Wes Streeting has suggested cutting national insurance taxes for businesses to encourage them to hire more young workers. He also supports drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea to increase government income, despite concerns about climate goals.
Key Facts
Streeting wants a targeted reduction in employers’ national insurance contributions to encourage hiring, especially of young people.
Employers’ national insurance rates increased from 13.8% to 15% in 2024, and the threshold was lowered from £9,100 to £5,000.
The increase aims to raise £25 billion a year but may discourage hiring of lower-paid and part-time workers.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said businesses don’t pay national insurance for workers under 21 and warned that tax cuts have costs.
NHS waiting times have fallen, which McFadden linked partly to the increased tax revenue.
Labour is debating whether to allow drilling at the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields, which have existing licenses but need government consent to start drilling.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will decide soon if drilling fits with the UK’s climate commitments.
Streeting thinks the government will approve drilling since it will boost tax income, though it may not lower energy bills.
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Walmart is recalling about 165,000 fabric dressers because they can tip over and cause serious injury or death, especially to children. Another recall involves about 1,000 portable steam saunas sold online that can cause burn injuries due to unsafe steam exposure.
Key Facts
The recalled dressers are Mainstays 9-drawer fabric dressers sold from September 2023 to March 2026 for around $80.
These dressers can tip over if not anchored, posing a danger to children, and violate federal safety rules under the STURDY Act.
Consumers should stop using these dressers if not anchored, keep children away, and return the drawers to Walmart while discarding the metal frame.
The recalled portable steam saunas were sold online from January 2023 to December 2025 for $68 to $100.
The saunas can expose users to hot steam that causes serious burns; nine burn incidents have been reported, including one second-degree burn.
The saunas come in tent-style enclosures with brand names Giantex or Costway and include accessories like a chair and remote control.
Customers are advised to stop using the saunas, unplug them, cut the power cord, and send photos of the destroyed product to get a refund.
These recalls highlight ongoing issues with product safety related to furniture tip-overs and burn risks.
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Sky is ending its partnership in Sky News Arabia, a news channel in the Middle East, due to concerns about its coverage of the war in Sudan and accusations of denying genocide. Sky will give up control of the channel but will continue to license its brand name to the Abu Dhabi-based broadcaster.
Key Facts
Sky News Arabia is a 24-hour Arabic news channel created in 2010 and launched in 2012 as a competitor to Al Jazeera and the BBC’s Arabic news.
Sky’s partner in the joint venture, IMI, is controlled by Sheikh Mansour, vice-president of the UAE and owner of Manchester City football club.
Sky is withdrawing all strategic and operational control but will allow the channel to keep the “Sky News Arabia” name through a licensing deal.
Sky executives were worried about the channel’s coverage of Sudan, especially reports that appeared to downplay or deny genocide accusations against the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudan banned Sky News Arabia in November 2023 after the channel reported the conflict situation as stable, despite other evidence showing ongoing atrocities.
A UN fact-finding mission in February 2024 found that RSF’s actions in Sudan had features of genocide, which the UAE denies responsibility for.
IMI will take full ownership of the news channel going forward and plans to continue investing in it as a major media outlet in the Arab world.
Sky’s decision follows similar moves, including ending its news brand licensing in Australia and cancelling plans for a global news channel with NBC.
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Netsanet Sori moved from Ethiopia to the Scottish island of Whalsay and started roasting traditional Ethiopian coffee there. She sells the hand-roasted coffee locally through honesty boxes, sharing a taste of her culture and building a small business.
Key Facts
Netsanet Sori grew up on a coffee farm in Ethiopia and moved to Whalsay, Shetland, in October 2025.
She imports green coffee beans from her family farm in Ethiopia to roast by hand on the island.
Roasting coffee involves heating and constant shaking of the beans until they turn brown and release oil, a sign of quality.
Traditionally, Ethiopian coffee is prepared in a daily ceremony that brings people together as a community.
Netsi started roasting coffee for herself and others in Orkney before turning it into a small business after moving to Whalsay.
