Coca-Cola's dairy brand Fairlife has stopped its production in the U.S. after hackers attacked its computer systems. The company said no products were harmed, and it is working with experts and the police to investigate and fix the problem.
Key Facts
Fairlife is a dairy brand owned by Coca-Cola.
The brand faced a ransomware cyberattack, meaning hackers locked some systems and demanded payment.
The attack allowed outsiders to access parts of Fairlife's computer systems, including production processes.
Fairlife temporarily stopped its U.S. production because of the attack.
The company says the safety and quality of its products are not affected.
Fairlife’s Canadian operations continue to run and were not affected.
Coca-Cola is working with outside experts and law enforcement to investigate the attack.
The company is trying to restore systems and restart production as soon as possible.
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Mortgage rates in the U.S. rose to 6.55% in mid-July 2026, the highest level in nearly a year, partly due to renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Although inflation eased in June, rising oil prices and geopolitical conflict have pushed mortgage rates and Treasury yields higher again, affecting homebuyers.
Key Facts
The national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached 6.55% as of July 16, 2026, up from 6.49% the previous week.
This is the highest mortgage rate since August 2025 and the peak rate so far in 2026.
Inflation cooled to 3.5% in June 2026, down from 4.2% in May.
Conflict between the U.S. and Iran escalated after Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz, leading the U.S. to block the waterway again.
Rising oil prices due to Middle East tensions contribute to higher mortgage rates.
Mortgage application volume dropped by 2.7% last week, with a 7% decline in purchase applications.
Experts expect mortgage rates to ease modestly later in 2026, but near-term rates depend on how the Iran conflict develops.
President Donald Trump warned he would target Iran’s infrastructure if peace talks do not resume.
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Two Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commissioners accepted expensive tickets from Paramount while the company sought approval for major business deals. Ethics experts say this creates a conflict of interest because the FCC regulates the company.
Key Facts
Paramount gave tickets worth over $12,000 to FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty for a gala hosted by President Donald Trump.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr and his wife attended the same gala from a private skybox with tickets valued at $125,000 each.
Both commissioners had recently voted to approve Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
Paramount was also trying to complete a large $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, requiring FCC approval.
Federal ethics rules forbid government employees from accepting gifts from companies they regulate.
Experts said accepting these tickets damages the fairness and trust in the FCC’s decisions.
Carr has accepted costly tickets from CBS or Paramount several times since 2017, totaling over $63,000.
The gala tickets were connected to a fundraising event that favored wealthy donors.
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The real estate market is shifting focus from looks to health, with wellness-focused homes becoming more popular and expected to reach a $2 trillion market value soon. Builders and buyers, especially in the luxury market, are now prioritizing features that improve health, like special lighting that supports sleep and mental well-being.
Key Facts
Wellness-focused real estate is predicted to be worth about $2 trillion in the near future.
Traditional homes focused on looks, convenience, and resale, not health benefits.
People spend about 90% of their time indoors, making home health important.
New technologies, like circadian lighting, help improve sleep and mental health.
Interest in health-related home technologies has grown quickly in the past year.
Wearable devices now measure sleep quality and cognitive health, increasing awareness.
Luxury homebuyers ask for wellness features, with developers guiding their choices.
Homes are increasingly seen as environments that actively affect physical and mental health.
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Twelve Democratic state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit to stop the $111 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), arguing it breaks antitrust laws by reducing competition in film and cable TV. The lawsuit will face a key hearing to decide if the merger should be paused, even though the Department of Justice has already approved it.
Key Facts
The merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery is valued at $111 billion.
Twelve Democratic attorneys general are leading the legal challenge, claiming it violates federal antitrust law called the Clayton Act.
The DOJ approved the merger in June, but the lawsuit asks a judge to pause it while the case is decided.
The lawsuit argues the merger will reduce competition in film and cable TV markets and raise prices for consumers.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta leads the lawsuit and notes no Republican attorneys general signed the challenge.
New Jersey and Washington state attorneys general highlighted concerns about higher prices, fewer choices, and media consolidation.
The merger could also lead to less investigative journalism and fewer news sources, according to some officials.
New Jersey is currently seeing growth in its film industry with investments from Netflix, Lionsgate, and Paramount, which could be affected by less competition.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how companies market and communicate with customers, but understanding cultural differences is also very important. The growing U.S. Latino market, worth $3.6 trillion in 2022, shows that businesses need deeper cultural insight to connect effectively with diverse consumers.
