China has introduced new laws to strengthen its ability to respond to foreign sanctions and export controls. These rules create risks for multinational companies doing business in China because they must navigate conflicting legal demands from China, the US, and the EU.
Key Facts
China passed two new regulations in March and April that allow it to retaliate against foreign firms considered to harm its supply chains or apply sanctions unfairly.
A third law, still a draft, would let Chinese prosecutors sue foreign entities for harming China’s national or social interests.
Companies could face penalties such as fines, visa cancellations, asset freezes, and trade restrictions for violating these Chinese rules.
The regulations create challenges for companies because complying with US or EU sanctions may put them at risk under Chinese countermeasures.
China started these measures after launching its “Unreliable Entities List” in 2020 to counter Western sanctions aimed at China over security and human rights issues.
Experts say the new rules show China’s growing use of regulation to protect its interests and increase complexity for foreign businesses.
China’s government says these laws defend national sovereignty, security, and the rights of Chinese groups.
Foreign firms are now caught between American and Chinese legal demands, complicating global trade decisions.
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A building in midtown Manhattan was recently unstable and faced possible collapse. This situation might make it more difficult and expensive for developers to change office buildings into apartments in the future.
Key Facts
The building in midtown Manhattan was unstable and at risk of collapsing.
The problem has raised concerns about converting office buildings into apartments.
Developers may face more challenges when trying to do these conversions.
Insurance costs for such projects could increase.
Neil Osnato, an expert, discussed these impacts on a CBS News segment.
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An investigation found that Alibaba, a Chinese online retailer, and its U.S. payment company allowed harmful drugs and related products to be sold to customers in the United States for eight years. Employees had warned about problems with following rules, but the company did not stop the sales.
Key Facts
Alibaba is a Chinese online shopping company.
For eight years, unsafe drugs, chemicals, and pill-making machines were sold to U.S. buyers through Alibaba.
The U.S. payment processor linked to Alibaba also played a role in these sales.
Employees raised concerns about not following safety and legal rules.
Despite warnings, the company did not take effective action to stop these dangerous sales.
Public records and an official investigation revealed these facts.
The drugs and products sold posed risks to American consumers.
The case shows challenges in controlling online sales of harmful items across borders.
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Paris Haute Couture Week 2026 showcased handmade fashion collections from famous brands like Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, Chanel, and Dior. The event featured exclusive runway shows attended by celebrities such as Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and Gigi Hadid.
Key Facts
Haute couture means custom, handmade clothing that takes hundreds of hours to make.
Only designers invited by the French fashion industry can show collections at Haute Couture Week.
This year’s event lasted four days and included big fashion houses like Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Schiaparelli’s collection was called "The Call of the Void" and featured bold, creative designs.
Balenciaga’s first couture show by Pierpaolo Piccioli honored the brand’s founder and included flowing gowns worn by models like Gigi Hadid.
Jean Paul Gaultier’s new creative lead, Duran Lantink, created a playful collection inspired by Marie Antoinette.
Chanel’s collection focused on fantasy and fairy tales, with detailed floral designs and accessories.
The event attracted many celebrities who watched the shows despite a heatwave in Paris.
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Anthony Hopkins, the 88-year-old actor, has released his first music single called "Bracken Road." His debut album, "Life Is a Dream," with pieces he composed over 60 years, will be released next month by Decca Classics.
Key Facts
Anthony Hopkins signed a record deal with Decca Classics.
His debut single, "Bracken Road," was released recently.
The album, "Life Is a Dream," will come out on August 21.
The music was composed by Hopkins over six decades, starting from his childhood.
Hopkins’ music is performed by conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Philharmonia Orchestra.
Hopkins began playing piano at age four and has composed music since childhood.
"Bracken Road" was composed in 1963 when Hopkins was a young actor.
The album includes pieces inspired by Hopkins' memories from Wales, his hometown, and family.
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A family from Cheshire saved thousands of pounds on holidays by swapping their home with others in different countries. They use a home exchange website to arrange the swaps, allowing them to stay in each other's houses without paying for accommodation.
