Starbucks (SBUX) Revokes Open-Door Policy
to Enhance Customer Experience
Posted By: sunset, 1/14/2025 1:58:50 AM
Starbucks (SBUX, Financial), the global coffee giant, has revoked a key policy that allowed anyone, including non-purchasers, to use its café spaces, patios, and restrooms. This policy had been in place since 2018. The company announced a new code of conduct aimed at making U.S. stores more appealing and regaining high-end customers. According to a Starbucks spokesperson, the new rules will prioritize paying customers who wish to enjoy their coffee and use the facilities. The updated code, effective January 27, includes prohibitions against begging and disorderly conduct. If necessary, staff can seek assistance from local law enforcement.
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sunset"
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Israel must withdraw its forces from Syria or it will cause “unfavorable outcomes for everyone.”
“The aggressive actions of the forces attacking Syrian territory, Israel, in particular, must come to an end as soon as possible,” he said during a meeting of his party in Ankara.
“Everyone should take their hands off Syria and we, along with our Syrian brothers, will crush the heads of Islamic State, the YPG and other terrorist organizations in a short time.”
Starbucks (SBUX, Financial), the global coffee giant, has revoked a key policy that allowed anyone, including non-purchasers, to use its café spaces, patios, and restrooms. This policy had been in place since 2018. The company announced a new code of conduct aimed at making U.S. stores more appealing and regaining high-end customers. According to a Starbucks spokesperson, the new rules will prioritize paying customers who wish to enjoy their coffee and use the facilities. The updated code, effective January 27, includes prohibitions against begging and disorderly conduct. If necessary, staff can seek assistance from local law enforcement.
California Gov. Newsom Makes $50 Million
Deal with Dem Lawmakers to Fight Trump, Deportations 16 replies
Deal with Dem Lawmakers to Fight Trump, Deportations 16 replies
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has made a deal with fellow far-left Democrats in the state legislature to set aside $50 million in taxpayer funds to fight the Trump administration and to shield illegal migrants from deportations — as the Los Angeles fires death toll reaches 24.
Newsom convened a special session immediately after President-elect Donald Trump handily beat Vice President Kamala Harris in the November election, saying another Trump presidency would require the legislature to “provide additional funding to the California Department of Justice (CADOJ) and other agencies” to prepare for legal battles.
Attorneys for Boulder have appealed a judge’s finding that the city cannot charge fees for police video footage requested under a 2020 Colorado law passed in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
The appeal, which was expected, may take months to work its way through the Colorado Court of Appeals. But it could have implications for when, if, and how the city can charge fees for future police footage requests.
Last April, local publication Yellow Scene Magazine sued the city for not promptly releasing unedited police video footage from a Dec. 17, 2023, police shooting. On that day, officers shot and killed Jeanette Alatorre, 51, near the North Boulder Recreation Center,
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday announced the arrest of seven foreigners -- including two Americans -- whom he accused of being "mercenaries" trying to prevent him from being sworn-in for another six years in power. Maduro said the Americans, two Colombian "hitmen" and three "mercenaries" from the war in Ukraine were involved in plotting unspecified "terrorist acts" ahead of his planned inauguration Friday. "I am sure that in the next few hours they will confess," Maduro said in a broadcast on state television, before declaring a mass deployment of police and military across the country.
French politician Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of the National Front far-right party, has died at the age of 96. In a statement to AFP, his family said he had died in the Paris region. "Jean-Marie Le Pen, surrounded by his family, was called to God this Tuesday at 12:00." During his career, Le Pen carved out a position in French politics and society as one of its most infamous politicians, who found support among voters for his rhetoric. With the ascent of his daughter Marine Le Pen, with whom he had several deep political disagreements, he introduced a political dynasty into French politics.
Labour was last night accused of plotting a shameless bid to 'rig' the next election by sweeping away laws to prevent voter fraud and allowing millions of foreign nationals to vote.
Speculation is mounting in Westminster that ministers are drawing up radical reforms that will dramatically overhaul the way elections are held – and potentially 'lock in' a Labour Party majority.
The Government is already planning to extend the right to vote to 16 and 17-year-olds, with legislation expected later this year.
Iran warns Italy that bilateral ties at
risk if it bows to 'hostile' US demands
over drone suspect 3 replies
risk if it bows to 'hostile' US demands
over drone suspect 3 replies
Iran warned Italy on Friday that it risked harming good bilateral relations if it bows to the “political and hostile goals” of the United States by detaining an Iranian engineer on a U.S. warrant in connection with a drone attack in Jordan last year that killed three American troops.
