The U.S. government reopened today after a record 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history. President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan funding package late Wednesday night to end the stalemate.
The deal, approved by the House in a 222-to-209 vote, keeps the government running through January and restores funding for key agencies for the rest of fiscal 2026.
The agreement reverses mass federal layoffs and allows furloughed workers to return immediately. It also restarts critical food and nutrition programs relied on by millions. But the measure only funds operations until January 30 and excludes an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, leaving that fight for Congress next year.
Starbucks Workers Walk Out at 65 U.S. Stores on Red Cup Day
Image Credit: TIMOTHY A.CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
Tensions are brewing at Starbucks.
More than 1,000 unionized employees staged strikes at 65 Starbucks locations across 45 cities during the coffee chain’s Red Cup Day, one of its busiest annual promotion events. Starbucks Workers United, the organizing union, says the walk-outs aim to boost pressure on Starbucks management after nearly eight months without meaningful contract talks.
The workers are demanding higher pay, more stable hours, improved staffing and the resolution of hundreds of unfair-labor practice claims. Starbucks says most of its 10,000 U.S. company-owned stores remain open and operating normally
Bananas and Coffee Are About to Get Cheaper
Image Credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Financial relief may be coming to the grocery aisles soon, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
He said the administration is preparing tariff adjustments aimed at lowering the cost of imported goods such as coffee, bananas, and other agricultural products. Bessent called the upcoming changes “substantial” and said they’re designed to deliver quick relief to consumers without waiting for Congress to act.
Coffee prices have surged nearly 19 percent over the past year, driven in part by supply constraints and import duties. The cuts, expected to be announced in the coming days, could make breakfast a little cheaper again.
Disney Stock Slides After Q4 Revenue Falls Short
Image Credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The Walt Disney Company missed revenue forecasts this quarter as weak TV numbers dragged on results. The company reported $22.46 billion in revenue, falling short of Wall Street’s $22.75 billion estimate.
There were a few bright spots. Earnings of $1.11 per share beat expectations. Linear television, once Disney’s cash cow, saw revenue drop 16 percent as cord-cutting deepened and ad sales slipped. Streaming grew 8 percent. Theme parks stayed strong. But investors zeroed in on the slowdown.
Disney shares plunged more than 8 percent Wednesday, a sharp reminder that even the world’s most famous entertainment powerhouse isn’t immune to changing viewing habits.
Verizon Plans to Dial Back Its Workforce by 15,000
Image Credit: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Verizon Communications is moving ahead with what would be its largest workforce reduction to date, planning to ax around 15,000 positions, or about 15 % of its U.S. staff, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The cuts will include both layoffs and the transition of roughly 200 corporate retail stores into franchised outlets, shifting those workers off Verizon’s payroll.
The telecom giant, which has lost postpaid mobile customers for three straight quarters, says the move is part of a broader effort by its new leadership to reduce costs and boost efficiency. It is part of a disturbing trend that has seen companies slash thousands of jobs in recent months as they tighten budgets and brace for a more uncertain year ahead.
Apple’s New Pocket Sock Is Ridiculed Online
Image Credit: Apple
Apple launched a new iPhone accessory this week called the iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted sleeve designed with Issey Miyake. It comes in a small version for about $150 and a longer cross-body style for roughly $230. The company describes it as a simple, textile-first way to carry a phone.
The internet was not impressed. According to CNN News, within hours, social media users questioned why a fabric pouch costs more than many of its gadgets. “$230 for a cut-up sock,” one user wrote on X.
Apple hopes the design will blur the line between fashion and tech, but early reactions indicated consumers prefer socks for feet, not phones.
Russian AI Robot Faceplants During Debut
Russia presented its human-like AI robot. It fell down as it walked onto the stage. pic.twitter.com/YAk7w2SsWV
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 11, 2025
Russian robotics took a stumble this week in Moscow, when AIDOR, the country’s newly unveiled humanoid robot, toppled forward during its big public debut. The machine was introduced with fanfare and the Rocky theme playing as developers touted it as a major step in Russia’s push into advanced AI. Moments later, it lost its balance and crashed to the floor in front of reporters. Engineers blamed a calibration issue and said the fall was part of the learning process. The clip quickly went viral, turning what was meant to be a showcase of technological progress into an unexpected punchline.
The U.S. government reopened today after a record 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history. President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan funding package late Wednesday night to end the stalemate.
The deal, approved by the House in a 222-to-209 vote, keeps the government running through January and restores funding for key agencies for the rest of fiscal 2026.
The agreement reverses mass federal layoffs and allows furloughed workers to return immediately. It also restarts critical food and nutrition programs relied on by millions. But the measure only funds operations until January 30 and excludes an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, leaving that fight for Congress next year.
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