A woman shared on Reddit that she thought she had received a job offer after a good interview, but later found out the company was still interviewing candidates. She accepted what she believed was an offer by email and told her family, only to be told the job was not yet hers. She learned the importance of waiting for a clear, written job offer before accepting.
Key Facts
The woman is a recent graduate who interviewed for a job she really wanted with a higher salary near her home.
The interviewer discussed salary and start dates, which made her think she had the job.
She emailed the company accepting what she thought was an offer and told her family.
The company later replied saying they were still reviewing applications and had not made an offer.
She felt embarrassed but shared her story online, where many people responded with support.
Some commenters explained that interview communication can be confusing and reassured her it’s not her fault.
Job experts say candidates should wait for a formal job offer in writing before accepting.
It’s common for hiring decisions to take time, and candidates should ask when to expect a decision.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have raised concerns about fuel prices because fighting could stop oil tankers from moving through the Persian Gulf. After President Donald Trump ended the ceasefire with Iran, oil prices rose to their highest in weeks, which may lead to higher gasoline costs for drivers.
Key Facts
The U.S.-Iran ceasefire ended after Iranian attacks on ships and U.S. military sites in the Gulf.
Fighting could halt oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
Oil prices increased, with U.S. crude selling at $75.80 per barrel and Brent crude near $79 per barrel.
Gasoline prices in the U.S. rose slightly to about $3.80 per gallon but remain below last month's average of $4.16.
Gasoline price changes lag behind oil prices due to refining time and transportation to gas stations.
The U.S. and other countries released oil from emergency reserves to keep prices lower during the conflict.
The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest level since 1983, limiting emergency supply options.
Market experts say oil prices remain very sensitive to any conflict near the Strait of Hormuz.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
An 18-month certificate of deposit (CD) with a $10,000 deposit can earn savers about $620 to $640 in interest at current rates around 4.15% to 4.20%. While CDs lock the money for the term, they offer a fixed interest rate, whereas high-yield savings accounts offer similar returns with more access but variable rates.
Key Facts
Current top interest rates for 18-month CDs range from 4.15% to 4.20%.
A $10,000 deposit in an 18-month CD at these rates earns roughly $622 to $637 in interest by maturity.
CDs protect the principal and fix the interest rate until January 2028.
Early withdrawal from a CD can result in fees that may reduce or eliminate interest earned.
High-yield savings accounts currently offer rates close to 4.10%, with flexible access to funds.
Savings account rates can change over time, making future interest uncertain.
CDs may be better for those seeking guaranteed returns and who can lock money away temporarily.
Savers might consider dividing money between CDs and savings accounts depending on their needs.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Federal Reserve officials had different views on the future of the U.S. economy and inflation at their recent meeting. While they agreed to keep interest rates the same for now, some members believe rate increases might be needed if inflation stays high due to factors like strong demand from AI development and global events.
Key Facts
Federal Reserve officials see various possible future paths for the economy and inflation.
All members agreed to keep interest rates unchanged at the last meeting.
Some officials want to raise rates soon because inflation risks remain high.
Others expect inflation to ease as energy prices and tariffs decline.
Inflation may stay above the Fed's 2% target due to strong demand related to AI and global conflicts.
Officials are split on whether interest rates will rise or fall by the end of the year.
Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh did not give a clear forecast or guidance on future rate changes.
The Fed sees risks to inflation as more likely to increase rather than decrease for now.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Illinois’ two largest private water companies, Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois, are asking regulators to approve significant rate increases and a merger between their parent companies. The Illinois Commerce Commission is reviewing these requests while a consumer group warns the merger could reduce competition and lead to higher prices without service improvement.
Key Facts
Illinois American Water wants to raise rates by $142 million, increasing water bills by about $14 and wastewater bills by about $28 per month for typical customers.
Aqua Illinois has requested a $26.5 million rate increase, which would raise combined water and wastewater bills by about $23 per month.
The two companies’ parent firms, American Water and Essential Utilities, are seeking approval for a merger that would combine the largest private water services in Illinois.
