Author: Money Mechanics

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysAndroid 16 adds stronger default protection for all users.Identity Check helps block access outside trusted locations.Advanced Protection shields against apps, networks, and scams.Although Google’s earlier-than-expected release of Android 16 was missing a few important features, the updated OS delivers improved security that every Android user would be well advised to enable.Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and why it makes such a big difference)I’ll explain these two key security features and how to find and enable them. 1. Identity Check This…

(Reuters) -Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a UK-based pricing and data research firm for energy transition minerals, has cut at least a fifth of its workforce in recent weeks, said three people familiar with the company. The 11-year-old firm had been rapidly expanding over the last couple of years alongside growing market interest in lithium, copper and other minerals needed for electric vehicles and other clean-energy uses. The layoffs include at least 40 people at Benchmark, the three sources said, out of a total workforce of 200 people. Two of the sources said affected departments included sustainability, sales and marketing. CEO Andrew…

Markets have recently been shaken by China restricting exports of rare earths and Trump responding with new tariffs. Trump’s more positive comments have eased some concerns, but investors are keeping a close eye on upcoming talks between the US and China. In Japan, the political scene has changed, with Sanae Takaichi, who favors lower government spending, becoming the leader of the ruling party. At the same time, the Bank of Japan’s signals suggest interest rates are unlikely to rise soon. These factors put pressure on the , which could push the USD/JPY pair back into an upward trend.US Moving Without…

Investment firm 777 Partners and its co-founders including Josh Wander are facing fraud charges filed against them by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in a lawsuit that alleges misuse of funds and collateral, while also highlighting the double-pledging of assets that should have backed a lending facility.Wander et al are accused of misusing funds generated by a life and annuity structured settlement business to fund acquisitions of other businesses including football teams. There are a raft of charges, starting with the fact that between January 2021 and May 2024, the defendants are accused as having “fraudulently solicited investments…

Untere Schleuse wooden bridge in Thun, Switzerland.Education Images | Universal Images Group | Getty ImagesSwitzerland’s government on Thursday cut its 2026 economic forecast for the country, citing the Trump administration’s punitive tariffs as a “heavy burden” on its industries.Officials held their forecast for the Swiss economy to expand by 1.3% this year, but noted that this level of economic growth was “significantly below-average” for the country. For next year, they are now forecasting gross domestic product (GDP) growth will slow to 0.9% – down from a previous 2026 forecast of 1.2% growth.”Higher U.S. tariffs have further clouded the outlook for…

A federal judge has granted Meta-owned WhatsApp’s request for a permanent injunction blocking Israeli cyberintelligence company NSO Group from targeting the messaging app’s users. At the same time, the judge dramatically reduced the fine that NSO Group must pay to Meta. Earlier this year, a jury decided that the cyberintelligence company would have to pay Meta more than $167 million following a 2019 campaign that targeted more than 1,400 WhatsApp users, including human rights activists and journalists.  However, U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled Friday that because the court did not have enough evidence to determine that NSO Group’s behavior…

(Oil Price)– India hasn’t requested refiners to cut imports of Russian crude oil and no cuts have been seen for the already placed nominations for loadings in November, Indian industry sources told Reuters on Friday, after the U.S. claimed refiners had started to reduce Russian supply. U.S.-Indian talks in Washington this week were productive and Indian refiners are already halving crude oil imports from Russia, a White House official told Reuters on Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that India had agreed to cut imports of Russian crude oil. According to the U.S. President, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had…

futures have entered a short-term corrective phase following an extraordinary rally that lifted prices to a new high of $4,392—precisely aligning with the Sell 2 daily VC PMI level. This powerful rally, which began from the October 11 low of $3,961, represents an extension of the 30-day cycle that continues to dominate the market’s upward structure. The sharp reaction from the upper extreme signals that momentum may have temporarily peaked, opening the door for mean reversion as price seeks equilibrium within the VC PMI daily framework. From a daily perspective, the key reference levels are:Sell 2 Daily: $4,422 Sell 1…

Even though mortgage rates are sitting near their lowest level in a year, house hunters are spooked by stubbornly high home prices and jitters about a possible recession and the government shutdown.  New listings of U.S. homes for sale rose 4.1% year over year during the four weeks ending October 12, the biggest increase in over four months.  More sellers are entering the market because they’re hoping lower mortgage rates and a small improvement in affordability will attract buyers. The weekly average mortgage rate is 6.3%, just shy of its lowest level in a year. Buyers Stay in the Shadows,…

Baseus Inspire XP1 earbuds ZDNET’s key takeaways The Baseus Inspire XP1 earbuds are on sale on Amazon for $104.These earbuds’ seal allows them to fit like a glove, so they seal better than most, maximizing audio quality.The app is pretty minimal. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.I cannot tell you how many earbuds I’ve used that don’t fit well. Even though I know the trick of getting earbuds to seal properly (grab the top of your ear, pull up, insert earbud, twist, and let go), it seems like the majority of earbuds still never feel like they fully fit.And…