In today’s issue we discuss Lionel Messi scores with Pink Inter Miami FC Jersey, Taco Tuesday is now brought to you by Taco Bell, GM’s Cruise just got its permit suspended, the FCC rejected Varda’s application to land spacecraft in the U.S. the Grévin Museum is whitewashing “The Rock”, and Taylor Swift’s Polaroid photoshoot apartment is for sale.

Business

I read about this a few months ago, and my first thought was “Someone owns the trademark to ‘Taco Tuesday”?” This has been a saying in my family for close to 37 years, so I was shocked to learn that Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar in Somers Point, New Jersey, forfeited its trademark this week after more than four decades of owning it.

The proud owner of that trademark, and owner of the trademark in the other 49 states in the United States? None other than Taco Bell.

The cost to small independent restaurants and taco trucks nationwide was just too much to fight against the heavy-weight champion of tacos - Taco Bell, who had revenues of over $10 billion in the United States in 2022.

Taco Bell’s battle to free the ‘Taco Tuesday’ trademark is officially over

Tech

It’s no longer just 16 year olds who fear getting their learner’s permit suspended. The GM’s Cruise just got its permit suspended because “the agency determined the vehicles were not safe for the public’s operation and that Cruise misrepresented information related to the autonomous vehicle technology in its vehicles. The department also said that the conduct of autonomous vehicle testing on public roads by Cruise presented an unreasonable risk to the public.” They can still test their autonomous vehicles if there is a human driver behind the wheel, but no more showboating for Cruise vehicles for the foreseeable future.

According to Wikipedia “In March 2022, GM said that it is acquiring Softbank Vision Fund 1's equity ownership in Cruise for $2.1 billion. GM is also making an additional $1.35 billion investment in Cruise.” They now own 80% of Cruise, with Honda owning what I can tell is the rest of the company.

California DMV immediately suspends Cruise’s robotaxi permit

Space

Last month the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration rejected Varda’s application to land its first in-space manufacturing spacecraft in the Utah desert for what feels like a lack of coordination with the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (there’s the FAA again, holding up innovation and progress for U.S.-based space companies).

If you were constantly faced with delays by U.S. agencies what would you do? Well, Varda decided to move its operations to Australia to land their future return entry vehicles. How many companies does the FAA have to drive out of the country before the U.S. government steps in to help keep companies here so their valuable jobs don’t head over seas?

Varda Space will land its next capsule in Australia as it continues to coordinate first mission reentry

Entertainment

You’ve heard of Sportswashing, where countries use their economic might to buy their way into sports with the purchase of leagues, high paying contracts with star players, and lucrative endorsement deals. Now Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is dealing with whitewashing.

His wax statue in the Grévin Museum turned out looking a little on the pale side for the actor’s likings, and comedians and the general public seem to agree. If you ask me he’s also looking a little too slim considering this is “The Rock” we’re talking about here, who is one of the most muscular people I know (I’m also a bit of a fanboy, and would love to be able to do even a fraction of the workouts this man does).

A spokesperson for the museum seemed to agree, and said they’ll be making some updates, and the new statue will be ready when the “The Rock” next visits France.

Dwayne Johnson wants whitewashed wax figure to be updated: 'Starting with my skin color'

Real Estate

It wouldn’t be an issue of irl Media News if we didn’t have a piece on Taylor Swift (I’ll make Swifties out of you yet!). Even real estate she’s been associated with can command an inflated price.

And why is this apartment famous? Well, Taylor Swift took some Polaroids of herself in the apartment as a part of her marketing for her new iconic album “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” that is releasing this Friday, Oct. 27, and consists of “brand new recordings, made this New York City haven the backdrop for some of the most cherished Polaroids in her collection, according to Curbed.”

The apartment had been completely redone before Taylor shot her photos in it, and is now on the market for $3.7 million.

Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’ Polaroid paradise hits market for $3.7M

Sports

Why do people continue to underestimate the economic might of Lionel Messi? Adidas is the latest to underestimate him, and it’s costing them now. This article sums up why Lionel Messi’s jersey has taken off so wildly as a “result of an irresistible combination of one of the most recognizable and beloved athletes of his generation; a distinctive, exotic color; and the ruthless efficiency of textile factories in Southeast Asia.”

I could have easily told you demand for Messi’s jersey was going to be berserk, in fact we have an upcoming YouTube video about Lionel Messi, and how he came to call Inter Miami FC home, and I dive into his economic impact on the world of soccer and his newly joined club.

The Stratospheric Rise of Lionel Messi’s Pink Jersey

So much news, so little time. Until tomorrow we’re signing out.

— Chris