She sells the coffee in honesty boxes, where locals can buy it without needing a shop or attendant.
Local residents appreciate the availability of fresh, hand-roasted coffee on the island.
The coffee business combines Netsi’s cultural heritage with new opportunities in her Scottish home.
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A recruitment company that owed nearly £3 million went into administration and its main owner bought back the business in instalments. The new company promised to pay off debts but has fallen behind on payments after offering staff a paid trip to Las Vegas. Administrators hope to recover the money owed by using property assets and new payment plans.
Key Facts
Premier Group Recruitment went into administration owing £2.9 million, including £647,000 to the tax authority (HMRC).
The company’s main shareholder, Andrew Woosnam, bought the business assets for an initial £10,000 plus monthly £25,000 payments planned over two years.
The new company announced an all-expenses-paid staff trip to Las Vegas in 2026.
Payments have fallen behind due to startup costs and lower-than-expected revenue.
Woosnam still owes £1.2 million from a director’s loan related to the old company and had taken nearly £2 million in dividends since 2022.
Administrators rejected another buyer’s offer that might have quickly returned money to creditors.
Phoenixism, the process of closing and restarting companies to shed debts, is legal but controversial and may cost taxpayers.
Administrators are confident they can recover the owed money by using a charge on Woosnam’s property and by his recent setup of monthly payments.
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Sadie Jefferson is retiring after working in the same pharmacy in Portrush, Northern Ireland, for more than 75 years. She started at age 15 and has served many generations of local families through different owners of the pharmacy.
Key Facts
Sadie Jefferson began working at the pharmacy in 1951 when she was 15 years old.
The pharmacy changed owners multiple times but she stayed through all changes.
She has known many customers and their families over several generations.
Her job involved preparing medicines and helping customers quickly.
Sadie did two skydives at age 80 to raise money for charity.
The current owners and staff describe her as well-known and highly valued by the community.
Gordons Chemist, the latest owner, celebrated her for working three times longer than their usual 25-year milestone.
Colleagues and customers say the town's main street will feel different after her retirement.
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Wes Streeting, former UK Health Secretary, suggested reducing employers' National Insurance (NI) to encourage hiring young people and supports some new North Sea oil and gas drilling to increase tax revenue. He spoke about these ideas while differentiating himself from the current Labour government led by Sir Keir Starmer.
Key Facts
Streeting proposes a targeted cut to employers' National Insurance to help young people find jobs.
Employers' NI was increased by Labour in 2024 from 13.8% to 15%, aiming to raise £25 billion annually.
Labour argues many young workers are already exempt from employer NI payments if under 21 and earning less than £50,000.
The government is introducing "youth job grants," giving employers £3,000 per young hire who has been on benefits and looking for work 6+ months.
The review by Alan Milburn found that higher NI and minimum wage may affect hiring but with no simple clear impact on youth employment.
Streeting supports some new North Sea oil and gas drilling, a stance differing from Labour’s official position of no new exploration licenses.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband may allow drilling in existing North Sea fields with previously submitted applications.
Streeting aims to separate his views from Sir Keir Starmer as he plans to challenge him for Labour leadership.
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Australia is leading a global shift toward home solar power and battery storage, helping reduce electricity costs and reliance on fossil fuels. The country has connected about 415,000 household batteries this year, boosting renewable energy use and cutting down on gas-fired power.
Key Facts
Australia has solar panels on about one in three homes.
Nearly 60% of the world's new household battery capacity this year is in Australia.
About 415,000 home batteries were installed in Australia recently, roughly one per 25 homes.
Australia is third in industrial battery capacity after China and the US.
Battery use is lowering electricity prices, with some areas seeing up to a 10% drop.
Batteries help store solar energy for use when the sun isn’t shining, reducing the need for gas power.
Gas-fired power generation dropped by 24% this summer compared to the previous year.
Coal power plants are gradually closing in Australia as renewables increase.
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Ferrari unveiled its first electric vehicle (EV), the Luce, designed by Sir Jony Ive, marking a major change for the company. The car faced strong criticism from critics, investors, and politicians, causing Ferrari’s shares to drop after its launch.
