Men's Journal's Blog, page 87

VinFast Cuts Half Its Canadian Showrooms as EV Market Cools

VinFast, the Vietnamese EV startup that set out to challenge Tesla with a sleek direct-to-consumer model, is pulling back — and hard. This week, the company confirmed it will shut down half of its retail locations in Canada, just two and a half years after entering the market.

VinFast launched into Canada in late 2022 with big promises: a sleek, direct-to-consumer electric-vehicle model meant to rival Tesla. Within months, the Vietnamese company opened 10 showrooms across Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia—five of them within upscale shopping malls like Yorkdale and Park Royal. But as of May 2025, half of those stores are set to close, marking a sharp reversal of its aggressive rollout.

Five of its 10 Canadian storefronts are on the chopping block, including all three of its boutique mall locations and two additional showrooms in outlying areas, according to Retail Insider. The move marks a major pivot for the company, which had positioned itself as a disruptor ready to overhaul the traditional car-buying experience.

“VinFast Canada is announcing the closure of our three boutique mall locations and two showrooms in outlying areas as part of a broader strategy to refocus resources and enhance long-term performance,” the company said in a statement.

The closures reflect mounting pressure on EV startups as the market cools and interest rates rise. While legacy automakers double down on hybrid models, newer players are struggling to stay competitive. VinFast opened its first Canadian store in December 2022 at Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall, mirroring Tesla’s showroom-style retail playbook.

But plans to scale have sputtered. VinFast said it will maintain five showrooms in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. One survivor: the Mississauga location near Highway 401.

The company says it will announce an expanded after-sales service network later this year and is “considering” franchise dealer partnerships — a potential departure from its original direct-sales ethos.

This contraction comes as other EV upstarts also face reality checks. Hype alone won’t power growth. Even with global ambitions and a backstory rooted in one of Vietnam’s biggest conglomerates, VinFast is learning the hard way: building cars is tough. Selling them might be even tougher.

Related: Tesla Pushes Hard with New Incentives as Sales Slip

San Francisco Says Goodbye to 99-Year-Old Fisherman’s Wharf Institution

A cornerstone of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf is coming down. Alioto’s, a 99-year-old Sicilian seafood restaurant that survived fires, earthquakes, and generations of diners, will be demolished as part of a sweeping $10 million renovation of the iconic waterfront.

Once the wharf’s first permanent building, Alioto’s began as a modest fish stand in 1925 before evolving into an 11,000-square-foot institution known for Dungeness crab and shrimp cocktails. Its founder, Italian immigrant Nunzio Alioto, carved out a legacy that weathered decades of change until the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the family-run restaurant for good in 2020.

SFGate reported that efforts to revive Alioto’s failed, according to Port Director Elaine Forbes, who said the structure’s age, deterioration, and costly repair needs scared off potential operators. So instead of another tenant, the site will become part of a new public plaza, complete with lighting installations and scenic overlooks.

The first phase of the project is scheduled to wrap by summer 2026. Plans include direct access to docked fishing boats, where visitors will once again be able to buy fresh fish and crab straight from the source.

Alioto’s isn’t the only lost legend. Longtime fixtures like Fishermen’s Grotto and Tarantino’s are also gone. But fresh names are moving in. Salvadoran spot Chasca Rio will open in the former Pompei’s Grotto by year’s end, and Everett & Jones barbecue will take over Lou’s Fish Shack’s old space on Jefferson Street.

The port’s long-term plans stretch through the next 75 years, with a focus on climate resilience. Projects will strengthen seawalls, flood-proof buildings, modernize retail and public spaces, and support the fishing fleet that gives the wharf its name.

Fisherman’s Wharf drew 10 million visitors in 2024, and San Francisco hopes these updates will keep that number climbing even as it says farewell to one of its oldest culinary landmarks.

Related: Is This New Sam’s Club Sundae Better Than Costco’s Treats?

New ‘Thor’ Rumor Cools off 'Avengers: Doomsday' Theory About Superhero’s Fate

Marvel fans are well aware that the movie creators love to keep people guessing in the build-up to new releases. However, the next question is whether Chris Hemsworth, who stars as the fan-favorite superhero Thor, is throwing a curveball or two of his own.

