An independent report has found that farmers are worried about proposed changes to inheritance tax, which could impact the future of their farms. The report offers 57 recommendations to improve farming productivity and resilience but highlights the inheritance tax as a primary concern. The government plans to work closely with the farming sector to address these issues.
Key Facts
Farmers are concerned about changes to inheritance tax that could affect businesses worth more than £1 million at a 20% tax rate starting April 2026.
The report includes 57 recommendations to boost farming productivity and resilience.
Baroness Minette Batters, the author of the report, emphasized that there's no simple solution to making farms profitable.
A new farming and food partnership board will be created to improve productivity and profitability.
The report suggests that costs will be 30% higher in 2026 compared to 2020 for the farming sector.
Farmers are dealing with high input costs, low commodity prices, and extreme weather conditions.
The government's farming budget has remained nearly the same since 2007, despite increasing demands.
Trump Media & Technology is merging with a fusion power company called TAE Technologies in a deal worth over $6 billion. Devin Nunes, CEO of Trump Media, will become co-CEO of the new company along with TAE Technologies CEO Michl Binderbauer. The merged company plans to build a large fusion power plant next year to supply electricity for artificial intelligence.
Key Facts
Trump Media & Technology and TAE Technologies are merging.
The deal is valued at over $6 billion.
Devin Nunes will be a co-CEO, sharing the role with Michl Binderbauer.
The company plans to build the first large-scale fusion power plant.
They aim to provide electricity for powering artificial intelligence.
Construction on the fusion power plant is expected to begin next year.
Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California plans to demolish two well-known rides aimed at young children. The rides, Magic Flyer and Tweety’s Escape, will be removed as part of changes at the park, which has been open since 1971. Six Flags, which operates multiple amusement parks, has experienced financial challenges recently.
Key Facts
Six Flags Magic Mountain will remove two rides known as Magic Flyer and Tweety’s Escape.
The park is located in Valencia, California.
Magic Flyer is a small roller coaster for young children, reaching a height of 10 feet.
Tweety’s Escape involves cages that gently sway in a circular motion.
The rides have entertained children for many years and are considered gentle attractions.
Permit filings value the two rides at a total of $20,000.
The demolition aligns with ongoing changes and upgrades at the park.
Six Flags has faced financial challenges and reported lower-than-expected results recently, although the company did not specify why the rides are being removed.
Oracle's stock fell after concerns about its involvement in a data center project in Michigan. This project is part of a larger investment in AI technology, which is making some investors worried about potential delays in AI profits. Blue Owl Capital, a major investor, decided not to invest in the project, leading to fears about the stability of AI investments.
Key Facts
Oracle's stock price dropped after reports of investment talks with Blue Owl Capital ending.
Blue Owl Capital decided not to invest because of concerns regarding delays and lease terms.
Tech companies plan to spend an estimated $700 billion on AI infrastructure.
Oracle is involved in a data center project in Michigan, linked to the Stargate project with OpenAI.
Local officials aren't fast-tracking approval for Oracle's Michigan data center.
Oracle and CoreWeave's stocks declined, affecting the broader tech market.
Investors worry about delays in profits from AI investments.
Tech companies are focusing on infrastructure (data centers and chips) before developing money-making applications.
The UK's financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has told insurance companies to improve how they handle claims and make their policies easier to understand. This comes after a complaint from the consumer group Which? about problems in the home and travel insurance sectors. The FCA plans to investigate claim processing issues and aims to make policies clearer to customers.
Key Facts
The Financial Conduct Authority is increasing its oversight of insurance claim handling and policy clarity.
The consumer group Which? submitted a "super-complaint," highlighting problems in the home and travel insurance sectors.
A super-complaint indicates significant harm affecting many consumers.
Which? identified three main concerns: claim handling, sales practices, and inadequate consumer protection.
In 2024, 99% of motor insurance claims were accepted, while only 80% of travel and 74% of home insurance claims were approved.
The FCA aims to expand its work to ensure better claim processes and policy understanding.
The Association of British Insurers stated that making improvements is a priority for the insurance sector.
