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Mail Online •

Fury as Southwest CEO nets incredible one-day jackpot for axing perk

By BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 00:37, 14 March 2025 | Updated: 00:43, 14 March 2025 Southwest Airlines is making one of its most controversial changes in decades — and its CEO just made a fortune from the unpopular move. Southwest shocked its loyal customers by announcing it would start charging for checked bags, a major reversal for an airline that branded itself with a 'two bags fly free' for over 50 years. Investors, however, loved the move. The share p...
Mail Online •

Iconic chain forecasts rocky 2025 as recession fears swirl

17:14, 11 Mar 2025, updated

17:22, 11 Mar 2025



By

BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

A department store is bracing for a challenging year ahead. It joins a growing list of retailers forecasting some cloudy skies in their 2025 sales futures.

Kohl's, the Wisconsin-based store with over 1,100 locations, has lowered its sales expectations for 2025, citing shifting consumer spending patterns.

In its latest forecast, the retailer...
Mail Online •

Stock index suffers worst day since 2022 as Trump stokes fears

By BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 14:57, 10 March 2025 | Updated: 20:20, 12 March 2025 Wall Street kicked off the week with one of its worst day in three years, as investors wrestled with economic uncertainty and fresh turbulence from Washington.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 890 points on Monday, down over 2 percent, while the S&P 500 tumbled 2.7 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell the furthest, shedding 4 percent in the day's trading. It was the wors...
Mail Online •

Why you could spend thousands more to own a car this year

15:24, 08 Mar 2025, updated

15:36, 08 Mar 2025



By

BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Car owners, get ready to pay even more.

President Trump launched tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in February. The import tax is part of his administration's broader economic agenda that hopes to bring manufacturing employment back to the U.S.

But that policy threatens to drive up car costs for Americans that are already at historic hig...
Mail Online •

Stock market tumbles even further as Trump tariffs spark market panic

18:22, 04 Mar 2025, updated

21:10, 04 Mar 2025



By

BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
and
AP

Wall Street fell deep in the red Tuesday as a full-blown trade war between the U.S. and its top trading partners rattled investors.

The losses erased most stock gains accumulated since inauguration day.

The Trump administration's tariffs, which launched on March 4, impose a tax on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico....
Rolling Stone •

'Drag Race' Star Shangela Sued for Sexual Assault in New Lawsuit

Less than a year after Rolling Stone’s investigation into former RuPaul’s Drag Race star Shangela uncovered sexual assault allegations from five accusers — along with a separate civil lawsuit settlement — the celebrity drag performer is facing their second sexual assault lawsuit.



Eric Poff, 35, who performed under adult film pseudonym Dakota Payne, filed a civil lawsuit against Darius Jeremy (“DJ”) Pierce, 44, in New York’s Supreme Court, according to documents obtained by Rolling Stone. Po...
Autobody News •

As Fisker Bankruptcy Drives Up Repair Costs, Owners Spark Parts Revolution

The Fisker Ocean -- a Toyota Highlander-sized electric SUV with 350 miles of range and a base price below $40,000 -- debuted in American showrooms with mass-market appeal. The vehicle blended a well-appointed design with promises of cutting-edge tech. But after it sold more than 7,000 units in the U.S., things went awry.
Wracked by faulty technical releases, reported financial mismanagement and delivery issues, Fisker put together bankruptcy plans, which received federal approval in October. Fo...
LGBTQ Nation •

GOP candidate who called drag queens "pedophiles" caught partying with drag queens - LGBTQ Nation

As the clock ticked down to the New Year’s Eve ball drop and 2022 became 2023, dozens of LGBTQ+ people and allies gathered at a black-tie event in New York City’s Hudson Yards Mall. With paid tickets required for entry, fancy-clothed guests stepped into a room with sweeping westward views of the Hudson River.Heavy bass reverberated from towering speakers as Aquaria, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 10 and the night’s headline act, took the stage at 11 p.m. The famous drag queen-turned-DJ...
The US Sun •