While Hemsworth is filming Avengers: Doomsday, which is slated to hit theaters on Dec. 18, 2026, his recent message and a tribute video to the character he's played for 15 years immediately sparked concern about Thor's future.

The widespread belief was that Thor's journey as a member of the Avengers could end in the upcoming film. And for what it's worth, it's easy to see why that speculation spread quickly.

Chris Hemsworth has shared a new video celebrating his legacy as Thor:

“Playing Thor has been one of the greatest honors of my life. For the last 15 years I've held Mjolnir and then Stormbreaker as the God of Thunder, but what made it truly special… was sharing it with all of… pic.twitter.com/PIdTRoORDw

— Avengers Updates (@AvengersUpdated) May 28, 2025

“Playing Thor has been one of the greatest honors of my life. For the last 15 years I’ve held Mjolnir and then Stormbreaker as the God of Thunder, but what made it truly special… was sharing it with all of you. Your passion, your cheers, and your love for this character have meant everything to me,” Hemsworth wrote.

“Thank you for making my journey through the MCU unforgettable.. Next up, Doomsday!”

The above video and Hemsworth's post about Thor, which felt a lot like a farewell message, left many fans hoping this wasn't a sign of the end of his time portraying the superhero. Fortunately, a rumor that followed threw some cold water on the speculation, while also causing even more confusion.

Popular longtime entertainment reporter and writer Daniel Richtman dropped a scoop on his Patreon that Thor 5 is reportedly in the works at Marvel, as MCU Film News detailed.

'THOR 5' is reportedly in the works at Marvel Studios.

It will be part of the next phase of the MCU.

Taika Waititi is not returning to direct.

(Source: @DanielRPK) pic.twitter.com/jffzPKf7If

— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) June 7, 2025

Richtman has dropped numerous tidbits and even pushed back at times on rumors that have been floated. It's also worth noting that the timeliness of Hemsworth's message and video tribute would likely align with the news of another film on the horizon in the Thor series.

Could Hemsworth's tribute to the character actually be a positive after the report that Thor 5 is on the horizon? Or, there's always the realistic possibility that Marvel wants to continue to keep fans guessing, and maybe that played a role.

Unfortunately, we can't be certain until Marvel officially reveals its plans for Thor and the next round of movies. Until then, fans will have to keep their fingers crossed and ears peeled for any Avengers: Doomsday spoilers.

Related: Pedro Pascal Makes Candid Confession About ‘Fantastic Four’ Co-Star Vanessa Kirby

TSA Warns Against Consumers Your Own Alcohol on Flights

We're officially in the midst of summer travel season, which means that you might soon be flying for some highly anticipated vacation time that might include some alcoholic beverages. But before you fly, the TSA has some guidance on what you can bring and what you can consume.

In a social media post this week, the TSA offered a bit of clarification on whether or not passengers are permitted to bring their own alcohol on the plane.

While it is actually permitted in carry-on baggage in small amounts, that doesn't mean that passengers are actually allowed to drink their own alcohol while aboard the plane.

"Can you pack mini liquor bottles in your mini liquids bag? Yes, but don't forget... FAA rules prohibit consuming alcohol on the plane unless it is served by a flight attendant," the TSA wrote in a social media post on X.

The TSA specifically notes that "mini liquor bottles" are allowed on board. That is because the liquor bottles must comply with the TSA's 3-1-1 rule.

The "3-1-1" liquids rule allows all passengers to bring one quart-sized, clear, resealable bag that contains liquids, gels, and aerosols. Each container within the bag can hold no more than 3.4 ounces of liquids, gels, or aerosols. This means that an individual bottle of alcohol cannot exceed 3.4 ounces, which would limit passengers to mini liquor bottles.

So if you do choose to bring your alcohol on the flight, that's perfectly permissible. But remember to wait until you reach your final destination before actually consuming it

PGA Tour Has 'Concerns' After Rory McIlroy Skipped Interviews

Golf superstar Rory McIlroy sparked quite a bit of controversy last month when he made the decision not to speak to the media after all four rounds of the PGA Championship. And it sounds like the PGA Tour has some "concerns" about that move from the superstar.

Last week, McIlroy defended the controversial decision as he made it clear that while he understands why fans, media, and the Tour were not exactly happy with his decision, unless the PGA Tour makes interviews mandatory for players, there are going to be players who choose to skip media availability.

