Storied SF bar losing thousands of dollars a month is closing — for now

It was a real bar-bar, just like the ones we knew from the ’70s and ’80s.

The atmosphere brought back memories of those earlier decades, capturing the authentic vibe and charm that defined that era. Whether it was the decor, the music, or the crowd, everything felt genuinely nostalgic and true to the times.
https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/storied-downtown-sf-bar-may-close-21129640.php

Range Rover’s Sportiest Crossover Is Getting An Aggressive Update

The third-generation Range Rover Sport still feels fresh despite being introduced in 2022. It’s no surprise, then, that a facelifted prototype was recently spotted undergoing testing near the Nürburgring.

Clad in swirly black and white camouflage, the updated Range Rover Sport SV showcases a lightly revised front end featuring a modified grille. Notably, there’s a sportier central intake with new outer elements adorned by horizontal fins.

**Design Updates**

While much of the design carries over from the current model, the facelift brings a sportier rear end with a center-mounted dual exhaust system. This is complemented by a new rear bumper that incorporates an integrated diffuser and a lower lip, enhancing the vehicle’s aggressive stance.

These changes are relatively minor, but the production version could include additional updates such as restyled wheels and refreshed lighting units. At this stage, it remains unclear if there will be any significant interior revisions.

**Performance Specs**

The current Range Rover Sport SV is powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine producing 626 hp (467 kW / 635 PS) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque. This engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system.

This potent setup enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h).

**Looking Ahead**

Little else is known about the high-performance crossover at this point. However, it is expected to debut in late 2026 or sometime in 2027. This timeline suggests it could arrive around the same time—or shortly after—the Range Rover Sport Electric.

Although we haven’t heard much about the electric variant recently, spy photographers captured an undisguised prototype over a year ago. The Range Rover Sport Electric will likely share its powertrain with the Range Rover Electric, which is set to feature a 117 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 542 hp (404 kW / 550 PS) and an impressive 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque.

As Land Rover continues to refine the Range Rover Sport lineup, enthusiasts can look forward to exciting updates that blend luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology.
https://www.carscoops.com/2025/10/range-rovers-sportiest-crossover-is-getting-an-aggressive-update/

Daddy’s No King! Donald Trump Jr. Takes Brutal Swipe at Liberals for Being ‘Old’ and ‘Fat’ While Praising Papa’s Work in the Oval Office

Oct. 29, 2025, Published 2:48 p.m. ET – Donald Trump Jr. has taken a brutal swipe at the No King’s protests and those who participated, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

Speaking to business leaders and Saudi officials at the Future Investment Initiative on October 29, Trump Jr. slammed Democratic Party policies and protesters who targeted his father, Donald Trump.

Donald Trump Jr. Insists Donald Trump Is Not a King

Addressing the No King’s protests, which drew tens of thousands of participants, Trump Jr. alleged it was “not an organic movement” and stated, “it’s entirely manufactured and paid for by the usual puppets around the world and their [groups].”

“If my father was a king, he probably wouldn’t have allowed those protests to happen,” he continued. “You saw the people that were actually protesting — it’s the same crazy liberals from the ‘60s and ’70s, they’re just a lot older and fatter.”

Donald Trump Jr. Praises His Father’s Work in Saudi Arabia

Trump Jr. then turned to praising his father, stating: “When my father came here, unlike the last presidents who visited here, it wasn’t an apology tour. It was, ‘How do we work together? How do we grow our respective economies? How do we create peace and stability in the region?’”

“There can be an ‘America-First’ component to that, but there also can be a ‘Saudi-First’ component to that and everyone can actually benefit,” he added.

Recently, Trump Jr. also addressed allegations regarding his father’s 2016 campaign colluding with Russia. “Guys, if you knew what was going on in that campaign, like we couldn’t collude to order a cheeseburger,” Trump Jr. joked. “Okay. So like, relax… slow your roll.”

Donald Trump Jr. Trolled Alyssa Farah Griffin Recently

Aside from mocking the No King’s protestors, Trump Jr. recently trolled The View‘s Alyssa Farah Griffin.

“If he does good, if he gets the Israeli hostages out, I promise I will wear a MAGA hat for one day on this show and say thank you for doing it,” Griffin had said during a January episode of The View. “You have to be able to cheer for wins when they happen and call out relentlessly the wrongdoing,” she added.

On October 13, when Trump brokered a peace deal to bring the remaining hostages home, Griffin praised it as a “tremendous, historic day” but still did not wear the MAGA hat as promised.

Trump Jr. reposted the clip on X and wrote, “Sending this to the top. Let’s go,” while reminding Griffin about her vow.

Commenters Agree with Donald Trump Jr. About Alyssa Farah Griffin Wearing the MAGA Hat

Many of Trump Jr.’s commenters expressed support for his push for Griffin to wear the MAGA hat.

