Amazon blocked over 1,800 North Korean job applications because they were linked to schemes that fund weapons programs. The company used artificial intelligence and staff verification to identify and prevent these fraudulent applications. U.S. and South Korean authorities have been alerting companies to North Korean online scams.
Key Facts
Amazon stopped more than 1,800 North Korean job applications using false identities.
North Korean job seekers aimed to fund weapons programs with their earnings.
The company saw a nearly 33% rise in these applications in the past year.
North Korean operatives use "laptop farms" — U.S.-based computers run from abroad.
Amazon employed artificial intelligence and manual checks to screen applications.
Fraudsters used stolen LinkedIn accounts to seem genuine to potential employers.
The U.S. government found 29 illegal "laptop farms" within the country.
An Arizona woman was sentenced for aiding North Korean IT workers through these scams, earning more than $17 million.
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Paramount and Netflix are both interested in buying Warner Bros., with Netflix offering $83 billion. This potential sale worries many people in Hollywood about the future of creative work.
Key Facts
Paramount and Netflix are trying to buy Warner Bros.
Netflix has proposed an $83 billion offer.
Many in Hollywood are concerned about how this sale might affect the creative industry.
Jeffrey Brown provides insights related to the arts and culture sector.
The topic is being discussed as part of the CANVAS series, focusing on arts and culture.
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The Post Office and Fujitsu signed an agreement in 2006 to handle errors in the Horizon IT system, which affected sub-postmasters. This contract included fixing transaction mistakes or paying up to £150 per error if problems arose. Despite this, the Post Office claimed during legal proceedings that the system had no bugs that could cause accounting mistakes, leading to wrongful convictions.
Key Facts
The Horizon IT system had bugs that led to errors in sub-postmasters' accounts.
A 2006 agreement required Fujitsu to fix these errors or pay the Post Office if unable to do so.
Between 1999 and 2015, over 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly accused and some were convicted due to these errors.
The issue is considered one of the biggest legal injustices in the UK.
A long-running public investigation is examining the scandal.
Documentation recently surfaced showing the Post Office was aware of these potential errors.
Fujitsu's system could be involved in discrepancies and might alter records without sub-postmasters' knowledge.
Sub-postmasters were believed to have been at fault due to alleged incompetence or dishonesty before this document emerged.
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Recent changes in U.S. trade rules have created challenges for UPS, particularly following the end of the "de minimis" rule. This change has led to slower shipping, lost packages, and higher tariff fees for international goods, affecting businesses like Tezumi Tea.
Key Facts
The "de minimis" rule allowed packages worth $800 or less to be free from tariffs and taxes.
President Trump signed an order ending this rule in August, meaning more shipments are now taxed.
UPS is having more trouble with these new changes compared to FedEx and DHL.
UPS customers are experiencing issues such as packages being stuck, lost, or disposed of.
Tezumi Tea, a company shipping from Japan, lost about $13,000 worth of matcha due to these changes.
UPS did not comment on the situation when asked.
Customs clearance firms have noted increased requests for help from UPS customers.
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CBS News pulled a segment from its "60 Minutes" program that was about President Trump’s deportation of Venezuelan men to a detention center in El Salvador. The segment was removed for further reporting, and the decision has received criticism. CBS plans to air the segment, called "Inside CECOT," at a later date once it is ready.
Key Facts
CBS News removed a "60 Minutes" segment about the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan men to El Salvador.
The segment focused on allegations of poor treatment at the CECOT detention center in El Salvador.
CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss said the segment needed more details and interviews to be complete.
The decision to pull the segment received criticism, including from CBS correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi.
Alfonsi reported that the team tried to get comments from various U.S. government departments, but officials declined interviews.
CBS aired information about the segment before its scheduled appearance but later said further reporting was required.
The issue adds to broader scrutiny of CBS News following its merger with Paramount earlier this year, overseen by David Ellison.
