Kalshi, a prediction market platform, suspended three political candidates for placing bets on their own election races. Two candidates paid small fines to settle the issue, while one candidate chose not to settle.
Key Facts
Kalshi is a prediction market platform where people can bet on future events.
Three political candidates were suspended for betting on their own election outcomes.
Matt Klein, a Minnesota state senator and congressional candidate (Democrat), settled and paid a small fine.
Ezekiel Enriquez, a former Texas congressional candidate (Republican), also settled and paid a small fine.
Mark Moran, an independent candidate for Virginia Senate, did not agree to settle with Kalshi.
The suspensions were announced by Kalshi on a Wednesday.
Betting on one’s own race raises concerns about fairness and conflict of interest.
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Rent prices in the U.S. are rising more slowly than in recent years. In March, the typical rent was $1,910 per month, increasing 1.8% from a year earlier, the slowest growth rate since December 2020.
Key Facts
The typical monthly rent in March was $1,910, up 1.8% from the previous year.
This is the slowest rate of rent growth since December 2020.
Single-family home rents rose 2.5% annually, the slowest since Zillow began tracking in 2015.
Multifamily home rents were $1,757 in March, up 1.3% from a year ago.
Rent prices fell in some large cities, including Austin (-2.3%), Tampa (-1.6%), and San Antonio (-1.6%).
The median household spent 26.5% of income on rent last month.
To afford the typical rent comfortably, a household needs an income of at least $76,400 per year, 35% higher than before the pandemic.
Since early 2020, single-family rents increased nearly 45%, and multifamily rents rose 28%.
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Meta, the company that owns Facebook, has informed its employees that it will begin monitoring their keystrokes and mouse movements. This data will be used to help train Meta’s artificial intelligence systems.
Key Facts
Meta is starting to track how employees use their computers, including keystrokes and mouse actions.
The purpose of tracking is to improve the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
This information was shared in an email sent to all Meta employees.
Business Insider obtained and reported on the email details.
The AI training aims to make Meta’s systems smarter and more efficient.
The tracking covers employee interactions specifically for AI development.
Meta is the parent company of Facebook.
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Rental vacancies in most large Australian cities are at record low levels, causing rents to rise. Homes priced below government-set limits for low-deposit loans are increasing in value faster than more expensive properties.
Key Facts
The national rental vacancy rate in Australia is at a record low of 0.7%.
Cities like Sydney, Perth, Darwin, and Hobart have vacancy rates below 0.6%, with Melbourne at 1%.
Median weekly rents have risen to $680 for houses and $675 for units in capital cities.
The federal government’s 5% deposit guarantee scheme helps first-time home buyers by lowering deposit requirements.
Since expanding the scheme and raising price caps in October, properties under the cap have increased in value by 6.7%.
Properties above the scheme’s price caps have risen by 3.6% in value over the same period.
The low-deposit scheme may eventually become less effective as more homes exceed the price caps and financing challenges grow.
High demand and limited supply are causing rental prices to rise, but many renters can no longer afford higher rent increases.
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Target is giving away free packs of diapers this weekend during an in-store event where parents answer baby-related trivia questions. Additionally, Target is offering free baby sample boxes on Sunday from select brands, with supplies limited and varying by store.
Key Facts
The diaper giveaway is on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at most Target stores.
Parents must answer trivia questions about babies to get a free pack of Pampers diapers or wipes.
There is a limit of one free pack per guest and supplies are limited.
Not all Target stores are participating; parents should check a store list before going.
On Sunday, selected stores will give away baby sample boxes featuring products from Little Spoon, Enfamil, Happy Baby, and Pampers.
Baby boxes are free with no action required but only available while supplies last and at fewer stores than the diaper giveaway.
Target accepts returns of unopened diapers without a receipt for an exchange gift card, with some limits and ID scanning.
Babies generally use about a dozen diapers a day, totaling over 300 in the first month, and size 1 diapers fit babies up to 14 pounds, usually around 3-4 months old.
