GRUNGECAKE (2025)

30/10/2025

: McDonald’s has quietly changed how it handles cash transactions in response to the forthcoming phase-out of the penny in the United States. Under the new policy, if a cash purchase ends in 1–2 ¢, the total is rounded down to 0 ¢; if it ends in 3–4 ¢, it is rounded up to 5 ¢; endings in 6–7 ¢ are rounded down to 5 ¢; and 8–9 ¢ are rounded up to 10 ¢. Totals ending in 0 or 5¢ remain unchanged. ‌

Importantly, prices listed on the menu stay the same. The change applies only to cash payments—card and digital payments still process the exact cents. ‌

Why the shift? The United States Department of the Treasury will stop minting new pennies by early 2026 due to production costs that exceed the coin’s value. In 2024, the Treasury reportedly lost $85.3 million from minting over three billion pennies. ‌

With fewer pennies in circulation, retailers are beginning to adopt “cash-rounding” methods. Other businesses like Kwik Trip and Sheetz have already introduced similar policies. ‌

Reactions among customers have been mixed. Some argue the practice is confusing and feels like a hidden price increase, especially when rounding goes up.

“Why not just change the damn prices?” one commenter asked. ‌

Others point out that countries such as Canada and Australia have operated with similar rounding systems for years and find the move practical. ‌

From your vantage, it raises interesting questions about cash, convenience, and fairness. If you pay by cash at McDonald’s, you may pay as little as two cents less—or as much as one to four cents more—than the listed total.

For card users, nothing changes. And given that cash usage is already declining, this shift might pass unnoticed for many. Yet for people paying in cash, especially frequent small-amount customers, it’s something to keep an eye on.

📸: Getty Images

30/10/2025

: According to US Weekly, former Migos member Offset is facing a mounting tax problem just as his divorce from Cardi B plays out. Reports say his unpaid tax debt has grown into the seven-figure range, putting fresh pressure on already tense personal and financial dynamics.

According to the coverage, the IRS and state filers have imposed multiple liens on Offset’s property—one federal lien reportedly at about $1.5 million for tax liabilities tied to recent years, with additional amounts from state authorities.

The exact total remains somewhat unclear publicly, but insiders say it’s “close to $2 million.”

What makes this more than a mere tax story: All this unfolds while Cardi B and Offset’s divorce negotiations are stalled. Cardi has publicly claimed one of the sticking points is Offset’s financial demands, including that she cover his tax bills and property transfers in order to finalise the split.

For fans, analysts, and anyone watching celebrity finances, several themes emerge:

The tax liens raise questions about Offset’s financial planning, obligations, and potential exposure beyond just the musical brand.

The divorce context adds a layer of complexity: Financial liabilities aren’t just personal—they can influence asset division, custody, and public image.

Cardi B’s willingness to highlight the tax issue suggests she sees it as more than incidental—she frames it as part of the leverage around their separation.

Whilst neither party has provided a full, transparent accounting, the debt alone is large enough to affect settlement talks, future earnings, and how both artists navigate their independent paths.

In the coming months, watch for how the liens get resolved, whether Offset pays down or structures the debt, and how that resolution affects his and Cardi’s public and professional narratives.

📸: offsetyrn/CBS Mornings

29/10/2025

: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen has revealed that the decision by parent company Unilever to block the launch of a new flavour intended to show solidarity with Palestine has deepened a long-standing fault line between activism and corporate control.

According to Cohen, he will proceed independently with the flavour via his personal venture, Ben’s Best, citing Unilever’s refusal to permit the original brand’s engagement in certain “social mission” initiatives.

The proposed flavour is a watermelon-flavoured sorbet, its colour palette—red, green, black, and white—intentionally echoing the Palestinian flag, Cohen explains in a video posted on Instagram.

He stated: “I’m making a watermelon-flavoured ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and for repairing the damage that was done there.”

(Space) This development occurs against the backdrop of a fraught history: Ben & Jerry’s pulled out of sales in Israeli-occupied territories in 2021, sparking legal and commercial entanglements which led Unilever to divest the brand’s Israeli operations to a local licensee.

Cohen claims that Unilever and the soon-to-be-split ice cream division Magnum have unlawfully prevented Ben & Jerry’s from fulfilling its founding values.

In his view, the activation of the watermelon sorbet through Ben’s Best is a way to reset the mission that was sidelined. Whilst the original brand remains under Unilever’s corporate umbrella, Cohen’s independent path signals an intensifying dispute over how far an activist-oriented brand can tread within the constraints of a multinational parent.

