Amazon announced it is laying off 14,000 employees, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and invest in future needs. The company highlights the role of AI in transforming jobs and expects workforce restructuring due to efficiency gains from AI. Despite strong financial performance, Amazon aims to become more efficient and adaptable.
Key Facts
Amazon is laying off 14,000 employees to reduce bureaucracy and enhance operations.
The company reported $167 billion in revenue in Q2 2025 and had $637 billion in revenue for 2024.
Amazon has approximately 350,000 corporate employees.
The layoffs are part of adjustments as Amazon adapts to AI technology.
CEO Andy Jassy mentioned that AI would lead to changes in job roles across the company.
The impact of AI on jobs has also been observed at Salesforce, which reduced its workforce due to AI efficiencies.
Gartner noted that many companies struggle to sustain long-term cost reductions after layoffs.
Other companies like Microsoft, Target, and John Deere have also recently laid off employees.
President Trump announced a one-year trade deal with China after discussions with Chinese President Xi at the APEC summit in South Korea. The agreement includes lowering some U.S. tariffs and stopping Chinese export controls on rare earths. China will also buy significant amounts of U.S. agricultural products.
Key Facts
The trade deal is initially set for one year.
The U.S. will lower a tariff on Chinese goods from 20% to 10%, related to fentanyl flows.
China will not impose export controls on rare earth minerals.
Rare earths are essential for manufacturing items like smartphones and fighter jets.
China agreed to purchase large amounts of U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans.
The average U.S. tariff on Chinese goods will remain about 47%, while China's average tariff on U.S. goods is around 32%.
The agreement is intended to lessen tensions in the U.S.-China trade war, which affects the global economy.
Trump and Xi have not met face-to-face since 2019 before this meeting.
Virgin Trains received approval to use a rail depot in London, allowing it to start services through the Channel Tunnel. This decision ends Eurostar's exclusive control of passenger services since the tunnel's opening in 1994.
Key Facts
Virgin Trains won the bid to share a rail depot with Eurostar in London.
This approval allows Virgin Trains to operate services through the Channel Tunnel.
Eurostar's monopoly on passenger services in the Channel Tunnel will come to an end.
The Temple Mills depot is the only UK facility for larger continental trains linked to the cross-Channel line.
The UK's rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), approved Virgin’s application.
Martin Jones from the ORR stated the decision supports customer choice and could unlock £700 million in private investment.
Competing applications from Evolyn, Gemini, and Trenitalia were not approved.
General Motors is laying off workers at its Ohio and Detroit plants due to a decrease in demand for electric vehicles. The layoffs are partly because of recent policy changes that removed consumer tax credits for electric cars. Despite these changes, GM plans to keep a strong presence in the U.S.
Key Facts
General Motors is cutting 550 jobs and temporarily laying off 850 workers at its Lordstown, Ohio battery plant.
GM is also cutting about 1,200 jobs at its assembly plant in Detroit.
The layoffs are due to a drop in demand for electric vehicles.
The drop in demand followed the end of the $7,500 consumer tax credits for electric car buyers.
Electric vehicle sales have decreased by 74% from their high point in 2025.
President Donald Trump had previously supported the Ohio plant, promising to save jobs there.
The plant was initially an auto assembly location but was converted into a battery plant in 2022.
The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate for the second time this year, aiming to potentially lower mortgage rates. The central bank's decision comes amid limited data due to a government shutdown. Mortgage rates, while somewhat stable, could see changes depending on future economic developments and Fed actions.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve cut its interest rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 3.75% to 4%.
The decision happened with limited economic data available due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is currently at 6.19%, down from earlier highs.
Experts are divided on whether mortgage rates will continue to fall by the end of the year.
The Federal Reserve faces internal disagreement on future rate cuts.
The next Fed meeting will occur in approximately six weeks.
Concerns include budget deficits and inflation, which might influence mortgage rates' future direction.
