David Lidsky's Blog, page 78

Over 850,000 Ford cars and trucks recalled nationwide—and there’s no fix available yet

The recall affects recent model Broncos, Explorers, F-150s, and Lincolns, with fixes still pending.

Ford Motor just issued another major recall. On July 7, the brand recalled 850,318 Ford and Lincoln models over concerns about the vehicles’ low-pressure fuel pump, which could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

State Department layoffs begin Friday with 1,300 job cuts. Here’s the breakdown

The firings follow a major Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for State Secretary Marco Rubio’s monthslong plan to downsize the agency.

The State Department is set to begin firing more than 1,300 people on Friday, according to multiple sources including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN, who has seen an internal memo on the matter.

Why Sun Valley has never felt more out of step with the public mood than it does in 2025

Elites are congregating at a luxury ski resort just a week after the U.S. government passed a bill to give tax cuts to the wealthy and boot millions from Medicaid. Make it make sense.

An estimated 175 private jets touched down in Sun Valley, Idaho, on Tuesday, kicking off the secretive annual retreat colloquially known as “summer camp for billionaires.”

Stocks drop after Trump sets tariffs on Canada

Meanwhile, gold rose for a third day in a row, up 0.8% to $3,348 an ounce.

Global stocks fell on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump intensified his tariff war against Canada, leaving Europe squarely in the firing line, sparking a modest investor push into safe havens such as gold.

It’s not just Bitcoin: Altcoin XRP’s price is also rising. Here’s a possible reason why

The cryptocurrency is up over 13% today after Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse made an appearance at a Washington event.

Earlier today, Bitcoin hit an all-time high of over $118,000 per token, giving many crypto investors hope that the digital coin king may soon surpass the psychologically important barrier of $120,000.

Hermès bag belonging to Jane Birkin sells at Sotheby’s for 8.6 million euros

The late icon’s handbag is officially the second most valuable fashion item ever sold at auction.

Sketched out on an air sickness bag, the —the prototype for fashion’s must-have accessory—sold for a staggering 8.6 million euros ($10.1 million), including fees, on Thursday in Paris to become the second most valuable fashion item ever sold at auction.

The winning bid of 7 million euros drew gasps and applause from the audience. The price crushed the previous auction record for a handbag—$513,040 paid in 2021 for a Hermès White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28.

Now, the original Birkin bag, named after the actor, singer and fashion icon that Hermès created it for—the late Jane Birkin—is in a new league of its own. Only one fashion item has sold at auction for more: a pair of ruby red slippers from “The Wizard of Oz”, which sold for $32.5 million in 2024, Sotheby’s said.

Yahoo Creators platform hits record revenue as publisher bets big on influencer-led content

June was the best month yet for Yahoo Creators, with record-high revenue and engagement. Launched in 2024, the platform is reshaping Yahoo’s approach to digital media.

Yahoo’s bet on creator-led content appears to be paying off. Yahoo Creators, the media company’s publishing platform for creators, had its most lucrative month yet in June.

Why beauty brands that embrace agentic AI will succeed

Technology continues to disrupt and refine the way we shop.

Shopping has evolved more over the past 10 years than it has in the previous 50.

For creatives, perspective is tomorrow’s most valuable skill

AI, automation, and social media are fueling a demand for unique voices and lived experiences.

Believe it or not, this is the best time in history to be a creative. Technology advances and platforms like Instagram and TikTok have dramatically lowered the barriers to create work and share it with the world. There’s less emphasis on formal degrees or certifications, and more value placed on having a portfolio that reflects your taste, sensibility, and point of view.

Maybe PCs really can change up work (again)

Four ways of finding wow now while getting ready for tomorrow.

I’ve found that the best technical leaders tend to live in a space between optimism and skepticism. We’re excited about what’s possible, but we’ve also seen enough to know that not every shiny new thing delivers on its promise.