Key Facts
The Ferrari Luce is the company’s first all-electric car and first five-seater, priced at $640,000.
The car was designed by Sir Jony Ive, known for designing the iPhone.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Leo were invited to see the Luce at its launch.
Critics, including former Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, said the car damages Ferrari’s reputation.
Ferrari’s shares fell 8% following the unveiling due to negative reactions.
The Luce can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 2.5 seconds with a top speed over 190 mph.
Some internet users compared the Luce unfavorably to cheaper EVs from Nissan and Chinese carmakers.
Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna defended the design, despite mixed opinions similar to a past SUV launch.
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Marc Bolland, a former chief of Marks & Spencer, has been appointed as a government adviser to address youth unemployment in the UK. He will lead efforts with business leaders to create job opportunities for young people, following a report warning that youth unemployment could rise significantly without action.
Key Facts
About 1 million young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK are not in education, work, or training, known as "Neets."
The number of Neets could rise to 1.25 million by the 2030s if nothing changes.
Marc Bolland will serve as lead non-executive director at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Bolland has experience with the charity Movement to Work, which has helped over 200,000 young people find jobs.
He will work with top business leaders and charities, especially supporting disabled young people’s access to training and jobs.
About 60% of young people have never had a job, compared with 40% in 2005.
The youth unemployment crisis is estimated to cost the UK economy around £125 billion.
The government currently spends much more on benefits for young people than on programs to help them find work.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump did not have the authority to impose certain tariffs on imports. Businesses have started receiving refunds for those tariffs, but the Trump administration plans to appeal a court order that would allow all companies who paid the tariffs to get refunds, not just those who sued.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court struck down higher import taxes imposed under President Trump on goods from many countries.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began issuing refunds to importers starting May 12.
So far, CBP accepted refund claims totaling $85 billion and directed $20.6 billion in refunds to be paid.
The Trump administration plans to appeal a federal judge’s order allowing all importers who paid the tariffs to seek refunds.
The Department of Justice argued that only companies who filed lawsuits should be eligible for refunds.
Judge Richard K. Eaton scheduled a June 9 hearing to discuss speeding up the refund process.
Over 1,000 companies, including Costco and Dole, have filed lawsuits to reclaim tariff costs.
CBP is processing refunds in phases, starting with payments made after the Supreme Court decision.
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Australian truck drivers are facing serious financial hardships due to a sharp rise in diesel prices caused by the global fuel crisis linked to war in Iran. Owner-drivers like Frank Black struggle to cover their high operating costs, forcing some to stop working temporarily.
Key Facts
Diesel prices in Australia rose from about $1.80 to $3.20 per litre in April due to the global fuel crisis.
Truck drivers often spend about one-third of their job pay on fuel, one-third on truck maintenance, and the rest on wages.
High fuel costs made it impossible for some drivers to earn enough, leading them to stop working for weeks.
Long-haul truck drivers in Australia drive up to 200,000 km per year with total costs exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Many drivers face delayed payments of 30 to 120 days, increasing financial pressure.
Small operators have low profits and growing risk of bankruptcy.
Drivers often use personal assets like their homes as collateral to buy trucks, risking losing them if they default on payments.
The Transport Workers’ Union is pushing for permanent fuel surcharges and better regulations to protect drivers from price volatility.
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The article explains that new ways of paying for job training, called outcomes-based repayment models, can improve how workforce education is funded in the United States. These models share the financial risk between workers and those who provide or fund training, while also protecting workers and involving employers.
Key Facts
Outcomes-based repayment means payments depend on how well the training helps workers find jobs or earn more.
This method shifts some financial risk from workers to training providers or funders.
It aims to protect workers from debt if the training does not lead to good results.
Employers are included in the process to ensure training matches job needs.
The focus is on improving job training funding without increasing overall debt.
This approach is suggested as a solution to problems in America's workforce financing system.
