Some people are experiencing higher health insurance premiums on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces because the extra government help to lower costs, known as enhanced premium tax credits, has ended. These credits had been increased during the COVID pandemic to help more people afford insurance.
Key Facts
ACA open enrollment started on November 1.
Premium tax credits that helped lower insurance costs have expired, leading to higher costs for some.
Many people may see their insurance premiums double without these extra credits.
Since 2010, people earning up to 400% of the poverty level have received help paying for ACA insurance.
During the COVID pandemic, the government temporarily provided more financial help to more people.
According to a federal report, 92% of marketplace customers received premium tax credits in the previous year.
Starbucks has introduced new holiday-themed items, including a "Bearista" cup and Hello Kitty merchandise, available from November 6, 2025. The release is part of a broader holiday launch that includes festive drinks and treats.
Key Facts
Starbucks launched a "Bearista" cup, shaped like a teddy bear with a green hat, available for $29.95.
The "Bearista" cup is designed for cold drinks and is available at Starbucks stores.
Starbucks collaborated with Hello Kitty for limited-edition merchandise, including a Hello Kitty soft toy priced at $34.95.
Other Hello Kitty items include a stainless steel cold cup, a ceramic mug, a water bottle, and a tumbler.
Starbucks' holiday drinks menu includes Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Latte, and Iced Gingerbread Chai.
The seasonal treats menu features the Snowman Cookie, Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread, and Polar Bear Cake Pop.
Starbucks will hold its Red Cup Day on November 13, providing free reusable holiday cups with holiday drink purchases.
United Airlines is cutting back its flight schedules due to the ongoing government shutdown. This change mainly affects flights that are not between United's major hub airports. The adjustments start on November 7th, with customers being notified in advance if their flights are impacted.
Key Facts
United Airlines is reducing flight schedules because of the government shutdown.
The shutdown began on October 1 and has lasted over a month.
It affects many government services, including flight safety monitoring.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working to maintain flight safety with reduced staff.
United's main hub airports include Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Guam.
Flights between these hubs are less likely to be impacted.
Affected passengers will receive notifications through the United app, website, or text messages.
The planned reduction starts on November 7, focusing on regional and domestic flights.
Cigna Group announced that Dr. Amy Flaster has been appointed as the new chief medical officer. Flaster, who joined Cigna last year, will lead both Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services. She takes over from Dr. David Brailer, with additional shifts in company leadership also announced.
Key Facts
Dr. Amy Flaster is the new chief medical officer for Cigna Group as of November 1.
Cigna is a large health care company with over 186 million customers in more than 30 countries.
Flaster will oversee Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, which deals with pharmacy services and care management.
Her previous roles include chief medical officer at ConcertoCare and leadership positions at Health Catalyst and Mass General Brigham.
Dr. David Brailer, the former chief health officer, left Cigna.
Chris DeRosa, Head of Business Improvement and Innovation, is retiring after over 20 years.
Katya Andresen, Cigna’s chief digital and analytics officer, will now manage Excellence and Transformation efforts.
A new credit union called Potters' Bank has been launched in Stoke-on-Trent to help people avoid high-interest loan providers and illegal loan sharks. The credit union aims to provide low-cost loans to people facing unexpected expenses who do not have access to traditional banking due to poor credit. Potters' Bank is part of Just Credit Union and targets people in the ST postcode area.
Key Facts
Potters' Bank is the first credit union to open in Stoke-on-Trent in over ten years.
It was set up by businessman James Adams and the city council.
The credit union offers low-interest loans and saving schemes to help avoid loan sharks.
Stoke-on-Trent has the highest rate of individual insolvency in the UK, with 957 cases in 2024.
Potters' Bank allows residents to open savings and loans accounts even if they have poor credit.
It provides services both online and through local community lounges.
The initiative is part of Just Credit Union, already established in Shropshire.
YouTube TV and Disney could not agree on a new deal, leading YouTube TV to remove Disney's ABC and ESPN channels from its platform. This has resulted in Disney losing around $5 million each day, and ESPN, in particular, has experienced a significant drop in viewership for its sports programming.
