Jack in the Box is preparing to close up to 100 locations as it looks to streamline operations and sharpen its focus on core performance. The move follows the company's decision to sell Del Taco for nearly $120 million, signaling a shift away from diversification toward strengthening its primary brand. Despite plans for new openings, the closures reflect ongoing pressure in the quick-service restaurant industry.

The Breakdown:

• Store reductions: Dozens of locations set to shut down
• Strategic shift: Focus returning to core brand operations
• Industry pressure: Competitive landscape remains challenging

The Angle: Expansion is no longer the default growth strategy. For many restaurant chains, survival now depends on efficiency and focus rather than footprint.

Deadly Fire at South Korean Factory Kills at Least 14

A blaze at a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, has killed at least 14 people and injured nearly 60. Footage showed workers jumping from the building to escape the flames.

UK Aid Cuts Set to Impact World's Poorest Nations

Britain plans to slash aid to some of the world's poorest countries, including a reduction of nearly £900 million in funding to Africa by 2028–29. Critics warn the cuts could affect essential services like healthcare and education.

IVF Families Launch Campaign Against Alabama Justice

Families who relied on IVF treatments are campaigning against a former Alabama Supreme Court justice following a controversial ruling on embryos. The group has begun airing ads to raise awareness of the issue.

Ina Garten is releasing her first cookbook in four years, Simply Ina, arriving October 20. The collection focuses on easy, flavorful recipes designed to bring people together, continuing the approachable style that made her previous books bestsellers.

Meanwhile, Lisa Vanderpump has put her West Hollywood hotspot TomTom up for sale three years after the "Scandoval" fallout. The listing includes branding, furnishings, and other assets, though the bar remains open for now.

The idea that eating small meals every 2-3 hours "boosts metabolism" is a myth that won't die. Research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows meal frequency has zero impact on metabolic rate when total calories are controlled. Your body burns the same energy digesting 3 large meals or 6 small meals. What matters? Total daily protein and calories, not timing. The exception: a 30-90 minute post-workout window exists for muscle protein synthesis, but it's far less critical than hitting daily protein targets.

Focus on meal timing that supports your lifestyle and training schedule, not arbitrary rules. If you train fasted, consider 20-40 grams of protein within 2 hours post-workout to optimize recovery. Eat 3-5 meals daily based on hunger and schedule—consistency matters more than frequency. Front-load protein and calories earlier in the day if training in the afternoon. Don't stress about "speeding up metabolism" with constant eating—your metabolic rate is determined by muscle mass, activity level, and genetics, not meal timing. Eat when it fits your life and supports performance.

Cold emails have a 1-5% response rate on average, but well-crafted emails from people who understand persuasion get 20-30% responses. Research from Yesware analyzing millions of cold emails found that personalized messages under 100 words with a single clear call-to-action get 3x more replies than long generic pitches. The secret isn't clever tricks—it's demonstrating you've done research, offering value before asking for anything, and respecting their time. Cold email is the highest-leverage networking tool that scales, but only when you treat recipients like humans, not leads.

Start with a personalized line proving you've researched them—reference recent work, mutual connections, or shared interests. State why you're reaching out in one sentence with radical clarity. Offer value before asking: share a relevant insight, resource, or connection. Make your ask small and specific—15-minute call, not "pick your brain." Keep total email under 150 words. Subject lines should be personal, not salesy: "Quick question about [specific project]" beats "Opportunity for you." Follow up once after 5-7 days if no response. Cold emails work when you focus on starting conversations, not closing deals.

Your desk isn't just where you work—it's a performance environment. The right setup eliminates friction, reduces fatigue, and keeps your brain in "go mode" without forcing motivation.

Pro Tip: Anything you reach for daily should be within arm's length. If you stand up to get it, you'll get distracted on the way.

Osa locals—mostly Ticos (Costa Ricans) and a handful of expat conservationists—wake to howler monkey alarm clocks at dawn. Life runs on "Tico time"—schedules are suggestions, and rushing is pointless when rain or tides control everything. Communities like Puerto Jiménez (population 1,500) function as frontier towns where everyone knows everyone, and the local pulpería (corner store) is social hub.

Former miners and loggers now work as guides, lodge staff, and conservationists—a dramatic shift requiring retraining and cultural change. Eco-tourism provides 70% of local income, but resentment lingers over evictions and lost livelihoods. Still, locals take fierce pride in their wilderness. Kids grow up identifying birds by call, avoiding bushmaster snakes, and respecting jaguars. Electricity arrived in the 1990s; many areas still lack cell service. Internet is spotty, roads flood, and supplies arrive by boat during rainy season. But Osa locals wouldn't trade it—they've seen what overdevelopment did to northern Costa Rica. Their motto? "Pura vida" isn't a slogan here; it's survival strategy in paradise.

Tomorrow: The flavors of Pacific Costa Rica...