Opinion | Al Gore Helped the U.S. Surpass Europe

Big US banks are racing to transform their apps into all-in-one financial hubs—think Venmo meets Amazon meets your checking account. Rohit Chopra, ex-head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, weighs in on how this tech-driven gold rush could reshape everything from how we pay friends to who controls our financial data.

Editor’s Note: Your banking app might soon do way more than just show your balance—it could become a one-stop shop for payments, shopping, and even budgeting tools. But with convenience comes questions: Will these "super apps" give banks too much power over our wallets? And what happens if they flub the tech? It’s a high-stakes game that could redefine everyday money habits.

Turns out, flipping your phone screen-down on the table isn’t just a quirky habit—it’s actually smarter than you think. The article explains that placing your phone face down helps reduce distractions (no more flashing notifications hijacking your attention), protects your screen from scratches, and even keeps your camera lens cleaner. Who knew such a small change could make a difference?

Editor’s Note: In a world where we’re constantly battling screen overload, this simple trick is a low-effort way to reclaim a little focus and keep your phone in better shape. It’s one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” moments—small but surprisingly useful.

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is doubling down on Saudi Arabia, aiming to triple its presence there after Tesla’s recent market entry. The move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to become a regional EV hotspot, and BYD wants a bigger slice of the action.

Editor’s Note: Saudi Arabia’s push for cleaner transport is heating up, and Tesla’s arrival seems to have lit a fire under BYD. This isn’t just about two automakers competing—it signals Saudi Arabia’s growing role in the global EV race, which could mean more options (and maybe better deals) for buyers in the region. Keep an eye on this space—oil-rich nations betting big on electric cars is a storyline that’s just getting started.

Companies are sitting on a goldmine of untapped data—nearly 90% of it is unstructured, meaning it’s buried in emails, reports, or random files. But now, AI tools are making it possible to dig into this "dark data" and turn it into actionable insights, from spotting inefficiencies to predicting customer trends. It’s like finally being able to read all those sticky notes cluttering your desk.

Editor’s Note: Most businesses don’t even realize how much useful info they’re ignoring—data that could save money, boost sales, or streamline operations. If AI can unlock it, that’s a game-changer, especially for industries drowning in paperwork or customer interactions. The catch? Companies will need to invest in the right tech (and maybe clean up their data mess first).

Alibaba just matched its own record by delivering a staggering 80 million orders in a single day over the weekend. The e-commerce titan is locked in a fierce price war with competitors like Meituan and JD.com, throwing around freebies and deep discounts to win over China’s booming quick-delivery market. Its new service, Taobao Shangou, also saw a 15% spike in daily users last week—hinting at serious momentum, even though exact numbers weren’t shared.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about big numbers—it’s a snapshot of how cutthroat China’s on-demand delivery scene has become. Alibaba’s aggressive discounts and growth suggest they’re pulling out all the stops to dominate, which could mean cheaper, faster service for consumers (good news!) but also tighter margins for companies (less good for them). For shoppers, it’s a win—for now.