A community group in Cambridge is collecting unpicked blackberries from local bushes to provide free food for low-income families. They want to prevent the fruit from going to waste.
Key Facts
The group is called Cambridge Sustainable Food.
They noticed many blackberries growing that were not being picked.
The group aims to rescue this fruit to help people who need free food.
The initiative is based in Cambridge, England.
It supports low-income households by offering fresh, free fruit.
The group wants to reduce food waste in the community.
This activity connects to concerns about the cost of living and food access.
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CAF Bank in Kent has suspended its online banking services since July 24 due to suspected cyber fraud affecting over 14,000 charities. This disruption has made it hard for some charities to pay staff and suppliers on time.
Key Facts
CAF Bank serves more than 14,000 charities across the UK.
Online banking services have been suspended since July 24 because of suspected cyber fraud.
Some charities, like 21 Together in Maidstone, are worried they may not pay their workers on time.
Staff at affected charities have had trouble reaching CAF Bank for help.
CAF Bank is owned by the Charities Aid Foundation.
The bank says the main banking system is not affected, only the online service.
The bank is working with experts to fix a third-party software issue connected to the online portal.
CAF Bank is prioritizing urgent payments such as payroll, even though online access remains unavailable.
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The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged for the fifth time in a row, holding them between 3.5% and 3.75%. This decision comes as inflation has slowed but remains above the Fed’s target, and concerns about rising oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East remain.
Key Facts
The US Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at 3.5% to 3.75%.
This is the fifth consecutive time rates have been held steady this year.
Inflation slowed to 3.5% in the year ending June but is still above the 2% goal.
Nine policymakers voted to keep rates steady; three preferred a small rate increase.
Rising energy prices, partly due to Middle East tensions, are contributing to ongoing inflation.
Higher interest rates make loans and credit more expensive but can improve savings returns.
There is uncertainty about how the conflict between the US and Iran may affect future prices.
The Federal Reserve described inflation as still “elevated” despite recent improvements.
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The Federal Reserve decided to keep its interest rates unchanged, despite some officials wanting to raise them. The central bank left its main borrowing cost target at 3.5% to 3.75% because they see the economy growing steadily but remain cautious due to global uncertainties like the conflict in the Middle East.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve's rate target remains between 3.5% and 3.75%, unchanged since December.
Three Fed officials wanted to increase rates by 0.25 percentage points, but nine, including Chairman Kevin Warsh, voted to keep rates steady.
The decision was expected by most market watchers, though there was some chance (about 33%) of a rate hike before the meeting.
The Fed noted the economy is growing steadily despite uncertainty partly caused by the Middle East conflict.
Inflation, measured by the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, has stayed above the Fed’s 2% goal every month since March 2021.
Some officials worry continuous high inflation could hurt the Fed’s credibility in controlling prices.
Warsh prefers open debate within the Fed, not predictable policy decisions.
The Commerce Department is due to release data on income and spending, which may influence future Fed actions.
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The U.S. Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates steady at 3.50-3.75% due to ongoing inflation pressures, especially from higher fuel prices linked to tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The Fed aims to bring inflation down to its 2% target while navigating uncertain economic factors and has removed its usual forward guidance under new Chairman Kevin Warsh.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve held interest rates at 3.50-3.75% during its latest meeting.
Inflation remains above the 2% goal, partly because of supply shocks and rising energy prices.
New Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh has stopped giving forward guidance, which usually helps predict future rate moves.
Three members of the 12-person Federal Reserve committee voted to raise rates by 0.25%.
Consumer inflation fell by 0.4% in June, the first monthly decline since April 2020.
Annual inflation is 3.5%, down from 4.2% in May, but still higher than desired.
Gas prices rose to an average of $4.09 per gallon, up from $3.86 last month and $2.98 in February.
Consumer confidence has dropped for three months in a row, reflecting economic concerns.
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The US Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged, resisting President Donald Trump’s calls to lower them. The Fed’s decision comes amid mixed signals from inflation data and rising energy prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve left interest rates steady at 3.5% to 3.75% for the fifth time since December.
