>>World Bank Has Gloomy Outlook For Global Economy
(Washington, DC) -- The World Bank says the global economy is slowing for the third straight year. In a new report, it projects global growth to dip to two-point-four percent from two-point-six in 2023. Growth is then expected to edge higher in 2025, but it will increase at a rate well below that of the 2010s. The bank's latest Global Economic Prospects report warns that escalating conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East could significantly impact energy prices and inflation along with economic growth.
>>Post Pandemic Rents Are Forcing A Third Of Generation Z To Live With Parents
(New York, NY) -- A third of Gen Z live with a parent or family member because they can't afford to rent or buy their own place. According to a new survey from Inuit Credit Karma, 31-percent of Gen Z-ers are living with parents after being hit particularly hard by high housing costs, elevated interest rates and stagnant wage growth. Renting isn't any better -- in 2022, 30-percent of the median income is now needed to pay the average rent for the first time. Last year, the typical first-time homeowner was 36 years old, according to the Association of Realtors. That's a record high, and a full decade older than the oldest Gen Zer.
>>X Announces Peer-To-Peer Payments Coming In 2024
(San Francisco, CA) -- The social media platform X will launch peer-to-peer payments this year. The Elon Musk-owned company made the announcement in a blog post Tuesday. X said the new feature will unlock more user utility and new opportunities for commerce. Musk has pushed for X to become an "everything app" since he bough the company for 44-billion dollars in 2022. X did not provide any further details on how the payment system will work or when it will become available.
>>NFL Offers Buyouts To Employees
(New York, NY) -- The NFL is offering voluntary buyouts to at least 200 employees. That's according to a memo obtained by CNBC. As the League gears up for the start of playoffs, it says it's being "increasingly challenged to be agile, responsible and strategic." The league has been thriving financially, hitting nearly 12-billion dollars in revenue in 2022. It reportedly sent the buyout memo to employees aged 50 and older.
>>Walmart Unveils New A.I. Search Tools
(Las Vegas, NV) -- Walmart is looking to artificial intelligence to help online shoppers. The retailer unveiled two new A.I.-powered search tools on Tuesday at the CES tech conference in Las Vegas. The tools are designed to help shoppers find products quicker and to automate the process of reordering frequently purchased items. Walmart says shoppers using the new search tools will be able to use terms such as "football watch party" to receive a curated list of products instead of searching for each item individually. The features are currently available to iOS users and will be rolled out on the website and on Android apps later this year.
>>Intel Shows Off Chip To Power Vehicle A.I. Features
(Las Vegas, NV) -- Intel is showing off a new chip designed to power artificial intelligence features in vehicles. The chip company showed off the tech this week at CES 2024, the annual consumer tech expo in Las Vegas. The chip, which is still a long ways out from hitting the road, could power A.I. features to make the driving experience more personal, allowing the vehicle to monitor the driver and passengers.
