A Saudi-backed league is challenging the status quo of the MMA world
A league backed by Saudi Arabia — Professional Fighters League — is taking on the Ultimate Fighting Championship — or UFC — in the world of mixed martial arts.
Business
Spotify to cut 17% of staff in the latest round of tech layoffs
In a memo addressed to staff, CEO Daniel Ek said it was necessary for the company to "rightsize" after hiring too many people during 2020 and 2021. Roughly 1,500 workers are likely to be let go.
Purdue Pharma, Sacklers' OxyContin settlement lands at the Supreme Court
Under the deal, Purdue agreed it owed $8 billion in criminal and civil fines. That deal is at the center of Monday's case because it releases the Sacklers from personal liability.
Budget airline Ryanair has found a new way to charge a fee
Travelers can be charged up to $27 to get a digital boarding pass with a random seat assignment. Or, the airline says, they can wait in line to get one printed out for free.
Theater owners love Beyoncé and Taylor Swift's movies as much as fans do
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé topped the box office over the weekend but took in far less than Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour did in its opening weekend. Doesn't matter — theater owners still win.
Morning news brief
Israel's military expands Gaza ground offensive — targets all Hamas strongholds. The Purdue Pharma OxyContin settlement lands at the Supreme Court. Former Rep. Liz Cheney's new book is out Tuesday.
Alaska Airlines to buy Hawaiian Airlines in deal that may attract regulator scrutiny
Alaska Airlines said it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal, including debt, putting it on track for a potential clash with a Biden administration.
A third of American adults go into debt to pay for holiday shopping
Every year, an estimated third of American adults go into debt to pay for holiday expenses. NPR's Asma Khalid speaks with LendingTree Chief Credit analyst Matt Schulz about why that happens.
Veterans fear the VA's new foreclosure rescue plan won't help them
A pause in foreclosures after an NPR investigation may be of no help to many vets. They were already pushed into costly loan modifications after a move by the VA stranded them in a tough spot.
Weed can't be shipped across state lines. A lawsuit in Oregon hopes to change that
Many states where marijuana has been legalized are now facing a marijuana glut — something that could be solved by shipping weed across state lines. But interstate trade of marijuana is still banned.