Author: Money Mechanics

Although they were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated final, Scotland and the small African Island nation of Cabo Verde have won over legions of U.S. fans, fueling a surge of American interest in their local real estate and tourism markets.Sitting west of Senegal in the central Atlantic Ocean, the Cabo Verde archipelago, also known as Cape Verde, which is home to roughly 570,000 people, made history by becoming the smallest country to ever make the World Cup’s knockout stage. Despite having a fraction of the resources of global soccer powerhouses like Brazil and…

Amazon is expanding its logistics business, accelerating delivery speeds, and generating stronger profits. But growth does not mean every Amazon warehouse or job remains safe. A newly filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice shows that Amazon plans to shut down another Florida facility, affecting nearly 500 employees.  The closure follows a separate Amazon facility shutdown in the state that affected more than 600 workers. Together, the two notices show how Amazon is adjusting its enormous fulfillment network even as the company handles more orders, delivers products faster, and opens its logistics infrastructure to outside businesses. Amazon closes Port…

Workers apply roofing material to a home under construction at the Lilac Ridge community by Lennar Homes in Vacaville, California, US, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe cost of housing is the top political issue — ranked higher than the cost of food or protecting democracy — among U.S. voters between 18- and 34-years-old, a CNBC survey found.CNBC’s All-America Economic Survey for the second quarter of 2026, which polled 1,000 registered voters across the country, found the cost of housing is a salient issue, particularly among the kinds of young voters that both…

Kerry Wan/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysWhen shopping for a laptop, only pay for upgrades that enhance your experience.Better displays, extra RAM, and dedicated GPUs are worth paying extra for.Certain features, like touchscreens, may not be worth the money. Buying a laptop is hard. There are hundreds of options available, and even after you narrow things down to a certain brand or model, you’re faced with a dizzying number of configurations.Take, for example, the HP OmniBook 3, a laptop I recently reviewed. My review unit came equipped with a Snapdragon X chipset. HP also sells versions with an…

This week’s Baker Hughes Rig Count shows that the U.S. increased by 7 last week, resulting in a total count of 588 rigs. Canada decreased by 19 over last week, resulting in a total Canadian count of 198 rigs. Breakdown by region Of the regions tracked by Baker Hughes, the Barnett, Granite Wash, and the Permian experienced an increase this week. Meanwhile, no region experienced a decrease this week:   Major Basin Variances This Week +/- Ardmore Woodford 2 0 Arkoma Woodford 1 0 Barnett 1 1 Cana Woodford 20 0 DJ-Niobrara 10 0 Eagle Ford 47 0 Granite Wash…

Earthship homes have gone by many names: “Star Wars” houses, hobbit huts, and even tin can shacks. But in recent years they have become better known as being among the more luxurious and unique off-grid retreats money can buy. Built from natural and recycled materials, the self-sustaining dwellings offer buyers freedom and independence from conventional suburban living and its expenses.Earthships are wholly self-sufficient and are traditionally built around a focus on eco-friendly lifestyles, with ample land for food production, water-harvesting systems, and, perhaps most importantly, are structures that are designed using only recycled materials.Beyond the environmental benefits, there are also…

Plans to redevelop The Hotspur Press in Manchester into a 595-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme have been greenlit. CGI of The Hotspur Press redevelopment scheme, Manchester. The development, brought forward by developer Manner, will aim to preserve as much of the existing brickwork as possible. The plans involve the construction of a new 37-storey tower, as well as a public square and connected public realm improvements. Manner will also plant new trees and enhance the adjacent River Medlock. The developer said it has been working in collaboration with the local community to help shape and develop the planning application.…

In a new regulatory filing, Netflix revealed that it paid $587 million in cash for InterPositive, a startup co-founded by actor and director Ben Affleck. The streaming company announced the acquisition in March, with a statement from Affleck saying he wanted to “protect the power of human creativity.” According to Affleck, InterPublic’s AI tools help filmmakers improve their footage in post-production, particularly when it comes to making up for “real-world production challenges such as missing shots, background replacements or incorrect lighting.” At the time, Netflix announced that the entire InterPositive team would be joining the company, with Affleck joining as…

An “irreplaceable opportunity” to buy a historical First Period estate with its own ell and an antique barn has been brought to the market in Massachusetts, where it is offering an “authentic glimpse into early New England life,” as well as the chance to take on stewardship of one of the country’s oldest surviving homes. The Gloucester, MA, residence, which has been listed for $1.25 million, was originally built in 1678—however, additional structures have been added to the 2.4-acre parcel in the years since.Still, the meticulously preserved four-bedroom abode, which is known as the William Haskell House, is still full…

Oklo’s (NYSE: OKLO) stock price has declined by more than 42% in 2026 as of this writing, but analysts are still generally optimistic about the future. Of 22 analyst ratings tracked by CNN, the median one-year price target is $87. That suggests significant gains are ahead, but there’s a reason why investors will still want to proceed with caution before buying Oklo stock. Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a “Double Down” signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same “Total Conviction” signal is flashing for a company…