A food writer in Bristol created a fake restaurant to test food influencers’ honesty and found some would promise positive reviews for free meals without saying their posts were ads. UK rules require paid promotions, including free meals, to be clearly marked as ads. Some influencers and critics say it is important to be honest and transparent about promotions to maintain trust.
Key Facts
A Bristol food writer created a fake Japanese restaurant to test influencer reviews.
She contacted 48 influencers; 33 responded with varying prices for promoting the fake restaurant.
Some influencers would post positive content in exchange for free food without labeling it as an advertisement.
UK advertising rules require paid posts and free meal exchanges to be clearly marked as ads.
Influencer Oscar Bostock says credibility and authenticity are important, and he only promotes places he values.
Food critic Jay Rayner believes honest, truthful restaurant reviews remain important despite more media around food.
The study showed social media often has repetitive, positive messages about restaurants, which may mislead customers.
Transparency about paid promotions helps consumers know when they are seeing an advertisement versus an honest opinion.
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Australia has banned songs mostly or entirely made by artificial intelligence (AI) from its official music charts. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) now requires songs to be mostly made by humans to be eligible for charts, while still allowing some AI tools under human control.
Key Facts
Songs must be "substantially human made" to appear on Australia’s official music charts.
AI can be used in music mastering and effects, but humans must write and perform the main parts.
The rule follows a controversy with an AI-assisted cover of Madonna’s "Like A Prayer" that was popular on charts and streaming services.
Artists must declare any AI use when submitting songs for chart consideration.
If AI-made music is found after charting, ARIA can change its position and ask for awards to be returned.
The new code aims to protect human artistry in a crowded music market.
Other regions, including Sweden and parts of Latin America, have also created AI music chart rules.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supports strong protections for creatives against unauthorized AI use.
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Europe’s heatwaves are causing more insurance claims, especially for life and health insurance, due to heat-related deaths and worsening health issues. This may lead to higher insurance costs for customers as companies try to cover these growing expenses.
Key Facts
Europe is experiencing intense heatwaves that increase drought and wildfire claims for insurers.
Life and health insurers, along with reinsurers (companies that insure insurers), face rising costs from heat-related deaths and health problems.
The ageing population in Europe is more vulnerable to heat, increasing life insurance claims.
Between 2004 and 2024, the percentage of Europeans aged 65 and older rose from 16.4% to 21.6%.
Most excess deaths during recent heatwaves (about 9,000 out of 10,650) occurred in people aged 65 and above.
Older adults are more affected by heat because their bodies cool down less effectively.
Recent heatwaves in Europe have caused thousands of excess deaths and broken temperature records.
S&P has not yet downgraded insurers but warns risks may rise as heatwaves become more frequent and the population ages.
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Woolworths’ popular Disney-themed Ooshies toy collection has caused a temporary drop in sales at rival supermarket Coles in Australia. The Ooshies promotion encouraged customers to shop at Woolworths to collect toys, changing shopping habits and sparking a resale market.
Key Facts
Woolworths offered a promotion giving customers a collectible Disney Ooshie toy with every $30 spent.
The Ooshies come in random packaging, so kids open packs to find and trade different characters.
Coles reported a sales slump linked to Woolworths’ Ooshies promotion, affecting mainly physical store sales.
Woolworths ran out of Ooshies early due to strong demand.
The toys have created a trading culture among children, including swapping games and battles.
Some schools and after-school centers banned Ooshies due to conflicts and distractions from trading.
Many adults are buying and trading Ooshies online, with a large Facebook swap group created for collectors.
The promotion led nearly two-thirds of parents to change shopping patterns, often favoring Woolworths.
Environmental concerns arise about the long-term impact of producing many small plastic toys.
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Woodside Energy has stopped its long-term plans to reduce emissions and invest in clean energy, despite making higher profits due to increased oil prices linked to the Iran conflict. The company will focus more on fossil fuels and less on new energy projects like hydrogen and ammonia.
Key Facts
Woodside Energy’s half-year profit rose 27% to $1.67 billion (A$2.33 billion) due to higher oil prices from global supply disruptions.
The company plans to drop its $5 billion (A$7 billion) investment commitment in new energy products by 2030.
Woodside is reviewing its ammonia business in the United States, which was previously seen as a key clean energy option.