I drove a 'superstar' electric Hyundai that's faster than a Porsche 911

BATTERY electric cars are typically great sprinters. The immediate electric throttle usually brings EVs to high speeds in a quick lurch - but they're not always faster than some of the most athletic sports cars in the world. But the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is. Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N redefines the electric crossover segment, blending manic speed, striking design, and an aggressive performance focus into a relatively family-friendly car.But let's take a step back to draw out the history of this EV. In 202...
USA TODAY Homefront •

Pros and Cons of Extended Car Warranties

If your car is old and its reliability questionable, an extended car warranty may provide a cost-effective lifeline to keep it on the road longer. The coverage is available at any vehicle age or mileage, providing an extra layer of protection as your vehicle ages out of other warranty options.But not all extended warranty contracts are alike — each has its pros and cons. Some only cover basics, such as your vehicle’s engine parts, while more comprehensive options can pay for towing expenses and...
The US Sun •

I test-drove the Corolla Cross Hybrid - it's fuel-efficient and simple inside

DRIVERS hoping to combine fuel efficiency and practicality in a small, tall daily driver should consider the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Toyota's latest cute-ute is a great value that ditches over-stimulating interiors for more tame functionality. As its name suggests, the Corolla Cross Hybrid takes the well-known Corolla sedan and transforms it into a crossover.Toyota has raised the ride height by three inches, added protective black wheel cladding around the wheel arch, and finished it off w...
The US Sun •

I drove one of the cheapest EVs - the 'Jetsens-like' sedan has sneaky storage

I DROVE an EV with pyrotechnic-level aesthetics and one of the most impressive batteries in the American market. Does that sound like a Cybertruck? Well, it wasn't, and it's likely better. The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a Jetson-like sedan with an extensive battery range.The car's relatively low price compared to the rest of the EV market makes it one of the most compelling battery-electric vehicles.That is, if you like the extremely polarizing back-end design.But let's start with the most impressi...
The US Sun •

I drove one of America's cheapest cars - it's family-friendly with hidden tricks

THE cheapest cars in America's new vehicle market are getting much larger. In The U.S. Sun's latest car review, I drove one of the family-oriented cost-savers. Drivers will find exceptional value behind the wheel of the 2025 Chevy Trax - and I think the crossover SUV has a hidden design element.Chevrolet has given the Trax a dramatic makeover. The cute-ute entered the US market in 2017 with a bulbous, unathletic look. But the second-generation models are stylish, if not a little beefy.It's longe...
The US Sun •

I test-drove discontinued Fiat 500's EV replacement - flaw restricts you in city

THE Fiat 500 is back in America, but this time, it's shocking.Fiat brought back its most iconic car to the US market after a five-year hiatus as an electric vehicle. I test-drove the 2024 Fiat 500e for eight days. It's cute as a button but I don't think the most practical use of money.Fiat discontinued the 500 from the US market in 2019 and focused on selling the vehicles in the European market. In Europe, 500e models sell like gangbusters. The company reported selling 185,000 vehicle units in t...
The US Sun •

I test-drove an attention-grabbing $75k Kia - large SUV gets to 60 mph in 4 secs

A TESLA Model Y driver sped up next to my test car on the highway, flashing a gummy smile and an enthusiastic thumbs-up at my giant EV - but I wasn't driving the headline-grabbing Cybertruck. It was an electric Kia. I test-drove the Kia EV9 for eight days. It's a modern six or seven-passenger electric SUV with dazzling good looks, exceptional tech, and great driving dynamics. Drivers around me took notice. On the first test day, I parked near my house, and someone stopped me on the street and as...
The US Sun •

My Polestar 2 test drive was dreamy - music & coffee lovers find design flaw

THE Polestar 2 is a handsome fellow with a dreamy, luxurious interior and exciting road manners. It's also a direct shot at the EV consumer-dominant Tesla Model 3. The sales pitch would be even better with a few quick tune-ups.I drove the Polestar 2 for five days and was highly impressed with its beauty, power, and usability.Polestar takes an entirely different design approach than other EV companies. From the side profile, the car looks like a sedan perched on a tall suspension and big performa...
Autobody News •

New York State Senate Passes Bill to Curb Sidewalk Parking Near Auto Repair Shops

