrell, offers a surf‑and‑stay package that includes daily wave sessions...
Michigan's Oldest Hotel Is Brimming With Historic Charm Between Ann Arbor And Kalamazoo
The National House Inn in Marshall, Michigan, is the state’s oldest hotel, originally opened in 1835 as a stagecoach stop and revived in 1976 after a century-long hiatus. The Federal‑style brick building now offers 15 uniquely decorated Victorian‑era rooms equipped...
Adani, SEC Seek More Time in US Court; Propose New Schedule in Securities Case
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Indian businessmen Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani have asked a New York federal court to extend filing deadlines in their civil securities lawsuit. Both parties submitted a revised schedule that pushes the Adanis'...
One of London’s Poshest Neighbourhoods Could Be Getting a New Hotel for Dogs
Fido’s of Fitzrovia, a high‑end pet grooming centre in London’s Fitzrovia, has applied to Westminster Council for permission to operate an overnight dog hotel on its ground and basement floors. The proposed facility would feature six temperature‑controlled sleeping pods and...