Consumer groups demand stronger actions from the FCA to address long-standing issues in insurance markets.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has ruled that Tesla must change its marketing language about its autonomous driving features within 60 days, or it could temporarily lose its ability to sell cars in the state. The DMV found that terms like "autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving Capability" are misleading. Tesla has said its California sales will continue for now.
Key Facts
The California DMV ruled that Tesla's marketing of its driving assistance features is misleading.
Terms like "autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving Capability" are at the center of the dispute.
Tesla has 60 days to change its advertising or face a 30-day sales suspension in California.
A suspension would stop Tesla from selling new cars in California for a month.
The DMV initially filed a lawsuit in 2022, claiming Tesla’s features still need driver attention and readiness to intervene.
An administrative law judge supported the DMV’s findings against Tesla.
Tesla renamed its feature to "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)."
California is Tesla's largest market in the United States.
Chipotle is introducing a new High Protein Menu in the U.S. and Canada starting December 23, 2025. The menu includes various items with high protein content, such as bowls, salads, and tacos. Customers can also find meals endorsed by athletes and health influencers starting January 5, 2026.
Key Facts
Chipotle's High Protein Menu launches on December 23, 2025, in the U.S. and Canada.
New menu items contain between 15 and 81 grams of protein each.
The High Protein Cup includes 32 grams of protein and costs about $3.82.
Other menu options include the Double High Protein Bowl, High Protein-High Fiber Bowl, High Protein-Low Calorie Salad, Double High Protein Burrito, and Adobo Chicken Taco.
From January 5, 2026, menu items inspired by athletes and health influencers will be available online or via the app.
These inspired meals include choices like Josh Hart's High Protein Burrito and Samantha Milton's Smaller Sam’s High Protein Tacos.
Chris Brandt, Chipotle’s President and Chief Brand Officer, highlights customization and clean ingredients as key features of the new menu.
The latest U.S. jobs report showed a small increase in jobs in November after a significant loss in October. Unemployment hit a four-year high, and experts are divided on how this will affect mortgage rates. The Federal Reserve may face pressure to change interest rates based on these labor market conditions.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy added 64,000 jobs in November, following a loss of 105,000 jobs in October.
The unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent in November, the highest in nearly four years.
A government shutdown delayed several economic reports, complicating the analysis of the labor market.
Experts indicate that the labor market is showing signs of weakness.
The Federal Reserve may be pressured to adjust interest rates based on the jobs data.
Mortgage rates are expected to stay the same for the near future, despite the job market's current state.
President Trump supports further cuts to interest rates as a response to the job market's condition.
The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, will be livestreamed on YouTube starting in 2029. This change marks the end of ABC's long-standing exclusive broadcast rights, which have been in place since 1976. The agreement with YouTube aims to reach a wider global audience and will include additional Oscar-related events.
Key Facts
The Oscars will be livestreamed on YouTube from 2029 to 2033.
ABC will broadcast the Oscars until the 2028 edition, which is their 100th anniversary.
The Academy Awards are partnering with YouTube to reach more viewers worldwide.
YouTube will stream the Oscars for free and include multiple language options for global access.
ABC has broadcast the Oscars since 1976 but recent viewership has declined.
The 2025 Oscars were also shown on the streaming platform Hulu.
No financial details of the YouTube partnership have been released.
Taco Bell is bringing back the Quesarito, a popular menu item, starting December 18, 2025, for a limited time. The Quesarito will be available at participating locations, and Taco Bell has special promotions for subscribers of their app. Alongside the Quesarito, two other menu items will also be available for a limited time.
Key Facts
The Quesarito is a blend of a burrito and a quesadilla, and it costs $4.99.
It includes seasoned beef, rice, chipotle sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, and nacho cheese sauce, wrapped in a grilled quesadilla.
Taco Bell first launched the Quesarito in 2014 and removed it from the menu in 2023.
The promotion offers the first 30,000 Taco Bell Rewards members a Quesarito for $1 if ordered via the app on December 23 at 2 p.m. PST.
Nikola Jokić, an NBA player, was invited by Taco Bell to try the Quesarito, as its launch coincided with his NBA Draft announcement.
Two other limited-time menu items being introduced are Cheesy Dipping Burritos and Steak Garlic Nacho Fries.
Taco Bell has not specified how long these menu items will be available.
