America's largest landlord, Greystar, has agreed to a $7 million settlement with nine states. The settlement addresses accusations that the company used rent-setting algorithms illegally to increase rental prices. This deal is part of ongoing efforts to regulate anti-competitive practices in the rental market.
Key Facts
Greystar is accused of using software to align rental prices with competitors, allegedly inflating costs.
The $7 million settlement involves attorneys general from nine states.
The software, RealPage, is said to have allowed data sharing between companies to coordinate prices.
Greystar can no longer use software that depends on competitors' data for setting rents.
The settlement awaits judicial approval in a North Carolina court.
This is part of broader legal actions against rent-setting algorithms, including a previous $50 million class-action settlement with Greystar.
State officials claim such practices harm competition and worsen the housing affordability crisis.
RealPage has denied any allegations of wrongdoing, stating its software is used in less than 10% of U.S. rental units.
Taco Bell added three new menu items in the U.S. These items, called the "Fan Style Menu," were designed by fans who submitted their ideas through a contest. The new dishes will be available for a limited time starting November 20.
Key Facts
Taco Bell introduced three new limited-edition items to its menu in the U.S.
The new dishes were designed by Taco Bell customers through a contest held earlier this year.
Over 40,000 custom order ideas were submitted by fans via the Taco Bell app.
The new items are part of the "Fan Style Menu" and will be on sale starting November 20.
The three new dishes include a steak Crunchwrap, a vegetarian burrito, and a chicken taco.
The fan-designed dishes will be available in Taco Bell stores or via the app at participating locations.
Taco Bell called the winners “Fan Chefs” and might run similar contests in the future.
The U.S. stock market rose significantly on Thursday, led by strong financial results from Nvidia, which boosted confidence in AI-related stocks. A jobs report suggested a mixed economic outlook, maintaining hopes that the Federal Reserve could lower interest rates. Major stock indexes such as the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq saw notable increases.
Key Facts
The S&P 500 index increased by 1.7%, moving closer to its all-time high.
Nvidia's stock rose 3.9% after announcing higher-than-expected profits and future revenue forecasts.
Other AI-related stocks like Palantir and Oracle also saw gains following Nvidia's report.
The U.S. jobs report showed stronger hiring but a slight increase in the unemployment rate.
Traders now see a 42% chance of the Fed cutting interest rates next month, up from 30% the day before.
Walmart's stock rose 3.3% after reporting strong sales and profits, surpassing expectations.
Major global stock indexes in Europe and Asia also reported gains.
The U.S. government reported that employers added 119,000 jobs in September, despite delays in the data release due to a government shutdown. The unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.4%, partly because more people entered the job market. Some sectors like health care and construction saw job growth, while factories and government jobs declined.
Key Facts
U.S. employers added 119,000 jobs in September.
The unemployment rate rose to 4.4% from 4.3% in August.
470,000 people joined the labor market in September.
The Labor Department revised job numbers, showing fewer jobs gained in previous months than initially reported.
Health care and social assistance added 57,000 jobs, construction added 19,000, while factories lost 6,000 jobs.
The U.S. government shutdown delayed the jobs report for seven weeks.
The Labor Department will not release a full jobs report for October due to the shutdown.
In 2026, the world might produce more oil than needed, causing prices to drop. OPEC+ has paused increasing oil output because their forecasts show that demand and supply will balance out early in the year.
Key Facts
The world could see more oil production than needed in 2026.
An oversupply of oil typically leads to lower prices.
Lower oil prices mean cheaper costs for transport, shipping, and flights.
OPEC+ has stopped increasing oil production for the first quarter of 2026.
OPEC+ forecasts indicate that demand will match supply in early 2026.
The Chinese yuan's role in the global economy is increasing.
A dairy farmer in South Scotland, David Finlay, is using a cow-with-calf system where calves stay with their mothers for about six months, aiming to increase animal welfare and profitability. This approach contrasts with traditional practices where calves are separated from their mothers shortly after birth. While the system has faced skepticism, it claims benefits such as healthier animals and higher milk productivity.
Key Facts
Traditional dairy farms separate calves from mothers within 24 hours to collect milk for sale.