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Ariana Grande released a new single called "hate that i made you love me" from her upcoming album "petal." She shared that the song is very special to her and plans to release the music video soon, with the full album coming on July 31.
Key Facts
Ariana Grande’s new single is titled "hate that i made you love me."
The song is from her upcoming album called "petal."
The single was released on May 29.
The song can be understood as about a romantic relationship or about people who judge her.
Ariana shared on Instagram that the song is one of her favorites.
The music video for the single will be released on Monday at 11 a.m. ET.
The full "petal" album will be available on July 31.
Ariana mentioned that her upcoming tour will begin soon and this marks a new phase in her career.
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A U.S. federal judge allowed all companies that paid certain import tariffs to claim refunds after the Supreme Court ruled President Trump did not have authority to impose these tariffs. The government is planning to appeal this order, which may slow down the refund process that has already returned billions of dollars to businesses.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decided President Donald Trump lacked the constitutional power to impose higher import taxes on many goods.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection started refunding companies that paid these tariffs in early May 2024.
So far, the government has accepted refund claims totaling $85 billion and issued $20.6 billion in refunds.
A federal judge ordered that all importers who paid the struck-down tariffs can seek refunds, not just those who sued.
The Department of Justice is appealing this order, arguing that only some companies should get refunds initially.
The judge scheduled a hearing for June 9, 2024, to discuss speeding up the refund process.
The government is resisting having the CBP Commissioner testify about the refund timeline.
Some national retail chains, like Walmart, plan to lower prices using the tariff refunds.
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Kidilum is a new and popular restaurant in New York City. It is led by head chef Vinu Raveendran, who brings global cooking experience to create a special style of South Indian food.
Key Facts
Kidilum is a recently opened restaurant in New York.
The restaurant focuses on South Indian flavors and cuisine.
Vinu Raveendran is the head chef at Kidilum.
Chef Raveendran has worked in well-known kitchens around the world.
Kidilum offers a high-end or upscale dining experience.
The restaurant brings a unique New York twist to traditional South Indian dishes.
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Monica Nassif, who started the cleaning product company Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, spoke with CBS News about her experience as a business owner. She also talked about her new book called "I Bottled My Mother."
Key Facts
Monica Nassif is the founder of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day cleaning products.
She appeared on CBS Saturday Morning to share her story.
Nassif discussed how she began and grew her business.
She recently published a book titled "I Bottled My Mother."
The interview was shown on CBS News.
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CBS Mornings Deals is sharing special discounts on products that can help improve daily life. People can visit the website cbsdeals.com to find these deals and buy items at lower prices.
Key Facts
CBS Mornings Deals offers exclusive discounts on various products.
The deals aim to improve everyday lifestyle.
Shoppers can access these offers by visiting cbsdeals.com.
CBS earns a commission when people buy products through the website.
The deals are featured on CBS Mornings, a news and information program.
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A family-owned ice cream shop called McGroggan's in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, is closing after 103 years in business. The shop's closure is due to rising costs and fewer customers visiting the town center.
Key Facts
McGroggan's ice cream shop was founded in 1922 by Hugh and Annie McGroggan.
The shop was run by four generations of the McGroggan family.
It was known for homemade ice cream and had won several awards.
Rising business costs and fewer people visiting the town caused the closure.
Customers traveled long distances to buy ice cream on the last day.
The closure affects other local businesses due to less foot traffic.
A business group says the government should lower business rates to help shops survive.
The shop’s final day was marked by many well-wishers and sad goodbyes.
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The cost of owning an electric vehicle (EV) varies depending on the state where you live. Gas prices recently reached their highest level in four years, which may encourage more people to consider EVs.
Key Facts
Gas prices hit a four-year high over Memorial Day weekend.
Rising gas costs could make electric vehicles more attractive to buyers.
The total cost of owning an EV changes from state to state.
Factors like electricity rates, taxes, and incentives affect EV ownership costs.
Some states offer financial benefits that lower the cost of EVs.
Other states might have higher costs due to less support or higher fees.
Location plays a key role in how much you pay to own and operate an EV.
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