Key Facts
The Vanderpump family swapped homes twice in two years and plans another trip this summer.
Their five-bedroom house is exchanged for similar homes in Germany and Denmark.
They saved about £2,500 on accommodation and £700 on transport per trip by also swapping cars.
Home exchanging has been around since the 1950s but is growing due to rising travel costs.
The family enjoys experiencing local life by living in residential neighborhoods rather than tourist areas.
Some people worry about strangers using their homes; preparation and clear communication are important.
Users often exchange many messages before agreeing on a swap, and last-minute bookings are rare.
Tips for successful swaps include clear home listings, leaving guides for guests, and checking home insurance.
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The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ruled that Carliz De La Cruz Hernández’s lawsuit against singer Bad Bunny can continue. She claims her recorded phrase "Bad Bunny, baby" was used in his songs without her permission, and this could lead to royalty payments.
Key Facts
Carliz De La Cruz Hernández sued Bad Bunny over the use of her voice saying "Bad Bunny, baby."
The Supreme Court allowed her lawsuit to move forward, reversing parts of a previous dismissal.
The court did not say she won, but it found enough reason to investigate further.
The phrase was recorded in 2015 during De La Cruz Hernández’s relationship with Bad Bunny.
Some earlier claims about a 2016 song were dismissed as too old, but recent uses remain under dispute.
De La Cruz Hernández accuses Bad Bunny of using her voice without permission or paying her.
Bad Bunny’s team tried to get retroactive rights by offering $2,000, which she rejected.
Experts say if she wins, she could receive ongoing royalties or licensing fees for the use of her voice.
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The former chief financial officer of The Epoch Times pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for his role in a $67 million money laundering scheme. Prosecutors say the scheme involved laundering fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits and other illegal funds through the media company's bank accounts.
Key Facts
Weidong “Bill” Guan, the ex-CFO of The Epoch Times, admitted guilt in a Manhattan federal court.
The case involves laundering more than $67 million in fraudulently obtained funds, including unemployment benefits.
Guan acknowledged he knew there was a high chance the money was from illegal sources but did not investigate further.
The scheme used cryptocurrency and prepaid debit cards to move stolen money.
Money was transferred through Epoch’s bank accounts and Guan’s personal accounts.
The media company’s revenues increased by about 410% during the scheme.
Prosecutors said Guan lied to banks about the source of increased funds, claiming they were legitimate donations.
The Epoch Times said it will fully cooperate with the investigation and values integrity in its operations.
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The stock market rose after companies that make computer chips for artificial intelligence (AI) recovered from a recent drop in prices. At the same time, oil prices went down, which also helped boost the market.
Key Facts
AI chipmaker stocks went up after falling earlier.
Oil prices decreased on Thursday.
The combination of these changes caused the overall stock market to rise.
The market reaction was reported by CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady.
The report focused on stock market movements and energy prices.
The recovery in AI chip stocks followed a period of heavy selling.
Lower oil prices can reduce costs for businesses and consumers, influencing the stock market positively.
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A company called Onterris was hired to check air quality after a big warehouse fire in Los Angeles in June 2026. The company, previously known as Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH), has a history of controversial testing that some say underestimated health risks after environmental disasters.
Key Facts
A huge fire burned for a week at a large cold storage warehouse owned by Lineage in Los Angeles on June 17, 2026.
Residents worried about smoke and health risks, leading the company to hire Onterris to test air quality.
Onterris reported good air quality with low hazardous gas levels, but independent experts and activists say the testing might be inadequate.
Onterris used to be called CTEH and has worked for oil companies, railroads, and heavy industry for 29 years.
In 2023, after a train derailment in Ohio, CTEH tested air and water but was criticized for missing dangerous chemicals and short testing times.
CTEH has faced similar disputes after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Critics argue the firm has conflicts of interest because it is paid by companies involved in the pollution.
Onterris disputes the criticism and says their testing protects public health.
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Nine U.S. states are in legal disputes with the Trump administration over whether prediction market companies like Kalshi and Polymarket should be regulated by federal authorities or by individual states as gambling operations. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), led under President Donald Trump, claims federal control, while states argue these platforms violate state gambling laws.