Key Facts
YouTube TV removed Disney's ABC and ESPN channels starting October 30, 2025.
The removal came after both companies failed to agree on a new carriage rights deal.
YouTube TV claims the terms offered by Disney would have negatively affected its members.
Disney is losing approximately $5 million per day during this standoff.
ESPN and ABC have suffered noticeable drops in viewership since the channels were removed.
The average audience for Monday Night Football on November 2, 2025, saw a significant decrease compared to a similar game the previous year.
ESPN's "College GameDay" and its college football broadcasts also saw reduced viewer numbers.
Many baby boomers are now renting homes due to high housing costs and expensive mortgages, shifting from the traditional push for homeownership. The trend is particularly evident in expensive U.S. cities like New York and Los Angeles. Despite this, boomers still have the largest share of homeowners among the generations.
Key Facts
The U.S. renter population reached 46 million, a record high.
Sky-high home prices and high borrowing costs have increased home rental rates.
In September, the median U.S. home sale price was $435,331, nearly $200,000 more than in 2019.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is about 6.3%.
Around 12 million baby boomers are currently renting.
In New York City and Los Angeles, about 32.2% of boomers are renters.
California has 10 of the top 23 metros where boomers are increasingly renting.
Boomers still have the largest share of homeowners, with only 18.6% renting compared to younger generations.
The government is considering a new tax for electric vehicle (EV) drivers to compensate for lost revenue from fuel duty, with potential changes expected in the next month's Budget. This new tax might include a pay-per-mile charge and aims to establish a fairer system for all drivers while supporting the shift to electric vehicles. The government has already removed the vehicle excise duty exemption for electric cars and plans to support the EV market with grants and other measures.
Key Facts
The government is discussing a possible new tax on electric vehicle drivers in the upcoming Budget.
The proposed tax could include a pay-per-mile charge, possibly 3p per mile.
Hybrid car drivers might face a lower rate of this charge.
The aim is to address revenue loss from reduced fuel duty due to fewer petrol and diesel vehicles on the road.
Electric vehicles stopped being exempt from vehicle excise duty since April this year.
The government has committed £4 billion to support the EV market, including grants for lower upfront costs.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of such taxes on the transition to electric vehicles.
Some believe the details of the tax plan need to be clearer to understand its fairness and impact on EV adoption.
The IRS and the Department of the Treasury have announced that employers will not face penalties for failing to report new details on cash tips and overtime pay for the 2025 tax year. This comes after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act required new reporting standards, but many employers are not ready to meet these requirements. The 2025 tax year will act as a transition period for enforcing these changes.
Key Facts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law in July 2025.
The Act requires employers to report details on cash tips and overtime pay.
The IRS will not penalize employers for not reporting these details accurately in 2025.
2025 is considered a transition year for employers to adjust to the new requirements.
Employers in hospitality and other tipped industries are most affected by these changes.
The IRS encourages employers to voluntarily provide tip and overtime details to help employees claim deductions.
Changes to tax forms W-2 and 1099 to include these details will not happen in 2025.
Full enforcement of these new reporting requirements is expected to begin in the 2026 tax year.
The Supreme Court is considering President Donald Trump's tariffs. If these tariffs are struck down, it could mean refunds for some investors and high prices might continue for consumers. The court's decision could impact various groups like consumers, hedge funds, and companies.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is evaluating tariffs imposed by President Trump.
These tariffs include taxes on imports that may increase consumer prices.
A court decision to remove these tariffs could lead to refunds, but importers, not consumers, might get them.
Hedge funds have invested heavily, hoping to profit from potential tariff refunds.
Scott Bessent faced disappointment as justices questioned the legal base of the tariffs.
Lee Jae Myung, a South Korean leader, tried to persuade Trump to lower tariffs.
Chuck Schumer criticized the tariffs as extra taxes on Americans.
The money generated from these tariffs is viewed as substantial—$195 billion.