Key Facts
88% of organizations use AI in at least one part of their business, though many are still early in using it fully.
The U.S. Latino economy was valued at $3.6 trillion in 2022.
Jorge Perez, an immigrant from Venezuela, built a marketing career focusing on Hispanic and Spanish-speaking audiences.
Perez founded JP Director and On Point Productions Agency, which have generated over $220 million in client revenue.
He emphasizes that marketing to Hispanic consumers requires cultural understanding, not just language translation.
Perez’s experience in two cultures helps him understand how Hispanics think, shop, and connect, improving marketing impact.
Businesses that understand cultural values and behaviors can build stronger trust with customers.
The growing Hispanic market presents a significant opportunity for companies to expand beyond their current English-speaking customers.
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Home insurance costs are rising fast in many U.S. states, especially those prone to natural disasters. In some states like Nebraska and Oklahoma, insurance takes up a bigger part of monthly housing costs than mortgage payments or property taxes.
Key Facts
Home insurance now makes up at least 10% of monthly housing costs in 20 states.
In Nebraska, insurance accounts for 19.4% of monthly housing costs, the highest in the U.S.
From 2019 to 2025, average home insurance premiums in the U.S. rose by 72% to about $201 per month.
Home prices have increased 54% nationwide since 2020, while mortgage rates rose from about 2-3% to around 6.5%.
Property taxes increased over 30% between 2019 and 2025.
States like Florida and California face extra challenges due to high fraud, litigation, and strict regulations affecting insurance costs.
Insurance companies are leaving some markets due to high risks and costs.
Homeowners’ association fees in some places have also risen due to new building safety laws.
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British Steel has been taken into public ownership by the UK government to protect jobs and keep producing virgin steel. This move follows financial troubles at the Scunthorpe plant and concerns about the UK's ability to make steel independently.
Key Facts
British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant employs 2,700 people and produces virgin steel for major UK construction projects.
The Scunthorpe plant is the last in the UK making virgin steel, which is higher quality than recycled steel.
If the plant closed, the UK would be the only G7 country without virgin steel production.
British Steel was previously owned by China’s Jingye Group before nationalisation in 2025.
Jingye reported losing about £700,000 a day and had planned to close the plant.
The UK government took control using emergency powers to keep the plant running.
High costs, tariffs, and global overproduction of steel have hurt the Scunthorpe plant’s finances.
The government will decide on compensation for Jingye and looks for a long-term solution beyond public ownership.
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Several political action committees (PACs) connected to the artificial intelligence (AI) industry are raising and spending millions of dollars ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. Pro-AI groups supporting rapid development and lighter regulation have much more funding than those focused on AI safety and regulation.
Key Facts
Leading the Future is a pro-AI super PAC backed by tech executives that had $31.5 million at the end of June, after transferring $20 million to other related groups.
Leading the Future sent $10 million each to two other PACs: Think Big PAC and American Mission PAC.
Public First Action, a nonprofit promoting AI safety, received $20 million from AI company Anthropic this year and is linked to three super PACs.
The bipartisan Public First PAC had about $494,000 on hand but raised $3.4 million this quarter, much from Anthropic staff; the CEO of Anthropic donated $1 million.
Jobs and Democracy PAC, which supports Democrats, ended June with about $1.3 million; it spent heavily on a New York candidate who lost the primary.
The Republican-leaning Defending Our Values PAC had around $315,000 available at quarter’s end.
Guardrails Alliance, a new super PAC supporting AI safety and workers' rights, reported nearly $400,000 in funds.
Overall, groups focused on AI safety have far less money than those pushing for rapid AI development and fewer regulations.
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XPENG, a Chinese car company known for quick innovation, is developing new technologies like AI-based robots, flying cars, and advanced driver systems. The company’s CEO, He Xiaopeng, said they want to move faster and invest more in research to improve people’s lives with affordable and safe technology.
Key Facts
XPENG was founded in 2014 and has grown into a multinational tech company.
The company focuses on AI and technology beyond cars, including humanoid robots and flying cars.
XPENG compares its speed of product development to car makers from Japan, Europe, and America.
CEO He Xiaopeng emphasizes creating products that are affordable and safe.