“From a responsibility standpoint, look, I understand, but if we all wanted to, we could all bypass you guys, and we could just go on this, and we could go on social media, and we could talk about our round and do it our own way,” McIlroy told the press at the RBC Canadian Open on Wednesday. “We understand that that’s not ideal for you guys, and there’s a bigger dynamic at play here, and I talk to you guys, and I talk to the media a lot.

“I think there should be an understanding that this is a two-way street, and as much as we need to speak to you guys, we’re sort of… We understand the benefit that comes from you being here and giving us the platform and everything else. So I understand that. But again, I’ve been beating this drum for a long time. If they want to make it mandatory, that’s fine, but in our rules, it says that it’s not, and until the day that that’s maybe written into the regulations, you’re going to have guys skip from time to time, and that’s well within our rights.”

According to Golf Channel reporter Rex Hoggard, the PGA Tour has a bit of a problem with the decision from McIlroy.

In Wednesday’s edition of the Golf Channel Podcast hosted by Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner, Hoggard reported that the PGA Tour had some "concerns" with McIlroy's decision to skip interviews and his stance on interviews generally.

“Certainly, this is something that Rory has thought about,” Hoggard said via Awful Announcing. “Certainly, this is something that the PGA Tour has thought about. And I can say, in conversations with the Tour since this happened, I tend to be in agreement with those in the communications department that have the same concerns as you and I in the media have. When you have a player of Rory McIlroy’s stature that skips all four days, it’s not great.

“But the bigger issue here is that it sets a standard for every other player on the PGA Tour. The other 155 players at Quail Hollow were looking and saying to themselves… ‘Well, if that guy isn’t going to do it, why in the world would I talk to the media after a round?’ That is disturbing; that’s concerning for all of us in the media. The flip side of that would be what you are alluding to. The idea that maybe, like most sports, maybe the PGA Tour should have a policy that demands players should have media availability after each round.”

We'll have to see whether or not the Tour will decide to make these interviews mandatory at any point in the future.

Ben Stiller Jokes About Fans Yelling ‘Focker’ at Him in Public

Ben Stiller has starred in some of the most memorable movies of the last 25 years, yet Meet the Parents will always remain a fan favorite for many. Not surprisingly, the fans of the popular movie starring Robert De Niro and Teri Polo will also never forget Stiller’s name in the film.

While it's been 25 years since Meet the Parents premiered, Stiller admitted that fans still associate him with his character, Greg Focker.

So much so that Stiller explained he comes across plenty of people who still shout "Focker" at him in public, and the 59-year-old actor offered a great response to it during an interview with Variety.

(L-R) Teri Polo, Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller attend the "Meet The Parents" 25th Anniversary Screening during the 2025 Tribeca Festival at BMCC Theater.

Rob Kim/Getty Images

"When someone yells ‘Focker!’ on the street, it doesn’t necessarily feel respectful,” Stiller said with a laugh. “Whenever I’m treated by a male nurse,” he added, “I feel a connection.”

Stiller's character was, of course, a male nurse in the film.

While Stiller has put together an incredible resume since the release of Meet the Parents, it's hard to deny how iconic and memorable that specific role was. However, as even he forgot, the role of Greg Focker was almost played by Jim Carrey when Steven Spielberg was in talks to direct it, as Variety pointed out.

“[Jim Carrey] was going to be me?” Stiller said. “S***. I totally forgot that part.”

Stiller reprised the role alongside De Niro and Polo in the 2004 sequel, Meet the Fockers, and returned for a third movie, Little Fockers, in 2010. As Variety reported, a fourth addition to the Meet the Parents series is in the works, featuring Ariana Grande among the new faces.

Related: Samuel L. Jackson Calls out ‘Statue-Chasing’ Actors in Blunt Hollywood Critique

American Airlines Diverts Flight After Significant Mistake

American Airlines appeared to make a pretty significant mistake this week when the plane it sent on an international flight from Philadelphia to Naples, Italy, was too big to land at the airport and had to be diverted.

American Airlines flight 780 departed Philadelphia at 7:42 p.m. and was slated to land in Naples, Italy, at 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday after the transatlantic flight. However,  that's not what happened.

