The FDA has approved a new sunscreen ingredient called bemotrizinol, the first new addition in more than 25 years. This ingredient has been used safely in Europe and will offer better protection against harmful sun rays without causing irritation or leaving a white residue.
Key Facts
Bemotrizinol protects against both UVA (causes skin cancer and wrinkles) and UVB rays (cause sunburn).
It is safe for adults and children 6 months and older.
The ingredient will be sold in the U.S. first by Dutch company DSM under the brand Parsol Shield later this year.
After 18 months of exclusive sales by DSM, other companies can use bemotrizinol in their products.
Bemotrizinol has been used in Europe since 1999 and was first submitted for FDA approval in 2005.
The FDA’s 2020 streamlined process helped speed up the ingredient’s approval after decades of delays.
Current U.S. sunscreens either protect against UVA or UVB, but bemotrizinol protects against both without leaving chalky white marks.
The FDA has been updating sunscreen rules gradually, including banning the term “waterproof” and requiring broad UVA and UVB protection.
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The European Union (EU) has ordered Meta to let other companies’ AI chatbots use WhatsApp for free while it investigates Meta for possible unfair business practices. Meta plans to challenge this order, saying the EU is going too far with regulations. The EU also disagreed with Apple after the company said new Siri AI would launch late in Europe because of EU rules.
Key Facts
The EU wants Meta to allow rival AI chatbots to access WhatsApp within five working days.
This order comes during an antitrust investigation into Meta’s business practices.
Meta disagrees and will appeal the EU’s decision, calling it regulatory overreach.
Apple blamed the EU’s Digital Marketing Act for delaying the launch of its new Siri AI in Europe.
The EU responded critically to Apple’s explanation.
The EU is actively regulating big tech companies to promote competition and fair market rules.
WhatsApp is owned by Meta, a company known for social media and messaging platforms.
AI chatbots are software programs that can talk and answer questions like a human assistant.
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Paramount's chief lawyer said that Netflix is trying to block Paramount's plan to buy Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Paramount argues that the merger will create more jobs and content, but some groups worry it might lead to job cuts.
Key Facts
Paramount's lawyer accused Netflix of trying to influence regulators against the Paramount-WBD merger.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a large union, asked the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to block the merger unless worker protections are made.
Paramount says the merger will increase movie and TV production, which will create jobs for many roles like actors, drivers, and caterers.
Since merging with Skydance in 2025, Paramount increased its shows and will nearly double its movie output in 2027.
Paramount expects to spend slightly less on content after merging with WBD, but says cuts won't affect studios.
Paramount CEO promised the combined company will release at least 30 movies each year, with long theater runs.
Despite job creation claims, Paramount said the merger will cut over $6 billion in costs, mainly by reducing duplicate jobs in areas like finance and legal.
The merged company would have $79 billion in debt.
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Newsweek is changing its business to keep up with how people find and use news today. They are focusing on trusted journalism, subscriptions, and new services like events and research to build a stronger and lasting company.
Key Facts
Newsweek shifted early from print to digital and focused on growing an online audience.
They use tools like the Fairness Meter and participate in The Trust Project to improve transparency and trust.
The media industry is changing in how people search for and consume information.
Newsweek is building multiple business areas beyond news publishing to deepen audience connections and create new ways to earn money.
They emphasize original reporting and have special content hubs on topics such as artificial intelligence.
Subscription services for individual readers and businesses are a key part of their growth.
Nexus is a platform that combines premium content, research, events, and communities to build stronger audience ties.
Newsweek bought Adprime, a company that specializes in data-driven advertising and marketing, especially in healthcare and regulated markets.
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Putting $200,000 into a certificate of deposit (CD) account with fixed interest rates can help protect and grow retirement savings. CD interest rates are about 4% or higher now, offering guaranteed returns with less risk than stocks, and the money is insured up to $250,000.
Key Facts
CDs have fixed interest rates that remain the same until maturity.
Current CD rates for $200,000 range from about 3.9% for 3 months to 4.16% for 2 years.
Interest earnings range from roughly $1,922 (3-month CD) up to about $17,000 (2-year CD).
CDs protect the original money (principal) and guarantee the earned interest.
Accounts up to $250,000 are insured by the FDIC, meaning the government protects that money.
Early withdrawal from a CD can cause penalties, reducing earnings.
CDs offer a safer alternative to stocks, which provide higher but less certain returns.
