Nearly a quarter of Labour MPs want to increase taxes on gambling companies to raise money to lift benefit restrictions on families with more than two children. They believe this increase could generate £3 billion and help reduce child poverty. The UK's Betting and Gaming Council argues that higher taxes could harm the economy and lead to job losses.
Key Facts
101 Labour MPs support a tax increase on gambling companies.
The proposed tax could raise £3 billion to help fight child poverty.
The campaign urges the removal of the two-child benefit cap, affecting child tax credit and universal credit.
The Betting and Gaming Council warns that higher taxes might drive people to gamble in unregulated markets, risking safety and tax losses.
The Labour government has established a Child Poverty Taskforce to explore solutions, but its findings are delayed.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch opposes removing the benefit cap, citing taxpayer concerns.
The UK's chancellor is considering tax increases and spending cuts due to a £20 billion deficit.
There's a proposal to merge different betting taxes by 2027, adjusting for online gambling trends.
The Supreme Court is reviewing the legality of tariffs imposed by President Trump. These tariffs were introduced under a law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), and the decision could change how emergency powers are used in the future. The case could also affect trade policies and revenue from tariffs.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court will hear a case about President Trump's tariffs.
The case examines whether the tariffs are legal under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
An appellate court previously ruled the tariffs illegal, with judges citing different reasons.
The case could determine if emergency powers can be used to bypass Congress regularly.
The decision may affect the ability to impose future tariffs rapidly.
A ruling against the tariffs could lead to a complex process of refunding them.
Department of Justice lawyers argue the tariffs address a national emergency related to trade.
The Corcoran Group's CEO, Pamela Liebman, advised young people to save money by cutting unnecessary expenses, like expensive coffee, to afford homes. Millennials and Gen Z are struggling to buy homes due to high prices and borrowing costs. Homeownership is more challenging now compared to past generations.
Key Facts
Pamela Liebman is the CEO of The Corcoran Group, a real estate company.
She advised young people to avoid spending on non-essential items like expensive coffee to save for a home.
Millennials and Gen Z face difficulties in buying homes because of high property prices and borrowing costs.
Fewer people under 35 own homes today compared to baby boomers at the same age.
The age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. is now 38, the highest since at least the 1980s.
Home prices increased significantly during the pandemic due to low mortgage rates and limited supply.
Despite an increase in housing inventory, prices remain high in many areas.
Mortgage rates have risen, staying between 6% and 7% since 2022.
Other housing costs, like taxes and insurance, have also increased in recent years.
A report from Redfin shows that the U.S. housing market turnover rate is at its lowest in 30 years. From January to September 2025, only 28 out of every 1,000 homes in the U.S. were sold. The main reasons are high home prices, soaring borrowing costs, and economic uncertainties making buying homes less affordable.
Key Facts
Only 28 out of 1,000 U.S. homes sold from January to September 2025, the lowest rate since the early-mid 1990s.
The first nine months of 2025 had a home turnover rate of 2.77%, slightly down from 2.78% in 2024.
New York City has the nation's lowest home turnover rate, with 10.3 out of 1,000 homes sold.
Proposition 13 in California limits property tax increases, discouraging homeowners from selling.
Virginia Beach, Virginia, has the highest turnover rate at 35.2 out of 1,000 homes sold.
U.S. homes remain costly, with a median price of $435,285 in September 2025.
Mortgages have high rates, generally between 6.5% and 7%, affecting affordability.
Over 70% of U.S. homeowners have mortgage rates under 5%, lower than current rates, keeping them from selling.
President Donald Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, also known as "CZ", who co-founded the cryptocurrency exchange Binance. Although Zhao had previously admitted to involvement in money laundering, Trump claims he does not know Zhao personally and considers him a victim of unfair prosecution during Joe Biden's presidency. The pardon permits Zhao to engage in financial ventures without restrictions.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of Binance.
Zhao was guilty of enabling money laundering in 2023 and served four months in jail.
Zhao agreed to leave his role as the head of Binance.
Trump stated in an interview that he does not know Zhao.
Trump suggested Zhao was unfairly treated by the Biden administration.
The pardon allows Zhao to participate in finance again, but his regulatory status is unclear.
The pardon was criticized as being in Trump's financial interest.
Trump has shown support for cryptocurrencies, wanting the U.S. to be a leader in the sector.
McDonald's has introduced new menu items, including a Buffalo Ranch Sauce and a CHIPS AHOY! Frappé, to boost sales amid a slowdown after a significant sales dip post-COVID-19. These changes aim to attract more customers and include special seasonal items like redesigned "Boo Buckets" for Halloween.
Key Facts
McDonald's launched a new Buffalo Ranch Sauce and CHIPS AHOY! Frappé on November 3.
Sales at McDonald's saw a major decrease earlier this year, the largest since COVID-19.
Menu prices at McDonald's have increased by 40% since 2019.