Lennar, the second-largest homebuilder in the U.S., reduced its home prices by 10% in the last quarter to maintain sales amid reduced demand and affordability issues. Despite a 4% increase in the number of home deliveries, the company's revenue from home sales dropped by 7% compared to the previous year.
Key Facts
Lennar cut average home prices by 10% in the last quarter.
Home sales revenue decreased by 7%, from $9.5 billion to $8.9 billion.
The number of homes delivered increased by 4% to 23,034.
The typical price of a Lennar home dropped from $430,000 in late 2024 to $386,000 in late 2025.
The U.S. housing market is slowing due to high home prices and borrowing costs.
Lennar plans to deliver 17,000 to 18,000 homes in the first quarter of 2026.
The company expects to deliver around 85,000 homes by the end of 2026.
German luxury car makers like Audi, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are trying to regain market share in China after experiencing sales declines. These companies are launching new and updated vehicles, focusing on advanced technology and efficient engines. China's car market is moving towards electric vehicles but lacks strict emission rules compared to other regions like Europe.
Key Facts
German car companies Audi, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have seen sales declines in China over the past five years.
Mercedes-Benz plans to release 40 new or refreshed vehicle models in the next two years to boost their presence in China.
China is open to various types of powertrains, including hybrid and electric models, without strict emission regulations.
EY predicts battery-electric vehicles will make up over 50% of China's vehicle sales by 2033.
Audi plans to introduce 20 new models by the end of 2025 to increase competition.
BMW's new generation of vehicles, the Neue Klasse, debuted recently and emphasizes engineering over design.
India is working to become a bigger player in the global semiconductor industry with significant investments in chip manufacturing. The country is developing its first major chip manufacturing plant in Gujarat, supported by collaborations with international companies. However, experts warn that India needs more foreign investment and advanced technology to compete with leading countries like the US, Taiwan, and China.
Key Facts
India is building its first commercial chip manufacturing plant in Gujarat with assistance from Taiwanese and US companies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $10 billion initiative in 2021 to boost India's semiconductor industry.
The new plant involves a collaboration between India's Tata Group and Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation.
The plant is expected to start operations by December 2026 and focus on producing "mature" chips, which are easier to produce.
US tech giant Intel is exploring partnerships with Tata Electronics for chip manufacturing and packaging.
India's semiconductor projects have drawn considerable investment, including from companies like Idaho-based Micron Technology.
Mature chips are widely used in consumer electronics, while smaller, more advanced chips are key for high-tech applications like AI.
India needs further investment and development in advanced chip technology to match global leaders like Taiwan and the US.
BP has named Meg O'Neill as its new chief executive, marking the first time a woman will lead a major global oil company. She will officially start on April 1, while Carol Howle takes on the interim role. O'Neill previously led Australian energy company Woodside Energy and will focus on growing BP's market position and sustainability efforts.
Key Facts
Meg O'Neill will become BP's chief executive on April 1.
She will be the first woman to lead a major global oil company.
O'Neill previously worked as the head of Woodside Energy in Australia.
BP's current chief, Murray Auchincloss, will step down after less than two years.
Carol Howle will serve as interim chief executive until O'Neill starts.
O'Neill aims to restore BP's market leadership and improve sustainability.
BP's former chief Bernard Looney was dismissed due to nondisclosure of personal relationships.
BP and other companies are scaling back renewable energy investments, focusing more on oil and gas production.
The article discusses "ghost jobs," which are job advertisements for positions that don't actually exist. This issue is present in the US, UK, and Germany, and some efforts are being made, especially in the US and Canada, to address it through legislation.
Key Facts
"Ghost jobs" are job ads for positions that are either already filled or never existed.
A study found that up to 22% of online job ads in the US, UK, and Germany were not meant for actual hiring.
In the UK, 34% of advertised vacancies were found to be "ghost jobs."
In the US, Eric Thompson is pushing legislation to address fake job ads, aiming for laws to enforce transparency and accountability.
The proposed US law suggests penalties for misleading job ads and requires expiration dates for listing jobs.
Ontario, Canada, will require companies to disclose if a vacancy is being actively filled starting January.
New Jersey and California are also exploring ways to ban ghost jobs.
