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Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Ice cream hit by two scoops of inflation
We won't all just be screaming for ice cream on National Ice Cream Day this Sunday, we'll be screaming about its high prices. Why it matters: At the height of summer, prices for America's go-to frozen treat are hitting new highs, according to federal data. The big picture: The average price of a half gallon of ice cream was $6.49 in June, up nearly 6% from June 2024, per the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED released Wednesday. The price of a half gallon is up nearly 33% since June 2021, when it was $4.89. Zoom in: Soaring ingredient costs, extreme weather and hot demand are fueling the higher prices. By the numbers: Americans spent $289 on ice cream in 2024 and $170 in the first five months of 2025, according to data from Empower. Americans spent $31 on ice cream in May 2025, a 26.5% jump over April 2025, Empower found. Gen Z spent nearly double any other group, forking over an average of $63.20 in May. Millennials purchased $33, Boomers, $32.60, and Gen X, $25.10, in May, per Empower. The average American eats roughly 19 pounds of ice cream each year, or about 4 gallons, per the International Dairy Foods Association. National Ice Cream Day deals and freebies Dig in: Deals and freebies at certain restaurant chains on National Ice Cream Day can provide some relief from the inflationary pressures. The day is marked annually on the third Sunday in July. Here are some of the deals available on Sunday, July 20:
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
Hackers can use just a radio to cause train accidents in US, CISA explains how
Representative Image The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning about a key train system in the US. The warning specifically concerns the End-of-Train and Head-of-Train protocol, which the agency claims could be hacked using only a radio. This vulnerability stems from the system's lack of encryption and authentication protocols. The flaw involves the communication between a Flashing Rear End Device (FRED), or End-of-Train (EOT) device, attached to the back of a train, and a corresponding Head-of-Train (HOT) device in the locomotive. Installed in the 1980s to replace caboose cars, these devices can transmit data via radio signals, where commands can also be sent to the FRED to apply brakes at the rear of the train. The current system is dependent on data packets with a simple BCH checksum for error detection. However, CISA is now warning that a person using a software-defined radio could potentially send fake data packets, which would allow them to interfere with train operations. What CISA said about this train system vulnerability In its advisory, CISA wrote: 'Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to send their own brake control commands to the end-of-train device, causing a sudden stoppage of the train, which may lead to a disruption of operations, or induce brake failure,' the CISA wrote in its advisory.' What researchers said about this train system's vulnerability CISA credited researchers Neil Smith and Eric Reuter for reporting this vulnerability. Moreover, in a post shared on the social media platform X (earlier Twitter) that he had first alerted the agency's predecessor, ICS-CERT, back in 2012 and no action was taken at the time. In his X post, Smith wrote: 'So how bad is this? You could remotely take control over a Train's brake controller from a very long distance away, using hardware that costs sub $500. You could induce brake failure leading to derailments or you could shutdown the entire national railway system.' However, Smith noted that efforts to address a cybersecurity flaw stalled due to a disagreement between ICS-CERT and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) between 2012 and 2016, as the latter considered the risk too theoretical without real-world proof. When Smith raised the issue again in 2024, AAR still downplayed its importance, though it later announced plans to upgrade the outdated system in 2026. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Gizmodo
15-07-2025
- Gizmodo
Hackers Can Tamper With Train Brakes Using Just a Radio, Feds Warn
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an advisory last week warning that a key train system could be hacked using nothing but a radio and a little know-how. The flaw has to do with the protocol used in a train system known as the End-of-Train and Head-of-Train. A Flashing Rear End Device (FRED), also known as an End-of-Train (EOT) device, is attached to the back of a train and sends data via radio signals to a corresponding device in the locomotive called the Head-of-Train (HOT). Commands can also be sent to the FRED to apply the brakes at the rear of the train. These devices were first installed in the 1980s as a replacement for caboose cars, and unfortunately, they lack encryption and authentication protocols. Instead, the current system uses data packets sent between the front and back of a train that include a simple