Two U.S.-based water companies, H2O America and Zurn Elkay, are focusing on water sustainability and conservation. They were recognized on Newsweek’s list of America’s Greenest Companies for their initiatives like tree planting and reducing plastic bottle usage. These actions aim to make a positive impact on the environment.
Key Facts
H2O America and Zurn Elkay are U.S.-based companies working on water sustainability.
They were featured in Newsweek's list of America’s Greenest Companies 2026.
The list ranks companies based on greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste generation, and sustainability data.
H2O America received a 4.5-star rating and focuses on water conservation and tree planting.
Evergreen trees are used by H2O America as they help filter water and maintain reservoir quality.
Zurn Elkay received a four-star rating and is recognized for its water-filling stations that reduce plastic bottle usage.
In 2024, Zurn Elkay's filling stations helped avoid using 24.7 billion plastic water bottles.
Both companies emphasize the role of motivated employees in driving their sustainability efforts.
Car insurance costs have gone up significantly, with premiums increasing by 55% on average since February 2020. Several factors contribute to the rise, including expensive car parts, costly repairs, and higher medical bills from accidents. In response, many drivers are shopping around for better rates and making adjustments to their budgets to manage these costs.
Key Facts
Car insurance premiums have risen by 55% since February 2020.
The increase in costs mainly happened between 2022 and 2024.
Higher expenses for car parts and medical bills are among the reasons for the increase.
Drivers are shopping for insurance more than ever since 2020.
Over 58% of drivers find insurance costs to be a financial strain.
More than a third of drivers avoid filing claims to lower their insurance costs.
The percentage of uninsured drivers increased from 12.4% to 15.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Car ownership costs in the U.S. have risen sharply since the pandemic, making them harder for many people to afford. This increase is due to more expensive new and used cars, pricier insurance, and rising maintenance costs.
Key Facts
The average new car price in the U.S. is $50,000, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Car ownership costs have gone up 40.59% since January 2020, based on Navy Federal Credit Union data.
A shortage of chips during the pandemic led to a lack of new cars and increased prices.
New car buyers are often purchasing larger and more feature-packed vehicles.
Used car prices have also shot up, averaging over $25,000.
Rising insurance rates and maintenance costs add to the total cost of owning a car.
More car loans now have monthly payments of $1,000 or more as people take on debt to afford a vehicle.
The article discusses how the cost of owning a car has gone up over the past four years. This includes higher prices for buying cars, insurance, and maintenance, as well as indirect costs like health impacts.
Key Facts
Car prices, both new and used, have increased significantly in the last four years.
The cost of car insurance has also gone up.
Maintenance expenses for cars have risen.
Owning a car can have hidden health-related costs.
These factors together make car ownership more expensive than it appears at first.
Newspapers report that Chancellor Rachel Reeves may raise income tax by 2p in the upcoming Budget, marking the first basic rate increase since the 1970s. Other news includes early screening for prostate cancer, which could save lives, and reactions to natural disasters like Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean.
Key Facts
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering a 2p increase in income tax.
This would be the first increase to the basic rate of income tax since the 1970s.
Early screening for prostate cancer could reduce deaths by 13% according to a study.
Hurricane Melissa impacted the Caribbean, with significant effects in Jamaica and Cuba.
Rachel Reeves admitted to unlawfully renting out her home without a license.
Five victims of grooming gangs have criticized Nigel Farage's remarks about their abuse.
Lakshmi Mittal reportedly bought $280 million of Russian oil via sanctions-listed ships.
The Federal Reserve cut rates by a quarter point in the U.S.
K-beauty, short for Korean beauty products, has gained worldwide popularity, resulting in exports from South Korea reaching over $10 billion. Some companies outside South Korea, like US-based Seoul Ceuticals, create K-beauty branded products using Korean ingredients but manufacture them elsewhere. While there is no official definition or designation for what constitutes K-beauty, different opinions exist on whether these products should be made in Korea.
