A new theme park is set to open in Bedfordshire by 2031, attracting millions of visitors and creating thousands of jobs. However, the local water treatment plant needs a significant upgrade to handle the increased sewage expected from the park. Anglian Water plans to expand the plant's capacity, and the theme park will contribute to these costs.
Key Facts
A new theme park in Bedfordshire is expected to open in 2031 and draw up to 12 million visitors annually by 2051.
The theme park will create around 8,000 permanent jobs.
The local Bedford Water Recycling Centre is already operating at full capacity.
Anglian Water plans a major expansion of the plant, funded by higher customer bills.
The theme park will pay a portion of the development costs for the sewage upgrade.
Recent health incidents among local rowers are suspected to be linked to sewage discharges into nearby rivers.
Anglian Water needs to speed up regulatory approvals to accommodate the park and other developments.
UPS, a major package-delivery company based in Georgia, plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs to save money and increase profits. The company aims to achieve $3 billion in savings by 2026 through measures such as reducing reliance on Amazon, offering voluntary buyouts, and closing some buildings.
Key Facts
UPS will cut up to 30,000 jobs to save money and increase profits.
The company aims to save $3 billion by 2026.
UPS plans to reduce its dependency on Amazon deliveries.
Voluntary buyouts and job cuts through attrition will be offered.
24 buildings will close in the first half of the year, with more closures possible later.
The company previously saved $3.5 billion in 2025 through similar measures.
Teamsters union president criticized the job cuts.
UPS expects revenues to reach $89.7 billion in 2026.
UPS plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs as it reduces its reliance on Amazon for package deliveries. The company aims to focus on more profitable customers and has already begun reducing Amazon shipments and closing several facilities.
Key Facts
UPS will cut up to 30,000 jobs this year.
The job cuts will happen through buyout offers and not replacing employees who leave.
UPS is reducing its package deliveries for Amazon, calling them less profitable.
UPS reported earnings of $24.5 billion for the last quarter of the previous year.
UPS forecasts an increase in revenue to $89.7 billion for the current year.
The plan is part of UPS's strategy to focus on more profitable clients like healthcare companies.
UPS previously cut 48,000 jobs and closed 93 facilities, reducing Amazon deliveries.
UPS will close 24 more facilities in the first half of this year.
Several UK newspapers have covered the new support plan for British pubs announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The plan includes a 15% discount on business rates starting in April, but it excludes other hospitality venues, sparking criticism. Another issue covered includes fake job schemes in the UK, where positions are sold to migrants to secure visas illegally.
Key Facts
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 15% discount on business rates for British pubs.
This discount starts in April and is aimed at helping struggling pubs.
Other hospitality venues like small shops, restaurants, and hotels are not included in this support.
Some papers describe the exclusion as a "betrayal" leading to possible high street problems.
Fake jobs are being sold to migrants for up to £20,000 to help them secure UK work visas unlawfully.
The government plans to investigate the fraudulent job scheme.
EasyJet has been told by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to stop advertising a £5.99 carry-on baggage fee, as they could not provide evidence that this fee is available to travelers. The claim misled consumers into thinking they could add cabin bags for this price, and the ASA ruled that EasyJet must change this wording on their website. EasyJet has updated their site to explain that fees vary based on demand, route, and other factors.
Key Facts
EasyJet was instructed by the ASA to correct misleading cabin bag fee claims.
The fee advertised was "from £5.99," but EasyJet could not prove that bags could be booked for this price.
The ASA found the claim misleading because it suggested bags were widely available at this cost.
This issue was flagged by the consumer group Which?
EasyJet updated their website to clarify that baggage fees depend on various factors like demand and route.
Which? stated typical cabin bag fees were much higher than the amount advertised.
European Union lawmakers have proposed a rule for free carry-on bags, but it is not yet in effect.
Vulnerable people are not receiving financial benefits because they struggle to use online tools meant to help them access these benefits. A charity found that many lack access to in-person advice, leaving millions in unclaimed support. The charity suggests that more personalized help is needed to ensure people get the financial support they are entitled to.
Key Facts
Vulnerable people are missing out on benefits due to difficulties using online calculators.
An estimated £24 million in financial support goes unclaimed each year.
Many people with mental health conditions find it hard to use online tools.
A lack of in-person guidance contributes to financial struggles, leading to increased debt.
The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute calls for more personalized advice and better support services.
Debt advice services funded by the government identified £84 million to assist people in 2024-25.
The Money and Pensions Service plans to continue investing in debt advice in England.
The UK government proposes new rules for vet practices to publish prices for common pet treatments. This aims to help pet owners compare costs and make informed choices. The proposals also include requiring vet practices to have operating licenses and improving transparency about treatment options.
Key Facts
The UK government wants vet practices to show prices for common treatments.
Proposed rules are the first changes in the sector in 60 years, according to Defra.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found vet prices are rising faster than inflation.
More than half of UK households own a pet.
Common treatments include vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying/neutering.
Half of the vet practice websites do not show prices, the CMA discovered.
Vet practices would need a license similar to those for GP surgeries.
