Lufthansa fined $4M for discrimination; plus, Mark Cuban shares strategies for earning passive income through investments

Lufthansa faces a $4 million fine from the U.S. Department of Transportation due to discriminatory practices. Meanwhile, billionaire Mark Cuban shares practical advice for earning passive income, including investing in dividend stocks, the S&P 500, low-cost mutual funds, and high-yield savings accounts.

> The U.S. Department of Transportation fined Lufthansa $4 million for discriminating against Jewish passengers in May 2022. The airline denied boarding to 128 Jewish travelers at Frankfurt Airport after a few passengers' actions on a prior flight. While Lufthansa called the incident a result of miscommunication, the DOT upheld the discrimination charge, marking the largest civil rights penalty in its history. In response, Lufthansa is partnering with Jewish organizations to implement anti-discrimination training for its staff.

> Jim Cantrell, founder of Phantom Space, supports Elon Musk in SpaceX's lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission. The lawsuit claims the commission showed bias by rejecting SpaceX's request to increase annual launches from 36 to 50 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, citing Musk's politics as a factor. SpaceX argues that other companies have received approval for similar or more frequent launches, indicating discriminatory treatment. Cantrell, a SpaceX co-founder, believes government decisions should not be influenced by political affiliations and has voiced concerns about anti-competitive behavior in the commission's actions.

> General Motors has refreshed its Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs for the 2025 model year to maintain leadership in the full-size SUV segment amid growing competition from brands like Ford, Jeep, and Nissan. The updated models feature new styling, larger interior screens, enhanced performance, and the availability of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system. Although GM's market share in this segment has declined from over 70% in 2020 to about 64% now, the company still leads the industry, despite a recent dip in sales due to the model changeover and reduced fleet sales. The 2025 Tahoe and Suburban are set to arrive in U.S. dealerships soon, with starting prices ranging from $60,000 to over $86,000, including destination fees.

Around 70% of U.S. families own pets, creating a significant demand for pet-sitting services when they travel. A pet-sitting business involves taking care of clients' pets, such as dogs and cats, at their homes, including tasks like feeding, giving water, playing, and walking dogs. Regular updates to clients about their pets' well-being help build trust and satisfaction. If you have another remote income source, pet sitting can be an ideal side business, allowing you to earn while working on your laptop at the client's home.

Starting your own wine label is now more accessible than ever, without the need to manage a vineyard or handle the winemaking process. Several private wine label companies have emerged, offering pre-bottled varietals ready for branding. Some companies, like Terravant, even assist with label design and brand development to simplify the process further. This allows aspiring wine entrepreneurs to launch a custom wine brand without the complexities of traditional winemaking.

> Some U.S. retailers offer cash-back services with debit or prepaid card purchases, but they may charge fees, which can add up over time. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) found that Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Kroger charge fees for cash-back services, with costs varying by withdrawal amount. These fees can disproportionately impact economically vulnerable communities, especially in rural or low-income areas where banking options are limited. The CFPB is monitoring the situation, noting concerns about accessibility to affordable banking and cash services in areas where banking deserts exist. For other cash-back deals, check this out. 

> Mark Cuban suggests several ways to generate passive income without significant upfront investments. He recommends investing in dividend aristocrat stocks, which offer regular payouts and potential for growth over time, and in the S&P 500 index for steady long-term returns. Cuban also advises looking into low-cost mutual funds, high-yield savings accounts, fractional real estate investments, and peer-to-peer lending for diversification and consistent earnings. Additionally, he encourages taking calculated risks on investments you believe in, while maintaining a balanced approach to mitigate risk.

> The Secure Act 2.0, passed by Congress in 2022, introduced several changes to improve retirement savings, including 401(k) plan updates and catch-up contributions for older workers. Starting in 2025, employees aged 60 to 63 will be able to increase their annual 401(k) catch-up contributions to $10,000 or 150% of the standard limit, whichever is higher. While higher earners often make catch-up contributions, there are still concerns about retirement readiness, with only 15% of eligible workers participating in these contributions. Additionally, a future change will require catch-up contributions from higher earners to be made as after-tax Roth deposits starting in 2026.