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a consumer watchdog, opposes the merger, citing past complaints about high bills and poor service.
If the merger is approved, over 99.99% of Illinois private water utility customers would be served by American Water and its affiliates.
The requested rate hikes are intended to pay for infrastructure upgrades, replacing lead service lines, and improving cybersecurity.
Aqua Illinois customers could see rate increases starting in April 2027, with some bills rising by up to nearly 30%.
The merger, if approved, is expected to be finalized by early 2027.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Federal Reserve’s committee decided to keep interest rates the same last month but showed disagreement about future inflation. Some officials think inflation will drop soon, while others worry new technology investments could keep prices high.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate at 3.6% in the latest meeting.
There are 19 officials on the rate-setting committee, with differing views about inflation.
Some officials believe inflation will go down as gas prices drop and tariffs fade.
Others worry large spending on artificial intelligence and tech products may keep inflation high.
Kevin Warsh became the new Federal Reserve Chair, appointed by President Donald Trump.
Jerome Powell, the previous Chair, remains on the committee as a Fed governor until 2028.
President Trump had criticized Powell for not lowering borrowing costs fast enough.
The minutes show no immediate move by Warsh to cut interest rates.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
DOGE, a government agency previously led by Elon Musk, is closing down after ending many public contracts and laying off numerous federal workers. The agency had a controversial period under Musk’s leadership.
Key Facts
DOGE was a government agency.
Elon Musk once led DOGE.
The agency canceled billions of dollars in public contracts.
Many federal employees lost their jobs due to DOGE’s actions.
DOGE is now shutting down.
The closure follows a controversial time under Musk’s management.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
This article lists 15 recent recalls of food and products that could affect consumers. It highlights safety concerns that led companies to remove these items from sale.
Key Facts
There have been 15 recent recalls of food and other products.
The recalls occurred over the summer.
The recalled items may pose safety risks to consumers.
Companies pulled these items from stores or issued warnings.
Consumers should check the recall lists to see if they have any affected products.
Recalls help protect people from unsafe or contaminated items.
Information about specific recalled products can help prevent harm.
Staying informed about recalls can guide safer shopping choices.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Pierpaolo Piccioli presented his first haute couture collection for Balenciaga, blending the brand’s traditional style with his own colorful and modern vision. The collection featured airy, sculptural clothes inspired by art and history, made using both classic tailoring and new digital technology.
Key Facts
Cristóbal Balenciaga closed his brand in 1968 because he disliked mass-produced fashion.
Pierpaolo Piccioli, with 25 years at Valentino, took on Balenciaga’s couture for the first time.
The collection includes cocoon shapes and bell curves that hover away from the body for comfort and style.
Piccioli drew inspiration from Spanish golden age art and sculptures, mixing history with modern design.
Bright colors like ultraviolet, aniseed, and lavender were used throughout the collection.
The fashion show happened during a European heatwave, highlighting the airy, cool design of the clothes.
Some pieces, like feathered trousers with long trains, reflect modern clothing habits for women.
3D body scanning and digital blueprints were used to update traditional made-to-measure garment methods.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Gas prices in the United States rose slightly after President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran ended, raising concerns about oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. The average price was $3.796 per gallon, with higher costs in states like Hawaii and California, and experts said prices could increase further in the coming weeks depending on market reactions.
Key Facts
President Trump said the Iran ceasefire is “over,” increasing tension in the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for global oil.
Gas prices increased nationally to $3.796 per gallon on Wednesday, up from $3.790 the day before.
Prices are highest in Hawaii ($5.458), California ($5.364), and Washington ($5.004) and lowest in Indiana ($3.064), Oklahoma ($3.338), and Texas ($3.53).
Gas prices had fallen recently but may rise again due to the conflict’s impact on oil supply.
Experts say gas prices can react quickly, with possible full increases in the next two to three weeks.
The U.S. is the world’s largest oil producer, so oil crises do not affect the country as severely as in the past.
