After six years of serving customers in Cranford, Witch Baby has officially closed the doors of its Eastman Street brick-and-mortar store. The closure, which came just before the busy holiday shopping season, reflects the mounting challenges faced by small businesses in New Jersey and beyond. Owners cited rising electricity costs and tariffs as the key reasons for the difficult decision, underscoring the financial pressures that continue to weigh heavily on independent retailers. Wi

Malayalam actress Navya Nair recently faced an unexpected hurdle during her trip to Australia after being fined Rs 1.14 lakh at Melbourne International Airport for carrying jasmine flowers in her luggage. The actress, who had traveled to Melbourne to participate in Onam celebrations organized by the Malayali Association of Victoria, shared her experience at a public event, admitting that she unknowingly violated Australian biosecurity laws.

The wave of layoffs across global technology giants shows no sign of slowing down in 2025. Microsoft, Salesforce, Oracle, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) are the latest to announce large-scale workforce reductions as artificial intelligence reshapes the tech industry. Salesforce revealed plans to cut hundreds of jobs in San Francisco and Seattle, attributing the decision to its AI platform Agentforce, which is no

Walmart has confirmed that its Neighborhood Market at 3112 Santa Rita Road will close on October 2. The store’s pharmacy will also shut down on the same date. Walmart spokesperson Anne Hatfield did not give a specific reason for the closure, but noted there are three Walmart locations within eight miles of the Pleasanton market including a full-service Walmart in Livermore and a newly remodeled Neighborhood Marke

Bravazo, the highly rated Peruvian spot named after a slang word for “excellent,” has opened a new home at 428 Main Street in downtown Pleasanton. The move follows a popular run inside Passion Pastry on Bernal Avenue, and early diners say the Main Street space lives up to the name with friendly service and crowd-pleasing plates. Founded by Lucho Blanco, Bravazo draws on family recipes and the flavors he g

With the rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) completed, the Indian government is preparing a targeted relief package for exporters impacted by steep US tariffs. According to official sources, the Centre is working on a set of schemes designed to help sectors that have been hit hardest by the 50 per cent import duties imposed by President Donald Trump, which included a 25 per cent penalty linked to India’s Russian oil purchases.

Electricity prices across New Jersey have risen dramatically, outpacing the national inflation rate and causing concern for households and businesses alike. New figures released this week reveal that electricity costs in the Garden State have climbed by more than 25 percent over the past year, leaving consumers grappling with higher utility bills. This surge is more than double the overall rate of inflation and represents one of the steepest increases in recent memory. Residents are

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved a major overhaul of India's GST system, effective September 22, 2025. This comprehensive revamp introduces significant changes, impacting everything from household essentials and food items to vehicles and healthcare products. The council has streamlined the tax slabs by reducing the existing four-tier system to just two primary slabs 5% and 18% and introduced a 40% slab for select luxury and harmful it

For decades, Publishers Clearing House was a household name, surprising families across America with oversized checks, balloons, and promises of financial security for life. But in April 2025, the company filed for bankruptcy, and those life-changing promises have now unraveled for many of its prize winners. One of the most striking stories comes from John Wyllie of White City, Oregon, who in 2012 was surprised with a prize that guaranteed him $5,000 a week for life. With cameras ro

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved a series of new measures aimed at easing the compliance burden for businesses in India, with a focus on reducing the registration time for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) and start-ups. Sources confirmed to that the new policy will reduce the MSME registration time from 30 days to just three days, streamlining the process significantly. In addition, a proposal for automated GST refunds for

Kroger shoppers in central Ohio will have something extra to look forward to this week as the grocery giant’s Columbus division rolls out a special one-day savings event designed exclusively for seniors. On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, customers aged 55 and older will be able to take advantage of an additional 5% discount on their in-store purchases, a move Kroger says is part of its commitment to helping seniors stretch their budgets in meaningful ways. The company explained

Workers at the Hilton Americas-Houston have officially started their nine-day strike, demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. The strike, which began on Labor Day, marks the first-ever hotel strike in Texas by Unite Here Local 23, the union representing over 400 hotel employees. The action is part of a broader movement for better wages, safety measures, and benefits within the hospitality industry. Th

Montvale is bidding a bittersweet farewell to one of its most enduring landmarks as Depiero's, a family-run business that has served Bergen County for more than a century, closed its doors for the last time. The closure marks the end of a deeply rooted community institution that began its journey in 1924 and became an integral part of local life for generations. Depiero's was not just a store; it was a gatheri

Google has eliminated 35 per cent of its managerial roles overseeing small teams in what is being described as one of the company’s biggest leadership shakeups in recent years. The move is part of CEO Sundar Pichai’s ongoing push to reduce bureaucracy and speed up decision-making, even as the tech giant doubles down on artificial intelligence investments. At a recent all-hands meeting, Brian Welle, Google

Kyoto, a city that beautifully blends history with modernity, has just unveiled one of its most unique attractions the Future Train Restaurant. Built on an abandoned elevated railway line in the Umekoji district, this vibrant dining spot transforms three upcycled train carriages into a creative hub of food, art, and nostalgia. Designed by Sebastian Masuda, a celebrated Japanese artist known for his colorful “kawaii” world, the project is being haile

Andhra Pradesh is set to witness one of its biggest industrial breakthroughs with Hindalco Industries announcing an Integrated Aluminum Extrusion Facility in Kuppam, the home constituency of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The ₹586 crore investment will produce aluminum components that will be supplied for manufacturing iPhone chassis and enclosures, making Kuppam a key part of Apple’s global supply chain.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, has once again proven his adeptness at securing investments for the state. Following his annual participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the results of his networking efforts are already becoming evident. One of the most notable outcomes of his 2025 Davos visit is the $1 billion investment secured from Maersk's subsidiary, APM Terminals, which will significantly boost the state&rsquo

Chick-fil-A has revealed a major expansion plan for Ohio, announcing on Monday that it intends to open between 25 and 30 new restaurants across the state by the end of 2027. The expansion will not only increase the presence of the popular fast-food chain but will also bring with it an estimated 3,000 new full-time and part-time jobs for Ohio residents. Company leaders emphasized that Ohio’s growing communities and its history of hard work and hospitality h

As students across Washington return to school this fall, a new shopping experience is set to make the season a little more exciting. The Metro U pop-up shop has officially opened in the city, offering a range of apparel and accessories designed to capture the energy of back-to-school life. Located conveniently across from the L’Enfant Plaza station at 300 7th Street SW, the shop is positioned to attract both high school and college students looking for a

American billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit against Apple Inc. and artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a federal court in Texas, alleging that the two technology giants have illegally conspired to maintain monopolies in the rapidly expanding field of artificial intelligence. According to Musk, their actions have prevented fair competition, harmed innovation, and specifically suppressed his own ventures, X and xAI, from competing on equ