David Finlay farms 130 cows and allows calves to stay with their mothers for around six months.
Finlay claims this method improves animal welfare and business profitability.
Initially, the farm faced financial struggles but later adapted to make the system viable.
The system reportedly results in faster-growing calves and 25% more milk production per cow.
Rainton Farm is the largest commercial cow-with-calf dairy farm in Europe.
The Scottish government is interested in supporting high animal welfare practices.
Some farmers remain skeptical about the system's suitability for the broader dairy industry.
Delta Airlines has launched a new digital tool called Delta Locals to help travelers plan trips with advice from locals. The tool is available online and on in-flight screens, offering video guides with recommendations from residents in several global destinations, including Los Angeles and Tokyo.
Key Facts
Delta Locals is a digital trip-planning tool available online and in-flight.
Travelers receive recommendations from locals, including chefs and artists.
Featured destinations include Los Angeles, Tokyo, Patagonia, and Sicily.
The tool provides video guides showcasing local food, drinks, and activities.
Additional destinations are expected to be added in 2026.
The tool aims to replace traditional in-flight magazines that offered travel tips.
United Airlines and KLM offer similar digital or exclusive magazine content.
A report shows that U.S. clean-energy investments reached a record high of $75 billion in the third quarter, driven by electric car sales as tax credits expired. President Trump's recent tax law changes, including the removal of subsidies, influenced this surge. However, some areas like EV manufacturing saw a decline compared to the previous year.
Key Facts
Clean-energy investments in the U.S. reached $75 billion in the third quarter.
Sales of electric cars mainly drove this increase, totaling $31 billion.
Electric vehicle (EV) tax credits expired at the end of the third quarter.
EV manufacturing investments fell by 30% compared to the same period last year.
Globally, electric vehicles are growing, mainly in China, the EU, and the U.S.
New clean energy projects worth $6 billion were announced, focused on EVs and batteries.
Companies canceled $2 billion in projects, also mainly in battery manufacturing.
Tax credits for heat pumps and distributed energy technologies will expire at the end of the year.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! bought a golden toilet for $12.1 million at a Sotheby's auction. The toilet, called "America," is made of solid gold and was created by artist Maurizio Cattelan. Ripley's announced their purchase after its previous version was stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019.
Key Facts
Ripley's Believe It or Not! bought the golden toilet for $12.1 million at a Sotheby's auction.
The artwork, named "America," is a functioning toilet made of 18-carat gold, weighing about 101 kg.
Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan created the toilet, first displayed at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 2016.
A previous casting of the toilet was stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019 by a group of thieves.
Ripley's, known for their museums of oddities, revealed their purchase in an Instagram post.
The auction offered the toilet starting at the gold's weight value, approximately $10 million.
Two men were jailed earlier in 2024 for the theft of the first version of the golden toilet.
A record number of 34.5 million people traveled on Amtrak trains in the 2025 fiscal year. Amtrak invested $5.5 billion in infrastructure improvements and achieved significant milestones in ridership, ticket sales, and customer satisfaction.
Key Facts
Amtrak had a record 34.5 million passengers in FY 2025.
This is a 5.1% increase from the previous year when 32.8 million people used Amtrak.
The company invested $5.5 billion in infrastructure projects, including track, signal, and station upgrades.
Amtrak recorded $2.7 billion in adjusted ticket sales and $3.9 billion in total operating revenue.
Passengers traveled a total of 6.9 billion miles in 2025.
Long-distance routes and state-supported services like the Pacific Surfliner saw increased ridership.
New services included the Mardi Gras route and NextGen Acela on the Northeast Corridor.
Amtrak plans to introduce more NextGen Acela trains and new Airo fleets by FY 2028.
Ford's UK boss, Lisa Brankin, has expressed concerns about potential new taxes on electric vehicles (EVs), arguing that imposing these taxes now could deter buyers. The UK government is considering measures like a pay-per-mile charge for EVs to create a fairer tax system. Ford is under pressure to increase EV sales to meet environmental targets and suggests government incentives are needed.
Key Facts
Ford's UK boss warns that taxes on electric vehicles could discourage buyers as demand is currently weak.
