How the Shein influencer trip marked a turning point in the brand-sponsored vacation trend

How the Shein influencer trip marked a turning point in the brand-sponsored vacation trend

Several influencers were lambasted this week for social media posts enthusiastically highlighting a trip sponsored by the Chinese fast fashion clothing retailer Shein, which has previously been accused of labor exploitation and environmentally damaging practices. A since-deleted video posted by Dani Carbonari, who in her Instagram bio refers to herself as a content creator, plus-sized model and confidence activist, shows her arriving at a facility she calls the “Shein Innovation Centre” in Ghangzhou, China, last week. “Shein is just such a developed and complex company, and it was so beautiful to see first hand,” Carbonari said in the video. Referring…
Tired of getting spam calls?  Here’s why you may never get rid of them

Tired of getting spam calls? Here’s why you may never get rid of them

Spam calls — or “scam calls” as they’re also known — have become an infuriating part of life. By now, most people are well acquainted with fraudsters trying to dupe you out of your cash by impersonating government officials or Amazon employees. “I’m still getting a lot of spam calls,” said Pradeep Selvaraj, an IT professional in Whitby, Ont., who has posted about the issue on his YouTube channel. Salvaraj estimates he receives two to three calls a week from scammers — often while at work. They claim they’re from the “CRA, RCMP, duct cleaning, Amazon, UPS shipping and the…
Inflation rate unexpectedly increased in April, jumping up to 4.4%

Inflation rate unexpectedly increased in April, jumping up to 4.4%

Canada’s inflation rate reversed its cooling trend last month and moved higher, to a 4.4 per cent annual rate. Economists had been expecting new data released by Statistics Canada on Tuesday to show the cost of living had eased from March’s 4.3 per cent pace to something around 4.1. Instead, it moved higher again, as the cost of things like gasoline, rent and mortgages increased during the month. It’s the first acceleration in the cost of living since June of 2022, when Canada’s inflation rate hit a more than 40-year high of 8.1 per cent. Food prices have been a…
Canada’s economy grew by more than expected in the first quarter, upping the odds of the rate hike next week

Canada’s economy grew by more than expected in the first quarter, upping the odds of the rate hike next week

The Canadian economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2023, Statistics Canada reported Wednesday. The latest data shows growth beating out the federal agency’s own forecast of 2.5 per cent for the quarter. A preliminary estimate suggests the economy grew by 0.2 per cent in April, after remaining flat in March. The ongoing resilience in the economy will likely spur discussions of a potential rate hike, as the Bank of Canada is expected to make its next interest rate announcement next week. The relatively strong GDP showing investors had increasing the odds…
Chile’s plan for state control in lithium dismays business

Chile’s plan for state control in lithium dismays business

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — The Chilean government’s newly announced plan to have the state take a majority stake in the lithium industry disconcerted business leaders, though analysts cautioned that the proposal appears to try to strike a middle ground between competing interests. President Gabriel Boric announced in a national broadcast Thursday night that private companies will have to partner with the government in exploiting Chile’s lithium, a metal used to make rechargeable batteries. Boric said the state would take a controlling interest in each partnership, leading some to call it a nationalization of the industry, while others disagreed. “Phrising it…
Consumer interest in foods’ mental health benefits growing

Consumer interest in foods’ mental health benefits growing

CHICAGO — Consumers have become increasingly focused on the role food plays in their mental and physical health, according to new research from The NPD Group. The market research firm said consumers initially grew to care more about their overall health and wellness as a result of the pandemic, with food’s effect on health garnering more attention as the trend has continued. Now, consumers rank food and beverage choices just behind physical exercise as the main contributing factor to their health. The emphasis on health and wellness may also be seen in the meal kits market where consumers now rank…