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The European Union announced a plan to protect households and businesses from rising energy costs caused by the war with Iran. The EU has spent an extra €24 billion on energy imports due to higher prices and urges more investment in renewable energy sources.
Key Facts
The EU faces an energy crisis linked to the war with Iran.
Energy prices have increased, costing the EU an additional €24 billion for imports.
The EU plans to support both households and businesses during this crisis.
The EU encourages more investment in renewable energy to reduce dependence on imports.
French President Emmanuel Macron opened a new lithium mine to help reduce reliance on imported minerals.
The conflict affects not only energy but also critical materials needed for technology and industry.
The EU is balancing energy needs while responding to economic challenges caused by the war in the Middle East.
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Two gamers sued Nintendo of America, claiming the company plans to keep government tariff refunds instead of giving money back to consumers who paid higher prices due to tariffs. The lawsuit is a class action representing all U.S. buyers of Nintendo products from February 2025 to February 2026.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
It alleges Nintendo charged consumers higher prices to cover tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
A recent Supreme Court ruling found these tariffs were illegally imposed by President Trump.
The U.S. government started a refund process for importers and brokers to recover these tariff payments.
Nintendo sued the government to seek full refunds of tariffs it paid.
The plaintiffs say Nintendo has no legal promise to pass those refunds on to customers who actually paid more.
The lawsuit accuses Nintendo of unjustly keeping profits made from tariff-related price increases.
Similar lawsuits have been filed against other companies like Costco, which plans to use refunds to lower future prices.
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Meghan Markle is selling a new Mother's Day collection on her As Ever online shop that includes candles inspired by her children’s birth dates. Some people criticized the idea, saying it feels wrong to use her children to promote products, while others see it as a meaningful tribute.
Key Facts
Meghan Markle introduced two candles named “Candle No. 506” and “Candle No. 604” referencing Prince Archie’s and Princess Lilibet’s birthdays.
The candles went on sale on April 22, ahead of Mother’s Day on May 10.
The candles’ scents include ingredients like ginger, neroli, amber, and water lily.
Critics say using her children to sell products feels narcissistic and “merching off” them.
Meghan and Prince Harry do not show their children’s faces online to protect their privacy.
The Mother’s Day collection also includes a $58 box of chocolates with ten pieces.
Some experts think the chocolate pricing and product design do not connect well with customers.
Supporters argue the candles do not use the children’s real names, making the tribute less direct.
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Rising corn prices in the United States are causing overall food costs to increase. Higher fertilizer and fuel costs, partly due to the war in Iran disrupting key trade routes, are making it more expensive for farmers to grow crops, which leads to higher prices at grocery stores and restaurants.
Key Facts
The conflict in Iran has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for oil and fertilizer shipments.
Fertilizer prices, especially nitrogen-based types like urea, have increased sharply, affecting farmers’ expenses.
Farmers must decide whether to pay more for fertilizer, reduce usage and risk lower crop yields, or switch to crops needing less fertilizer.
Corn is a crucial crop in the U.S. food system, heavily affected by rising fertilizer costs.
The USDA predicts overall food inflation will rise by 3.6% in 2026, with grocery prices up 3.1% and restaurant meals up 3.9%.
Higher corn prices increase costs for meat, dairy, and eggs because corn is the main feed for livestock.
Beef and veal prices are already up 14.4% from last year, with more increases expected.
Feed costs remain high even as some farm-level milk prices fall, adding pressure on dairy production costs.
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Warner Bros Discovery shareholders will vote on a merger with Paramount Skydance that could change the U.S. media landscape by uniting CBS News and CNN. The merger faces regulatory reviews in the U.S. and UK, amid concerns about editorial independence and foreign investments.
Key Facts
Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Skydance plan to merge into one company.
This would bring CBS News and CNN together under the same owner.
The merger needs approval from U.S. federal regulators and the UK Competition and Markets Authority.
Paramount Skydance is led by David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who supports President Donald Trump.
Changes under Ellison’s leadership include hiring conservative staff and delaying stories critical of the Trump administration.