BCH checksum to detect errors or interference. But now, the CISA is warning that someone using a software-defined radio could potentially send fake data packets and interfere with train operations. 'Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to send their own brake control commands to the end-of-train device, causing a sudden stoppage of the train which may lead to a disruption of operations, or induce brake failure,' the CISA wrote in its advisory. The CISA credits researchers Neil Smith and Eric Reuter for reporting this vulnerability to the agency. However, Smith wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he first alerted the Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT), which is now part of CISA, of the risk in 2012 and no action was taken to address the issue at the time. 'So how bad is this? You could remotely take control over a Train's brake controller from a very long distance away, using hardware that costs sub $500. You could induce brake failure leading to derailments or you could shutdown the entire national railway system,' Smith wrote on X. According to Smith, there was a stalemate between ICS-CERT and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) between 2012 and 2016. He claims that the AAR found the risk too theoretical and required proof that it could actually happen in the real world before taking action. In 2024, Smith brought the issue up again with the agency. Smith wrote on X that the AAR still felt the issue was not a big deal, but in April, the industry group announced that it would finally start upgrading the outdated system in 2026. Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity Chris Butera downplayed any current risks stemming from the EOT's vulnerabilities in a statement emailed to Gizmodo. 'The End-of-Train (EOT) and Head-of-Train (HOT) vulnerability has been understood and monitored by rail sector stakeholders for over a decade,' wrote Butera. 'To exploit this issue, a threat actor would require physical access to rail lines, deep protocol knowledge, and specialized equipment, which limits the feasibility of widespread exploitation—particularly without a large, distributed presence in the U.S.' Butera added that CISA is working with industry partners on mitigation strategies and confirmed that a fix is on the way. The AAR did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Gizmodo.
Gulf Today
15-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Why a college degree no longer guarantees a good job
Steven Hill, Tribune News Service A college education used to be considered, along with homeownership, one of the key pillars of the American Dream. Is that still the case? Recent experiences of college graduates seeking employment raise questions about whether a university diploma remains the best pathway to pursuing happiness, as it once was. Consider the case of recent grad Lohanny Santo, whose TikTok video went viral with over 3.6 million 'likes' as she broke down in tears and vented her frustration over her inability to find even a minimum wage job. That was despite her dual degrees from Pace University and her ability to speak three languages. John York, a 24-year-old with a master's degree in math from New York University, writes that 'it feels like I am screaming into the void with each application I am filling out.' With many recent graduates hitting the pavement searching for work, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) says theunemployment rate for recent college grads with a bachelor's degree hit a high of 6.1% in May, up from 4.4% in April. It's even worse for young people with a master's degree, which FRED reports has an unemployment rate of 7.2%. The under-employment rate also rose sharply to 41.2%, according to the New York Federal Reserve. The payroll company ADP reported that hiring in May slowed to its lowest level in more than two years. This trend of rising unemployment and underemployment among recent college graduates looks even more dire when compared to the rest of the U.S., where unemployment has held steady at 4.2%. According to a new report from Oxford Economics, people with a bachelor's degree or higher have a higher unemployment rate than the national average, which is 'the first time this has happened in the last 45 years.' Matthew Martin, senior economist at Oxford Economics, told CBS MoneyWatch that this is especially noteworthy because 'those with higher educational attainment usually have better prospects overall than their peers with less.' Job market for graduates growing grimmer: At various times in the past, college graduates have often struggled to find their first post-graduation job. But now their prospects look even grimmer. And the experts are not so clear on the reasons why the college-to-job transmission belt is working so poorly. But they have some theories. First, the number of available entry-level jobs may be declining. The campus recruiting company Handshake reports that the number of job postings on its platform for 2025 graduates has fallen 15 percent. Yet the number of applicants submitting their resumes