The UK government is considering a pay-per-mile charge for EVs to ensure fairer vehicle tax systems by 2028.
Ford's managing director says calculating mileage for this tax may deter potential EV buyers.
The UK aims for 80% of new car sales to be electric vehicles by 2030 to meet environmental goals.
Ford indicates it might struggle to meet the 80% target without government incentives.
Fully-electric vehicles accounted for about 22.4% of new car sales in the UK by October 2025.
A large portion of new EVs are sold to businesses, benefiting from lower company car taxes.
The future of Ford's diesel engine plant in Dagenham, employing nearly 1,800 staff, is uncertain beyond 2030 due to the shift to EVs.
Nvidia predicts its revenue for the fourth quarter will be higher than analysts expected, driven by strong demand for its AI chips. The company forecasts sales around $65 billion, despite concerns about an AI investment bubble. Nvidia's data center segment continues to perform well, but some analysts warn about potential growth limits due to infrastructure challenges.
Key Facts
Nvidia expects fourth-quarter sales of around $65 billion, above analysts' estimates.
The data center segment brought $51.2 billion in revenue in the last quarter, exceeding expectations.
There are concerns about an AI investment bubble as Nvidia's shares fell by 8% in November after significant previous growth.
Four customers made up 61% of Nvidia's total sales in its third fiscal quarter.
Nvidia's CEO mentioned $500 billion in bookings for advanced chips up to 2026.
Microsoft reported a large capital expenditure, mainly for chips, partly driven by AI data center expansion.
Nvidia plans an adjusted gross margin of 75% for the fourth quarter, slightly higher than market expectations.
Nvidia reported better-than-expected earnings, driven by strong demand for its AI chips. The company's latest financial results eased investor worries about heavy spending in the AI sector, causing its stock to rise.
Key Facts
Nvidia's revenue for the past three months rose 62% to $57 billion.
Sales in its AI data center division increased by 66%, reaching over $51 billion.
Nvidia's projected fourth-quarter sales are between $65 billion, which exceeded expectations.
The company's stock price increased by more than 3% in after-hours trading.
Nvidia, the world's most valuable company, significantly impacts market views on AI growth.
CEO Jensen Huang highlighted the high demand for Nvidia's AI Blackwell systems.
Concerns about AI investments had recently contributed to declines in the S&P 500 index.
Hospitals are working to convert travel nurses, who are temporary workers, into full-time employees. Due to high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals relied on travel nurses, but now seek long-term staffing solutions. Leaders in healthcare discussed strategies for attracting and keeping these nurses through benefits and opportunities.
Key Facts
Hospitals faced high nurse vacancy rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About 100,000 nurses left the healthcare workforce during the pandemic.
Hospitals initially used travel nurses to fill gaps but found it costly.
Travel nurses were often paid $16 more per hour than regular staff.
Rising costs led hospitals to focus on converting travel nurses to full-time staff.
OhioHealth developed a strategy to reduce nurse shortages in its hospitals.
OhioHealth's approach included understanding why nurses chose contract work.
Listening sessions and improving job conditions helped extend nurse contracts at OhioHealth.
The U.S. trade deficit decreased by nearly 24% in August due to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which led to fewer imports. The trade gap shrank to $59.6 billion in August from $78.2 billion in July, while imports fell by 5%. President Trump has placed tariffs on many foreign goods, aiming to protect U.S. industries.
Key Facts
The U.S. trade deficit fell by nearly 24% in August.
The trade gap decreased from $78.2 billion in July to $59.6 billion in August.
Imports of goods and services dropped by 5% to $340.4 billion in August.
Exports increased slightly, up 0.1% to $280.8 billion.
President Trump implemented tariffs on many foreign goods, including steel, copper, and autos.
These tariffs aim to protect U.S. industries and reduce reliance on foreign products.
The overall trade deficit for 2025 is up 25% compared to the same period in 2024.
Tariffs have contributed to higher inflation rates, which remain above the Federal Reserve's target.
President Trump recently lifted tariffs on several food items in response to high living costs, influenced by voter dissatisfaction.
Trump's tariff policy is facing a legal challenge in the Supreme Court, questioning his authority to impose them without Congress.