Some reporters at CBS have left, citing dissatisfaction with the company’s direction.
There are worries about CNN’s future independence and potential influence from Trump and Ellison.
Senator Cory Booker raised concerns about foreign investments from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and China in the merger.
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Homeowners have a lot of home equity they can borrow against today. Comparing a $50,000 home equity loan and a $50,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) shows that loans currently have slightly lower monthly payments, but HELOC rates may drop and become cheaper over time.
Key Facts
Homeowners can borrow against record-high home equity amounts.
HELOC interest rates have dropped by over 2 percentage points in the last 18 months.
A $50,000 home equity loan at about 6.96% interest costs approximately $579 per month for 10 years.
A $50,000 HELOC at about 7.11% interest costs roughly $583 per month for 10 years.
Both home equity loans and HELOCs are cheaper now than in 2025 when rates were higher.
HELOCs have variable rates that can go up or down, affecting future monthly payments.
Home equity loans have fixed rates, so payments stay the same unless refinanced.
Borrowers should consider long-term affordability and shop around for the best rates before choosing either option.
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Cryptocurrency billionaire Justin Sun is suing World Liberty Financial, a crypto company co-founded by President Donald Trump and his sons. Sun claims the company illegally stopped him from selling tokens worth up to $1 billion and pressured him to invest more money.
Key Facts
Justin Sun filed a lawsuit in California federal court against World Liberty Financial.
Sun says the company froze his tokens after he refused to invest more money to create their stablecoin.
World Liberty Financial’s CEO Zach Witkoff called Sun’s claims without merit and said Sun engaged in misconduct.
Sun remains a supporter of President Trump and blamed certain individuals for the conflict.
The lawsuit accuses World Liberty executives of using the Trump brand to try to make illegal profits.
Sun says the company threatened to destroy his tokens without proper reason.
Sun is known for founding the blockchain company Tron and holding Trump-backed crypto tokens.
The dispute may affect Sun’s relationship with President Trump.
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Theramex, a UK company that makes hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs, was publicly censured by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) for serious failures that risked patient safety. The company failed to update important drug information and left the industry's self-regulatory body, choosing to be regulated by the UK government agency MHRA instead.
Key Facts
Theramex produces HRT drugs Evorel and Intrarosa, widely used for hormone therapy in the UK.
The PMCPA found Theramex breached the pharmaceutical industry's code of practice 21 times.
Failures included not updating prescribing information for years and omitting pregnancy warnings on some drugs.
Staff at Theramex reported these issues internally before the PMCPA took action.
Theramex left the PMCPA’s self-regulatory system in January 2026 to be regulated by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The MHRA has legal authority to oversee drug safety and can investigate and penalize companies for breaches.
Theramex said it is reviewing and improving its compliance and ethical standards.
Industry and regulator officials expressed concern about Theramex’s failures and acknowledged that MHRA will ensure ongoing patient safety.
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At the 2026 Grammys on the Hill event, Sen. Chris Coons and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar received awards for their efforts to protect music artists. The ceremony also focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) is affecting the music industry.
Key Facts
The event is called Grammys on the Hill and happens every year.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) were honored for supporting music artists.
The ceremony highlighted concerns about the impact of AI on music creators.
Other lawmakers, including Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Rep. Steny Hoyer, were involved in the event.
AI technology is changing how music is made and shared, raising new challenges for artists’ rights.
The awards recognize politicians’ roles in protecting artists' interests in the digital age.
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The movie "Coyote vs. Acme," based on a 1990 satirical New Yorker piece, was completed but shelved by Warner Bros. in 2023 for financial reasons. The film has now been sold to Ketchup Entertainment and is scheduled for release on August 28, 2026.
Key Facts
"Coyote vs. Acme" combines live-action and animation, featuring Wile E. Coyote suing the ACME corporation.
The film’s script involved well-known contributors, including James Gunn.
Warner Bros. planned to release the movie in July 2023 but canceled it to take a tax write-off.