for each available position has increased by 30%. Second, ongoing economic uncertainty is playing a role. Going back to 2024, high prices and inflation led to shaky consumer demand and increased caution among employers, especially amid a rollercoaster presidential election, which contributed to hesitancy over hiring new workers. Today, economic uncertainty is even greater, spurred largely by President Donald Trump's aggressive and constantly evolving tariff agenda. That has led a number of businesses to hit "pause" on investment and growth, which in turn affects their hiring decisions. Brad Hersbein, senior economist at the Upjohn Institute, a labor-focused think tank, says, 'Young people are bearing the brunt of a lot of economic uncertainty. The people that you often are most hesitant in hiring when economic conditions are uncertain are entry-level positions.' A third factor is in play, let's call it the 'DOGE effect.' Under pressure from the Trump administration's federal hiring freeze and budget cuts, several federal agencies have canceled intern programs for thousands of graduates, including those at USAID, the US Foreign Service, and the summer 2025 cycle of the Student Internship Program. Previous offers to participate in these internship programs have been rescinded, leaving these graduates stranded. STEM jobs disappearing? However, the most compelling factor that has attracted increasing attention and warrants continued monitoring into the future is the impact of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), on job prospects. For years, young people seeking a lucrative career were urged to dive into computer science and so-called STEM jobs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). From 2005 to 2023, the number of comp-sci majors in the US quadrupled. But now a new wrinkle is being observed in the unemployment reports. While the overall jobless rate has hit a high of 6.1%, the level among certain science-related occupations is even worse, including physics at 7.8% and computer engineering, 7.5%. The Oxford Economics report found that many entry-level positions in the tech sector are being displaced by recent advances in AI. Entry-level jobs in the STEM sector are particularly susceptible to automation and replacement. Says the report, 'The rise in the recent graduate unemployment rate is largely part of a mismatch between an oversupply of recent graduates in fields where business demand has waned.' Not all computer science workers are exposed to this risk. Those who graduated several years ago and have accumulated more than a few years of work experience are doing well. However, those who perform lower-level, rote work are now competing with AI bots for jobs. With such a grim job outlook for entry-level coders, enrollment in computer science programs is starting to decline. This year enrollment in comp-sci majors grew by only 0.2% nationally, and at many programmes it appears to be in decline. At Stanford, widely considered one of the country's top programmes, the number of comp-sci majors has stalled, and at Princeton, the cohort of graduating comp-sci majors is projected to decline by 25%. The lead culprit for this dramatic shift, which will play out for years to come, is technology and AI. AI may well replace the very workers who built it. New (or old?) career paths? It's too early to draw hard conclusions about these tech trends, but it seems clear that a college degree or even a STEM degree is no longer the guaranteed ticket to the American Dream it once was. Might new — or perhaps old — career paths present more opportunity? Last year, the CEOs of Home Depot and Walmart wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal titled 'Not Everyone Needs a College Degree.' Ted Decker and John Furner wrote, 'Young people have been told for decades that achieving the American Dream requires a college degree... While a college degree is a worthwhile path to prosperity, it isn't the only one.' The authors continued, 'The American Dream isn't dead, but the path to reach it might look different for job seekers today than it did for their parents. We owe it to younger generations to open our minds to the different opportunities workers have to learn new skills and achieve their dreams.' So... plumber, electrician, carpenter, anyone? AI and robots won't replace those occupations anytime soon, and their average salary is around $30 per hour for entry-level ($60,000 per year), and double that amount for skilled journeymen, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As I discovered when I recently bought a home, it's not so easy to hire skilled craftsmen because there aren't enough of them, and they are in high demand. Might this become a more viable career path for more young job seekers? It seems likely that today's college graduates and younger entry-level applicants will have to be open to new career paths, as the old ones are starting to look more like dead ends.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New graduates are having such a hard time finding jobs they're now having an ‘oversize' impact on America's unemployment rate
