News

Firefly Aerospace achieved a groundbreaking feat by successfully launching a satellite for the U.S. Space Force with just 24 hours of notice. The mission, named Victus Nox, demonstrated Firefly’s exceptional ability to rapidly launch national security missions. Within the given timeframe, the company completed all necessary preparations, updated flight software trajectory, and integrated the Millennium Space Systems-built payload onto the Firefly Alpha rocket. This remarkable accomplishment surpasses the previous record set by Northrop Grumman at 21 days, highlighting Firefly’s effectiveness in responsive space launches.

Spirit Airlines has announced a partnership with Liberty University to address the shortage of pilots in the aviation industry. Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics in Virginia will allow students pursuing aviation degrees to apply for Spirit’s pipeline program after completing their sophomore year. The program offers conditional job offers to students as they finish their studies and accumulate flight hours, with the goal of becoming first officers. This collaboration is part of Spirit Airlines’ efforts, along with other carriers like JetBlue and United Airlines, to increase the supply of new pilots in response to retirements and buyouts during the pandemic as well as U.S. regulations on flight training hours.

European regulators have fined popular short video-sharing app TikTok $368 million for failing to protect children’s privacy, marking the first time the platform has been penalized for breaching Europe’s data privacy rules. The investigation found that TikTok’s sign-up process for teen users made their accounts public by default, posing risks to both teens and children under 13. TikTok disagrees with the decision and claims to have made significant changes to address these issues before the investigation. The Irish regulator is also conducting a separate investigation into TikTok’s compliance with EU data protection regulations.

Fast-food workers in California will see pay increases starting next year after a compromise was reached between the restaurant industry and unions. The deal, brokered with the help of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, establishes a nine-person council that will determine future wage hikes for the fast-food industry in California until 2029. Starting April 1, 2023, the minimum wage for California fast-food workers at chains with at least 60 nationwide locations will be $20 per hour.

The council will have the authority to raise the minimum wage annually by either 3.5% or a change in the consumer price index. The deal ends a potentially lengthy battle that could have cost the restaurant industry over $100 million. While the wage increases will impact fast-food operators, industry analysts believe the agreement has avoided more severe consequences.

Google is reducing its workforce in the global recruiting organization as part of a larger hiring pullback that will span the next few quarters. Brian Ong, Google’s recruiting vice president, informed employees about the significant reduction in a video meeting. This decision was not taken lightly, but based on the expected hiring volume in the coming quarters, it was deemed necessary.

In January, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, announced layoffs affecting roughly 6% of the full-time workforce, including the recruiting organization. While cost-cutting efforts have been ongoing, Alphabet reported a 7% increase in second-quarter revenue. Despite the latest layoffs, employees affected will retain access to offices and online systems for a longer period, addressing criticism from previous layoffs earlier this year.

Hollywood continues to face labor strikes, and Marvel Studios’ visual effects (VFX) workers have joined unionized members’ ranks. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) announced that the VFX workers unanimously voted in favor of unionizing. This is the first time a unit consisting solely of VFX workers has joined the union.

Ten Sweetgreen employees have filed a lawsuit against the salad chain, accusing seven of its New York City restaurants of racial discrimination. The plaintiffs claim that their co-workers and managers regularly used racial slurs and made racist comments. The lawsuit further alleges that Black employees were not hired or promoted adequately, while Hispanic workers received preferential treatment.

The plaintiffs also assert that complaints made to Sweetgreen’s management and human resources department were ignored. Additionally, the lawsuit includes claims of sexual harassment, with managers making inappropriate comments and physical contact. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary and punitive damages and payment of attorneys’ fees. The lawsuit has been amended to include eight new plaintiffs and additional restaurants. Sweetgreen, currently facing legal responsibility for its managers’ discriminatory conduct as per New York City law, has not yet responded to the allegations.