The decision was made with a 9-3 vote; three members wanted to raise rates by 0.25%.
Cooler inflation data earlier lowered chances of a rate hike, but rising energy costs support a possible increase.
Kevin Warsh is the new Fed chair and is introducing changes to how the Fed communicates and makes decisions.
The ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran has caused energy prices to rise in the US.
President Trump continues to push for lower interest rates, suggesting the US should have “the lowest rates in the world.”
Warsh has expressed confidence in his fellow Fed board members and their commitment to controlling inflation.
Half of the Fed's members now expect at least one rate hike by the end of the year, reversing earlier predictions of rate cuts.
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The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75% for the fifth meeting in a row. This decision comes as new tensions involving Iran raise concerns about higher energy prices and inflation risks.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve’s main interest rate remains at 3.5% to 3.75%.
This is the fifth consecutive time the rate has stayed the same.
The decision was made by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) with a 9-3 vote.
Rising tensions with Iran have caused worries about higher energy costs.
Higher energy prices can lead to increased inflation, which means prices for goods and services rise.
The Federal Reserve aims to manage inflation without slowing down the economy too much.
Keeping rates steady suggests the Fed is cautious about making changes amid global uncertainties.
Interest rates influence borrowing costs for people and businesses.
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The Federal Reserve has kept its main interest rate steady for the fifth time in 2026, but a rate increase may happen in September due to ongoing inflation and global issues. This situation affects mortgage rates, which could rise again, impacting homebuyers and people looking to refinance their homes.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve paused interest rate changes for the fifth time in 2026.
Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, raising chances of a rate increase soon.
A possible rate hike could happen at the Fed’s September meeting, the first since July 2023.
Mortgage rates had dropped in 2025 and early 2026 but have risen again recently.
Mortgage rates might return to around 7% or higher if the trend continues.
Locking in a mortgage rate now can protect borrowers from future rate increases.
Considering adjustable-rate mortgages, paying points for lower rates, or shorter loan terms may help save money.
Shopping around for the best mortgage rate is especially important before a possible rate hike.
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South Korea’s stock market has fallen sharply for two days in a row, losing about $2.18 trillion in value. The drop is linked to less interest in chipmaker stocks that had grown due to AI investments, and the government is considering new rules to stabilize the market.
Key Facts
South Korea’s stock market lost about $2.18 trillion after two days of sharp declines.
The KOSPI index fell up to 12.6% on Wednesday and dropped nearly 11% the day before.
The index has lost almost 40% of its value since early July.
Stocks of chipmakers, which benefited from AI investment, have seen decreased demand.
South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol apologized for allowing risky leveraged ETFs (investment funds that borrow money to increase returns).
The government plans to limit how much investors can put into single-stock leveraged ETFs and increase trading costs to reduce risky trades.
Authorities, including the Bank of Korea governor, are meeting to discuss how to stabilize the market.
Despite recent losses, the KOSPI index is still up 41.5% in U.S. dollar terms so far this year, the best among major markets.
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Oil prices rose sharply after President Donald Trump promised to retaliate for a missile attack by Iran targeting U.S. forces. The price for a barrel of crude oil went above $90, causing stock markets to fall and increasing concerns about inflation and fuel costs.
Key Facts
Global oil prices increased by over 7%, surpassing $90 a barrel.
President Trump said the U.S. will respond strongly to Iran's missile attack.
The U.S. intercepted multiple ballistic missiles aimed at American forces in the Middle East.
The conflict caused shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route, to drop sharply.
Oil prices had fallen recently due to hopes for peace but rose again after renewed fighting.
Rising oil prices have contributed to higher inflation and gasoline prices in the U.S.
The Federal Reserve is considering raising interest rates to control inflation.
Stock markets reacted negatively, with the Dow Jones dropping 710 points on the news.
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A judge in London ruled that videos featuring the animated character Wolfoo must be removed from platforms like YouTube because they copied audio clips from Peppa Pig. The court found that Wolfoo’s makers used sounds from Peppa Pig without permission, leading to a copyright infringement case won by Hasbro, the owner of Peppa Pig.