The situation is still uncertain, and prices could go down if tensions ease, similar to what happened during the June ceasefire.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a key channel for transporting oil worldwide.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many Baby Boomers are expected to pass down large amounts of money to their children, a process called the "great wealth transfer." However, since people are living longer and keeping their money longer, experts suggest older adults should consider giving financial help to their children now.
Key Facts
The "great wealth transfer" means trillions of dollars moving from Baby Boomers to their kids.
People are living longer, which means they keep their money for a longer time.
Because of this, the expected transfer of wealth may be slower than predicted.
Financial expert Jill Schlesinger advises Boomers to start giving money to their children earlier.
Questions from callers included whether silver jewelry is a good investment and if it makes financial sense to take a pay cut for better life quality.
Viewers can send money questions to Jill Schlesinger by email.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The City regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is asking judges to reject a consumer group's request for higher payouts in a car loan mis-selling scandal. The FCA claims the group, Consumer Voice, has not been open about its funding and possible conflicts of interest. Consumer Voice wants bigger compensation for people who were overcharged on car loans, but the FCA says the group may have its own financial motives.
Key Facts
The FCA wants legal challenges from Consumer Voice dismissed due to lack of transparency about the group's funding and relationships.
Consumer Voice was set up in 2023 by former Which? staff to push for larger payouts for car loan borrowers affected by commission-based mis-selling from 2007 to 2024.
The car loan compensation scheme currently involves lenders like Lloyds, Santander, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz, with a total payout of £9.1 billion planned.
Consumer Voice argues the FCA’s payout scheme undervalues victims, who currently get about £830 per mis-sold loan.
The FCA alleges Consumer Voice and its legal partner Courmacs operate commercially and have conflicting interests because Courmacs takes a cut of settlements.
Consumer Voice says it does not profit from car finance claims and that FCA’s accusations are incorrect and misleading.
Courmacs provides free legal help in this case, but can earn up to 30% from client settlements in other cases.
The FCA claims Consumer Voice has not fully disclosed details of its funding or business model and may not represent consumers’ interests fully.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
U.S. airlines spent $6.6 billion on jet fuel in May, which is 84 percent more than the amount spent a year earlier. This marks the second month in a row that airlines have spent more than $6 billion on fuel costs.
Key Facts
Airlines in the U.S. spent $6.6 billion on jet fuel in May.
This amount is 84% higher than the fuel spending in May of the previous year.
Fuel costs exceeded $6 billion for two months in a row (April and May).
The information comes from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Rising fuel costs significantly increase expenses for airlines.
The high cost of jet fuel can impact ticket prices and airline profits.
Jet fuel is the main type of fuel used by airplanes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Three people were arrested in an investigation into financial crimes at the University of Greater Manchester, involving fraud, bribery, and money laundering. The police are examining over £1 million linked to about 60 transactions and planning to build a strong case for prosecution.
Key Facts
Three suspects arrested: two men in their 60s and one woman in her 50s.
Suspects face charges including money laundering; both men are also suspected of fraud, and one man is suspected of bribery.
The investigation concerns financial activities at the university from 2014 to 2025.
Authorities discovered misuse of university funds, including buying a heated dog kennel for private use.
Police executed warrants at five addresses in different regions on the same day.
The university was previously known as the University of Bolton and changed its name to the University of Greater Manchester in December 2025.
The Office for Students started investigating the university’s management and governance in December 2026.
The university has nearly 11,000 students and is a major employer in Bolton, contributing to the local economy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
You can still qualify for debt forgiveness even if you make minimum payments on time. Lenders and debt relief companies focus more on your total debt compared to your income and your overall financial situation rather than only missed payments.
Key Facts
Making minimum payments on credit cards keeps your account current but mostly covers interest, so debt may not decrease.
Debt forgiveness depends on your overall finances, like your income compared to your debt, not just your payment history.
Debt relief companies review debt-to-income ratios and whether you use credit for essential expenses to decide eligibility.
It may be easier to start debt settlement if payments are missed and accounts become delinquent, as creditors may be more willing to negotiate.
Hardship programs with reduced rates or payment pauses generally require showing account stress such as missed payments or financial hardship.
If you are current on payments, you must actively ask for help, as these programs are not automatic.
