From candy corn and licensed costumes to pop-up Halloween shops and haunted houses, some of October’s most iconic traditions began as simple ideas from entrepreneurs and small businesses before evolving into major commercial phenomena. In 2025, Halloween grew into a $13.1 billion consumer business, driven in part by these innovations.
More women are entering the skilled trades, taking on roles in construction, welding and engineering, attracted by high-paying jobs and growing career opportunities. As companies introduce better benefits, greater flexibility and more inclusive workplaces, women are reshaping traditionally male-dominated industries.
Surging demand from AI data centres has driven flash memory prices up fivefold over the past year, giving suppliers such as Kioxia greater leverage over Apple. The shift is increasing storage costs for the iPhone maker, putting pressure on profit margins and contributing to higher prices across its product lineup.
Microsoft is extending voluntary exit offers to eligible employees in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and India, providing financial support and career planning resources. The time-limited program follows an earlier buyout initiative in April, which was accepted by more than 30% of eligible employees, according to a person familiar with the matter.