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McDonald’s Slashes Combo Meal Prices to Win Back Budget-Conscious Diners

  McDonald’s is rolling out price cuts on select combo meals in a bid to lure back customers put off by rising fast-food costs. Starting September 8, the chain will reintroduce its “Extra Value Meals,” offering popular items like the Big Mac, Egg McMuffin, and McCrispy sandwich paired with fries or hash browns and a drink at roughly 15% less than if purchased separately. To kick off the promotion, most U.S. locations will feature an $8 Big Mac meal and a $5 Sausage McMuffin meal, though customers in California, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam will pay $1 more. The move comes after years of declining visits from lower-income customers, with industry data showing double-digit drops in fast-food visits among households earning under $45,000 annually. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski acknowledged that combo meals priced over $10 have hurt the brand’s value perception. The company has faced criticism for steep price hikes in recent years, with the average menu price rising 40% since 2019 du...

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Your lookahead horoscope: August 31, 2025

 

IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY

The message of your birthday chart is that you must know your own mind and follow what it tells you to the letter. Ignore those who complain about your aims, because there is nothing they can do to hinder you – and they certainly won’t help!

Aries (March 21 - April 20):

Someone who is important to you on both a personal and a professional level will be difficult to get through to over the next few days. It’s no big deal though, so don’t panic. They will be back on the same wavelength before the end of week.

Taurus (April 21 - May 21):

Although your financial situation may not be as bad as you fear you have been a bit too free and easy with your cash in recent weeks. Cut back on your spending over the next few days – make it essentials only from now on.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21):

You may be of a mind to give up on a project that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere but don’t be hasty. While Saturn is going through its retrograde phase it may seem as if you are making no progress but that will change very soon.

Cancer (June 22 - July 23):

News you hear from afar will put a spring in your step over the next 24 hours but don’t get carried away. Take extra care when making plans to visit friends and relatives as there are sure to be delays and diversions along the way.

Leo (July 24 - Aug. 23):

The fact that no one seems to believe in what you are doing is neither here nor there. The only thing that matters is that you believe in yourself, so keep going and don’t let other people’s negativity affect you – in fact, let it energize you!

Virgo (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23):

The more time you spend trying to understand the motivations of a friend or family member the further away from the truth your efforts will take you, so give it a miss and just accept them for who and what they are, whatever that is!

Libra (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23):

The positive signals you have been getting from people you work with is nice but can you believe they really want to see you succeed? While Saturn continues its retrograde phase it might be safer to act as if you don’t really trust them.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22):

You may be feeling more optimistic about an artistic or creative project of some kind but you can also expect some delays in getting it finished. Be patient and handle setbacks as and when they arrive. You will get there in the end.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21):

What a friend tells you today may not be what you were expecting or hoping to hear but don’t ignore it. They may have seen something that you missed, and that something could trip you up if you are too proud to take advice.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20):

Your ruler Saturn moves back into the social and travel area of your chart this week, which suggests you may have to change some of the arrangements you made in recent weeks. It’s no big deal, so accept the inevitable and get it done.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19):

Something of a financial nature needs to be treated with a great deal of care. You may think it’s no big deal but the planets warn you could end up out of pocket if you act as if other people are as honest as you – because they’re not!

Pisces (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20):

As Saturn moves back into your sign this week it may feel as if problems you thought you had dealt with never actually went away. The good news is there will be just one small thing that you need to change. It’s really no big deal.

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