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Jim Beam will stop making bourbon at a Kentucky distillery for at least a year starting in 2026. The company plans this pause to improve the facility and deal with challenges from tariffs and lower demand.
Key Facts
Jim Beam is a bourbon maker.
The company will stop production in 2026 at its Clermont, Kentucky distillery.
The pause is expected to last at least one year.
Jim Beam wants to use this time to make improvements to the distillery.
The whiskey industry is facing challenges from tariffs introduced by the Trump administration.
There is also a decrease in demand for bourbon.
Bottling and warehousing will continue at the Clermont site.
The visitor center and restaurant at the site will stay open.
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Paramount updated its offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery by securing a $40.4 billion guarantee from Larry Ellison, chairman of Oracle. There was concern from Warner Bros. about previous funding promises from a family trust. Paramount has not raised its price offer but extended the deadline for Warner Bros. shareholders to agree to the offer.
Key Facts
Paramount made a takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery with backing from Larry Ellison.
Larry Ellison is offering a $40.4 billion personal guarantee for the bid.
Warner Bros. previously rejected the bid, questioning the reliability of funding from a family trust.
David Ellison, Larry's son, agreed not to revoke or change the family trust's assets during the deal.
Paramount's bid maintains a $30-per-share offer, higher than Netflix's offer of $27.75 per share.
Paramount values Warner Bros. Discovery at about $108 billion.
Paramount increased its proposed breakup fee to $5.8 billion, matching Netflix's offer.
The deadline for Warner Bros. shareholders to tender their shares is now extended to January 21.
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Ray Ray's, a barbecue chain in Ohio, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 19, 2025, and closed nearly half its locations due to rising meat costs. The chain, like others in the industry, is affected by increasing beef prices caused by reduced cattle supply and limited beef imports. The company plans to focus on its remaining locations in Ohio.
Key Facts
Ray Ray's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 19, 2025.
The company closed three Ohio locations: Johnstown, Marion, and Linworth.
Rising beef costs are due to reduced cattle supply and limited imports.
Ground beef prices increased by 13% in August 2025 compared to the previous year.
Steak prices increased by 16.6%, and minced beef by 12.8% year-over-year.
Ray Ray's will continue operating four locations in Clintonville, Franklinton, Westerville, and Granville.
The financial difficulties facing Ray Ray's are similar to those of other barbecue chains, which have also filed for bankruptcy.
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Olive Garden plans to add a new "Lighter Portions" menu across all U.S. locations starting January 2024. This new section will offer smaller versions of popular dishes at lower prices, accommodating diners who prefer less food or want to save money. The initiative responds to changing consumer habits and economic factors affecting casual dining.
Key Facts
Olive Garden will introduce a "Lighter Portions" menu nationwide in January 2024.
The menu includes smaller sizes of seven dishes like Chicken Parmigiana and Fettuccine Alfredo.
Prices for "Lighter Portions" will range from $12.99 to $13.99.
Customers can still enjoy unlimited breadsticks and a choice of soup or salad with these meals.
The lighter portions cater to price-sensitive diners and those with reduced appetite, including people on medications that decrease hunger.
Olive Garden started testing this menu in 40% of its restaurants in fall 2023.
The decision for a national rollout was due to positive customer feedback and better affordability perceptions.
CEO Rick Cardenas mentioned the new menu could boost customer visits and satisfaction.
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Mark Constantine, co-founder of Lush, embraces the idea of being "woke" and integrates activism into his company's philosophy. Lush has expanded globally with Constantine maintaining a focus on values-driven business practices, including social justice and environmental issues.
Key Facts
Mark Constantine is the co-founder and chief executive of Lush, a global cosmetics company.
Lush is known for its activism, focusing on issues like trans rights and police accountability.
The company has 869 stores worldwide and an annual turnover of £690 million.
Lush has taken strong positions in retail, such as closing stores to protest and shutting down social media accounts.