Key Facts
Wolfoo is a Vietnamese cartoon about a young wolf with a large online audience.
Hasbro owns Peppa Pig and sued Wolfoo’s makers, SConnect, for copying Peppa Pig’s audio.
The judge described the copying as extensive and ongoing, especially for English-language Wolfoo videos.
Audio clips of Peppa Pig saying words like "hooray!" were used without permission.
The judge ordered all Wolfoo videos to be removed by a set deadline.
SConnect claimed that third-party contractors provided the copied sounds without their knowledge.
The court ruled the third-party excuse irrelevant and found that not all copied videos were removed.
The ruling applies in the UK, EU, USA, Vietnam, and all World Trade Organization member countries.
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Transport for London (TfL) has started legal action seeking up to £1 billion from several car makers, accusing them of allowing certain diesel vehicles to enter London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez) without paying the required charge. TfL claims these manufacturers made false or misleading statements about their cars meeting emissions standards.
Key Facts
TfL alleges fraud and negligence by car companies including Stellantis, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, and Nissan.
The lawsuit concerns diesel vehicles that should have paid the Ulez daily charge of £12.50 but did not.
Ulez was created to reduce pollution in London and was expanded in 2024 to cover the whole city.
The case was paused pending the outcome of a related "dieselgate" court case about cars cheating emissions tests.
The recent dieselgate case mostly rejected claims that manufacturers rigged tests, but appeals are being considered.
TfL says manufacturers said diesel vehicles complied with rules when they did not, causing financial loss.
Car companies argue TfL’s claims lack clear details and could have wide consequences.
The court has allowed a pause in the TfL case while related cases continue.
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The movie "Tony" is a film about a young Anthony Bourdain, focusing on a summer in 1975 when he worked in a restaurant kitchen on Cape Cod. The film shows the early struggles and growth of Bourdain but does not fully explore the side of him that made him famous later as a food and travel personality.
Key Facts
"Tony" is a biographical movie about Anthony Bourdain’s early life.
The story takes place during one summer in 1975 in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
The film shows Bourdain as a young man learning about kitchen work and facing challenges.
It covers his first experiences with hard drugs but does not show his later heroin use.
The movie is directed and co-written by Matt Johnson.
Dominic Sessa plays the young Bourdain in the film.
The film tries to portray Bourdain before he became famous but does not capture the full personality he showed in later years.
The movie is based partly on Bourdain’s memoir "Kitchen Confidential."
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Many homeowners spend too much on heating and cooling because of common mistakes with their HVAC systems. Small issues like ignoring maintenance, not changing air filters, or delaying minor repairs can make the system less efficient and more expensive to fix.
Key Facts
Regular HVAC maintenance is often skipped until the system breaks, leading to costly repairs.
Preventive maintenance once or twice a year helps catch small problems early.
Dirty or clogged air filters make the HVAC system use more energy and work harder.
Homeowners should change air filters every 1 to 3 months, depending on conditions.
Ignoring small problems like unusual noises or uneven temperatures can lead to big repairs.
Early repairs like fixing capacitors or thermostats save money compared to waiting for major damage.
HVAC systems can lose efficiency and cost more to run before they stop working completely.
Service plans and warranties often include regular check-ups to prevent expensive breakdowns.
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Staff at the V&A Storehouse museum in east London voted strongly to strike over not getting enough toilet and drink breaks during work. They join other V&A staff striking in a dispute about pay, working conditions, and the museum not becoming a living wage employer.
Key Facts
V&A Storehouse staff say they do not get enough paid breaks for toilet use and hydration.
The dispute involves collections access officers who manage public access to objects.
Staff want two paid breaks a day to manage their health and workload.
Staff have tried petitions and formal complaints but say management hasn’t addressed their concerns.
100% of Storehouse voters supported strike action, with 88% turnout.
Across all V&A sites in London, 83% voted for strike action with 82% turnout.
Prospect union demands include a 4% pay rise, better pay for holiday work, London living wage accreditation, and improved food at V&A sites.
The V&A says all staff have access to water, toilets, and regular breaks and introduced extra measures during heatwaves.