Tehran issued the warning to the Italian ambassador to Iran, Paola Amadei, who was summoned to the foreign ministry, the official IRNA news agency reported. The meeting took place a day after Italy summoned the Iranian ambassador over the detention of an Italian journalist in Tehran.
Psychedelic therapy begins in Colorado,
causing tension between conservatives
and veterans 11 replies
causing tension between conservatives
and veterans 11 replies
As Colorado becomes the second state to legalize psychedelic therapy this week, a clash is playing out in Colorado Springs, where conservative leaders are restricting the treatment over objections from some of the city's 90,000 veterans, who've become flagbearers for psychedelic therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Colorado residents voted to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin, the chemical compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, in a 2022 ballot measure, launching two years of rulemaking before it could be used to treat conditions such as depression and PTSD. This week, companies and people will be able to apply for licenses to administer the mind-altering drug,
Elon Calms Down: Musk Calls for ‘Major
Reform’ of ‘Broken’ H-1B Visa System
Despite Fiery Defense 15 replies
Reform’ of ‘Broken’ H-1B Visa System
Despite Fiery Defense 15 replies
Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk has shifted his stance on the H-1B visa program, now calling for a “major reform” of the system just days after vowing to “go to war” in a fiery defense of the immigration program.
In a surprising reversal, Elon Musk has labeled the H-1B visa system as “broken” on Sunday and said it needs significant changes, despite loudly defending the program which allows skilled foreign workers to be employed in the U.S. The Tesla chief had clashed with supporters of former President Donald Trump in recent days over the issue of H-1B visas and immigration.
Ukraine became one of the first countries to pay a high-level visit to Syria after the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime. A delegation headed by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha went to Damascus. He met with former rebels and the leadership of the transitional Syrian administration now - its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, and Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaybani. “Syria is a very important Middle Eastern country... It is key to the security situation in the region. Furthermore, we have a common enemy with Syria - the Iranian regime. And the new Syrian leadership is quite unambiguous in articulating this position."
The doomed South Korea flight was warned of a bird strike before making an emergency landing and exploding into a fireball that killed 179 people. The Jeju Air flight carrying 175 passengers and six crew members was returning from Thailand's capital Bangkok when the horror unfolded at Muan International Airport in South Korea. South Korea's Transport Ministry has today confirmed that the control tower had sent a warning message that the ill-fated aircraft had suffered a bird strike before the deadly disaster.
Most Active Articles (last 48 hours)
Michelle Obama will not attend Donald
Trump’s inauguration after skipping
Jimmy Carter’s funeral 53 replies
Trump’s inauguration after skipping
Jimmy Carter’s funeral 53 replies
Former first lady Michelle Obama is set to snub President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next Monday after skipping former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last week — where she would have sat next to the one and future commander-in-chief.
“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama said in a statement to the Associated Press.
The former first lady’s team did not provide a reason for skipping the inauguration, but Michelle Obama, 60, has been an impassioned critic of Trump, 78, over the past eight years.
Durbin: ‘Very Grave Concern’ Pam Bondi
Will Seek Retribution Against Trump’s
Political Foes 34 replies
Will Seek Retribution Against Trump’s
Political Foes 34 replies
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said Wednesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that he was concerned President-elect Donald Trump’s Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi will conduct a campaign of retribution against his political enemies.
Co-host Jonathan Lemire said, “Let’s zero in on the hearing for attorney general nominee Pam Bondi, in particular, much has been made of Donald Trump’s wish for the department of justice to carry out a campaign of retribution against his political foes and the like. What sort of questions do you want to pose to her about that particular topic? How grave of a concern is it?”
No One Wants A Biden Presidential Library
31 replies
During the California leg of a year-long journey across America, I devoted a day to visiting two presidential libraries within a short distance of each other. I started that morning at the Richard Nixon Presidential Museum and Library and a few hours later proceeded to that of Ronald Reagan. Some months earlier I had also stopped at the Harry Truman Library and Museum in Missouri.
Every president is actively encouraged to plan and construct an official repository of his documents from his time in office. The resulting library is more than the collection of the paperwork generated during his tenure, however.
It looks like Kamala Harris's classy streak is over.
For awhile there, we thought something had changed in her when she graciously certified the 2024 election in the Senate and put on a decent appearance at Jimmy Carter's funeral. It seemed like a politically smart way of distinguishing herself from bitter Joe Biden and preserving her political viability.
But now the old Kamala is back, classless as ever, refusing to give the incoming vice president, J.D. Vance and his young family, a courtesy tour of the Naval Observatory, which serves as the vice presidential residence. She even could have proudly shown him all the renovations she had done.