“Someone needs to send a large box of MAGA hats to Alyssa in care of The View,” one user wrote, while another insisted, “She will never do it.”

“Alyssa, be sure to let us know what day you’re wearing your MAGA hat,” another commenter stated. “If you don’t have one, let us know, we’ll get several on the way to you.”

https://radaronline.com/p/donald-trump-jr-slams-no-kings-protests-praises-dad-president/

Listen to the Facebook (META) Q3 2025 earnings call here

This afternoon, Facebook (META) will report its earnings for the latest financial quarter. Shortly after, the company will hold an earnings call to discuss the results with investors.

If you’re interested in listening to the conversation, you can join Meta’s Q3 2025 earnings call today, October 29, at 1:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. ET.

We’ll be streaming the call on our Twitch and X accounts. Additionally, Meta will host the call on their investor relations website.

Stay tuned to catch all the important updates from Meta’s latest financial performance.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146569/listen-to-meta-q3-2025-earnings-call

GM blames EV challenges for 1,700 employee layoff in Michigan and Ohio

The electric vehicle industry has faced challenges since the government’s tax credit for new buyers was eliminated under the Trump administration. Manufacturers have responded in various ways, and now, one major player is reducing its workforce significantly.

General Motors has confirmed that it laid off over 1,700 employees across its Michigan and Ohio locations due to a slowing EV market. In a statement to CNBC, GM detailed that 1,200 of the affected employees were from its Detroit EV plant, while another 550 were from the Ultium Cells plant in Ohio.

In addition to these permanent layoffs, there were also 1,550 temporary layoffs between the Ohio plant and a facility in Tennessee.

The company emphasized that these workforce reductions are a direct response to shifts in the EV market. “In response to slower near-term EV adoption and an evolving regulatory environment, General Motors is realigning EV capacity,” the statement said.

Despite these changes, GM reaffirmed its commitment to manufacturing in the U.S. “We believe our investments and dedication to flexible operations will make GM more resilient and capable of leading through change,” the company added.

As the EV landscape continues to evolve, GM’s actions highlight the ongoing adjustments automakers must make to navigate market and regulatory shifts.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146568/general-motors-1700-employees-laid-off

Exclusive-China buys three US soybean cargoes ahead of Trump-Xi meeting, sources say

**Exclusive: China Buys Three U.S. Soybean Cargoes Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting, Sources Say**

*By Ella Cao and Naveen Thukra | Reuters | October 29, 2025*

China’s state-owned company COFCO purchased three U.S. soybean cargoes this week, according to two trade sources. This marks the country’s first purchases from this year’s U.S. harvest ahead of the upcoming summit between leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

COFCO bought approximately 180,000 metric tons of soybeans for shipment in December and January through Pacific Northwest port terminals, the sources added.

COFCO did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Benchmark Chicago soybean futures prices jumped this week to their highest levels in 15 months. The rise came as prices rebounded from recent five-year lows on hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal.

*Excerpt from Reuters. Read more at msn.com.*

*Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by applicable copyrights.*
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4349389/posts

“Worth much more” “He’s stuck in Utah”: NHL fans react as Mammoth locks-in Logan Cooley to $80M, 8-year extension

The Utah Mammoth have officially signed forward Logan Cooley to a long-term deal.

On Wednesday, Cooley agreed to an eight-year contract worth $80 million. This comes after he became eligible to sign with the team starting July 1.

The commitment highlights the Mammoth’s confidence in Cooley’s abilities and their plans for the future. Fans can look forward to seeing the talented forward continue to make an impact on the ice for years to come.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/news-worth-much-more-he-s-stuck-utah-nhl-fans-react-mammoth-locks-in-logan-cooley-80m-8-year-extension

Electronic Arts (EA) won’t post earnings results or host conference calls pending leveraged buyout

Electronic Arts (EA) is currently undergoing a significant acquisition, and as a result, the company will not be hosting earnings results for the time being. The ongoing leveraged buyout has effectively put a halt to conference calls and insights into EA’s quarterly performance.

Shacknews confirmed with Monica Roldan, Program Manager and Executive Assistant at Electronic Arts (EA) Investor Relations, that the company will not be posting earnings results or hosting conference calls due to the pending leveraged buyout. Investors and consumers had been eagerly awaiting the Q2 FY26 earnings results, but those updates will be delayed amidst the acquisition process.

EA recently announced a $55 billion sale involving Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. This leveraged buyout is set to be an all-cash transaction, promising to return $210 per share to the company’s stockholders.

However, the deal has not been met with universal approval. Worker unions and several U.S. senators have expressed concerns and pushed back against the acquisition. Their apprehension centers around fears that some studios under EA may be labeled as “less profitable,” despite these studios playing a crucial role in shaping EA’s reputation and contributing significantly to its success.

