Ford is recalling over 741,000 vehicles in the U.S. because a problem with the transmission could damage the parking system. This issue may cause unintended movement of the vehicle when it is supposed to be parked, increasing the risk of crashes or injuries.
Key Facts
The recall affects certain Ford F-150, Lincoln Aviator, Ford Explorer, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Expedition models from 2018 to 2021.
The transmission parking pawl may temporarily engage while the vehicle is moving, which can damage parts of the park system.
Damage to the park system means the vehicle might roll if the parking brake is not used.
Ford has received 24 reports of property damage and 9 reports of injuries related to this problem.
Vehicle owners will be notified by mail and asked to visit a dealership for a free software update and inspection of the transmission.
Any damaged transmission parts will be replaced at no cost to the owner.
Customers can contact Ford customer service or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for more information.
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Rumors about a possible wedding between singer Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce are causing many people to spend money on prediction markets. These markets let people bet on whether the couple will get married, even though no official announcement has been made.
Key Facts
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are rumored to be planning a wedding.
There has been no official confirmation of the wedding from either Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce.
Prediction markets allow people to place bets on events, including celebrity weddings.
The rumors have led to increased spending on these prediction markets.
These markets track public interest and expectations about events.
The coverage was reported by CBS News and Jo Ling Kent.
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The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office refused Major League Baseball's request to trademark the phrase "Play Ball." The office said the phrase is too common to be owned exclusively.
Key Facts
Major League Baseball (MLB) wanted to trademark "Play Ball."
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected the request.
The reason given was that "Play Ball" is a common phrase.
Trademark means having legal rights to use a specific phrase or logo.
MLB cannot have exclusive rights to use "Play Ball" in marketing or products.
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Elon Musk briefly reached a net worth of one trillion dollars in June before falling back to billionaire status due to stock market changes. Some politicians and conservative media praised his wealth as earned through hard work and innovation, while critics question the fairness of such extreme wealth concentration.
Key Facts
Elon Musk was a trillionaire for about 12 days in June when his companies’ stock values peaked.
His net worth increased by $322 billion between January and June.
Tesla and SpaceX stock prices dropped, causing his wealth to fall below one trillion dollars.
Some media and politicians say Musk earned his wealth through hard work and company success.
Others highlight concerns about economic inequality and question how one person can legally amass so much money.
Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis praised Musk’s intelligence, hard work, and luck as reasons for his wealth.
The National Review called critics of Musk’s wealth part of an “impotent envy cult.”
Musk’s accumulation of wealth occurs amid broader debates on economic fairness and power concentration.
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Workers at Rockstar Games, the company behind Grand Theft Auto, want to form a union after 31 employees were fired last year. They are working with a union group to gain official recognition before the release of GTA VI, which has already generated billions of dollars in pre-orders.
Key Facts
Rockstar Games employees are seeking to create a union with the help of the IWGB Game Workers Union.
The union effort follows the firing of 31 workers in October 2023, which the union says was related to union activity.
Rockstar said the workers were dismissed for sharing confidential game information publicly.
GTA VI is set to release in November and has made about $3 billion in pre-orders.
If the union is recognized, workers would have formal talks with management and stronger workplace rights.
This could make Rockstar the second UK game company to have a recognized union.
The union challenge includes a legal case with a hearing planned for September to decide if the firings were illegal.
Workers say unionizing will protect them from unfair layoffs and poor treatment common in the video game industry.
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In early 2026, UK households saw their disposable income fall by 0.8% due to rising prices and higher taxes. The economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter, with all main sectors expanding, but household savings slightly decreased as spending power was squeezed.
Key Facts
Disposable income in UK households fell 0.8% from January to March 2026.
This was caused by higher inflation and increased capital gains tax.
The economy grew 0.6% in the first quarter, with services growing 0.8%.
Production and construction also saw small gains of 0.2%.
Household saving ratio dropped slightly from 9.6% to 8.9%.
Savings remain higher than before the pandemic despite recent declines.
Energy prices rising recently may slow growth in the third quarter.
The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates steady at 3.75% for the rest of the year.