An eight-week public consultation on the proposals will end on March 25.
A couple encountered a surprise when visiting a property they were about to purchase. They found the yard cluttered with the previous owner's items. This led to discussions on a public forum about whether to delay the home purchase until the property was cleaned.
Key Facts
A homebuyer found old equipment and tools left on a property just before closing the sale.
The buyer shared their situation on Reddit and received advice to conduct a thorough walk-through before finalizing the purchase.
The Reddit discussion highlighted the buyer's right to refuse to close the sale if the property wasn't cleaned.
Buying homes remotely, without visiting in person, has become more common, but it poses risks like these.
Real estate agents recommend thorough final inspections and virtual tours for remote buyers.
The clutter in the yard could violate the sale contract, potentially leading to additional costs or delays.
The situation underscores the importance of clear communication between buyers and sellers in real estate transactions.
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has announced a new strategy to increase the network’s audience. This plan includes hiring new commentators and cutting staff not aligned with her vision, as well as shifting focus to podcasting. Bari Weiss, appointed in October, has made several changes, though some have led to decreased viewership.
Key Facts
CBS News aims to grow its audience with a new strategy led by Bari Weiss.
The plan involves hiring 18 new commentators and making staff cuts.
CBS News will focus more on podcasting to expand its reach.
Bari Weiss, who has no prior TV experience, was made Editor-in-Chief in October.
Paramount Skydance bought Weiss’s publication, The Free Press, for $150 million.
Some recent decisions under Weiss have led to lower viewership for CBS News.
CBS Evening News relaunched with Tony Dokoupil, its fifth anchor team change since 2016.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference on interest rates. The Fed plans to keep its key short-term rate steady at about 3.6%, after cutting it three times last year.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve is holding a meeting focused on interest rates.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell will speak at 2:30 p.m. EST on January 28.
The Fed aims to keep its main interest rate at roughly 3.6%.
Last year, the rate was cut three times by a quarter percentage point each time.
The Fed is waiting to see how the economy develops before making more changes.
Changes in the Fed's rate can affect borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and business loans.
President Donald Trump is likely to disagree with the Fed's decision.
UPS has decided to stop using all of its MD-11 cargo planes after a recent crash in Louisville, Kentucky, killed 15 people. The company plans to replace these planes with new Boeing 767s over the next 15 months. Investigators found that cracks in the engine mounts, not detected in regular maintenance, likely contributed to the crash.
Key Facts
UPS retired its fleet of MD-11 cargo planes after a crash in Louisville killed 15 people.
The crash occurred in November, near the Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky.
The plane's left engine detached, leading to the crash shortly after takeoff.
The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all MD-11s following the incident.
UPS faced a financial loss of $137 million due to retiring these planes.
The company will add 18 Boeing 767s to its fleet soon.
Investigators found undetected cracks in the engine mounts of the crashed plane.
The crash impacted nearby facilities, causing explosions at a recycling plant and an auto salvage yard.
India and the European Union (EU) have signed a free trade agreement, creating a large market involving about 2 billion people. The deal aims to reduce tariffs and boost trade in goods, services, and investments between the two regions. It still needs legal approval and may become operational next year.
Key Facts
The trade agreement covers India and the 27-nation European Union.
The agreement impacts a combined market size of nearly $27 trillion.
It represents about 25% of the global gross domestic product (GDP).
Tariffs between India and the EU are expected to be significantly reduced.
The EU is providing access to 144 services sectors, while India offers 102 subsectors to the EU.
The deal includes goods, services, and investments in industries like textiles, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and electronics.
The agreement still requires legal checks in both Brussels and New Delhi.
The deal could help India and the EU reduce reliance on the U.S. market.
The UK government announced a 15% discount on business rates for pubs and music venues in England, starting in April, with no increases for two years. This decision follows backlash from an earlier budget that would have raised costs significantly for these businesses. The government stated this package aims to provide short-term relief, while a review of how pubs are valued will occur before 2029.
Key Facts
Pubs and music venues in England receive a 15% discount on business rates from April.
There will be no increase in these rates for two years.
The package is valued at £1,650 for the average pub.
The government says the plan will cost £80 million in its first year.
Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson emphasized pubs are vital to communities.
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride called the measures insufficient.
The government will review how pubs are valued before the 2029 revaluation.
UK Hospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association support the initiatives but call for further long-term reforms.
India and the European Union (EU) have finalized a free trade agreement after nearly 20 years of talks. The deal aims to increase economic ties by lowering import taxes and allowing free trade on most goods. It is expected to boost job creation and economic growth for both regions.
Key Facts
India and the EU reached a free trade agreement after two decades of negotiations.
The agreement affects around 2 billion people and covers almost all goods.
It will lower import taxes significantly, particularly for European wine and cars.
The deal was partly encouraged by U.S. trade pressures on India and the EU.
This partnership involves not just trade but also defense and security cooperation.
The agreement could result in up to 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) in tariff cuts annually.
India will reduce tariffs for 96.6% of EU exports and Brussels will do the same for nearly 99% of India's exports.