Under CEO Liz Westcott, Woodside is ending its scope 3 emissions targets, which measure pollution from customers using its products.
The company says clean energy investments will now depend on customer demand and commercial markets.
Woodside’s growing fossil fuel profits come as climate change, driven by burning fossil fuels, causes more severe weather events worldwide.
Climate activists and investors are pressuring Woodside and its backers to take stronger action against climate change.
Woodside increased its interim dividend for shareholders from 53 cents to 57 cents per share.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he might raise taxes in the upcoming autumn Budget but has not decided yet. He stressed that any decisions about taxes or spending will be made carefully to protect jobs and family finances while facing a tough financial situation.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham became prime minister in July and has promised help with the cost of living.
He has introduced measures like capping bus fares at £2 and cutting VAT on electricity bills.
Burnham has paused spending on projects like digital ID to fund priorities instead.
He said he will take a careful and realistic approach to public finances.
The government borrowed more than expected in July despite high income tax receipts.
Inflation rose to 2.9% in July and may increase due to higher energy and fuel costs linked to the Iran war.
Experts warn that without tax rises or spending cuts, the government cannot borrow more.
Burnham and Chancellor John Healey will follow fiscal rules to fund spending through tax revenue and reduce debt over time.
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Canada plans to respond to U.S. tariffs by imposing its own fees on American goods like steel, dairy, and electronics. Canadian leaders say they have ways to put economic pressure on the U.S., including limiting energy exports and banning American alcohol, to protect Canadian interests in the trade dispute.
Key Facts
Canada sells about 70% of its goods to the U.S., making it a key trade partner for many American states.
Canada plans "dollar-for-dollar" retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products including steel, dairy, appliances, and agricultural equipment.
Canada supplies most of the natural gas and electricity imports to the U.S. and about 60% of its crude oil.
Some Canadian leaders suggest the possibility of adding surcharges on energy exports to the U.S. in the future.
Canada is the world’s top supplier of potash, used in fertilizer, and exports important minerals like lithium and nickel.
Canadian provinces have banned U.S. alcohol imports, causing a large drop in American wine and spirits exports to Canada.
The alcohol ban remains active in most Canadian provinces, causing concern for the U.S. administration.
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Mexico has restarted limited live cattle exports to the United States after a nearly two-year pause caused by a screwworm outbreak. Both countries are taking steps to control the pest while allowing some cattle trade to resume, which provides relief to Mexico’s ranchers and helps address cattle shortages in the U.S.
Key Facts
The U.S. stopped importing live cattle from Mexico for almost two years due to a screwworm outbreak.
Screwworms are larvae from a fly that infect open wounds on warm-blooded animals and cause serious injuries.
The pest arrived in Mexico in late 2024 and has spread to 30 of Mexico’s 32 states and parts of southern U.S. states like Texas and New Mexico.
Cattle exports resumed on August 17, 2026, with strict inspections and safety measures like tagging cows with radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips.
Daily cattle crossings into Arizona began at 700 head per day, set to increase gradually over the next two weeks.
Both Mexican and U.S. authorities use dogs and scanners to check cattle for infection.
Mexico continues efforts to control screwworms by releasing sterile flies and improving cattle tracking systems in border regions.
The restrictions had caused economic harm to Mexican ranchers and contributed to the lowest U.S. cattle numbers in 75 years, raising beef prices.
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Some US restaurants are removing tips and paying their staff higher fixed wages by charging higher menu prices. This model aims to create fairer pay for workers but can make dining seem more expensive to customers.
Key Facts
La Cigale in San Francisco pays its waiters $40 an hour and charges $140 per person without accepting tips.
Rachel Miller, owner of Nightshade Noodle Bar in Massachusetts, eliminated tips to pay kitchen staff more fairly and raised menu prices.
Miller noted tipping often results in unequal pay influenced by gender, race, or sexuality.
Some restaurants like Talulla in Massachusetts tried the no-tips model but reverted due to financial challenges and higher sales taxes.
Higher menu prices include the cost of paying staff properly but can discourage some customers.
Experts say customers find it hard to understand that paying more upfront means they don't need to tip extra.
New York’s Dirt Candy has banned tips since 2015 and pays staff about $30 an hour.