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A heatwave in France is damaging crops like tomatoes and cereals, causing problems for farmers. This weather issue may lead to higher food prices for shoppers.
Key Facts
France is experiencing a heatwave that is harming agricultural crops.
Tomatoes are overripe on the vine, and cereal crops are getting scorched.
The heatwave is part of broader climate change effects on farming.
Farmers in northern Europe are also facing serious drought conditions.
Higher food prices in France could result from the damage to crops.
The European Union is working on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040.
Trade discussions between the EU and China are planned for October.
The Eurozone economy is considered strong enough to handle changes in monetary policy according to ECB Chief Christine Lagarde.
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A lost demo song by Coldplay's Chris Martin, meant for the 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough, is being sold at auction. The sale also includes rare early recordings of Coldplay and other bands produced by Chris Allison, with some proceeds going to a music education charity.
Key Facts
A demo of a song intended for the 1999 Bond film The World Is Not Enough, sung by Chris Martin with guitar, is up for auction.
This song was never officially released or confirmed as submitted for the Bond film, whose final theme was by Garbage.
The auction includes original master tapes from Coldplay’s early years, before their 1999 EP The Blue Room.
There are unheard alternate versions of early Coldplay songs like Spies, We Never Change, Shiver, and Bigger Stronger.
Additional early Coldplay recordings include rehearsals and live performances on cassette tapes.
The auction also offers rare promo CDs and vinyl records of The Blue Room.
Other music by bands produced by Chris Allison, like the Beta Band and the Wedding Present, are included in the auction.
Part of the auction’s money will be donated to Restore the Music, a group supporting music education.
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The head of Sainsbury’s says grocery price rises in the UK are not as bad as expected so far, though uncertainty remains. The supermarket chain has seen a rise in sales and market share as customers look for ways to save money amid worries about the Middle East conflict and inflation.
Key Facts
Grocery inflation in the UK has been lower than feared, with prices steady in June compared to the previous year.
Sainsbury’s sales rose by 2.7% to £9.1 billion in the three months ending June 20.
Grocery sales increased by 3.6% as Sainsbury’s matched prices with cheaper rival Aldi on many items.
Sainsbury’s Argos store sales dropped slightly due to discounts and customers choosing cheaper goods.
Customers are cautious about buying non-food items, with more promotions and subdued spending.
Hot weather and World Cup games boosted sales of fresh foods, ice cream, pizza, and salads.
Sainsbury’s is investing hundreds of millions in refrigeration upgrades at about 100 stores.
The company is expanding the use of facial recognition technology to reduce shoplifting, after a successful trial.
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The Supreme Court gave President Trump more power over federal agencies but blocked his efforts to control tariffs and the Federal Reserve. The court’s decisions mean Trump can change some business rules more easily, but rules around trade and money remain protected from quick political changes.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court allowed President Trump to have firmer control over many parts of the federal government.
Trump gained wins in immigration policies, including limits on asylum and protected status for immigrants.
The court ruled that Trump cannot use a broad emergency law (IEEPA) to impose wide tariffs quickly.
Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook immediately was rejected by the court.
The court’s decisions make federal agencies more political, as presidents can now remove officials more easily in some areas.
There are concerns this could cause business rules to change frequently, creating uncertainty.
The court protected the Federal Reserve’s independence to prevent political interference in monetary policy.
The White House continues to pursue tariffs through other legal tools despite the court ruling.
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The German media company Axel Springer has completed its £575 million purchase of the Telegraph Media Group, which owns the Telegraph newspaper. This deal ends years of ownership uncertainty and will support the Telegraph's growth, especially in digital and international markets.
Key Facts
Axel Springer paid £575 million to buy the Telegraph Media Group.
The deal received regulatory approval in the UK, Ireland, and Austria.
Axel Springer owns other major media including Bild, Die Welt, Politico, and Business Insider.
The CEO of Axel Springer, Mathias Döpfner, plans to expand the Telegraph’s digital presence, especially in the US.
Axel Springer promises to keep the editorial team and maintain editorial independence.
Ownership uncertainty followed the Barclay family losing the Telegraph due to unpaid debts.
A previous bidder, Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT), was outbid by Axel Springer’s higher offer.