The New York State Senate approved a bill requiring New York City automotive repair shops to obtain community approval while registering with the DMV. The bill passed the Senate on June 4 and now awaits consideration by the State Assembly after the chamber’s June break.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Gustavo Rivera, D-33, and co-sponsor, Sen. Luis R. Sepúlveda, D-32, hope it will curb illegal parking around auto shops in the space-constrained city. The authors alleged vehicles parked on city sidewalk...
The US Sun •

I drove the new 'Swiss Army knife' SUV with a bed that has an unexpected extra

AN icy blue pickup was perched on Manhattan streets on a drizzly day. I hopped into the SUV-like vehicle with a full-size bed, fraught with expectations - the car didn't disappoint. I drove Honda's new SportTrail trim on the Ridgeline pickup series. It's the buffest version of the cozy work tool. The Ridgeline is not a standard mid-size pickup.Most pickups are built body-on-frame, mounting a separate body onto a rigid, ladder-like chassis. The resulting truck receives a muscular, stiff ride that...
The US Sun •

'To-be-released' EV has no back windshield and uses secret camera tech instead

NEW vehicles across the auto industry are going through a revolutionary change, but one electric carmaker's upcoming vehicle is boldly departing from conventional design norms.

The Polestar 4, a forthcoming car from the nascent electric vehicle startup, has forgone its rear windshield and opted for dozens of cameras and radars.

Several cameras and sensors - like the one just over the driver's side wheel - jut from the car's skeleton Credit: Ben Shimkus for The U.S. Sun

I sat inside the EV's b
The US Sun •

Family-friendly SUV redesign has finally added favorite feats - I got preview

The U.S. Sun took a look inside at cool new add-ons in the 2025 Hyundai Tucson SUV redesign.

TUC SOME TIME I got a 1st look at one of the best family-friendly SUVs on market – they finally listened & added fan-favorite features

HYUNDAI has unveiled its redesign of the 2025 Tuscon SUV and The U.S. Sun got a sneak peek at its extra features at the New York Auto Show.

The Hyundai Tuscon is one of Hyundai Motor Company's most popular vehicles due to its size, versatility, and wallet-friendly star
Rolling Stone •

Actor and Drag Star Shangela Accused of Multiple Sexual Assaults

Shangela was a breakthrough star. With her sharp-tongued retorts, viral catchphrases, and distinctive Southern accent, the gregarious Texas drag queen quickly rose to become one of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s most beloved contestants. “[It’s] like ‘Angela’ with an ‘S-H,’” she explained on the show. “The debutantess of the Deep South.”

Despite an early Season Two elimination when the queen was in her late twenties, a more polished version of the future star returned to the runway for two other installm
The US Sun •

Only 'rare' vehicles are used in American community keeping old cars alive

Laws imposed on a community forced a culture - it still brings generations together

BACK IN TIME Only ‘rare’ old vehicles are used in American community keeping discontinued cars alive – they’re kept going for decades

THE driver door of a fifth-generation Toyota Tercel swung open, screeching in rusty protest - I was gobsmacked to see the car.

The Tercel, Toyota's discontinued entry-level two-door coupe, ceased production in 1998. I had no idea I would ever see one running on the streets after
The US Sun •

I inspected market's 2nd-fastest truck - there are 8 modes from the dashboard

NATURAL light streamed through the Rivian model room's glass casing, feeding the potted monsteras and illuminating the natural-color woods.

Parked between the dashes of natural landscape in New York City's Meatpacking District are three Rivian trucks - I toured them on a recent trip downtown.

The showroom's nature-based design aesthetic is a big part of the point.

They're a fast-growing company central to America's desire to decarbonize future transportation with culture-capturing fan-favorit
The US Sun •

I drove EVs for hours in the winter - I ran into a problem with a $5b solution

IT happened like a slow-motion video just a few hundred yards in front of my rented electric car: A Mazda CX-5 slammed on its brakes moments before careening directly into a highway guardrail.

I watched engine parts crumple and fly over the highway shoulder after the impact. The driver of the Mazda SUV had hit a patch of black ice and lost control. I immediately pulled my EV to the shoulder.

Walking around the wreckage of dismantled bumpers and leaking engine fluids, the driver told me he figu
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