Currently, the UK and other parts of Canada do not have legal measures against ghost job ads.
Policymakers at the Bank of England are expected to reduce the interest rate from 4% to 3.75%. This decision is influenced by a drop in inflation rates and economic concerns, and it will affect mortgage payments and savings account returns.
Key Facts
The Bank of England is likely to lower the interest rate to its lowest level since February 2023.
Analysts predict a cut from 4% to 3.75%, though not all committee members agree.
This potential cut would be the sixth since August of last year.
The Bank's goal is to maintain inflation at 2%, using the interest rate as a key tool.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate fell from 3.6% in October to 3.2% in November.
A 0.25 percentage point cut could save certain homeowners £29 a month on mortgage repayments.
Savers might see reduced returns on savings due to lower interest rates.
There is a possibility of further interest rate reductions in early next year according to some forecasts.
A former JD Sports employee, Jayla Boyd, received a £65,000 settlement after a male supervisor sexually harassed her at work. The company apologized and agreed to review its policies with support from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The incident highlighted issues with the company's handling of such complaints.
Key Facts
Jayla Boyd, a sales assistant, was sexually harassed by a male supervisor while working part-time at JD Sports in Belfast.
The harassment involved the supervisor slapping Ms. Boyd on the bottom.
JD Sports settled the sexual harassment case for £65,000 and apologized to Ms. Boyd.
The company agreed to work with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to review its workplace policies.
Despite reporting the incident, Ms. Boyd felt unsupported by her employer during the investigation.
She claimed her personal information was exposed to other staff and felt embarrassed during a staff training session.
Ms. Boyd later resigned from her position at JD Sports.
The incident led to calls for businesses to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards workplace harassment.
California regulators might stop Tesla from selling its electric cars in the state for 30 days due to concerns about how the company promotes its self-driving technology. A judge found that Tesla used misleading terms like "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving." Tesla has 90 days to adjust its marketing to avoid sales suspension.
Key Facts
California regulators are considering suspending Tesla’s sales licence over marketing issues.
The suspension could last 30 days and affect Tesla's ability to sell cars in California.
A judge decided that Tesla misled consumers with terms like “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving."
Tesla must clarify the limitations of its self-driving features within 90 days.
Tesla has already started making changes to clarify that human supervision is needed when using its self-driving features.
Tesla described the regulator's actions as excessive and argued that no customers had complained.
Despite sales challenges, Tesla's stock price recently hit a record high before dropping slightly.
Investors are interested in Tesla's work on AI and its plans for self-driving cars and robots.
A recall has been issued for Publix brand Maple Walnut Coffee Cake because it was labeled incorrectly, missing walnut as an ingredient. The recall affects several states and poses a risk to people with walnut allergies. No injuries have been reported.
Key Facts
The James Skinner LLC is recalling a Publix brand Maple Walnut Coffee Cake due to incorrect labeling.
The cake's label says "Raspberry Coffee Cake," and does not list walnuts, which are present and can cause allergies.
The cakes were sent to Publix stores in eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The recalled product weighs 14 ounces and has a specific lot code and SKU number.
A store employee discovered the issue by noticing visible walnuts on the cake.
Consumers who bought the cake can return it to Publix stores and should not eat it if they have walnut allergies.
No injuries or illnesses have been reported from the recalled product.
Customers can contact The James Skinner LLC for more information about the recall.
The Labour Party has allowed six areas in southern England to increase council tax rates by more than 5% without requiring voter approval for two years. This decision follows a reduction in government funding for these areas, as funding will now be redirected toward more deprived areas. The change aims to address funding inequities but has faced criticism for potentially affecting councils that keep taxes low.
Key Facts
Six areas in and around London can increase council tax by over 5% for two years without voter approval.
The areas include Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, City of London, and Windsor and Maidenhead.
These areas are expected to receive less government funding as more funds are redirected to deprived areas.
The new funding model will be phased in over three years starting in 2026.
The goal is to support councils with higher deprivation and more properties in lower tax bands.
Changes were made to the original proposals to consider housing costs in inner London.
The Institute of Fiscal Studies noted that these six councils would face significant funding reductions.
The UK government will increase overall council funding by £3.9 billion next year, assuming a general council tax increase of 5%.