Key Facts
K-beauty refers to Korean beauty and skincare products, which are popular globally.
South Korean exports of K-beauty products were over $10 billion last year.
Seoul Ceuticals is a US company that creates K-beauty products using Korean ingredients but manufactures them in the US.
There is no official definition or protection for the term "K-beauty" like there is for products like Champagne.
Some industry voices, like Seung Gu Kim of Hwarangpoom, argue K-beauty products should be made by Korean manufacturers.
The K-beauty Industry Association is focusing on promoting the trend rather than defining it officially.
Nearly 200,000 people receiving benefits in the UK might have their energy debts cancelled if they contribute toward their bills. This plan by regulator Ofgem could cost around £500 million and would involve adding £5 to each household's energy bill. The scheme aims to address a significant rise in energy debt, which has reached £4.4 billion.
Key Facts
Around 200,000 people on benefits in the UK could have their energy debt cancelled under a new plan.
To qualify, participants must have built up over £100 in debt between April 2022 and March 2024.
Eligible individuals need to make some payment towards their debts or agree to financial guidance from a debt charity.
Energy debt in England, Wales, and Scotland has increased by £750 million in one year, reaching £4.4 billion.
Ofgem proposes adding a £5 charge to all household energy bills to finance the debt relief.
More than one million UK households currently have no debt repayment arrangements.
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee suggests using energy companies' excess profits to clear debts.
Ofgem also plans to require new tenants and homeowners to register energy accounts to prevent anonymous debt accumulation.
The article discusses the increase in spending related to Halloween in the UK. People are starting to buy Halloween items like decorations and candy much earlier, influenced by social media trends. Retail data shows this early spending trend is growing each year, despite economic challenges.
Key Facts
Halloween-related spending in the UK is starting earlier each year, with significant purchases beginning well before October 31st.
Over £100 million was spent on candy in British supermarkets in the four weeks leading up to October 5th, a 5% increase from the previous year.
More than a million shoppers bought pumpkins by early October, doubling the amount spent compared to the same period in 2023.
Charlotte Brennan, a gift shop owner, notes that Halloween is now her second-busiest season after Christmas, with customers buying decorations and themed items influenced by social media.
Overall spending on Halloween in the UK reached £2 billion two years ago, with expectations for further growth.
Retail spending on Halloween items grew by 37% in the two weeks leading up to Halloween in 2024 compared to a usual two-week period, with sales of candles and pajamas also rising.
Analysts suggest Halloween is now viewed as an occasion for adults as well, not just children, with more people embracing home-oriented Halloween celebrations.
Supermarkets and leisure businesses, like those owned by Merlin Entertainment, are increasingly capitalizing on Halloween, viewing it as a key profit-driving season.
President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are meeting on Thursday. They are expected to discuss a possible trade deal. This meeting follows months of trade tensions and tariffs between the U.S. and China.
Key Facts
President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Busan, South Korea.
The meeting aims to discuss a trade deal between the U.S. and China.
U.S. Treasury Secretary said Trump might not impose the threatened 100% tariff on Chinese goods.
Tensions include tariffs and access to important resources like minerals and semiconductors.
TikTok, a Chinese app, is also a subject of tension due to security concerns.
The meeting happens during the APEC summit and follows a 10-month trade dispute.
Tariffs between the U.S. and China have reached high levels, affecting global businesses.
A North Dakota judge has ruled that Greenpeace must pay $345 million in damages related to protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline, reducing an earlier jury's award. The case involves claims of defamation and other charges brought by the pipeline company Energy Transfer. Both Greenpeace and the company plan to appeal parts of the decision.
Key Facts
A North Dakota judge ordered Greenpeace to pay $345 million in damages.
The amount is half of what a jury originally awarded, which was $667 million.
The case relates to 2016-2017 protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
The protests took place near the Missouri River, close to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's land.
Greenpeace was found liable for defamation and other claims.