Some customers feel positive about the no-tip model once they realize they don’t have to add extra money.
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The Royal Mint has started releasing a new 10p coin featuring King Charles and a capercaillie bird, a species at risk in Scotland. This new coin design is part of a series showing UK plants and animals on coins and marks the first 10p coins minted in about four years.
Key Facts
The new 10p coins feature King Charles on one side and a capercaillie bird on the other.
The capercaillie is a large grouse found only in parts of Scotland and is endangered.
The Royal Mint last issued new 10p coins about four years ago.
Around 600,000 coins dated 2023 and 6.5 million dated 2026 have been released to banks and post offices.
New coin designs from 1p to £2 now show different British plants and animals.
Coins with King Charles’s portrait still make up only about 1% of the UK’s 24.1 billion coins in circulation.
Old coins with Queen Elizabeth II’s image can still be used as legal money.
The Bank of England plans to feature wildlife on future banknotes, replacing historical figures.
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The trade conflict between the U.S. and Canada has escalated after talks failed recently. Canada is getting ready for major changes in its trade relationship with the U.S., which it no longer sees as dependable.
Key Facts
Negotiations between the U.S. and Canada broke down over the weekend.
As a result, the trade war between the two countries is worsening.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada expects a major change in its relationship with the U.S.
Canada now views the U.S. as an unreliable trade partner.
Geoff Bennett and Peter Armstrong discussed the economic impacts on both countries.
The trade war could lead to economic problems for businesses and workers in both nations.
No specific trade measures or tariffs mentioned in the article.
The focus is mainly on the economic effects of the deteriorating trade relationship.
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Canada plans to announce new tariffs against the United States in response to recent U.S. tariffs, increasing tensions in their trade dispute. Canadian leaders criticize U.S. demands and warn of serious economic impacts, while President Trump threatens harsher tariffs on Canadian goods like cars and steel.
Key Facts
Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., announced on Tuesday.
The trade dispute worsened after talks with President Donald Trump’s administration failed.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada might use targeted tariffs instead of matching U.S. tariffs exactly.
President Trump threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts, and steel.
Carney accused the U.S. of trying to weaken major Canadian industries like autos, steel, and aluminum.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canadians are ready to face economic hardship rather than yield to U.S. pressure.
Trump responded with personal attacks against Canadian leaders on social media.
Political leaders across Canada, from different parties, show unity in standing against the U.S. trade actions.
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This summer has seemed to have many food recalls, but Scott Gottlieb, a former FDA Commissioner, says the number of recalls is similar to past years. A CBS News medical reporter discussed this on the show "The Takeout."
Key Facts
Many food recalls have been reported this summer.
Scott Gottlieb was formerly in charge of the FDA, which oversees food safety.
Gottlieb said the amount of recalls this summer matches previous years.
The topic was covered in a CBS News segment called "The Takeout."
The member discussing this was Dr. Céline Gounder, a medical correspondent.
Food recalls happen when products might be unsafe to eat.
The news aims to clarify that recall numbers are not unusually high this year.
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President Donald Trump is planning to impose a new 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods to address China’s oversupply of cheap products in global markets, while trying to keep a current trade truce and an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This new tariff would add to existing tariffs linked to investigations about unfair trade practices and forced labor.
Key Facts
President Trump is considering a 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods for flooding markets with low-priced products.
The tariff aims to avoid disrupting a one-year trade truce and a planned September meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping.
The new tariff plan follows a Supreme Court decision that blocked a broader high-tariff plan by the Trump administration.
The administration has been investigating China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows tariffs against unfair trade practices.
This tariff would be added to earlier tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on about 60 countries tied to products made with forced labor.
China rejects the claims of excess industrial capacity and urges trade issues to be resolved through talks, not tariffs.
The White House is also investigating other countries for unfair trade practices but no decisions have been announced yet.
Officials involved said the tariff plan is still not finalized and could change.
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A new Stanford study shows that entry-level jobs for young adults are shrinking in fields where artificial intelligence (AI) can replace human work. While older workers keep their jobs, workers aged 22 to 25 face fewer hiring opportunities in jobs more affected by AI.
Key Facts
The study updates earlier research with new data, focusing on how AI affects jobs across the economy.