He Xiaopeng describes himself as a product manager who wants to bring joy and improve lives through technology.
XPENG plans to increase its investment in research and development in the next 3 to 10 years.
Other major players in similar technology fields include Tesla, OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Waymo.
BYD, another Chinese automaker, has been around longer and received investment from Berkshire Hathaway in 2008.
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The UK government has taken British Steel into public ownership to keep steel production and jobs in the country. China expressed strong dissatisfaction with this decision, saying it harms Chinese companies' trust in investing in the UK.
Key Facts
British Steel was nationalised by the UK government to protect steel production and 4,000 jobs in Scunthorpe.
The UK government acted after the Chinese owner, Jingye Group, threatened to close the site.
China’s Ministry of Commerce criticized the UK for nationalising the company, saying it violates international rules and hurts Chinese investors’ confidence.
Jingye claims British Steel is valuable and should receive large compensation despite being ready to let it fail.
The UK government said a new leadership team will work to make British Steel stable and low-carbon.
The nationalisation followed a new UK law, the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026, that allows ministers to take ownership of steel companies.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move protects a key industry and supports British jobs and the economy.
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James Watt, the founder of BrewDog, is facing complaints about emails he sent to former BrewDog investors, called “equity punks,” offering them shares in a new company. Some recipients said they didn’t know how Watt got their contact details, raising concerns about possible breaches of UK data privacy laws. The UK data privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is now looking into these complaints.
Key Facts
James Watt sold BrewDog earlier in 2024 to the US company Tilray for £33 million.
More than 200,000 BrewDog investors lost the value of their shares after the sale.
Watt emailed thousands of these investors to offer them free shares in a new venture called Second Best.
Many recipients questioned how Watt obtained their contact details.
The complaints allege possible violations of the UK’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Watt said he followed legal advice and used data lawfully but did not explain how he got the information.
Tilray stated it did not have or share investor data with Watt and denied involvement in the email campaign.
The ICO is considering the complaints and may investigate if data laws were broken.
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Several UK lenders are offering new mortgage deals that let first-time buyers borrow up to 100% of the property price, meaning they do not need a deposit. These deals often come with higher interest rates and different rules depending on the lender. Some loans also allow a family member or friend to help qualify for a bigger mortgage without owning the home.
Key Facts
Metro Bank launched a 100% mortgage for eligible first-time buyers with a five-year fixed rate of 6.99% and a maximum loan of £675,000.
Lloyds offers a mortgage requiring a minimum deposit of £5,000 (just over 98% loan-to-value) with a rate of 5.89% for homes up to £300,000.
Santander has a similar deal allowing borrowers to finance up to 98% of the home value, with a minimum deposit of £10,000 and a 5.49% rate, up to £500,000.
Skipton and Yorkshire building societies offer mortgages up to 100% and 99% loan-to-value respectively, with rates around 5.55% to 6.44%.
Joint Borrower, Sole Proprietor (JBSP) loans enable buyers to add a family member or friend to increase borrowing power without sharing ownership.
JBSP loans mean all parties share legal responsibility for repayments, making these arrangements serious commitments.
Higher loan-to-value mortgages typically have higher interest rates compared to loans requiring larger deposits.
These mortgage options aim to help people enter the housing market despite rising property prices and affordability challenges.
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The article explains how people can share the cost of a meal or other expenses when they go out with friends. It offers tips on different ways to split the bill fairly.
Key Facts
The article focuses on how to divide the bill among friends.
It aims to help people handle money matters easily when eating out or paying together.
Different methods for splitting costs are suggested.
It highlights the importance of fairness in sharing expenses.
The article is connected to personal finance and managing money in social settings.
No complex financial terms are used; the advice is practical and simple.
The content is supported with an accompanying video explaining the topic.
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The UK government has taken control of British Steel to protect jobs and a key industry, a move China opposes as it owns the company through Jingye Group. China says this nationalisation breaks investment rules and harms Chinese companies' confidence in the UK.
Key Facts
The UK government nationalised British Steel to protect jobs and an important national industry.
British Steel's plant in Scunthorpe was previously under control of China's Jingye Group.
China’s commerce ministry criticized the move, saying it violates the China-UK Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Jingye Group contributed to the UK economy but lost control when the UK government stepped in.
The nationalisation may affect UK-China relations as a new UK prime minister takes office.