Health care leaders discussed solving the problem of nurse shortages by creating better partnerships between hospitals and higher education. They emphasized the need to support nursing careers through education, financial incentives, and a positive work environment. Leaders suggested that having a good work culture and clear career paths can help retain nurses.
Key Facts
The health care industry is facing nurse shortages, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leaders suggest hospitals should partner with higher education to create clear career paths for nurses.
Dr. Regina Foley from Hackensack Meridian Health emphasized the importance of collaboration between hospitals and educational institutions.
The NCLEX exam is required for nurse licensing in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
Hackensack Meridian supports nurses through tuition assistance, bonuses, and loan forgiveness.
A positive work environment where nurses feel valued can help retain staff.
David Rutherford from OhioHealth encourages nurses to communicate their career goals to leadership.
Mortgage repossessions in England and Wales have reached their highest level in five years, with courts handling numerous cases where people are unable to keep up with payments. Rising unemployment and higher interest rates are key reasons why more people are facing the loss of their homes. Reporters documented stories of individuals affected by these issues as well as challenges faced by landlords.
Key Facts
Mortgage repossession orders in England and Wales hit 10,853 in the 2024-2025 period.
Economic experts cited rising unemployment and interest rates as major factors.
BBC reporters attended court hearings in various locations, including London and the East of England.
Cases involved both mortgage and rental property repossessions.
Courts heard stories of hardship, including families in deep mortgage arrears and long-time tenants facing loss of homes.
There is no free legal aid available for housing-related cases.
Housing case workers reported being overwhelmed with requests for assistance.
A large number of councils in England noted an increase in people seeking help to avoid homelessness.
West Virginia University Health System (WVU Medicine) will acquire five hospitals from Pennsylvania's Independence Health System by the fall of 2026. The merger aims to expand healthcare services, improve financial stability, and enhance patient care. The deal is still pending legal and regulatory approvals and is expected to take about two years to finalize.
Key Facts
WVU Medicine will acquire five hospitals from Independence Health System.
The hospitals involved are Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe, and Westmoreland.
WVU Medicine is the largest health system and employer in West Virginia, with 25 hospitals.
Independence Health System is the third-largest health system in western Pennsylvania.
WVU will invest $800 million to modernize Independence Health System’s facilities.
The integration will include new private rooms, operating rooms, and imaging suites.
The acquisition requires state and federal regulatory approval, which may take several months.
The integration process is expected to be completed by October 1, 2026.
The U.S. housing market currently has a big gap between sellers and buyers, the largest since 2013, with sellers outnumbering buyers by about 36.8%. This situation gives buyers more power to negotiate, but factors like high interest rates and home prices are still challenges. The market's conditions vary by region, with some areas strongly favoring buyers, while others continue to benefit sellers.
Key Facts
In October, the amount of home sellers in the market was 36.8% higher than buyers.
The number of buyers is at its lowest since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. housing market has been labeled a "buyer's market" since May 2024.
The last strong buyer's market was right after the 2008 financial crisis.
The strongest buyer’s markets currently are in Texas and Florida.
Seller numbers have decreased by 0.5% due to low buyer demand.
Many buyers face challenges from high mortgage rates and home prices.
The divide between buyer and seller expectations is causing negotiation difficulties.
Rising methane emissions are a concern for the U.S. oil and gas industry. A report warns that not controlling methane leaks could affect trade and profits as countries adopt stricter import rules. President Trump has stopped regulations that would have imposed fees on methane emissions.
Key Facts
Methane emissions are increasing, posing a challenge for the oil and gas sector.
Methane controls can significantly reduce emissions at a relatively low cost, impacting only 2% of the sector's annual earnings.
Over 70% of possible emission reductions can come from the oil and gas industry.
The European Union and other countries are creating import rules that charge for greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. companies need to show their emissions levels to meet global trade standards for natural gas.
President Trump has blocked new regulations and fees designed to control methane leaks.
Industry group API states that methane emissions from land-based production have fallen by 42% from 2015 to 2023.
The oil and gas industry contributed about $239 million to Republican causes in the 2024 election cycle.