The new Buffalo Ranch Sauce combines ranch dressing with a tangy buffalo sauce.
The returning "Boo Buckets" included new designs this year for Halloween.
McDonald's is focusing on specialty beverages to increase profit margins.
The company will assess customer feedback to determine the success of new items.
More homebuyers in the U.S. are canceling home-purchase agreements. In September, 53,000 deals fell through, which is 15% of all home contracts that month. The trend is largely due to rising costs and more available homes.
Key Facts
In September, 53,000 home-purchase agreements were canceled, which is 15% of all contracts that month.
This number is an increase from 13.6% of deals canceled in September the previous year.
The U.S. housing market is more favorable to buyers now than it was in 2024, with lower borrowing costs.
Inventory of homes has increased due to new construction and more sellers entering the market.
The national median home price in September was $435,285, a 1.7% increase from the previous year.
Areas with high inventory, like Tampa and San Antonio, have the highest cancellation rates.
Buyers face challenges like high costs and "payment shock," leading them to cancel agreements.
Southern states like Florida and Texas have a lot of home listings, partly leading to more cancellations.
Experian, a credit agency in the UK, is updating its credit scoring system to include rental payments. This change aims to give a fuller picture of an individual's financial behavior and will adjust the highest possible credit score from 999 to 1250. Renters who pay on time can opt into this new system to potentially improve their scores.
Key Facts
Experian will include rental payments in credit scores.
The maximum credit score will change from 999 to 1250.
New scoring bands: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Low.
Renters must opt in for rental payments to affect their scores.
Missing rent payments will negatively impact credit scores.
The updated system considers overdraft use and mobile payments.
Changes will start rolling out this month and be fully available by the year's end.
Other UK agencies, TransUnion and Equifax, are not affected by these changes.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide on the legality of tariffs imposed by President Trump. These tariffs, affecting many businesses, are challenged as illegal by several states and businesses. If overturned, it may alter U.S. trade policy and require refunds of collected tariffs.
Key Facts
President Trump imposed tariffs using the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The Supreme Court is reviewing the legality of these tariffs.
Several states and businesses claim the tariffs are illegal and should be removed.
If the court rules against the tariffs, the U.S. may have to pay back the collected money.
Trump's administration argues these tariffs address national security and trade deficits.
Businesses like Learning Resources have faced financial strain due to these tariffs.
Tariffs are taxes on goods coming into the country, often used to protect local industries.
The case also questions how much power the U.S. President has over trade matters.
The head of Vue International, Tim Richards, explained that he does not see streaming services as competition for cinemas. He noted that streaming services rose in popularity during the pandemic, but cinemas have since bounced back to pre-pandemic levels.
Key Facts
Tim Richards is the founder and CEO of Vue International, a major UK cinema chain.
Richards believes streaming services are not direct competitors to cinemas.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cinemas were closed, and streaming services gained more subscribers.
Vue faced challenges like cinemas being closed for nearly two years and actors' and writers' strikes.
Despite challenges, Vue returned to pre-pandemic business levels.
Richards noted that many cinema-goers are also subscribers to streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney Plus.
The entertainment industry is dealing with cost pressures and rising operational costs.
Richards stated that they are trying not to pass increased costs to customers, even as the industry feels financial strain.
The ongoing federal government shutdown is affecting the economy, with workers not getting paychecks and aid recipients missing benefits. While past shutdowns have led to billions in lost economic activity, this is a small part of the overall $30 trillion economy, but it can still have an impact.
Key Facts
The federal government shutdown has been ongoing for one month.
Government workers are not receiving their paychecks.
People depending on food aid did not get their benefits at the start of November.
Past shutdowns have resulted in billions of dollars in lost economic activity.
The U.S. economy is valued at about $30 trillion.
Economists believe shutdowns can still affect the economy even if the overall impact is small.
The estate of Alex Salmond, a former first minister of Scotland, is seeking bankruptcy due to legal costs from a successful lawsuit against the Scottish government. Salmond's family is winding up his estate to manage his debts. Salmond had previously won £512,000 after suing the government over improperly handled harassment complaints.
Key Facts
Alex Salmond's estate is seeking sequestration, which is like bankruptcy, due to legal costs.
Salmond sued the Scottish government over harassment complaints and won £512,000.
The harassment complaints against him were found to be handled with "apparent bias."
His former lawyers are now helping his wife manage the estate's finances.
Salmond was acquitted of separate sexual misconduct charges in court.
His family wants to protect his name and financial interests after his death.
Salmond died in October 2024 from a heart attack at age 69 in North Macedonia.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said some parts of the U.S. economy are already in recession, and more could follow if the Federal Reserve does not continue to cut interest rates. The Federal Reserve reduced rates recently but warned that another cut in December is not certain.
Key Facts
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke about recession risks on CNN.
Some parts of the U.S. economy are already in recession, according to Bessent.
The Federal Reserve recently cut interest rates.