British Steel was losing about £700,000 a day before nationalisation.
The UK government is currently spending over £1 million a day to run the steelworks.
The government can now decide British Steel’s future without Jingye’s input but may not keep it long-term.
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Three Ivorian companies—Petro Ivoire, Djamo, and Kaira Holding—are competing with international brands in sectors like fuel, digital banking, and cosmetics. These local companies grow by understanding their markets, making faster decisions, and investing in production, while multinational firms continue to play a big role in Ivory Coast’s economy.
Key Facts
Petro Ivoire started in 1994 and is now the largest locally owned fuel distributor in Ivory Coast, holding about 15% of the market.
The company competes by combining local market knowledge with international quality standards.
Petro Ivoire can make strategic decisions faster than multinational companies because it is locally owned.
Petro Ivoire leads the butane gas market and is investing in electric vehicle charging stations.
Djamo, launched in 2020, offers digital banking services through a mobile app and serves over two million customers and 10,000 small businesses.
Djamo had to overcome investor doubts about tech companies from francophone West Africa but demonstrated potential for growth and economic stability.
Both companies highlight growing confidence in African businesses competing successfully at home and beyond.
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Taco Bell said it will stop using lettuce in some stores because the FDA is investigating iceberg lettuce linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak. This move is to protect customers while the investigation continues.
Key Facts
Taco Bell plans to remove lettuce from certain locations.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell.
The investigation is related to a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the U.S.
Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or water.
Taco Bell is working with public health officials during this investigation.
Removing lettuce is a safety step until the source of the outbreak is confirmed.
The announcement was made on a Thursday.
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President Donald Trump’s media company plans to sell fast access to posts on its Truth Social platform, which could give financial traders speedier news to make stock and bond decisions. Critics say this raises concerns about using the presidency for financial gain, although the company says the new service is a way to make money from its unique content.
Key Facts
Truth Social will offer a paid service called Truth PSI that gives faster access to top posts.
The service targets Wall Street trading firms and institutions to act on news quickly.
President Trump is the most followed user on Truth Social with 12.9 million followers.
Trump is also the largest shareholder of Trump Media + Technology, the parent company.
Experts warn this could be a conflict of interest by profiting from presidential posts.
The program will start next month and has already gained customers.
Trump Media + Technology's stock dropped over 70% since Trump became president last year.
The company is also involved in other businesses like crypto and nuclear fusion to boost revenue.
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The World Cup generates huge amounts of money, especially for FIFA, the organization that runs world football. While FIFA and broadcasters earn big profits from the event, fans face high costs for tickets, travel, and accommodation.
Key Facts
FIFA made a record $7.6 billion from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and expects even more revenue from the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA's income comes from selling TV rights, sponsorships, tickets, and licensing deals, plus a new resale marketplace charging fees.
FIFA is planning to expand the World Cup to 48 or even 64 teams to attract more viewers and increase earnings.
Fans paid very high prices for tickets, with some final match tickets listed officially at $32,970 and resale prices exceeding $2 million.
Travel and other expenses, like a train ticket hike in New Jersey from $12.90 to $150, also raised costs for fans.
Broadcasters spent large amounts to buy TV rights but expect large returns through advertising, especially with new "hydration breaks" sponsored during games.
In the US, a 30-second World Cup ad costs between $200,000 and $750,000, making hydration break ads a new big money opportunity.
UK viewers watching on BBC or ITV did not see hydration break ads because those channels do not run commercials.
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Sarah Reeve made her fiancé, Lee, pay off his debt before they married. Since then, Sarah has taken charge of managing their money, including budgeting, saving, and paying bills. She says getting financial advice helped her feel more confident about planning for the future.
Key Facts
Sarah gave Lee an ultimatum to clear his £2,000 debt before marriage.
After paying off his debt, they used a joint bank account for all their money.
Sarah manages the bills, savings, and budgeting, while Lee prefers to leave money decisions to her.
Sarah earns £24,000 part-time in insurance; Lee used to work at a factory and now does property maintenance earning about £30,000.
They have two daughters, 19 and 21, and consider their money shared.
The couple regularly makes extra payments on their mortgage and have avoided overspending.
Sarah initially felt unsure about managing investments but gained confidence after meeting a financial adviser.
Research shows more women are involved in daily money management but feel less confident than men about investment decisions.
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