As the acquisition progresses, more details and updates are expected, but for now, EA’s earnings disclosures remain on hold.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146563/electronic-arts-ea-wont-post-earnings-results

ASIC Confirms Stablecoins and Tokenised Assets Fall Under Financial Law

**Regulator Grants No-Action Period for Crypto Firms Until June 2026**

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has introduced a sector-wide no-action position for crypto firms, effective until June 30, 2026. During this period, ASIC will not take enforcement action against unlicensed providers who are making genuine efforts to comply with existing financial regulations. This temporary relief offers stability to the sector as firms adjust ahead of future legislative reforms.

### Temporary Relief for Stablecoin and Wrapped Token Distributors

ASIC also plans to provide temporary relief for distributors of stablecoins, wrapped tokens, and custodians of digital assets that qualify as financial products. The regulator is currently seeking public feedback on these draft relief measures until November 12, 2025.

### Clarifying How Financial Laws Apply to Digital Assets

This update from ASIC clarifies how current financial laws apply to various digital assets, aiming to give investors stronger protections and provide firms with clearer regulatory guidelines.

ASIC’s new guidance confirms that stablecoins, wrapped tokens, tokenised securities, and digital asset wallets are considered financial products under existing laws. Consequently, many providers offering these products will need to hold a financial services licence to operate legally.

### ASIC Commissioner Comments

ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland highlighted the significance of distributed ledger technology and tokenisation in transforming global finance. He emphasized that ASIC’s guidance provides much-needed clarity, allowing firms to operate confidently within the law. Kirkland also noted that licensing ensures consumers have legal protections and enables ASIC to take action against misconduct that harms the market or consumers.

### Public Consultation and Past Behaviour Considerations

In addition to the no-action position, ASIC released a summary of industry feedback from Consultation Paper 381, which focused on digital asset financial products and services. The feedback has helped shape the current guidance, including the proposed relief measures.

While the no-action position provides some leniency, ASIC affirmed that it will continue to take action against serious misconduct or practices causing significant consumer harm. The regulator will also consider the no-action position when evaluating past behaviour from firms in this space.

### About ASIC

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is Australia’s primary regulator for corporate, markets, financial services, and consumer credit. Established under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act of 2001, ASIC is empowered to facilitate, regulate, and enforce Australian financial laws. It was initially formed as the Australian Securities Commission based on the 1989 ASC Act.

### About the Author

**Tareq Sikder**
A Forex technical analyst and financial writer with 12 years of experience, Tareq Sikder has authored over 1,800 articles covering the latest developments in finance and cryptocurrency.

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https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/asic-confirms-stablecoins-and-tokenised-assets-fall-under-financial-law/

Big layoffs at Amazon, big implications for Seattle’s economy

**Amazon Announces Major Corporate Layoffs Amid Industry-Wide Cutbacks**

*Posted by algore*

Seattle-based retail giant Amazon has confirmed it will cut approximately 14,000 corporate jobs, with employees beginning to receive layoff notices starting Tuesday. The exact number of positions affected in Washington state remains unclear.

Nick Pasion, a reporter for the Puget Sound Business Journal who covers big tech, shared insights from Amazon employees who say their managers are remaining tight-lipped. However, “there is a palpable sense of fear within the company,” as many are concerned about the possibility of being impacted personally or seeing friends lose their jobs.

Amazon employs about 350,000 corporate workers globally, making the potential reduction of up to 14,000 jobs a substantial cut. Todd Bishop, co-founder of GeekWire, highlighted the magnitude: “If you’re talking about up to 30,000 cuts globally, that’s a pretty significant portion.”

While Amazon has yet to confirm the layoffs publicly or provide an official reason, some analysts suggest the moves may be part of post-pandemic downsizing efforts. According to Pasion, “Amazon notoriously overhired during the pandemic, increasing headcount by tens of thousands.” The company has already taken steps to correct this, laying off 27,000 employees across 2022 and 2023.

An emerging theory is that Amazon is shifting focus to reinvest in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. “Data centers, chips, power — these are incredibly expensive to build and maintain,” said Pasion. “Many companies are diverting free cash flow into AI infrastructure and hiring high-paid AI scientists to develop internal models.”

Amazon is not alone in facing tech industry layoffs. Microsoft, another Puget Sound-area giant, has cut 15,000 positions globally this year.

**Microsoft Faces Political Backlash Over Visa Program Amid Layoffs**

Vice President J.D. Vance publicly criticized Microsoft for recent job cuts juxtaposed with continued applications for H-1B work visas. “I don’t want companies to fire 9,000 American workers and then say they can’t find workers in America,” Vance declared.

Former White House advisor Steve Bannon echoed these concerns, calling for a halt to all visa programs during widespread layoffs.

Social media users have amplified the controversy by noting reports that Microsoft filed over 14,000 H-1B visa requests in 2025, fueling outrage over perceived exploitation of the visa system despite significant workforce reductions.

*Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the views of Free Republic or its management.*

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https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4349323/posts

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