The deal excludes some Indian products like dairy and cereals due to domestic concerns.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has announced plans to pause the country's consumption tax if her party wins upcoming elections, which has caused global market concerns. Investors are worried about the impact on Japan's debt levels, which are already the highest among advanced economies. These concerns have led to increased volatility in Japanese government bonds and the yen.
Key Facts
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to halt the consumption tax on food and non-alcoholic drinks for two years if her party wins.
The proposed tax pause is estimated to create a yearly revenue shortfall of 5 trillion yen ($31.71 billion).
Takaichi suggests this shortfall could be managed by reviewing current expenses and tax breaks but gave no detailed plan.
Japan’s largest stimulus since the COVID-19 pandemic, worth 21.3 trillion yen ($137 billion), was approved in November, including various subsidies and handouts.
Market turmoil is due to concerns about Japan's high debt levels, with the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio over 230%, the highest among developed countries.
Japanese government bond yields have risen significantly, with 40-year bond yields reaching record highs, reflecting investor unease.
Global markets are also worried due to high deficits in other major economies.
The Bank of Japan has reduced bond purchases, moving away from ultra-low interest rates and limiting its ability to intervene in the market.
The UK government is proposing changes to the leasehold system in England and Wales. These changes include capping ground rents and ending the sale of new leasehold flats. Instead, new flats will use a commonhold system where flat owners collectively own the building and land.
Key Facts
The UK government plans to cap ground rents for leasehold homes at £250 a year, reducing to nearly zero after 40 years.
The sale of new leasehold flats will be banned, with new flats sold as commonhold, a system where owners collectively manage the property.
The reforms affect around 3.8 million properties that currently pay significant ground rents.
The changes follow the abolition of ground rents for most new residential leasehold properties in 2022.
Under the commonhold system, flat owners have more control over their property costs compared to the leasehold system.
Existing leasehold properties' transition to commonhold is still under discussion, with consultations ongoing until April 2024.
Service charges for maintenance will be made more transparent, and landlords will be held accountable.
The government will scrap the process of "forfeiture," which allows freeholders to seize leaseholder properties through court action.
Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement after a lawsuit claimed its Siri voice assistant recorded users without their consent. Users are now receiving their settlement payments.
Key Facts
Apple settled a lawsuit for $95 million.
The lawsuit claimed Apple's Siri was recording user conversations.
It was also alleged that these conversations were shared with third parties.
The settlement is part of a class-action lawsuit.
Users involved in the lawsuit are now getting payments from the settlement.
Nearly 50 Labour MPs have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to ask for the planned rise in business rates for music venues to be stopped. The MPs argue that the proposed rate increase could significantly raise costs for these venues, putting them at risk. The concern comes as the government plans to reduce business rate discounts and potentially exclude music venues from a support package for the hospitality industry.
Key Facts
Labour MPs wrote to Chancellor Rachel Reeves about business rates for music venues.
The rate increase could raise music venue bills by 45% to 275%.
Music venues are considered at risk due to higher costs.
The government plans to reduce business rate discounts from April.
MPs are worried the hospitality sector might not get enough support.
The letter pressing for action was coordinated by MP Anneliese Midgeley.
MPs seek to stop the April increase until a better valuation method is found.
Cadillac has introduced a new Deep Ocean Package for its high-performance CT5-V Blackwing sedan, costing an extra $26,995 on top of the car's initial price of $158,000. This package focuses on style changes, adding features like carbon fiber interior, special blue details, and exclusive paint, rather than performance upgrades. Only 200 units will be produced, with production starting in March.
Key Facts
The Deep Ocean Package adds $26,995 to the CT5-V Blackwing's price.
The car's power remains the same with a 6.2-liter V8 engine.
The package includes aesthetic changes like carbon fiber and black/blue accent details.
Seats are upgraded to high-performance bucket seats in semi-aniline leather.
The car features Santorini Blue seat belts and blue brake calipers.
Only 200 cars will be produced, starting in March at the GM Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant.
The car gets a Deep Ocean blue paint and black detailing like mirror caps and lug nuts.
Shake Shack has introduced a new limited-time shake called the "True Love Shake" for Valentine's Day. The company is offering deals on this shake with a 50% discount on February 10 and a buy-one-get-one-free offer from February 10 to 14 at participating locations in the U.S.
Key Facts
The "True Love Shake" is made with vanilla frozen custard, strawberry purée, and a dark chocolate shell.
It is topped with chocolate-flavored whipped cream and strawberry curls.
The shake is available at participating U.S. Shake Shack locations, excluding airports, stadiums, arenas, travel plazas, and museums.
On February 10, customers can use the code SELFLOVE to get 50% off the shake.
From February 10 to 14, using the code SHARELOVE allows customers to get a buy-one-get-one-free deal on the shake.
The offers are only valid for orders placed via in-Shack kiosks, the Shake Shack app, or the website.
The promotional codes are case-sensitive and can't be used with other offers.
This is Shake Shack’s second "crackable" shake, following the Peppermint Bark Chocolate Shake from last year's holiday lineup.