Whether the new flavour will gain widespread distribution—or how Unilever or the broader market will respond—remains uncertain. What is clear: the moment highlights how ice cream, branding, and global politics are now deeply intertwined.

📸: Bloomberg/yobencohen

29/10/2025

: In a move sure to spark conversation, Kourtney Kardashian-Barker’s wellness brand, Lemme, has released a new offering: “Lemme Purr Probiotic Lollipops”, billed as a product designed to support vaginal health.

The lollipops reportedly combine probiotics, Vitamin C and pineapple extract in a sweet treat form, and are being marketed as a fun, simple way to include feminine-care into daily routines. Exclusively available at Target, they come in five-packs and are positioned as vegetarian, non-GMO confection-supplements targeting the vaginal microbiome.

From the brand’s press release, Kardashian-Barker said: “Lemme Purr Lollipops are such a fun extension of one of our best-sellers… I love that they turn daily self-care into something sweet and simple.”

Here’s what to note:

What it claims: The product purports to support vaginal wellness, potentially helping with freshness and microbial balance.

What’s new: Whilst Lemme already had probiotic gummies for intimate/vaginal health, this is the first time the brand has released the lollipop format targeting that specific goal.

The push-back potential: As with any supplement or wellness product aimed at intimate health, there are questions about how well a lollipop format can deliver the promised benefits, and whether the messaging simplifies the underlying health issues.

Marketplace context: This comes at a time when celebrity-backed wellness products are under increased scrutiny, both for marketing claims and scientific backing.

For writers, marketers, or wellness observers, this is a textbook intersection of celebrity branding, wellness culture and provocative product design. It raises the question: When is a candy just candy, and when is it pitched as medicine?

📸: Lemme

28/10/2025

: Apple is gearing up to let US users add their passports to Apple Wallet as a digital ID credential, according to a recent report. The feature was announced by Apple Inc. during the rollout cycle of iOS 26 and reflects the company’s push to transform the Wallet app into more than just payments and boarding passes.

Under the new system, users will “create and add a Digital ID to Apple Wallet using a US passport”, Apple says—though the company emphasises that this digital credential is not a replacement for the physical passport, especially for international travel.

More precisely: The digital ID is intended for identity checks at select domestic locations—such as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints—rather than border crossings.
Why does this matter?

    •    It signals a shift in how official identity documents may be carried and validated: Your phone (and probably your watch) moves closer to replacing one of the bulkiest items in your bag.

    •    For travellers (especially domestic ones), the possibility of ditching the physical passport at TSA is appealing.

    •    On the flip side: Questions around security, privacy, and fallback scenarios (battery dead, phone lost) remain. Some users and developers voiced caution—even on sites like Hacker News.

When will it land? Apple hasn’t given a firm date beyond “soon”. The feature didn’t debut with iOS 26’s initial release, but was confirmed as coming in a future update.

If you’re managing travel plans, digital identity, or privacy policy for clients (or yourself), this is a development worth keeping an eye on.

📸: Jakub Porzycki/Nurphoto/Getty Images

28/10/2025

: In the wake of its recent merger, Paramount Skydance has begun executing one of the most significant workforce reductions in its history. According to reports, the company will cut roughly 2,000 US jobs starting the week of 27 October, as part of a broader strategy to reduce costs by around $2 billion.

The layoff plan follows the closing of the $8.4 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media in August 2025, which created Paramount Skydance. The parent company employed approximately 18,600 full- and part-time workers (plus 3,500 project-based staff) as of December 2024.

New leadership at Paramount Skydance—including CEO David Ellison and President Jeff Shell—has publicly stated their intention to avoid recurring rounds of layoffs by doing one larger restructuring now. “We do not want to be a company that has layoffs every quarter”, Shell commented.

The cuts are expected to affect multiple divisions—from legacy cable networks and broadcast television to streaming and film operations. Analysts suggest the linear TV business is likely to bear a disproportionate share of the reductions. Whilst the company has not yet issued a detailed breakdown of impacted units, sources describe the move as “painful but quick.”

For employees, the signal is clear: Consolidation is underway, and the culture of hybrid/remote work may be sidelined in favour of more in-office presence as the company locks in its new structure. Though not officially confirmed, reports suggest a return-to-office mandate may be part of the playbook.

For the broader industry, the restructuring marks a reminder: even major media names aren’t immune to the pressures of streaming-era economics, merger synergies, and cost rationalisation. It’s a moment of transition—and, for many inside the business, of uncertainty.