The U.S. is collecting significant revenue from tariffs imposed by President Trump, which impact global supply chains and resemble a tax on carbon-heavy imports. The Supreme Court is considering whether President Trump has the authority to impose such tariffs under an emergency statute. The tariffs are raising questions about their effects on both consumers and the environment.
Key Facts
By the end of fiscal year 2025, the U.S. collected $194.9 billion in net customs duties.
The Supreme Court is evaluating if President Trump can impose tariffs using an emergency statute.
Tariffs are seen as a form of tax on imports, leading to higher consumer prices.
Economists suggest tariffs on carbon-heavy imports act similarly to a carbon tax, though not officially labeled as such.
Senators Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham support a "Foreign Pollution Fee" to address carbon emissions from imports.
President Trump has consistently opposed formal carbon taxes.
The Supreme Court questions if tariffs are taxes and whether Congress or the President should impose them.
Tariffs may encourage production shifts to regions with cleaner energy, potentially reducing emissions.
The article discusses how rising electricity costs are becoming a major political issue in the U.S., particularly affecting elections and policy decisions. It touches on President Trump's campaign promise to reduce energy costs and the role of renewable energy and infrastructure upgrades in influencing electricity rates. Nonpartisan experts indicate that updates to the aging power grid and increased energy demands are key factors in rising electricity prices.
Key Facts
Electricity costs are becoming a major issue in U.S. politics, impacting elections.
President Trump has promised to cut energy prices during his 2024 campaign.
New Jersey utility bills increased by 17 to 20 percent over the summer.
Rising electricity costs played a significant role in recent elections in New Jersey and Georgia.
Georgia Democrats won seats by focusing on electricity rates, ending a 20-year streak of Republican wins in non-federal races.
Upgrading the power grid is a significant factor in rising electricity costs.
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind add infrastructure costs but are seen as cheaper over time.
Increasing electricity demands from societal and industry changes, such as AI expansion, contribute to the rising costs.
Veterans are buying more homes in the U.S. due to favorable market conditions and greater availability of VA loans. In August 2023, the use of VA loans for home purchases increased, marking the highest percentage since 2019. Key areas with high VA loan usage include Virginia Beach, Jacksonville, and Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
VA loans made up 7.3% of mortgaged U.S. home sales in August 2023.
This is an increase from 6.5% a year earlier and the highest since 2019.
VA loans are backed in part by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
In August, 13.9% of mortgaged U.S. home sales used FHA loans, which require a minimum of 3.5% down payment.
The number of VA loans rose by 3% from the previous year, contrasting with a 9% drop in conventional loans.
Virginia Beach had the highest percentage of VA loan-backed purchases at 43.2%.
Other high VA loan usage locations include Jacksonville, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
Increased home inventory has given buyers more negotiation power, benefiting veterans using VA loans.
The Bank of England is expected to keep its interest rate at 4% during the final meeting before the UK government announces its Budget. While some experts think a rate cut might happen in December, most predict no change now. Interest rates affect borrowing costs and savings returns.
Key Facts
The Bank of England is expected to maintain its interest rate at 4%.
This decision follows the Bank's final meeting before the Chancellor's Budget announcement.
Inflation in September was 3.8%, which is above the Bank's 2% target but lower than expected.
Some experts predict a possible interest rate cut in December if the Budget includes tax rises that don't increase inflation.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to announce its decision at 12:00 GMT.
The interest rate impacts the cost of borrowing for individuals and businesses, as well as returns on savings.
Many lenders have been cutting interest rates on new fixed deals, anticipating future cuts from the central bank.
Observers expect a divided vote among the nine MPC members, each of whom will have their views published.
The French government announced that it will take legal action to suspend Shein's online platform following an investigation into inappropriate products listed on its website. This announcement came soon after Shein opened its first physical store in Paris. The store launch drew both shoppers and protesters.
Key Facts
The French government plans to suspend the online platform Shein.
Prosecutors are investigating Shein for childlike sex dolls found online.
Shein opened its first physical store in Paris on the sixth floor of the BHV department store.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield reported from the store opening.