Constantine believes business values should remain intact and opposes selling the company, citing Ben & Jerry's as an example.
The company aims to make shopping a fun experience with spa treatments and parties.
Constantine supports higher wages, viewing them as beneficial for the economy.
In 2020, Lush admitted to underpaying workers in Australia by over $4 million.
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The UK's competition watchdog reported that profit margins for petrol and diesel are still high, even though fuel prices at gas stations have dropped. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated that poor competition among fuel sellers contributes to this issue and that more competition could lead to lower prices for drivers.
Key Facts
The CMA noted high profit margins for petrol and diesel despite lower pump prices.
It found that poor competition among fuel retailers keeps prices high.
The report is the first annual monitoring report by the CMA on road fuel.
Petrol was priced at 136.8p per litre last week, and diesel was 146.1p.
A new "fuel finder" scheme will allow drivers to compare real-time fuel prices.
Retailers will need to report price changes within 30 minutes under this new scheme.
The CMA said higher operating costs do not fully explain the high profit margins.
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Filmmaker Nancy Meyers announced that she will start filming a new movie in May 2026. Actor Kieran Culkin will be part of the cast, and the film will be released in theaters, not on a streaming platform. This news follows the stalled development of Meyers' previous project, Paris Paramount, which faced budget and production challenges.
Key Facts
Nancy Meyers will begin shooting a new movie in May 2026.
Kieran Culkin, known from the "Father of the Bride" films, will be in the cast.
The film will have a theatrical release instead of streaming online.
Meyers announced the project during a Q&A on December 20, 2023.
Her stalled project, Paris Paramount, faced issues with Netflix but may continue with Warner Bros.
Meyers originally requested a $150 million budget for her previous project.
Paris Paramount was rumored to star several big Hollywood actors, but their involvement is now unclear.
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The price of gold reached a record high of over $4,400 an ounce due to expected interest rate cuts by the US central bank. Geopolitical tensions and trade issues have increased investors' interest in safe assets like gold. The value of other precious metals, including silver and platinum, has also risen significantly this year.
Key Facts
Gold prices exceeded $4,400 an ounce for the first time.
At the start of the year, gold was valued at $2,600 an ounce.
The rise in price is linked to expected interest rate cuts by the US central bank.
Gold prices have increased by more than 68% this year.
Silver also reached a record price of $69.44 an ounce.
Silver prices have risen by 138% so far in 2025.
A weaker US dollar made gold cheaper for overseas buyers.
Platinum has hit a 17-year high due to strong demand and supply constraints.
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Israel's defense industry is seeing very high profits. Companies in this industry are using images of attacks on Gaza to market their weapons as effective.
Key Facts
Israel's defense companies are experiencing record profits.
Weapons manufacturers claim their products are "battle-tested."
The companies use images from Gaza attacks for marketing.
These tactics suggest the weapons are proven in real conflict.
Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh reported on these developments.
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Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella maker, announced it will close its plant in Lemoore, California by early 2026, resulting in 368 job losses. The company cited high operating costs and the opening of a new facility in Texas as reasons for the closure.
Key Facts
Leprino Foods plans to shut its Lemoore East facility in California.
The closure will lead to a loss of 368 jobs.
High operating costs in California contributed to the decision.
Leprino Foods is opening a new plant in Lubbock, Texas.
The new Texas facility will handle about 8 million pounds of milk daily.
A WARN notice was filed, informing 368 employees of permanent layoffs.
The Lubbock facility is expected to be operational by 2026.
The Lemoore East plant has operated since 1910.
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President Donald Trump has promised stimulus checks of $2,000, which he says are funded by tariff revenues. The timing and details of these checks depend on Congress's approval. Economists have raised concerns about the cost and inflation impact of these payments.
Key Facts
President Trump has mentioned $2,000 checks to Americans, funded by tariffs.
The checks are intended for households earning less than $100,000 annually.