Competing streaming services offered less than Warner Bros.’ asking price of $75–$80 million.
Warner Bros. eventually sold the rights to Ketchup Entertainment for $50 million.
The movie stars Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor, P.J. Byrne, and features classic Looney Tunes voices by Eric Bauza.
The film’s release date is set for August 28, 2026.
The cancellation followed similar moves by Warner Bros. with other films like Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt.
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The federal government may have to return billions of dollars it collected from tariffs. This situation raises questions about how businesses make decisions based on legal and political factors.
Key Facts
The government collected billions in tariffs from businesses.
There is a possibility the government will return this money.
The issue concerns how businesses respond to tariffs under the law.
It affects whether businesses act mainly based on financial interests or political pressures.
The situation goes beyond just tariffs and touches on business freedom and legal rights.
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Four people were arrested in a fraud investigation linked to a UK government home insulation scheme called ECO4, which aimed to help vulnerable people with heating and energy costs. The Serious Fraud Office suspects companies claimed £44 million for insulation work on thousands of homes that was never done, leading to poor-quality installations and damage in affected houses.
Key Facts
Four suspects were arrested during early morning raids by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
The investigation focuses on a fraud claiming £44 million through the ECO4 home insulation scheme.
The ECO4 scheme ran since 2022, installing heat pumps, solar panels, and insulation in over 300,000 homes.
It targeted elderly and low-income households to reduce fuel poverty.
Three companies are accused: JJ Crump, South Coast Insulation Services, and Warmfront.
The SFO seized computers, hard drives, and crypto assets in the raids across three counties.
Many homes suffered from poor insulation causing damp, mould, and structural damage.
The government is running a repair program; over 3,000 of 30,000 damaged homes have been fixed so far.
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The article explains how inflation, which means prices are rising, affects people's money and daily lives. It looks at why prices go up and what that means for shoppers, workers, and the economy.
Key Facts
Inflation means that the prices of goods and services increase over time.
When prices rise, people need more money to buy the same things as before.
Inflation can reduce the value of savings because money doesn't buy as much.
Workers may ask for higher wages to keep up with rising costs.
Businesses may raise prices to cover higher costs of materials and labor.
Inflation affects different items in various ways; some prices go up faster than others.
Governments and central banks try to control inflation to keep the economy stable.
High inflation can make it harder for people to afford everyday items.
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When a creditor refuses to negotiate debt, they expect the original payment terms to be met and may increase efforts to collect the debt, including hiring collection agencies or pursuing legal action. Although refusal can make managing debt harder and hurt credit scores, negotiation might still be possible later, especially if the debt is sold or ages.
Key Facts
Creditors are not obligated to negotiate debt and may refuse early in the delinquency process.
If negotiation is refused, the original interest rates, payments, and penalties remain active.
Debt collection efforts may increase and could involve third-party agencies.
Unpaid debts can lead to lawsuits, which might result in wage garnishment or bank levies.
Missed payments and unresolved debts harm credit scores and can cause serious negative marks like charge-offs.
A creditor's refusal to negotiate does not always mean negotiation is impossible later on.
Debt buyers or collection agencies might be more open to negotiation when they take over the account.
Seeking help from professional debt relief companies can improve chances of settling debt successfully.
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An $18,000 certificate of deposit (CD) generally earns more interest than an $18,000 money market account over one year, based on current fixed rates. However, the money market account offers easier access to funds and has a variable interest rate that could increase or decrease over time.
Key Facts
CDs have fixed interest rates that guarantee earnings over the chosen term.
Money market accounts have variable rates that can change with market conditions.
At current rates, a 1-year CD at 4.10% would earn about $738 in interest.
An $18,000 money market account at 3.90% would earn about $702 in interest after one year.
For shorter terms (3 months), CDs and money market accounts earn nearly the same interest.
Money market accounts allow easier access to funds without penalties.
Regularly adding money to a money market account may increase earnings through compounding interest.
Savers should consider their need for access to funds and potential rate changes before choosing between CDs and money market accounts.
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