Stopping payments without a plan can lead to fees, collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
Talking to a trusted debt relief provider first helps you understand the best options and possible risks.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said the agreement with Iran to end conflicts is likely over and warned of more US strikes. This caused global stock markets to drop and oil prices to rise to their highest in two weeks.
Key Facts
President Trump said the US-Iran peace agreement is “over” and hinted at more US strikes soon.
The Dow dropped 0.8%, Nasdaq 0.2%, and S&P 500 0.5% after his comments.
Brent crude oil price rose 4.2% to $77.24 a barrel, the highest in two weeks.
Oil prices had been falling recently as hopes for peace increased.
US gasoline prices dropped from $4.48 to $3.79 per gallon since May but may rise again.
President Trump said the US produces more oil than Russia and Saudi Arabia combined.
Airlines stocks fell due to expected higher fuel costs; energy company stocks rose.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it targeted US military sites in response to strikes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK Treasury has not yet studied how to fund the plan to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP as promised to NATO. Officials said decisions on funding will be made by the next prime minister, and the government currently targets 3% defence spending by the next parliament.
Key Facts
The UK promised NATO to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035.
The Treasury has done no detailed analysis on how to pay for this increase.
Funding decisions and trade-offs will be left to the next prime minister and future government.
The government aims to reach 3% defence spending in the next parliament.
Recent defence secretary John Healey resigned partly due to unclear future defence funding plans.
Additional billions will need to come from budget cuts or new taxes, possibly requiring public agreement.
The Defence Investment Plan adds £15 billion over four years, raising spending to 2.7% of GDP.
Treasury and Ministry of Defence officials said their working relationship has improved recently.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Oil prices rose sharply to their highest level in almost two months after Iran attacked several tankers near the strait of Hormuz. The attacks disrupted shipping in a key route for global oil, causing concerns about supply and pushing energy prices higher.
Key Facts
Brent crude oil price increased by 5% to over $78 a barrel after tanker attacks near the strait of Hormuz.
Iran attacked at least three fossil fuel tankers in 48 hours, including one carrying liquefied natural gas.
Tanker traffic through the strait has mostly stopped due to safety concerns.
President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire deal with Iran was over following these incidents.
The strait of Hormuz is a vital route that handles around 20 million barrels of oil per day from Gulf producers.
European gas prices also rose sharply, with Dutch and UK benchmarks increasing significantly.
The attacks and price rises may increase household energy costs, especially in the UK.
Despite the disruption, analysts say global oil markets have adapted and do not expect prices to return quickly to over $100 a barrel.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A consumer group, Which?, found 150 unsafe baby products still sold by third-party sellers on UK online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and TikTok. These products, including self-feeders, pillows, and sleeping bags, have safety warnings or recalls, but remain available despite government alerts.
Key Facts
Which? identified 150 unsafe baby products for sale on eight online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, TikTok, Alibaba, and Etsy.
The products include baby self-feeding devices, pillows for newborns, and sleeping bags with safety risks like choking, suffocation, or overheating.
Over a third of the unsafe items were bottle-feeders that pose a choking hazard, some using long straws or pillows designed to fasten around a baby's neck.
These products continued to be sold despite safety warnings and recalls issued by the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
The OPSS issued alerts in 2022 and 2023 about these unsafe baby items and urged their removal from sale.
Which? called on the government to make online marketplaces legally responsible for the safety of products sold through their sites.
Several marketplaces stated they removed flagged items and monitor product safety, but Which? says dangerous products are still available.
Parents are advised not to buy baby self-feeders or sleep pillows and to follow NHS and charity guidelines for safe infant sleep.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dolly Parton’s new musical, called “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” will start preview shows on December 7 in New York City. The musical celebrates her life and career.
Key Facts
The musical is titled “Dolly: A True Original Musical.”
It stars Dolly Parton and is based on her life.
Preview performances start on December 7.
The show will be staged in New York City.
It is a Broadway musical, meaning it is a major professional theater production in NYC.
The musical marks an important project for Dolly Parton’s career outside of music recordings.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
