Taco Bell’s Free Taco Tuesday

Hey there scroller 🤳

Ready for another day’s headstart with some fresh news?

What’s Hot? Taco Bell celebrates Taco John's recent "Taco Tuesday" trademark drop. How? By treating us with free tacos every Tuesday until Sept. 12 🥳 Taco John’s held this trademark for 40+ years. Its CMO, Taylor Montgomery, highlighted the joy of everyone being able to celebrate Taco Tuesdays legally!

If your pal sent this to you, then subscribe to stay the most informed person in the room😉

📈 CPI Update: Expected Slight Rise in Inflation Last Month

Thursday's anticipated 3.3% July Consumer Price Index (CPI) reveals rising inflation, surpassing Fed's 2% goal. Core inflation, excluding volatile food and gas, is anticipated to increase by 0.2% monthly and 4.7% annually. Despite this, there's an 85% market expectation that September rates will remain unchanged. While Jerome Powell highlights a robust labor market and Citi Research anticipates a "soft landing," concerns loom about a potential economic downturn by 2024 due to sustained high-interest rates.

📉 Mortgage demand falls as FHA rates reach 21-year peak

Mortgage interest rates surged last week, 30-year fixed rates rose to 7.09% while Federal Housing Administration rates reached 7.02%, their peak since 2002. This spike resulted in a 3% dip in weekly mortgage applications, 27% down from last year. Joel Kan of MBA links this to rising Treasury yields and the U.S. debt downgrade. With current homeowners enjoying lower rates, many are delaying relocations due to these heightened costs.

🚀 Maxine Waters Expresses Concern Over PayPal's Stablecoin Launch

PayPal's introduction of its dollar-pegged stablecoin, PayPal USD (PY-USD), faced criticism from Congresswoman Maxine Waters, voicing concerns over the lack of federal regulation for such cryptocurrencies. Waters emphasized: “Given PayPal’s size and reach, Federal oversight... is essential to guarantee consumer protections.” Notably, despite PayPal's immense customer base, stablecoins are still emerging in consumer payments. Following the announcement, PYPL shares dipped 1.1%.

🔫 Ecuadorian presidential candidate Villavicencio assassinated

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, an anti-corruption advocate, was assassinated during a campaign event in Quito, amid escalating violence in the country. President Lasso declared a state of emergency, labeling it a "political crime" aimed at disrupting the August 20 elections. Following the tragedy, multiple candidates halted their campaigns. Villavicencio had recently exposed potential oil contract fraud and stood fifth in polls.

🚨 North Korea's Kim ousts top general, gears up for war

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has replaced top military officer Pak Su Il with General Ri Yong Gil as the new chief. Amid rising tensions, Kim emphasized the need for enhanced war preparations, increased weapons production, and expanded military exercises, without specifying against whom, state media KCNA reported. This move comes as the U.S. and South Korea gear up for joint military exercises, which North Korea perceives as a direct threat. Interestingly, Ri Yong Gil, once believed to have been executed in 2016, now returns to a top military post.

🏛️ Pakistan dissolves Parliament following Imran Khan's arrest

Pakistan's Parliament is dissolved on PM Shehbaz Sharif's recommendation, ahead of its term's end. This follows the arrest and 5-year public office ban of former PM Imran Khan on corruption charges. Concerns rise over political instability and potential military influence, as Khan challenges his conviction, his adviser, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, alleges a governmental plot to sideline Khan.

🏛 Supreme Court upholds Apple's App Store payment rules for now

Supreme Court rejects Epic Game’s bid to loosen Apple's App Store rules. The court upholds stay on lower court ruling against Apple's anti-steering policies, impacting how app developers direct users to alternate payments. Epic's challenge against iOS in-app purchase fees continues. Apple's right to charge separately for external payment methods remains disputed.

🤖 Microsoft launches new AI to enhance frontline productivity during labor issues

Microsoft introduces AI-driven Copilot to assist 2.7 billion global frontline workers facing challenges from labor shortages and complex tasks. Copilot part of Dynamics 365 Field Service, automates tasks, integrates with Teams and Outlook. Microsoft aims to relieve burnout, streamline workflows, and enhance choices. Charles Lamanna, CVP at Microsoft, highlights AI's role in addressing repetitive tasks and burnout. The company believes the initiative supports frontline employees, improves retention, and emphasizes AI's potential.

🎤 Lil Tay, 14, rapper and social media sensation, passes away

14-year-old influencer and rapper Lil Tay, known for her meteoric rise to fame, and her brother, tragically passed away, leaving the online community and their family in deep sorrow. The circumstances of the deaths are under investigation. Tay’s family conveyed, "The pain of losing Claire, coupled with her brother's death, is beyond words." Emerging in 2018, Lil Tay, born Claire Hope, garnered immense attention for flaunting her affluent lifestyle on social platforms.

🎬 Bob Iger Commits to Resolving WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes

Disney CEO Bob Iger addressed ongoing writers and actors strikes, emphasizing the company's commitment to creative communities. Iger stated, “Nothing is more important to this company than its relationships with the creative community," expressing hope for a swift resolution to the strike-related issues. He previously voiced concerns over the disruptions, saying it's the worst time to add to challenges, and that expectations of compensation might not be realistic. The strikes have reached a 100-day mark, impacting the industry during the ongoing recovery from COVID-19.

🔥 Hawaii wildfires: 6 dead, homes destroyed on Maui

Hurricane Dora's winds fueled a devastating wildfire in Maui, resulting in six deaths, dozens injured, and 271 structures damaged. The historic town of Lahaina was hit hard and evacuation and rescue efforts are underway. The escalating impact of climate change intensifies extreme weather patterns. Hawaii's National Guard has been activated, and federal assets are in support. As the island's airport shelters stranded travelers, both locals and tourists seek refuge amidst the chaos.

🔫 FBI kills Utahn who allegedly threatened Biden

A Provo man, Craig Deeleuw Robertson, who threatened President Joe Biden on social media, was fatally shot & killed by FBI agents while serving a search and arrest warrant at his home. The 75-year-old had made violent threats against public officials and interestingly, he was shot on the same day Biden was set to visit Utah. FBI had been monitoring him since March, noting his ownership of firearms. Robertson's neighbor described him as a "big storyteller" who sought attention.

📱 China mandates apps to disclose business details in oversight boost

China now requires all app providers, including foreign developers, to submit business details to the government, tightening control over the industry. This move aims to combat online fraud but also affects all foreign apps and, without proper filings will face penalties after a grace period ending in March 2024. Rich Bishop of AppInChina noted foreign developers must now partner with a local entity. The policy might impact the availability of global social media apps in app stores.

On 10 August 1793, the Louvre Museum, now the world's most visited museum, opened its doors with a collection of 537 artworks, primarily from royal and confiscated church collections. Established by the National Assembly during the French Revolution to showcase national masterpieces, its prominence grew. A significant evolution came in 1981 when President François Mitterrand introduced the Grand Louvre plan, advocating for a significant renovation.

Thanks for scrolling with us🤳

Want to share Daily Scroll with a Pal? Forward this email and invite them to join our community of savvy scroll-ers.

We'd love to hear your feedback on today's issue of Daily Scroll! Simply reply to this email and share your thoughts on how we can improve our content and format.

Have a great day and see you tomorrow 🕺