search
Fortune
Trends
- 1Japan swings from rice shortage to surplus in two years●Japan went from a rice shortage to a rice surplus in two years, due to drought, tourism and the U.S.
Japan has shifted from a rice shortage to a rice surplus in roughly two years, according to Fortune. The reversal is attributed to a combination of factors: drought conditions that had previously squeezed harvests, surging tourism that drove up domestic demand, and trade dynamics involving the United States. The swing has drawn attention given the political sensitivity of rice prices in Japan, where rice costs have been a major consumer concern.
- 2Nearly half of US home sellers now offering incentives to close deals●From cruises to $20,000, almost half of home sellers are offering incentives to unload properties
Roughly half of home sellers in the United States are now offering incentives to attract buyers, according to Fortune. Perks range from cruise packages to cash bonuses of up to $20,000, reflecting a cooling housing market where properties are sitting longer and buyers hold more negotiating power. The trend marks a notable shift from the pandemic-era seller's market.
- 3Apple ordered to pay $5.7 billion in haptics patent case●Apple owes Taction Technology $5.7 billion over iPhone and Watch haptics
Apple has been ordered to pay $5.7 billion to Taction Technology over haptics technology used in the iPhone and Apple Watch. The ruling, reported by Fortune, covers vibration and touch-feedback features central to both devices. It ranks among the largest patent damages awards against Apple, and the company is expected to contest it.