UK law limits foreign ownership of newspapers, which affected the sale process and ownership options.
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The Bank for International Settlements warns that the current surge in investment in artificial intelligence (AI) resembles past big technology booms that ended in economic downturns. If AI investments do not bring expected returns soon, the global economy and financial markets could face serious problems.
Key Facts
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) compares today’s AI investment boom to past technology-driven investment booms like canals, railroads, and the internet.
Past booms led to large investments before clear economic benefits appeared, often followed by recessions when investments reversed.
AI investments are currently high, supported by investors, lenders, and suppliers expanding their businesses based on expected future gains.
If AI returns disappoint, companies and lenders involved could struggle financially, leading to wider market stress.
Problems could spread through private credit markets where some funds are starting to face withdrawal requests.
A correction in AI-related stocks, mainly in U.S. markets, could reduce wealth worldwide due to global financial connections.
The AI sector’s financial links are complex and heavily reliant on debt, increasing risk if investment slows.
Policymakers face additional challenges like inflation, public debt issues, and supply problems that could worsen if the AI boom falters.
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The growth of the U.S. population has slowed significantly, falling from 3.2 million new people in one year to just 1.8 million between July 2024 and July 2025. This slowdown is partly due to lower birth rates, an aging population, and reduced immigration under President Donald Trump’s administration. Experts say this slower growth reduces housing demand but does not solve the country’s housing shortage or affordability problems.
Key Facts
U.S. population grew by 1.8 million (0.5%) from July 2024 to July 2025, down from 3.2 million the year before.
The decline in population growth is mainly caused by fewer births, an older population, and less immigration.
Immigration fell sharply during President Trump’s second term, contributing to slower population growth.
Housing demand has dropped, with household growth falling from about 2 million during the pandemic to 1.1 million last year.
Home prices increased only slightly, by 2% in a year, with the median home price around $399,000 as of May 2025.
Vacancy rates for homes and rentals are rising from historically low levels but remain below average.
Housing affordability problems continue to limit home buying and family growth, which in turn affects population growth.
The population growth slowdown helps ease housing demand but does not fix the long-term shortage of available homes.
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The EU will cut the amount of duty-free steel it allows from outside countries nearly in half to limit cheap steel from China. However, 12 countries with free trade agreements, including the UK, will face smaller cuts, keeping about two-thirds of their usual steel import limits.
Key Facts
The EU is reducing its duty-free steel quota by 47% starting July 1, 2026.
Tariffs on steel imports above the quota will rise to 50%.
Countries with free trade agreements (FTAs) like the UK, Turkey, and South Korea will get higher quotas, around 66-67% of their past trade levels.
The quota system is based on historical steel trade from 2022 to 2024.
The EU wants to protect its steel industry from cheap Chinese imports.
There are 28 steel product categories covered, including steel used in cars and construction.
The UK steel industry had warned the quota system could have serious negative effects.
Plans for a UK-EU “steel club” to trade steel tariff-free and cooperate against China have ended due to these new rules.
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An employee at EY, a major accounting firm in Australia, was fired after allegedly accessing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s personal bank account without permission. Two men have been charged and are awaiting further court appearances related to this case.
Key Facts
The accused men are 21 and 25 years old and face charges for unauthorized access to restricted data.
The younger man, Paul Issa, was accused of both accessing and sharing personal data.
The men were charged on May 6 and appeared in court on May 9, with bail extended until August 25.
The breach reportedly happened while the EY employee was working temporarily at Commonwealth Bank.
Prime Minister Albanese holds a savings account and mortgage with Commonwealth Bank.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers expressed serious concern about the data breach affecting not just the PM but all Australians.
EY confirmed the employee involved no longer works at the firm but declined further comment.
Other large accounting firms like KPMG and PwC have recently faced scandals related to leaking confidential client information.
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Almost one in four pubs, bars, and restaurants in the UK are losing money, according to a recent survey. Industry leaders, including chef Tom Kerridge, want the government to lower the VAT (a sales tax) on hospitality from 20% to 10% to help the struggling sector.
Key Facts
A new survey shows 23% of UK hospitality businesses are losing money, up from 15% three months ago.