CD terms vary widely from a few months up to 10 years, allowing flexibility for savers.
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Mortgage interest rates have been changing quickly, with rates rising again after a recent drop. Borrowers should consider locking in a mortgage rate now, shop around for the best rates online, and be aware that rate cuts may not happen soon.
Key Facts
Mortgage rates started 2025 around 7% for 30-year loans, dropped to 5.75% by March 2026, and then rose to 6.62% by May 21, 2026.
The Federal Reserve has kept its main interest rate unchanged recently, but mortgage rates still rose.
Locking in a mortgage rate can protect borrowers from future rate increases.
Borrowers should not assume that mortgage rates will go down soon; rates could rise if inflation and employment remain strong.
Shopping around online for mortgage rates can help find lower rates and better terms.
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) may offer lower starting rates but can increase after a few years.
Buying mortgage interest points is another way to get a lower mortgage rate.
Locking a rate now helps borrowers plan their budgets with certainty.
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Many Americans struggle with planning how to spend their retirement savings, a process called "decumulation." Research shows most retirees do not have a plan for withdrawing money, which can lead to either underspending or running out of funds. Experts suggest that having a clear plan and considering guaranteed income options can help retirees manage their money better.
Key Facts
Decumulation means how retirees spend their savings to cover living costs without running out of money.
Only 31% of Americans know what decumulation means.
Just 29% of workers age 55 and older have a plan for taking money out of retirement accounts.
One-third of retirees still have all or more of their initial savings by their mid-80s, which may mean they are spending too little.
The biggest concerns causing retirees to spend less are health care costs and inflation.
The "4% rule" suggests spending 4% of savings in the first retirement year, then adjusting for inflation, but experts now see it as only a starting guideline.
Younger workers often lack pension income and rely more on 401(k) plans, which may increase retirement risks.
About half of surveyed retirees prefer a guaranteed annual income over a large lump sum to reduce the risk of running out of money.
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A federal judge is deciding whether the Trump administration must speed up and expand billions of dollars in tariff refunds after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled many of the tariffs illegal. The case will determine how much money collected from these tariffs must be returned to businesses and how quickly refunds will be issued.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court stopped many tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in a 6-3 ruling on February 20, 2026.
The Court did not decide what should happen to the money already collected from these tariffs, leaving that to lower courts.
The Trump administration is fighting in court against a broad order to repay all tariffs collected, saying it should only refund individual companies when ordered.
Judge Richard Eaton ordered the government in March to refund all affected companies, but the administration wants to limit the refunds.
Up to $166 billion, or possibly as much as $175 billion, could be owed in tariff refunds to importers.
More than 330,000 importers, including Walmart, Apple, Costco, and General Motors, may be eligible for refunds.
Over $85 billion in refund claims have been approved, with $20 billion already paid out by late May.
The final ruling will affect how quickly and how widely tariff refund money is returned to companies.
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An $8,000 deposit will earn similar interest over one year whether placed in a certificate of deposit (CD) or a high-yield savings account, with interest rates currently around 4%. CDs offer fixed rates but limit access to the money, while high-yield savings accounts have variable rates and allow withdrawals.
Key Facts
The average traditional savings account interest rate is about 0.38%, much lower than CDs and high-yield savings.
CDs currently offer fixed interest rates around 4%, depending on the term length.
High-yield savings accounts typically have variable rates near 4.1%, which can change over time.
An $8,000 deposit in a 1-year CD at 4.11% earns about $328.80 in interest.
The same deposit in a high-yield savings account at 4.10% earns about $328.00 after one year.
Shorter-term CDs (3, 6, 9 months) yield interest amounts close to those from a high-yield savings account.
The difference in interest earned between the two account types is very small.
Choosing between them depends on whether you prefer fixed returns and restricted access (CD) or flexible access with variable rates (savings account).
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Deciding whether to repair or replace an air conditioning (AC) unit affects home costs. Repairing is often better when the AC is relatively new, repair costs are low, or the problem is small and not recurring.
Key Facts
Most central AC units last about 10 to 15 years with good care.
If the AC is only a few years old, repairs usually make more financial sense than replacement.
Some repairs may be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, reducing costs.
Repair costs are often much lower than buying a new AC system, which can cost several thousand dollars.
Repairs are preferable when the problem is isolated and not happening again often.
If a unit breaks down frequently or needs many major part replacements, buying a new system may be better.