Kevin Hassett, Trump's economic adviser, said Congress needs to approve the payments.
Trump indicated checks would start in mid-2026.
The federal government raised $195 billion from tariffs in the 2025 fiscal year.
Concerns include the cost of these payments and the potential for increased inflation.
Trump claimed on social media that everyone would receive the checks, except high-income earners.
Economist Erica York estimates the total cost could reach $300 billion if adults and children are included.
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A family-owned florist in Church Stretton, Shropshire, is experiencing high demand during the Christmas season, working long hours to fulfill orders. The store, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, received strong support from the community and was a finalist in a national florist award.
Key Facts
The florist is located in Church Stretton, Shropshire.
The shop is operated by Catherine Thomas and her daughter, Bea Prosser.
They are working 12 to 15-hour days due to high demand during Christmas.
The shop marked its 40th anniversary this year.
It was a finalist in the British Florist Association's annual award.
Christmas is busier for the shop than Mother's Day and Valentine's Day.
The community has shown strong support for the florist.
The business has seen an increase in orders and social media following.
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A ban on Chinese-made drones in Florida has caused challenges for local law enforcement because American replacements reportedly lack necessary features. A national rule may soon limit DJI, a major Chinese drone maker, from selling in the U.S. unless they pass a security review. This affects law enforcement and other sectors such as farming and infrastructure that rely on DJI drones.
Key Facts
Florida banned Chinese-made drones, affecting police operations due to issues with U.S. alternatives.
DJI, a significant drone company, might face national restrictions unless cleared by a security review.
DJI drones are widely used in emergency services, agriculture, and infrastructure in the U.S.
Florida allocated $25 million to help agencies replace Chinese drones, but issues remain with performance and cost.
Republican officials support the ban, citing security concerns, while civil rights groups worry about drone use in policing.
Some Democrats also support limiting DJI use due to national security risks.
Before the ban, over 90% of Florida’s police drone programs used DJI, dropping significantly after the rule change.
The FCC will decide DJI's status by December 2025, which could further affect U.S. drone availability.
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Gift card scams are on the rise, with victims losing millions of pounds. Criminals are increasingly using gift cards as a method to steal money because banks have stronger protections in place. Experts urge consumers to be cautious when purchasing gift cards and to report any suspicious activity.
Key Facts
Fraud involving gift cards has increased by about 25% over the last two years.
In 2023/24, Report Fraud received 9,386 reports of gift card fraud, with losses amounting to over £18.5 million.
Victims are often tricked into buying tampered or fake gift cards.
Criminals may use phishing emails to offer fake gift card prizes or deals.
Amanda Wolf from Report Fraud notes most fraud reports come after the festive season.
Tesco advises customers to inspect gift cards for tampering before purchase.
Consumers are encouraged to use two-factor authentication and purchase gift cards from trusted sources.
Louise Baxter from the National Trading Standards Scams Team highlights the difficulty in tracking gift card fraud due to gift cards being hard to trace.
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Clare Lane discovered she had unknowingly signed up for a subscription with the sportswear company Fabletics after purchasing leggings in 2017, resulting in almost £5,000 in charges over seven years. While Fabletics refunded most of her money, the case highlights issues with the company's subscription model, which other customers also found unclear. Fabletics claims it informs customers about the subscription but acknowledges it's easy to cancel, and it offers store credit in return for the monthly fee.
Key Facts
Clare Lane bought two pairs of leggings from Fabletics in 2017 and unknowingly signed up for a subscription.
She was charged about £50 monthly, amounting to nearly £5,000 over seven years.
Fabletics refunded most of her money, but some customers report similar problems.
The company was co-founded by actress Kate Hudson and was set up in 2013.
Fabletics operates a "VIP" subscription service for £59.99 per month, providing store credit.
Customers reported the subscription terms were unclear, as correspondence often ended up in junk folders.
Fabletics defends its subscription model, citing its sustainability benefits.
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