The market expected a near-certain rate cut in December, but the Fed warned this is not guaranteed.
Bessent believes lower interest rates could help certain economic areas like housing.
A government shutdown is delaying important economic data collection.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. must reduce its dependence on China for rare earth minerals. President Donald Trump recently announced a trade deal with China, but both countries are still expressing concerns about the agreement's stability.
Key Facts
Scott Bessent is the U.S. Treasury Secretary.
Rare earth minerals are essential for many high-tech products.
China controls a large part of the world's rare earth minerals.
President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with China that includes a temporary agreement on rare earth minerals and technology.
The trade deal also involves China agreeing to buy U.S. soybeans.
There is concern that the trade deal might not be permanent.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned against siding with the U.S. in the trade dispute.
Past trade truces between the U.S. and China have not lasted long.
Walmart will start selling a weight-loss medication named Zepbound at its pharmacies across the U.S. beginning in mid-November. The medication, produced by Eli Lilly, will be available to people with a valid prescription and offers flexible purchasing options without needing insurance.
Key Facts
Zepbound is a single-dose weight-loss medication.
It will be available for purchase at nearly 4,600 Walmart pharmacies starting mid-November.
The medication is produced in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
The starting price for the recommended dose is $349 per month.
Higher doses are priced at $499 per month.
Customers can buy it in-store or use the LillyDirect online service.
It is aimed at helping people who struggle with obesity and related conditions.
Zepbound should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
The article discusses the issue of "ghost jobs," which are job listings that companies do not intend to fill. It includes an interview with a cybersecurity expert on how job seekers can avoid these scams.
Key Facts
"Ghost jobs" are job postings that companies do not plan to fill.
These postings can sometimes be scams to collect personal information from job seekers.
Legitimate companies may also post jobs they do not intend to fill for various reasons.
A cybersecurity expert from the University of Virginia provided tips on recognizing these job listings.
The discussion took place on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday.
A lawyer named Jas Bains reported a tax scam to Danish authorities and was later sued by them. The case, related to a complex financial trade called cum-ex, involved a hedge fund where Bains previously worked and took years to resolve.
Key Facts
Jas Bains reported a £1 billion tax scam to Danish authorities.
He was later sued as a part of a £1.4 billion lawsuit by those authorities.
The case involved a financial strategy called cum-ex trades, which exploited share transactions to claim tax rebates multiple times.
This trading strategy led to significant tax losses across several European countries.
Bains worked for Solo Capital, a hedge fund connected to the scam, as head lawyer and later ran its London office.
Danish authorities failed to prove that Bains and other defendants were liable for the losses.
Bains initially enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle while working at the firm but faced long legal battles after leaving.
The case concluded over eight years, one of the UK's highest value civil cases.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear cases about President Trump's tariffs. These cases challenge the wide-ranging tariffs he imposed during his presidency.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court will review legal challenges to President Trump's tariffs.
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods.
The hearings are taking place this week.
The cases involve arguments from those affected by the tariffs.
Michael McConnell represents one group challenging the tariffs.
President Trump imposed these tariffs during his presidency.
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor arranged a palace tour for men from a cryptocurrency company connected to his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. The company agreed to pay Ferguson up to £1.4 million, and the venture eventually failed, losing investors millions. Buckingham Palace is now taking steps to remove Andrew's royal titles following criticism over his associations and financial dealings.
Key Facts
Andrew arranged a visit to Buckingham Palace for two men from a crypto-mining firm, while the Queen was in residence.
The company, Pegasus Group Holdings, employed Sarah Ferguson as a brand ambassador, promising her payments up to £1.4 million.
Pegasus Group Holdings' project failed, acquiring only a small fraction of the planned equipment.
Investors lost millions, with a tribunal later awarding them $4.1 million.
Buckingham Palace plans to strip Andrew of his royal titles after criticism of his connections.
Sarah Ferguson's contract involved fees for luxury travel and appearance services for company events.
The crypto-mining venture aimed to use solar power to mine Bitcoin but did not achieve its goals.
Sarah Ferguson met Jay Bloom, a co-founder of Pegasus, during a book promotion event, leading to their business partnership.
The U.S. Supreme Court will listen to cases about President Donald Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs. This legal challenge involves family-owned businesses and a wine importer opposing tariffs affecting their costs. The core issue is whether Trump can use IEEPA to set tariffs without Congress.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is examining President Trump's use of a 1977 law to impose tariffs.
Trump used the IEEPA to set tariffs on countries like China without Congress.
The cases include Learning Resources Inc. and V.O.S. Selections Inc., both impacted by these tariffs.
The U.S. Court of International Trade previously ruled against Trump, citing Congress' power to set tariffs.
The dispute is over whether the IEEPA gives the President power to bypass Congress in imposing tariffs.
Trump's tariffs have affected several businesses, raising their import costs significantly.
The Court hearing takes place amid a conservative majority on the bench, with Trump having appointed three justices.