About 1 in 6 of these businesses risk going bankrupt within a year.
The hospitality sector is campaigning to reduce VAT on food and drink services from 20% to 10%.
This VAT cut could cost the government between £10.5 billion and £12 billion.
Other European countries have lower VAT rates for hospitality, ranging from 7% to 13.5%.
The campaign is led by well-known chefs and business owners who say high taxes harm the industry.
Labour's recent increases in national insurance and minimum wage, plus rising inflation and energy prices, are adding pressure on hospitality businesses.
Some experts warn that a VAT cut may benefit larger companies more and that government funds could be used differently to support growth.
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The cost to upgrade Great Britain’s electricity network in the 2030s could reach nearly £90 billion, which is 50% more than earlier estimates. This increase reflects the government’s goal to expand clean energy and meet rising electricity demand.
Key Facts
The energy system operator (Neso) now estimates £89 billion is needed to improve the electricity network by the 2030s.
Previous estimates put the cost at £58 billion before the Labour government took office.
The increased cost is due to faster clean energy projects, higher inflation, and rising electricity use, including from data centres.
Neso recommends 43 network projects, including 16 new ones not in earlier plans.
Projects include connecting wind farms in the Celtic Sea to parts of Wales and south-west England.
The Labour government aims to make the UK a clean energy superpower by 2030.
Plans include doubling onshore wind, tripling solar power, and quadrupling offshore wind capacity by 2030.
Transmission companies are speeding up upgrades to support economic growth and keep costs down for consumers.
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Millions of people in Britain need to send in their energy meter readings before Wednesday to avoid paying higher bills when the energy price cap increases. The price cap, which limits how much energy companies can charge, will go up by 13%, raising average household bills by about £221 per year.
Key Facts
The energy price cap in Britain will increase by 13% on Wednesday.
Around 5.3 million households without smart meters are urged to submit their readings before the price rise.
If they don't, some of their energy use in June might be charged at the higher new rates.
Electricity prices will rise from 24.67p to 26.11p per kilowatt hour; gas prices from 5.74p to 7.33p per kilowatt hour.
The average annual energy bill will increase to £1,862, up £221 from before.
The price increase is linked to higher global energy prices caused by conflict involving Iran.
Some cheaper fixed-price deals are still available, costing less than the new price cap.
The price increase occurs during warmer months when heating use is lower, which may reduce the impact on bills.
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An original Mr Blobby costume from the 1990s TV show sold for £8,500 at an online auction, exceeding the predicted price. The costume, used for stunts and outdoor appearances, attracted 26 bids from around the world including the USA.
Key Facts
The Mr Blobby costume sold for £8,500 at Auctioneum Ltd in Bristol.
It was one of three original costumes made for the BBC’s Noel’s House Party show in the 1990s.
The costume was mainly used for stunts and work outside TV studios.
The auction received 26 bids, including international bidders from the USA.
Auctioneers initially estimated the costume would sell for up to £5,000.
A related item, a Baby Blobby figure, sold for £2,100 at the same auction.
Mr Blobby became a popular character in the 1990s, known for pranks and bright colors.
The costume originally belonged to Mickey Wills, the former head of entertainment at the Blobbyland theme park.
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The Shetland Islands Council plans to build undersea tunnels connecting several northern islands to replace ferries. The project, costing about £1.5 billion, aims to improve transport, reduce costs, and support the local economy, including industries like spaceport operations and tourism.
Key Facts
The council proposes tunnels linking Shetland’s mainland to Yell, and Yell to Unst, with possible future tunnels to Whalsay and Bressay.
The project is expected to cost around £1.5 billion.
Tunnels would replace current ferry services, which serve 750,000 passengers yearly at a cost of £23 million.
Building tunnels is seen as cheaper and more reliable long-term compared to ferries.
Funding may include private investment, government money, borrowing, and tolls for maintenance.
Unst hosts the UK’s only spaceport at Saxavord, and tunnels could help its growth and related industries.
The Faroe Islands, with a similar tunnel network, inspired the plan and have shown such infrastructure can boost development.
Current ferry services struggle to meet demand and have staffing difficulties.
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