Homeowners face higher overall costs recently, making repair vs. replacement decisions important.
Consulting a licensed HVAC professional helps to decide the best choice.
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DoorDash recently began using stablecoins to pay out money through a partnership with Tempo, showing that big companies see stablecoins as useful tools for moving money. However, using stablecoins is not simple because businesses face many rules and technical challenges before they can use them like regular money.
Key Facts
DoorDash started using stablecoin payments via a partnership involving Tempo, supported by Stripe.
Stablecoins are digital tokens designed to keep a steady value and are becoming more mainstream for moving money.
Businesses want to use stablecoins to speed up payments, lower costs for cross-border transfers, and improve financial processes.
Using stablecoins requires businesses to handle complex issues like customer identity checks, anti-money laundering rules, and transaction monitoring.
Companies also need to manage custody (safe storage), liquidity (easy access to funds), and different country laws.
Big financial firms can handle these challenges, but smaller businesses often lack the resources.
Startups and small companies could benefit the most from stablecoins but find it hard to implement them due to these burdens.
The current payment and compliance systems for stablecoins are still developing and need to become easier for businesses to use widely.
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Two major Italian banks, Intesa Sanpaolo and Banco BPM, are competing to buy Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), the world's oldest bank. The outcome is important because MPS holds large government bonds and strategic financial assets in Italy.
Key Facts
MPS was founded in 1472 to provide credit to poorer citizens and is now a key bank in Italy’s financial system.
Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest bank, offered 31 billion euros (about $36 billion) to buy MPS.
Banco BPM, Italy’s third-largest bank, also proposed a "merger of equals" with MPS but did not disclose financial details.
Banco BPM’s largest shareholder is French bank Crédit Agricole, owning about 20% of it.
There are concerns that a BPM-MPS merger could give foreign (French) control over important Italian financial assets.
MPS owns 13% of Generali Insurance, a big holder of Italian government bonds.
Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is cautious about foreign control over strategic companies and government debt.
Political debates in Italy focus on preserving domestic control over banks and financial institutions like MPS and Generali.
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Social Security benefits in retirement are mostly protected from being taken by private creditors to pay debts like credit cards or personal loans. However, the government can reduce Social Security payments to collect certain debts such as unpaid federal taxes, student loans, child support, and alimony.
Key Facts
Private creditors usually cannot directly take part of Social Security retirement benefits to pay debts.
If a creditor sues and wins, they can try other ways to collect, but Social Security money is largely safe.
The federal government can reduce your Social Security checks for some debts.
Debts that can lead to garnishment include federal taxes, student loans, child support, alimony, and some court-ordered payments.
The amount taken from Social Security depends on the type of debt and the law.
Many retirees now carry more debts like credit card balances and loans than previous generations.
Understanding these rules helps retirees protect their income while handling debts.
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McDonald's is testing a new AI system called "Archy" to take orders at drive-thrus, aiming to improve speed and accuracy. The system, developed with Google, is about 90% accurate and being tried in five locations as part of a broader industry trend toward AI in fast food.
Key Facts
McDonald's ended a previous AI drive-thru trial in 2024 due to accuracy problems but is trying again with improved technology.
The new AI system is called "Archy" and is currently tested in five McDonald's restaurants.
AI ordering systems are becoming common in fast food, with Wendy's, Taco Bell, and White Castle also using or testing similar technology.
AI systems can understand multiple languages, handle complex orders, and suggest extra menu items to improve efficiency.
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski says automation aims to speed service without losing quality customer care.
Some AI systems have had issues, like Taco Bell's system being overwhelmed by an extremely large order.
There are concerns about AI replacing jobs, but companies say the technology supports workers rather than replaces them.
Wendy's says their AI system helps employees focus more on customer service by handling routine orders.
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Traditional financial companies are now offering cryptocurrency to their customers, ending a past rivalry with the crypto industry. This change is driven by growing demand for digital assets and new trends like AI and tokenization, which make investing easier and more accessible.
Key Facts
Financial firms that once feared cryptocurrencies are now embracing them.
Customers will be able to buy cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum through banks and brokerages.
The rise of stablecoins shows that investors accept blockchain-based versions of traditional assets.
Publicly traded stocks may be tokenized in the future, making it easier to trade shares digitally.
Nasdaq expects to handle large new public offerings (IPOs) without changing market rules.