Michelle Obama is skipping Donald Trump’s inauguration because she’s “no phony,” we’re told.
While her husband appears to be playing nice with the president-elect, Michelle won’t do the same.
Former President Barack Obama and Trump appeared chummy at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, but Michelle was nowhere in sight because she was reportedly on an “extended holiday vacation” in Hawaii. (Photo)
She isn’t even giving an excuse for Jan. 20.
The Office of Barack and Michelle Obama simply announced that Michelle “will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” in a statement to the Associated Press on Tuesday. And a source familiar with the Obamas’ circle told Page Six it’s “deliberate.”
Special counsel report found Trump engaged
in ‘criminal effort’ to overturn 2020 election 28 replies
in ‘criminal effort’ to overturn 2020 election 28 replies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith concluded that Donald Trump engaged in an "unprecedented criminal effort" to hold on to power after losing the 2020 election, but was thwarted in bringing the case to trial by the president-elect's November election victory, according to a report published on Tuesday.
The report details Smith's decision to bring a four-count indictment against Trump, accusing him of plotting to obstruct the collection and certification of votes following his 2020 defeat by Democratic President Joe Biden. It concludes that the evidence would have been enough to convict Trump at trial, but his imminent return to the presidency, set for Jan. 20, made that impossible.
WASHINGTON — Retiring President Biden lifted Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism Tuesday, less than a week before leaving office — outraging Republican members of Congress who believe more stringent sanctions should remain in effect.
Biden, 82, made the decision in deference to the Catholic Church’s talks with the island’s Communist authorities on releasing political prisoners, the White House said.
“We view this as an opportune moment to do so, given the important dialogue that is taking place between Cuba and the Catholic Church with respect to political prisoners,” a Biden administration official told reporters.
Puerto Rico calls on Trump to respond
after Venezuelan President Maduro threatens
to invade 22 replies
after Venezuelan President Maduro threatens
to invade 22 replies
Puerto Rico’s governor has called on President-elect Donald Trump to respond after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro threatened to invade the U.S. territory.
Governor Jenniffer González-Colón called on Trump’s administration to “swiftly respond and make clear to the Maduro narco-regime that the U.S. will protect American lives and sovereignty and won’t bow down to petty, murderous thugs” in a letter addressed to the president-elect Monday.
González-Colón called Maduro’s threat “an open threat to the United States, our national security and stability in the region.”
Hamas OKs draft agreement of a Gaza ceasefire
and the release of some hostages, officials say 22 replies
and the release of some hostages, officials say 22 replies
Cairo—Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, two officials involved in the talks said Tuesday. Mediators from the United States and Qatar said Israel and the Palestinian militant group were at the closest point yet to sealing a deal to bring them a step closer to ending 15 months of war.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the proposed agreement, and an Egyptian official and a Hamas official confirmed its authenticity. An Israeli official said progress has been made, but the details are being finalized. All three officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks.
Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire agreement being finalized by negotiators in Doha, two Israeli officials said, the first positive sign in months that a truce in the Israel-Hamas war may be in sight.
Officials have expressed cautious optimism that a deal could soon be announced to halt 15 months of fighting that has destabilized the Middle East and devastated Gaza, allow for more aid into the besieged Palestinian enclave, and ensure the return of dozens of hostages held by Hamas since its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Kamala Harris eyeing post-loss life in
NYC as second gentleman tours $20K-a-month
luxury space 19 replies
NYC as second gentleman tours $20K-a-month
luxury space 19 replies
It’s not the White House. But… it’s a short walk to the Park?
Kamala Harris is eyeing post-loss life in New York, we hear.
Page Six spies say that Doug Emhoff toured a $20,000-a-month three-bedroom at the Park Loggia luxury condo building on the Upper West Side last week. (“The missus was missing,” said the source.) No word yet if the power pair plan to take the apartment.
Meanwhile, a source said, “Not from me, but I heard they were looking to be bicoastal.”
A third said that the soon-to-be-former VEEP and Second Gentleman intend for Los Angeles to continue to be their base when they leave Number One Observatory Circle this week,
Is there a connection between Castro, Inc. and the fires that are ravaging Los Angeles? Yes, definitely. Karen Bass, the city’s mayor, has not only visited Cuba numerous times while serving in public office here in the U.S., but also volunteered to harvest sugarcane with the Venceremos Brigade organized by Fidel Castro in 1969, which served as a training program for leftist American agitators, spies, and terrorists. And when Fidel Castro died in 2016, she whined loudly about what “a great loss to the Cuban people” the passing of their “commander in chief” was.