When the flight was about 70 miles away from Naples International Airport, the plane was suddenly diverted north to Rome Fiumicino Airport. The reason for the diversion, as an article from Business Insider explained, was that American Airlines flew a slightly different version of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that was slightly too big to land in Naples.

As Business Insider explained, American Airlines typically flies a 787-8 to Naples, which is small enough to land at an airport with a Category 8 RFFS. However, this time, American flew a 787-9, which is about 20 feet longer than the 787-8 and needs a Category 9 RFFS airport.

Naples International Airport is Category 8 RFFS, meaning the 787-9 was unable to land at the airport.

An aviation enthusiast, who goes by the handle of @JonNYC was the first to report the incident, and he confirmed that 787-9 does not have approval by the airport to land.

American Airlines issued a statement on the incident to Business Insider, confirming that the plane was diverted to Rome “due to operational limitations.”

After landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport around 9:45 a.m., passengers were then transported to Naples by bus, a spokesperson for the airline told Business Insider.

"We apologize to them for this disruption to their journey," the airline said in a statement.

 Needless to say, it seems like the airline made a pretty signicifant mistake.

Andrew McMahon Marks 20 Years of Jack’s Mannequin With Reunion Tour

I still have the ticket stub: May 24, 2005, at the Knitting Factory in New York City. It was the first time I saw Jack’s Mannequin live — just days before frontman Andrew McMahon was hospitalized and ultimately diagnosed with leukemia. None of us knew that show would become part of something so much bigger, or that two decades later, we’d still be singing those songs — only louder.

Now, 20 years later, McMahon, 42, is bringing Jack’s Mannequin back on tour to mark the anniversary of Everything in Transit, the seminal album that defined a moment for so many fans, including me.

"I was just so in the s--t when I was making those records and touring those records,” the songwriter exclusively tells Men's Journal. “It’s nice to have a little bit of distance and be able to celebrate ’em instead.”

Though he’s never been one to dwell on the past — he admits he once resisted reunions entirely — turning 40 gave him a new perspective. “I think I started looking at my history a little bit differently,” he says. “Rather than it being this thing I needed to run from, I was like, wow, there’s a lot of really good work… and a lot of trying times.”

He adds, “I think I left a lot of things undone in both projects. I was such a mess… a lot of it just kind of dissolved rather than properly ended.”

McMahon is bringing that full-circle energy into this tour. Not only will Jack’s Mannequin hit the road with high-production visuals — designed across three screens— but he promises the setlist will balance fan-favorites, B-sides and even songs from People and Things, which he calls “a grounded and beautiful album” that admittedly never got its due.

“Even though some of the Jack’s players have toured with me in other projects, this one feels different,” he says. “There’s a sense of ownership over this material now. And with the big production we’re building, it’s like we’re finally giving these songs the staging they deserve.”

Jack's Mannequin

Lupe Bustos

He’s also revisiting tracks like “Dark Blue,” the breakout hit he wrote last for Transit — a song that, even now, surprises him. “It was just one of those moments. I wrote the bridge in the studio that day,” he recalls. “I’m not saying this from a place of ego… but it was just a perfect song and a perfect recording.”

While the songs feel more celebratory now, they still carry emotional weight. “If I’m really present on stage… something I hadn’t thought about for a while will all of a sudden come to life in my memory,” he says. “It’s the same for the audience. These songs are time travel devices.”

“There’s a sense memory and a trigger wired into these songs,” he adds. “If I’m really present on stage, something I hadn’t thought about in years can just rush back."

Outside his own music, McMahon continues to advocate for fans as one of the biggest voices for calling out scalpers and fighting for fair ticket access through careful pre-sale strategies. “The biggest thing that’s been hard is when you have a diehard fan who’s there on day one, and tickets get robbed by bots,” he tells MJ. “We’ve done a good job getting tickets to real fans. But it’s far from perfect.”

For longtime fans like me — who’ve followed him from Something Corporate to the Wilderness and now back to Jack’s — it feels like a full-circle moment. "It’s like stepping into a time machine,” McMahon says. “And when the show’s right, you feel like you're kind of in this bubble of something magical and rare.”