The lawsuit, filed by Energy Transfer, accused Greenpeace of trying to stop the pipeline.
Both sides plan to appeal the judge's decision.
The trial happened in a North Dakota state district court.
The Federal Reserve lowered its main interest rate by a quarter-point for the second time this year. President Trump plans to meet with China's President Xi Jinping during his tour of Asia. The U.S. is reducing its military forces near NATO's border with Ukraine, and Israel conducted a strike in Northern Gaza despite a ceasefire with Hamas.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve decreased its interest rate by 0.25%.
This is the second time this year the interest rate has been cut.
President Trump will meet China's President Xi Jinping in Asia.
The U.S. is pulling back some military forces near Ukraine's NATO border.
Israel launched an attack in Northern Gaza.
Despite the attack, Israel states that a ceasefire with Hamas is still active.
The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 0.25%, marking the second rate cut intended to help the weakening job market. Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that another rate cut in December is uncertain, leading to immediate market reactions.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25% on Wednesday.
The current federal funds rate is now between 3.75% and 4%.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expressed uncertainty about another rate cut in December.
Powell mentioned that the Fed is divided on what action to take in December.
Two Fed policy committee members had differing opinions; one wanted a larger cut, and another wanted no change.
As the Fed announced the rate cut, stock markets fell, and 2-year Treasury yields increased.
The ongoing government shutdown has delayed important economic data like job reports.
The Fed will stop reducing its balance sheet on December 1, an effort started in 2022 as part of "quantitative tightening."
The U.S. Federal Reserve decided to cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, placing the rate between 3.75% and 4%. This decision was influenced by concerns over a slowing job market, despite ongoing inflation worries and a partial government shutdown affecting data availability. President Trump has criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not reducing rates fast enough.
Key Facts
The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points.
The rate cut places the key lending rate in the range of 3.75% to 4%.
President Trump criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell for being slow in cutting rates.
Two members of the Fed's committee opposed the decision.
A slowdown in job hiring led to the decision to cut rates.
The government shutdown has delayed the release of official job market data.
Inflation is currently at 3% year-over-year, slightly below predictions.
Wall Street expects another rate cut in December, with investors predicting an 80% chance of it happening.
Nvidia's market value reached over $5 trillion, making it the first company to achieve this milestone. The growth is driven by a rise in AI technology, including expected large AI chip orders and new supercomputer projects. Nvidia also plans significant investments in 6G technology and AI infrastructure.
Key Facts
Nvidia's market value exceeded $5 trillion, driven by a recent rise in share price.
The company's value increased after CEO Jensen Huang announced $500 billion in expected AI-chip orders.
Nvidia plans to build seven new supercomputers for the U.S. government.
The company confirmed a $1 billion investment in Nokia to develop 6G technology.
Nvidia plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI for AI infrastructure development.
Nvidia's value increase coincided with record market highs, with Apple and Microsoft also reaching $4 trillion in market value.
SK Hynix, a supplier to Nvidia, has sold out of some chips needed until 2026 due to high demand.
The Bank of England and International Monetary Fund have warned about possible market risks if AI company values are overestimated.
The U.S. Federal Reserve has reduced its key interest rate by 0.25% to a range of 3.75% to 4.00% due to a slowing labor market and ongoing inflation concerns. This action marks the second rate cut by the Fed this year as they balance between supporting economic growth and controlling inflation. The decision coincides with a government shutdown, which is limiting available economic data.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve cut the interest rate by 0.25 percentage points.
The new interest rate range is between 3.75% and 4.00%.
The labor market is slowing, with unemployment slightly increasing.
Inflation has risen since earlier in the year and remains high.
There was a 97.8% probability of a rate cut as predicted by CME Fed Watch.
Some banks predict one more rate cut later in the year, except Bank of America.
The ongoing government shutdown has been going on for 29 days, affecting economic data releases.
Consumer confidence dropped to its lowest in six months, with people earning less than $75,000 feeling less optimistic about job security.