Key Facts
Nine states including Kentucky, Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, New Mexico, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin have taken legal action against Kalshi and Polymarket.
The CFTC argues it has exclusive federal authority to regulate prediction markets under the Commodity Exchange Act.
States contend prediction markets are a form of gambling and should be regulated under state gambling laws.
The legal fight centers on how to classify prediction markets, which allow trading based on event outcomes like elections or sports.
Prediction markets have generated billions of dollars in trading volume and attracted political scrutiny.
Kentucky’s Attorney General accused Kalshi and Polymarket of operating illegal sportsbooks under state law.
A New York federal judge denied Kalshi’s attempt to block state gambling enforcement, a win for state regulators.
The outcome of these cases will influence who controls the fast-growing prediction market industry.
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Allstate Insurance says Broadcom started audits on it after Allstate decided not to renew contracts with Broadcom’s VMware and CA Technologies. Broadcom claims Allstate did not cooperate with required license audits, leading to lawsuits between the companies.
Key Facts
Allstate stopped renewing contracts with VMware and CA Technologies, now owned by Broadcom.
Broadcom sued Allstate for not complying with software license audits.
Allstate argues Broadcom’s audits began only after Allstate ended its business with them.
Allstate says it followed audit rules and removed VMware software as required.
CA Technologies also sued Allstate over copyright and contract issues related to selling an insurance business.
The legal disputes began around 2025 and may continue until at least May 2027.
Other big companies like T-Mobile and Tesco are also moving away from VMware after Broadcom’s takeover.
Broadcom has not publicly commented on the lawsuits.
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The Federal Reserve has created five task forces led by experts from economics, business, and technology to suggest changes to how the central bank operates. These groups will study topics like the impact of artificial intelligence, data use, the Fed’s large balance sheet, inflation, and communication strategies.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve announced five task forces to review and recommend improvements in its operations.
Leaders include venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, economist Raj Chetty, former Bank of England governor Mervyn King, and other notable figures in economics and business.
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has sought to reduce the Fed’s $6.7 trillion in government bond holdings and change how the Fed communicates about interest rates.
One task force focuses specifically on the economic effects of artificial intelligence and new technologies.
Raj Chetty’s task force will evaluate the data sources used by the Fed, with a focus on economic mobility and tracking families’ financial progress.
Another group will review the Fed’s balance sheet, which has grown significantly since the 2008 financial crisis.
Additional task forces will study inflation strategies and how the Fed communicates with the public.
The Federal Reserve staff will support all task forces in their work.
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The United States Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) recently dropped to its lowest level since 1983 amid rising tensions between the US and Iran. These tensions have caused global oil prices to increase, affecting fuel costs for American consumers despite the US being a top oil producer.
Key Facts
The SPR fell by 6.2 million barrels to 319.5 million barrels as of early July.
The SPR has a total capacity of 713.5 million barrels but is currently far below that.
US President Donald Trump noted that strikes on Iran cause oil prices to jump.
Brent crude oil prices rose to $78.02 a barrel, the highest since June 19.
The US produces most of its own oil and is a net exporter, but still imports about 40% of its crude.
Only about 7% of US consumed oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route near Iran.
Oil prices are set globally, so disruptions affecting any oil supply can increase prices worldwide.
The SPR was created in 1975 to provide emergency oil during supply disruptions like the Arab oil embargo.
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Nike and Adidas are competing strongly during the World Cup quarterfinals. Both companies are trying to become the top sports brand as the tournament continues.
Key Facts
The World Cup quarterfinals are currently happening.
Nike and Adidas are competing to be the leading sports brand.
The article is focused on the rivalry between these two companies during the event.
Both companies sponsor teams and players involved in the World Cup.
The competition between Nike and Adidas reflects the importance of sports events for business marketing.
This rivalry shows how major global sports events influence company strategies.