Jobs for workers aged 22 to 25 in AI-affected fields fell by 19% compared to peers in less AI-impacted fields, up from 13% last year.
Overall employment differences across AI-impacted and less-impacted fields are small, except for young workers.
Younger workers see fewer hires in AI-impacted jobs since 2022, not more firings or quits.
Pay rates have not fallen significantly for affected workers; the main effect is fewer job openings.
Researchers used payroll data from the company ADP and AI usage data from Anthropic and Google.
AI impacts jobs differently: some roles are fully replaceable by AI, while others are helped but still require humans.
Examples of AI-affected roles include accountants, auditors, receptionists, and information clerks.
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Andy Burnham has changed his position on government housing plans. Instead of spending the entire £10 billion Affordable Homes Programme solely on social homes, the funding will now support a mix of affordable housing types. About 60% of the homes built will be social rented houses, with the rest including shared ownership and sheltered housing.
Key Facts
The government will invest £10 billion over 10 years in affordable housing outside London.
About 60% of the homes funded will be social rented houses.
The remaining 40% will include shared ownership and sheltered housing.
London will receive an additional £6 billion, to be allocated later.
This programme aims to help the government build 300,000 affordable homes in 10 years.
For the first time, local councils will be among the strategic partners receiving funding.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner emphasized the importance of secure, affordable homes for families.
Future funding rounds will prioritize social rented homes and council houses.
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Target removed a Halloween costume from its stores after people said it looked like a racist image. The company apologized and said the costume should never have been sold. Target is reviewing how this happened to avoid similar problems in the future.
Key Facts
Target sold a “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume” that some people found offensive.
The costume showed a Black child wearing a mask and gloves that reminded people of racist minstrel show images.
Target apologized and said the costume is no longer for sale.
The company acknowledged the costume was hurtful, especially to Black customers and employees.
Target is examining its processes to stop this kind of mistake from happening again.
This incident follows other controversies for Target, including cutting diversity and inclusion programs last year.
After the program cuts, some activists called for a boycott of Target.
The company’s stock price dropped from $137.40 in January to $104.70 in March but is now starting to recover.
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President Donald Trump has threatened to raise US tariffs on Canadian cars and auto parts from 25% to 50% starting January 1, 2027, following failed trade talks. Canada responded by pledging to impose equal tariffs on US goods, escalating the ongoing trade dispute between the two countries.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to increase tariffs on Canadian automobiles and parts to 50% beginning January 1, 2027.
Trade negotiations between the US and Canada collapsed last week amid accusations of unreasonable last-minute demands from both sides.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will retaliate with tariffs equal to those imposed by the US ("dollar for dollar").
Canada is investing C$11 billion to build six new icebreakers to support trade routes independent of the US.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized Trump’s tariff threats and suggested Canada should also charge the US more for oil, gas, electricity, and minerals.
Canada supplies about 60% of US crude oil imports and nearly all US natural gas exports.
Businesses in both countries are concerned about the negative impact of the expanded tariffs and retaliatory measures.
There is no current date set to resume US-Canada trade talks.
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A LinkedIn study shows that while more jobs in artificial intelligence (AI) are being filled, fewer women are getting these jobs compared to other types of work. Women made up only 26% of new AI hires in the U.S., but 50% of hires in jobs not related to AI.
Key Facts
Hiring for AI-related jobs is increasing quickly.
Women represent just 26% of new hires in U.S. AI jobs.
In non-AI jobs, women make up about half (50%) of new hires.
The data comes from research done by LinkedIn.
Sarah Steinberg from LinkedIn discussed these findings on CBS News.
AI skills are those related to working with artificial intelligence technologies.
The research highlights a gender gap in high-paying AI job opportunities.
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The U.S. is placing a 50% tax (tariff) on $20 billion worth of goods imported from Canada. Canada said it will respond by adding its own taxes on U.S. products starting September 8.
Key Facts
The U.S. tariff is 50% on $20 billion of Canadian goods.
Canada plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
Canada's tariffs will begin on September 8.
Rob Russo from The Economist discussed these trade actions on CBS News.
These tariffs are part of ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
Tariffs are taxes on imported products meant to protect domestic industries or influence trade.
This situation affects businesses and consumers in both countries.
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