Both shoppers and protesters attended the store launch.
Tesla's board will vote on CEO Elon Musk's $1 trillion pay package, which would be the largest in corporate history. Some experts recommend shareholders reject the package, but Tesla's Chair warns that this could risk Musk leaving the company.
Key Facts
Tesla's board is voting on a $1 trillion pay deal for Elon Musk.
Major advisory firms Glass Lewis and ISS have recommended against the deal.
Tesla has faced challenges, including a drop in global sales and concerns over Musk's political activities.
U.S. Tesla sales rose by 7.4% in Q3 2025 due to an expiring tax credit.
Sales of other electric cars increased by 22%, partly due to Musk's political involvement.
Musk's pay package depends on reaching specific company goals, including a market valuation of $8.5 trillion.
Critics say Musk might not focus enough on Tesla due to his other activities.
PPE Medpro, linked to Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman, owes £39 million in taxes. The company was previously ordered to pay £148 million for not meeting contract requirements for medical gowns during the Covid pandemic. PPE Medpro has been put into administration, and efforts are underway to recover the owed money.
Key Facts
PPE Medpro owes £39 million in taxes in addition to a £148 million debt to the UK government.
The company was penalized for providing medical gowns that did not meet required standards during the Covid pandemic.
PPE Medpro is linked to Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman.
The company is currently in administration, and financial recovery efforts are being pursued.
PPE Medpro has £672,774 available for unsecured creditors, which is far less than its total debt.
Doug Barrowman received over £60 million in profits from PPE Medpro.
A company linked to Barrowman, Angelo (PTC), has a secured debt ranking it higher for repayment from PPE Medpro’s remaining funds.
PPE Medpro was set up in May 2020 and secured its first government contract through a special recommendation process.
Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream is recalling some Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars because they might contain wheat, which is not listed on the label. The recall affects products shipped to several states, but no illnesses have been reported. The FDA monitors such recalls to ensure public safety.
Key Facts
Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream is recalling certain Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars.
The recall is due to potential wheat in the product that is not declared on the label.
The affected bars have a batch code of LLA519501 and a best-by date of January 31, 2027.
The products were sent to Kroger and Giant Eagle stores in multiple states.
No related illnesses or injuries have been reported.
The recall does not affect other Häagen-Dazs products.
Consumers should return the affected bars for a refund and can contact the company for more information.
The FDA oversees recalls to ensure they are conducted properly for consumer safety.
Panera has introduced a new holiday menu that includes fresh winter-themed drinks such as a Frozen Signature Hot Chocolate, starting November 5. This updated menu comes with a special $1 soup deal available through its app.
Key Facts
Panera's new holiday menu features a Frozen Signature Hot Chocolate.
Other items include Crème Brûlée Bite and different styles of hot chocolate and mocha lattes.
The menu will be available starting November 5.
Customers can get a $1 soup deal with a whole entrée purchase using a code from Panera's app.
The menu is designed to attract more customers during a time of inflation.
Similar seasonal updates have been made by other restaurant chains.
Panera's holiday cups accompany the new menu items.
Three states have submitted their plans to improve rural health care to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. These plans are part of a program that aims to transform healthcare delivery in rural areas by 2026 with $50 billion in funding. The focus is on improving telehealth and healthcare workforce in remote communities.
Key Facts
North Dakota, Missouri, and Mississippi submitted their Rural Health Transformation plans to CMS.
The program aims to improve healthcare access and quality in rural areas with $50 billion over five years starting in 2026.
Half of the funding will be equally shared among approved states, while the rest will consider factors like rural population.
Initiatives in the plans focus on telehealth, strengthening the healthcare workforce, and improving healthcare infrastructures.
Missouri's plan includes creating a regional network to connect various healthcare providers and expand access to different health services.
Mississippi's plan aims to secure sustainable access to high-quality healthcare and improve patient outcomes by 2031.
The effort addresses challenges like Medicaid cuts, hospital closures, and labor shortages in rural areas.