📸: Getty Images

28/10/2025

: In the recent presidential election in Cameroon, 92-year-old Paul Biya—already the world’s oldest serving head of state—has secured an officially declared victory for an eighth term in office. Yet, beneath the numerical façade lies a striking tension: A youthful population yearning for change meeting an entrenched leadership holding fast.

More than 70% of Cameroonians are under the age of 35. For many of these young people, Biya is less a symbol of continuity than of stasis—of decades during which political renewal has felt distant if not impossible. The official result shows Biya with 53.66% of the vote and his challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, with 35.19%. But Tchiroma’s camp rejects the numbers, citing its own indicators and raising questions about legitimacy.

Protests erupted in multiple cities—including Douala and Garoua—where at least four people have been reported killed in clashes with security forces. The youth-quake here is real: energy, frustration, impatience, and a sense that the future has been put on hold. That’s a heavy load for any state to carry, especially one navigating separatist insurgencies, jihadist spill-over, and economic strains.

So, what’s happening? On one side: An ageing leader with decades in power, backed by a system that has repeatedly reset rules and muted opposition. On the other hand, a young generation that has little memory of anything other than one presidency, and growing unease at being sidelined in leadership. The result is a governance gulf—between old and young, between expectation and delivery.

The election may formally be settled, but the broader story is far from closed. For Cameroon’s political stability, the question now isn’t just who rules—but how the will of the young is heard and channelled, how institutions evolve, and whether the state can bridge the generation gap before it becomes a fault line rather than just a crack.

📸: Robert Fimbaye/AFP/Wikipedia

26/10/2025

: TIME Magazine has released a fresh cover for its November 10, 2025, issue featuring President Donald Trump. The new edition highlights his role in facilitating a cease-fire and prisoner exchange between Gaza and Israel, portraying it as a “signature achievement” of his second term.

On the cover, Trump is shown seated in the Oval Office, hands clasped under his chin and gazing forward beneath the headline “TRUMP’S WORLD”.

The style and posture evoke a power pose—but not everyone is reading it that way. One media analysis suggests the image nods to a 1963 portrait of a convicted N**i war criminal, suggesting layered symbolism beneath the slick presentation.

Interestingly, the launch of the new cover follows Trump’s earlier public outcry over an initial version of the cover image. He took to his platform to complain that the photo “disappeared” his hair and placed “something floating on top” of his head resembling a tiny crown. He labelled the image “the worst photo of all time.”

Meanwhile, TIME’s article accompanying the cover explores the dynamics of Trump’s diplomacy, his global influence, and how this agreement could reshape Middle East relations.

Whilst supporters see the cover as deserved recognition of Trump’s deal-making, critics ask whether the imagery itself dilutes the message. Whether intentional or accidental, the photographic choices have sparked debate about media portrayal of political leaders, the power of imagery in shaping reputations, and how even at the highest levels, presentation matters as much as content.

📸: TMZ/TIME

26/10/2025

: T-Mobile is facing customer backlash after announcing it will end a loophole that allowed users to claim its $5 autopay discount by paying via credit card under certain conditions.

Historically, T-Mobile offered a $5 per line monthly discount to subscribers who set up autopay. After officially removing credit cards as an eligible payment method for the discount in 2023, some users found a workaround: They would update their payment method to a bank-account-based autopay (which qualified), then pay early with a credit card, thus retaining the discount.

T-Mobile says the loophole is now closed. As of October 24, customers who pay early using a credit card will forfeit the discount for that billing cycle.

The carrier cites mounting credit-card processing fees as a key reason behind the change. According to data referenced by T-Mobile, swipe fees for Visa and Mastercard credit cards rose from $100 billion in 2023 to $111.2 billion in 2024, a year-over-year jump of more than 10%.

Reactions from users have been swift and sharp. On Reddit and other forums, long-time subscribers said they feel the move undermines their trust in T-Mobile’s pricing promises. “Well, there goes the free phone insurance that comes with my Amex Platinum, which will now cost me $35/month”, wrote one customer. Another worried: “So my bill is going up $40 a month? For…. the privilege of paying them? Lmao, what a bad joke.”

This change comes amid a broader wave of adjustments by T-Mobile—including price hikes on legacy plans and fee increases—occurring as the company transitions leadership with CEO Mike Sievert slated to step down on November 1 in favour of Srini Gopalan.

For customers, the lesson is clear: What once seemed like a reliable discount may no longer be. For the carrier, it’s a recalibration of incentives amid tightening margins and rising costs. Whether the goodwill cost is worth the savings remains to be seen.