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Country singer Willie Nelson spoke out against the rapid growth of data centers in Texas, saying they threaten farmland, water, and rural communities like his hometown. Texas has over 500 data centers, with many new projects planned, raising concerns about water use, noise, and land loss in rural areas.
Key Facts
Texas has 510 data centers, with about 200 in the Dallas area alone.
Willie Nelson warned that data centers use too much water, create noise, and cause light pollution.
Many Texans oppose new data centers in their communities, according to a recent poll.
Data centers often require large amounts of water, which worries residents, especially during droughts.
A planned data center near Cedar Creek Reservoir was canceled after local opposition due to water concerns.
Texas leaders have encouraged data centers to build in the state with few limits on resources.
Critics say the growth of data centers threatens farmland and small family farmers’ way of life.
Public Citizen and other groups fear data centers will raise electric rates and harm rural quality of life.
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George Cottrell, who has been convicted of fraud, transferred over $2 million to his mother in the days before she donated large sums to the UK political party Reform UK in 2024. These money transfers involved cryptocurrency exchanges and are now being investigated by the police to see if there was an attempt to hide the real source of the donations.
Key Facts
George Cottrell sent more than $2 million to his mother, Fiona Cottrell, shortly before her donations to Reform UK.
Fiona received one deposit of $1.4 million and two other deposits over $300,000 each from her son.
These transfers happened 1 to 3 days before Fiona donated money directly or through a fundraising group linked to Reform UK.
The money passed through US cryptocurrency exchanges and money transfer services before reaching Fiona.
Police are investigating Reform UK’s funding for possible hiding of donation sources.
Fiona gave a total of £1.5 million to Reform UK and its fundraising group in 2024.
Some donations were publicly declared to the Electoral Commission; others were not transparently reported.
George Cottrell described his mother’s political donations as her own decision and did not deny giving her the money.
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Putting $15,000 into a 1-year certificate of deposit (CD) can earn about $615 to $625 in interest at current rates near 4%. CDs offer a fixed interest rate and protect the initial money, but savers should consider that other accounts like high-yield savings or money market accounts might offer variable rates that could rise later.
Key Facts
Current 1-year CD interest rates range from about 4.10% to 4.17%.
A $15,000 deposit in a 1-year CD earns roughly $615 to $625 in interest by the time it matures.
CDs offer guaranteed fixed rates, meaning the interest rate does not change during the term.
Early withdrawal from CDs might result in penalties that reduce or remove earned interest.
Traditional savings accounts have much lower interest rates, around 0.38% on average.
High-yield savings and money market accounts have variable rates that can increase if market rates rise.
A 1-year CD term is shorter than some longer CDs that can last up to 10 years, making it easier to plan for access to funds.
Savers can split money among CDs, high-yield savings, and money market accounts to balance guaranteed returns and potential rate increases.
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A recent report from the Bank for International Settlements explains that artificial intelligence (AI) is making the job of central banks harder. AI affects both supply and demand in the economy, changes key economic measures, and creates uncertainty about how to set policies that keep prices stable and jobs strong.
Key Facts
Central banks aim to keep prices stable, maintain jobs, and ensure a healthy financial system.
AI disrupts traditional economic signals that central banks use to decide policies.
The AI boom currently increases demand for technology parts like semiconductors and boosts stock markets.
There are concerns about an AI-related investment bubble that could burst.
AI could cause large job losses in the future, but evidence of this happening now is unclear.
Increased productivity from AI could lower inflation by boosting supply.
Central banks worldwide, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, are trying to understand and respond to AI’s complex effects.
The Federal Reserve has set up teams to study AI’s impact on the economy, with reports expected by the end of the year.
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The article explains how decisions made by the Bank of England affect people's money. It discusses the role of interest rates and their impact on finances.
Key Facts
The Bank of England influences interest rates.
Changes in interest rates affect people's savings and loans.
Higher interest rates can increase the cost of borrowing money.
Lower interest rates can make borrowing cheaper.
Interest rate decisions impact the overall economy.
The article provides a simple guide to understanding interest rates.
It highlights the importance of these decisions for personal finance.
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