Unemployment rates for recent college graduates have surged in recent data, with the rate for those holding a bachelor's degree rising to 6.1%—and even higher for those with advanced degrees or some college but no degree—contrasting with a national rate of 4.2%. This may strengthen the argument of top CEOs like Jamie Dimon, Ted Decker, and John Furner who have urged young people and employers to prioritize job-ready skills and alternative career paths over traditional college degrees. Graduates choose to attend college instead of heading straight into the workforce for a range of reasons, be it furthering their studies in a specific field or gaining qualifications needed for a certain role. But their motives often boil down to one thing: landing a career in the profession of their choice. It seems that in 2025, those dreams are falling flat. According to the most recent data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), the unemployment rate for college graduates with a bachelor's degree sat at 6.1% in May—up from 4.4% just a month prior. Likewise, the unemployment rate for those ages 20 to 24 with some college experience but no degree, as well as those of the same age demographic with a master's degree or higher, spiked last month. FRED reports that Gen Z with a master's or higher now have an unemployment rate of 7.2% while those with some college experience have an unemployment rate of 9.4%. According to analysis by the Wall Street Journal, that picture is even more dire. Citing micro data from the Labor Department, the WSJ estimates graduates have an unemployment rate of 6.6% over the past 12 months ending in May, the highest level in a decade with the exception of the pandemic spike. This trend of increasing unemployment is at odds with the picture of the rest of the U.S., where unemployment held steady at 4.2% from April to May, elevated only a little from the rate 12 months ago. It's perhaps no surprise then that the graduates who do land entry-level jobs tend to stay in them, for fear of being stuck in a stagnant market. Meanwhile, grads who didn't land a role find it difficult to get a foot onto the career ladder. As researchers from Oxford Economics reflected in a study last month: 'Those in the professional, scientific, and technical services are less likely than their peers to seek employment in a different industry, though they are more likely to accept underemployment—defined as a college graduate who is employed in a job where more than 50% of workers in the same role do not have a bachelor's degree or higher.' Indeed, while some young potential staffers are willing to take sideways steps in order to earn an income, the analysts suggested Gen Z grads are having a harder time than most: 'The upshot is that the unemployment rate for recent college graduates will remain elevated in the near term without a surge in demand from tech companies or a mass exodus from the labor force by these individuals, both of which seem unlikely. 'While these workers only account for around 5% of the workforce, they have played an oversize role in pushing the national unemployment higher.' An argument could be made that the data suggests employers aren't finding the skills they need in newly minted grads, despite the tens of thousands of dollars many will have forked over to achieve their degrees. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, for example, has pushed for education reform to rank colleges based on whether its students land jobs as opposed to how many of them graduate. 'If you look at kids they gotta be educated to get jobs. Too much focus in education has been on graduating college…It should be on jobs. I think the schools should be measured on, Did the kids get out and get a good job?' Dimon told Indianapolis-based WISH-TV last year. The idea that college is the only way to land a well-paid job is also inaccurate, he added, saying 17-year-old bank tellers can take home $40,000 a year 'and if you happen to have a family at 18 or whatever, you get $20,000 in medical benefit for your family. You can be a welder, you can be a coder, you could be cyber, you could be automotive—all of those jobs are $40,000 to $60,000, $70,000 a year.' Dimon, a veteran of Wall Street, has also argued educators should focus on skills which will stand individuals in good stead for the rest of their lives such as nutrition and financial literacy. The JPMorgan Chase boss isn't alone. In a WSJ op-ed last year titled 'Not Everyone Needs a College Degree,' the CEOs of Home Depot and Walmart U.S., Ted Decker and John Furner, wrote: 'Young people have been told for decades that achieving the American dream requires a college degree…While a college degree is a worthwhile path to prosperity, it isn't the only one.' They added: 'The American dream isn't dead, but the path to reach it might look different for job seekers today than it did for their parents. We owe it to younger generations to open our minds to the different opportunities workers have to learn new skills and achieve their dreams.' This story was originally featured on