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Putting $100,000 into a 3-month certificate of deposit (CD) can earn about $936 to $973 in interest by October. CDs offer a fixed interest rate and protect the original money, making them a safe choice in today’s uncertain economy.
Key Facts
Current top 3-month CD interest rates range from 3.80% to 3.95%.
A $100,000 deposit in a 3-month CD can earn between $936.75 and $973.20.
Interest is fixed and guaranteed, so savers know exactly how much they will make.
CDs are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000, protecting the principal.
CDs can be a safe alternative during times of high inflation and economic uncertainty.
Online banks often offer better CD rates than local banks.
After the 3 months, savers can choose new investment strategies based on market conditions.
This approach gives a modest return and keeps money secure and accessible in a short time.
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The price of gold has dropped by more than 25% since January 2026, falling from nearly $5,600 to about $4,122 per ounce in July. This price decrease opens new opportunities for investors who were previously priced out, but they need to act quickly and wisely to benefit.
Key Facts
Gold prices reached a record high of nearly $5,600 per ounce in January 2026.
By July 9, 2026, gold had dropped approximately 26% to $4,122 per ounce.
Gold became too expensive for many investors during its price rise past $3,000, $4,000, and $5,000 marks.
Investors interested in gold should quickly choose the best type to invest in, such as bars, coins, gold IRAs (retirement accounts), or ETFs (gold-backed funds).
Experts recommend limiting gold investments to around 10% of an investor’s overall portfolio.
Gold primarily serves to protect money rather than to generate income.
It’s important to avoid scams by consulting reputable gold investing companies with good reviews.
Acting promptly is advised because drops in gold prices are often temporary, and prices may rise again.
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HVAC contracts often include hidden fees that homeowners may not notice at first. These fees can appear in financing, vague work clauses, refrigerant use, permits, disposal, and warranty costs. Knowing what to look for can help homeowners avoid unexpected extra charges.
Key Facts
Zero-percent financing deals often include hidden fees built into the equipment price.
Contracts may have vague clauses allowing contractors to charge more if extra work is needed.
New HVAC systems must use environmentally safer refrigerants, which can be listed as added fees.
Permit and disposal costs are sometimes not included in the initial estimate but added later.
Some contractors charge separate fees to register or activate equipment warranties.
A proper HVAC quote should be based on detailed calculations of your home’s needs, not rough estimates.
Asking for a written cash price alongside the financed price can reveal hidden financing costs.
Reputable contractors disclose all extra fees upfront with fixed amounts, not vague estimates.
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Moving $12,000 from a traditional savings account to a high-yield savings account can earn much more interest. High-yield accounts currently offer about 4% interest, compared to the average 0.38% in regular savings accounts, potentially adding up to nearly $500 in interest over one year.
Key Facts
The national average interest rate for traditional savings accounts is about 0.38%.
High-yield savings accounts offer roughly 4% interest, which is much higher.
A $12,000 deposit in a high-yield account at 4.10% interest can earn around $121 in 3 months.
After 6 months, the interest would be about $243 on the same amount.
After one year, the interest could total approximately $492.
High-yield savings accounts have variable rates that can change with market conditions.
Interest earnings could increase if rates rise, but could also decrease if rates fall.
High-yield savings accounts offer easy access to funds, unlike some investments.
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The Bank of England's chief economist, Huw Pill, said interest rates may need to rise this year to control inflation, which is currently above the Bank's 2% target. Pill is one of nine people who decide UK interest rates, a key factor affecting borrowing costs and prices.
Key Facts
Huw Pill is the chief economist at the Bank of England and a member of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
The Bank of England aims to keep inflation at 2%, but current inflation is 2.8%.
Pill supports raising interest rates this year to help reduce inflation.
Interest rates affect mortgage costs, borrowing rates, and savings returns.
Productivity growth in the UK has slowed, especially in Wales where it is about 15% below the UK average.
Lower productivity in Wales contributes to lower wages and higher welfare claims.
Improving infrastructure and education are seen as ways to increase productivity and living standards.
Pill previously worked at the European Central Bank during the Eurozone crisis and views interest rate policy as an important but limited tool.
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