Pedro Pascal Raves About ’Fantastic Four’ Co-Star Vanessa Kirby

If the early hype surrounding the on-screen connection between Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby is any indication, fans could walk away very happy with the duo’s portrayal of Reed Richards and Sue Storm in Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Pascal and Kirby have both raved about the relationship they've built in the months leading up to the film. However, the former's recent comments are about as candid as you'll find.

Pascal recently opened up during an interview with Collider about the unique bond he and Kirby share in the build-up to the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps. He praised Kirby for being a "powerful woman," which he admits to being "inspired by."

Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby attend the 2025 CCXP Mexico at Centro Banamex.

Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images

“I love being led in a way. What you may identify as generosity for me, it just isn't. I'm only inspired by… I guess just powerful women have been the thing that has gotten me through being alive," Pascal said.

"So, to have the opportunity to stand by one, to learn from one — just a partner, it's partnership; it’s male and female, but it's also just a kind of transcendent sort of partnership in the work and in the characters. And, so I don't really know what the f*** I'm gonna do without you [Vanessa] honestly,"

Kirby had unparalleled praise for Pascal, stating she's never had a "male actor as a counterpart who's been so utterly equal and supportive of the relationship." She also said that Pascal's comments are "rare for an actor" to say.

Pascal's statement is incredible to read, and Kirby previously revealed that the duo spent months preparing and building their bond before filming. One thing that seems inevitable is that the rapport between Pascal and Kirby in Fantastic Four: First Steps is unlikely to disappoint, and that's a great thing for the film's outlook.

Fantastic Four: First Steps will premiere on July 25, 2025.

Related: 'Fantastic Four' Star Vanessa Kirby's Big Admission About Pedro Pascal Relationship

FBI Seeking Man Seen 'Throwing Rocks' on Video in Los Angeles

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's deputy director announced on June 7 that the agency is seeking the man who was seen "throwing rocks' in Los Angeles in a viral video.

The video emerged online as tensions escalated on June 7 in Los Angeles over the federal government's immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the federal actions in a statement of her own.

"We are currently seeking information regarding the identity of the person(s) throwing rocks at vehicles conducting critical law enforcement operations," the FBI's Deputy Director Dan Bongino wrote on X on June 7. 

"One of the perpetrators in this video is wearing a helmet, and we’re going to use our investigative tools to locate the individual. I strongly suggest you turn yourself in, it’s only a matter of time," he added.

The video shows a man on a sidewalk whipping rocks at passing vehicles.

Bongino shared this X post with the video:

Felon that should be charged with attempted murder, hurls rocks at Border Patrol and unmarked Federal vehicles leaving Paramount California. pic.twitter.com/sXO5MvrU8p

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 7, 2025

Bongino added, "And yes, multiple arrests have already been made for obstructing our operations. More are coming."

Meanwhile, Bass wrote, "This is a difficult time for our city. As we recover from an unprecedented natural disaster, many in our community are feeling fear following recent federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County." 

BREAKING: @FoxNews has obtained intense video showing @CBP agents’ perspective inside their vehicle as it is pelted with rocks while they attempt to leave the anti-ICE protest in Paramount, CA today. You can hear & see the windows & windshield breaking w/ each hit. Federal source… pic.twitter.com/2oo2N4GzU1

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 7, 2025

She added: "Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning. We’ve been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C., and are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward. Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable."

In an earlier statement, she wrote, “This morning, we received reports of federal immigration enforcement at multiple locations in Los Angeles. As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. My Office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations. We will not stand for this.”

Later in the evening of June 7, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in a statement that "The @DeptofDefense is mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department wrote in a news release, "On Saturday, June 7, 2025, at approximately 10:15 a.m., personnel from the Sheriff's Department responded to the 6400 Block of Paramount Boulevard in Paramount, following reports of a large crowd gathering in the area and obstructing traffic." 

The release added, "Upon arrival, deputies observed the presence of federal law enforcement officers and a significant number of individuals gathering to protest. As the situation escalated, the crowd of protesters became increasingly agitated, throwing objects and exhibiting violent behavior toward federal agents and deputy sheriffs. In response, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) requested additional resources countywide, deploying additional deputies to maintain order."

Related: Miguel Uribe Turbay's Wife Posts Condition Update as Chaotic Scene Videos Emerge