SpaceX plans a $75 billion IPO, potentially the largest ever at a $1.7 trillion valuation.
Extended-hours trading is growing, with crypto markets already open 24/7.
Tokenization and digital markets aim to give more people access to investing in large companies early.
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Some white-collar jobs in finance, information, and professional services have been declining since April 2023, while the overall U.S. job market remains strong. The drop in these office-based jobs likely comes from pandemic overhiring, efficiency improvements, and early cost-cutting related to AI technology.
Key Facts
White-collar jobs in finance, information, and professional services peaked in April 2023 and have dropped 2% since then.
Other sectors of the U.S. economy have increased jobs by 3.7% in the same period.
Core white-collar jobs make up about 22% of total U.S. employment, with 34 million people working in these sectors.
These sectors usually added about 49,000 jobs per month before April 2023 but have lost an average of 19,000 jobs per month since.
Causes of job losses include pandemic overhiring, workflow streamlining, and preparation for AI-related productivity gains.
Despite these declines, the U.S. unemployment rate is low at 4.3%, and the economy is adding over 100,000 jobs per month.
Historical comparison: manufacturing jobs declined during and after the 2001 recession but the overall job market recovered.
The article warns that AI’s impact on jobs could grow and cause more significant declines, especially in white-collar sectors.
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Top UK retailers plan to ask Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take stronger action on youth unemployment. They want a government and retail group to work together to create more jobs and training for young people.
Key Facts
Leading retailers like Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, and Primark will support a letter to the prime minister about youth unemployment.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC), a trade group for retailers, drafted the letter.
The letter says young people’s chances of finding jobs are weak and calls for a joint taskforce between the government and retail.
Youth unemployment in the UK recently passed 1 million, the highest in over ten years.
Youth unemployment costs the UK economy over £125 billion each year.
The government has plans for 300,000 new work experience and training places in the next three years, supported by a £2.5 billion fund.
Marks & Spencer started a new training program to create 1,000 job training spots for young people aged 16-24.
Retail leaders say retail jobs are important entry points for young people with little experience or qualifications.
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New cases of the New World screwworm parasite have been found in Texas. Officials at the state and federal levels are increasing efforts to stop the parasite from spreading because it can harm cattle and affect beef prices.
Key Facts
The New World screwworm is a parasite that affects animals like cattle.
Several new cases of this parasite were confirmed recently in Texas.
State and federal officials are working together to contain the parasite.
The parasite’s spread could harm cattle health.
Damage to cattle could lead to higher beef prices for consumers.
Controlling the parasite is important for the cattle and beef industry.
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SpaceX is planning a very large stock market debut, expected to raise about $85 billion. The company has big plans to grow its satellite internet service, AI computing business, and space launches, but some experts worry about how expensive the stock is and the risks involved with its new projects.
Key Facts
SpaceX’s initial public offering (IPO) is expected to raise at least $85 billion.
In 2023, SpaceX made less than $19 billion in revenue.
The Starlink satellite internet service is a major growth area, aiming to reach global customers.
SpaceX is expanding its AI computing business, working with companies like Anthropic and Google, potentially generating about $2 billion monthly.
The company continues to work on its Starship rocket, which is still being developed and could affect future costs.
Competition is growing in satellite internet and computing, with companies like Amazon also entering the market.
Elon Musk’s leadership is a key factor that influences investor confidence in SpaceX’s future.
The company's value could reach $1.75 trillion if it achieves its ambitious revenue goals by 2030.
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Palantir plans to sue London Mayor Sadiq Khan after he stopped a £50 million contract between the company and the Metropolitan Police. Khan blocked the deal over concerns about the contract process, saying Palantir was the only company considered and the deal did not offer good value.
Key Facts
The Metropolitan Police wanted to use Palantir’s software to help analyze intelligence in criminal cases.
Mayor Sadiq Khan stopped the contract, citing problems with how the contract was awarded.
Khan’s office said the police only fully considered Palantir, which broke procurement rules.
Palantir’s lawyers have formally told the mayor’s office they will challenge the decision in court.
Palantir has other contracts with UK government bodies, including a £330 million NHS deal under government review.
Some UK politicians and a parliamentary committee have criticized Palantir for its public statements and role in government projects.
The UK government is reviewing whether to continue or stop its contract with Palantir early.
Other European countries like France and Germany choose not to work with Palantir due to concerns about the company.
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