📸: Daniel Smith/Getty Images

26/10/2025

: Spotify has announced a forthcoming hike in its Premium subscription fees for United Kingdom users, part of a broader global pricing adjustment set to roll out across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In the United Kingdom, existing subscribers will see the individual Premium plan increase from £11.99 to £12.99 per month starting in November.

Spotify claims that the change is intended to support ongoing product improvements and feature expansion.

The company says that the student discount tier will remain unchanged at £5.99, and that subscribers will not be locked in—they can cancel at any time if they choose not to accept the new rate. In regions beyond the United Kingdom, Spotify will notify users via email about updates to pricing and what changes will apply to them.

This is not the first increase in recent years—the United Kingdom has already seen multiple £1 raises in its Premium pricing over successive years. Meanwhile, Spotify’s leadership suggests additional hikes could come as part of a “toolbox” approach to balancing revenue and investment. Alex Norström, Spotify’s business chief, has implied that price adjustments are now a built-in lever to help the company sustain growth and fund new innovations.

Industry observers note the risk that rising prices may trigger subscriber pushback or increased churn, especially in markets sensitive to cost pressures. But Spotify appears confident that the upgrades to its platform and feature set can justify the increases.

As Spotify continues to expand its reach and ambitions—aiming toward new markets and perhaps a billion paying users—its pricing strategy will likely remain a closely watched lever for balancing investor demands, consumer resistance, and the costs of innovation.

📸: Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via Getty Images

26/10/2025

: GRAMMY Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado has announced she is stepping away from performing “for the foreseeable future”, citing a wave of body-shaming attacks as a painful factor in her decision.

Furtado made the revelation in an emotional Instagram post commemorating the 25th anniversary of her debut album ‘Whoa, Nelly!’. In that same message, she expressed gratitude for her longstanding fans, reflected on the joy of reaching newer generations, and explained that while she’s retiring from live shows, she will “identify as a songwriter forever”.

She emphasised that although performing onstage has brought her joy (most recently at a Summer show in Berlin), the negative scrutiny over her appearance has taken a toll.

In solidarity with her body-positive stance, she once performed at Manchester Pride wearing an oversized T-shirt adorned with a cartoon hourglass figure and the slogan “Better than ever”—a pointed rebuke of public commentary about her physique.

She also looked back on her career with appreciation—to her collaborators, her touring years, and the unpredictable ways her music has been rediscovered over time. Furtado emphasised that her pivot to a new chapter doesn’t erase her creative identity, saying she still loves writing music and wants to explore “other creative and personal endeavours” more suited to this next phase of life.

Fans responded with an outpouring of support, many lamenting the decision and celebrating her legacy in pop music. As one commented, “Forever an icon.”
Whilst the announcement feels like a pause rather than a full stop, it underscores the pressure countless artists face when their art becomes conflated with personal image. For now, Nelly Furtado’s bold vulnerability stands as part of her lasting imprint—both as a musician and as a voice pushing back at the cruelty of appearance-based criticism.

📸: nellyfurtado/Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage

25/10/2025

: Dreka Gates, the “estranged wife” of rapper Kevin Gates, has reportedly filed for both child support and spousal support, marking a significant development in the couple’s legal and personal affairs. The filing comes amid speculation about their relationship status, as the couple has been in the public eye for years, often sharing glimpses of their personal life through social media and public appearances.

Dreka is seeking financial support for their children, as well as spousal support, following their apparent separation. However, Kevin countered and maintains that she has a “factually baseless position” because the two were never legally married.

If you’re wondering how Kevin’s statement may hold any weight, the former couple may have had an Islamic marriage ceremony (Nikah), which is not automatically legally recognised in the United States. The couple has two children together, and Dreka’s petition suggests she is seeking a fair arrangement for their well-being, citing the need for financial stability.

The move is noteworthy as Kevin Gates has built a significant career and amassed substantial wealth through his successful music career. He is known for his candid lyrics, which often reflect his life experiences, including his marriage and family dynamics. However, with the legal filing, it appears that the couple’s personal relationship may be going through a turbulent phase.

Child support and spousal support filings are common in high-profile separations, especially when children are involved and when one partner is seeking financial assistance to maintain their lifestyle. Dreka’s filing also points to her desire for a fair share of the marital assets, ensuring that her children’s needs are met, especially given Kevin’s income from his music career and other ventures.

This move has sparked conversation online, with many fans and observers eager to learn more about the status of Dreka and Kevin’s relationship.

📸: drekagates/Spotify

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