The Powerball jackpot for Monday night’s drawing has reached an estimated $905 million, making it the largest of 2026 and the eighth largest in history. The cash value of the prize is about $392 million if the winner takes a one-time payment instead of spreading it out over years.
Key Facts
The Powerball jackpot has grown to $905 million ahead of Monday’s drawing.
This is the biggest Powerball prize in 2026 and the eighth largest ever in history.
The lump-sum cash option is worth about $391.9 million.
No one has won the jackpot since early May, when two tickets split $20 million.
Four tickets recently matched five numbers and won $1 million each.
Powerball tickets cost $2 and have been sold in 45 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Since last month, Powerball tickets are also sold in the UK, but UK tickets only count toward the jackpot prize.
The odds of winning the grand prize are about 1 in 292 million.
If no one wins on Monday, the jackpot will keep growing for the next drawings on Wednesday and Saturday.
The largest ever Powerball jackpot was $2.04 billion, won by a single ticket in California in 2022.
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The war in Iran has caused higher oil prices, which is increasing inflation and mortgage rates in the U.S. This situation is likely to slow down home sales and reduce housing market growth in 2026. Recent data shows that while home sales rose earlier in the year, they are now starting to decline.
Key Facts
Zillow reported a 7% increase in home sales year-over-year in July 2026, but these sales mostly reflect activity before the Iran conflict escalated.
Since the ceasefire with Iran ended, mortgage rates have risen, reaching about 6.5% on a 30-year fixed mortgage.
Higher oil prices from the conflict increase inflation, which in turn raises mortgage interest rates.
Elevated mortgage rates reduce buyers’ purchasing power, making homes more expensive to finance.
Pending home sales have slowed, with only a 0.3% increase year-over-year in July and a 7.7% drop compared to June.
Rising inflation and economic uncertainty are causing caution among potential homebuyers.
The conflict in Iran affects the housing market mainly through its impact on global energy prices and inflation.
Small increases in mortgage rates can add hundreds of dollars to monthly payments, limiting affordability for many Americans.
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The UK government plans to give local councils more power to control new vape and betting shops to help improve town centres. New shops selling e-cigarettes will need council permission, and some rules will change to make it easier to refuse new betting outlets. These changes aim to reduce illegal activity and revive high streets.
Key Facts
New vape shops will require local council planning permission in England.
The government will tighten the definition of vape shops to close loopholes.
The "aim to permit" rule will be removed, allowing councils across Great Britain more power to refuse betting shops and 24-hour gambling venues.
Planning permission will be needed for new adult gaming centres in England.
Councils can now extend closure orders for shops selling illegal tobacco or counterfeit goods up to 12 months (England and Wales).
The National Crime Agency estimates £1 billion in criminal money is laundered annually via high street stores in the UK.
The Prime Minister says these steps will help communities decide what businesses open in town centres.
Some political parties warn that without tax relief and support for businesses, these new rules might cause more empty shops.
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Amazon is investing in a new natural gas power plant in Texas to supply energy for a large planned data center. This plant could become the largest single source of climate pollution in the United States, releasing a significant amount of carbon dioxide each year.
Key Facts
Amazon’s new power plant in Texas will use natural gas to generate electricity for its data center.
The plant might emit 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, more than any other U.S. power plant.
Natural gas power plants produce pollution that can worsen climate change and harm public health.
Some communities want stricter environmental reviews of these plants, but the Trump administration supports faster approval processes.
Other AI companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are also building data centers with their own power sources, often avoiding formal permitting.
The NAACP sued xAI (Elon Musk’s AI company) over its use of gas turbines; the Trump administration backed xAI in this lawsuit.
Amazon claims the plant will not raise electricity costs for Texas residents and plans to eventually connect to the grid.
Critics say Amazon’s plant conflicts with its pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
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Many offices in big cities like Paris, London, and Washington DC are empty because people work from home more. Cities are trying to change these empty offices into homes to help with housing shortages and support local business areas.
Key Facts
La Défense in Paris is Europe’s largest business district.
Offices there are often empty because of hybrid working (mix of office and home work).
Cities want to turn unused office buildings into homes.
Converting offices to housing could reduce the shortage of homes.
Such conversions may help revive struggling business districts.
London and Washington DC are also working on similar projects.
The goal is to make better use of office space as work styles change.
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A U.S. appeals court allowed thousands of lawsuits against social media companies like Instagram and TikTok to move forward. These lawsuits claim the platforms encourage addictive behavior, and the court rejected the companies’ argument that they are protected from such claims under a law called Section 230.
Key Facts
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied an appeal from Google, Meta, Snap, and ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company).
The social media companies argued that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects them from being sued for user addiction claims.
The court ruled that Section 230 does not provide immunity for claims about failing to warn users about addictive behavior.
Earlier, a California court found Meta and YouTube liable for creating addictive products harmful to young users.
TikTok’s and Snap’s parent companies were part of the original complaint but settled before their trial started.
A jury awarded $6 million to the lead plaintiff in the earlier case involving Meta and YouTube.
The lawsuits claim social media platforms’ design causes addictive use and mental health harm.
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Taylor Farms is linked to two recent food safety problems: a large outbreak of cyclosporiasis from its lettuce and a salmonella recall involving jalapeños in its prepared foods. The jalapeños came from a different grower, but both issues have drawn attention to the company's food safety practices.
Key Facts
Taylor Farms’ lettuce was identified as the source of a widespread cyclosporiasis outbreak in the U.S. since May 1, 2024.
The company recently recalled products containing jalapeños due to salmonella contamination.
The jalapeños were supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors from a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, not grown by Taylor Farms.
Products with the recalled jalapeños were sold at major U.S. stores like Kroger, Target, Trader Joe's, Walmart, and Whole Foods.
Taylor Farms supplied contaminated sliced onions linked to an E. coli outbreak in 2024 that caused over 100 illnesses and one death.
The FDA found many violations, including dirty equipment, at a Taylor Farms facility during the 2024 onion investigation.
Food safety experts say the U.S. food supply is generally safe but believe these outbreaks may prompt industry-wide improvements.
Taylor Farms’ recalls affect many common foods like salsa, guacamole, burritos, salads, and fast-food items.
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Gold prices have dropped significantly in 2026, falling more than $1,000 below their peak in January. Experts say this decline is mainly due to geopolitical issues, rising oil prices, higher interest rates, and changes in investor behavior.
Key Facts
Gold prices fell below $4,400 per ounce in 2026, down from a record high in January.
The ongoing war with Iran and Middle East conflict is causing uncertainty and higher oil prices.
Higher oil prices increase inflation and affect the U.S. economy, influencing gold prices.
Rising interest rates on U.S. Treasury bonds make gold less attractive since gold doesn’t pay interest.
The 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yield has reached about 4.75%, one of the highest in five years.
Investors often sell gold quickly for cash during market uncertainty or risk reduction.
Market sell-offs and geopolitical fears cause some investors to trigger stop-loss sales of gold.
These factors combined reduce demand for gold and push its price down.
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Taylor Farms has been connected to multiple recalls and investigations related to foodborne illnesses over 17 years, involving bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, and cyclospora. The company is currently being investigated following a cyclospora outbreak linked to its shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico, alongside a separate salmonella inquiry.
Key Facts
Taylor Farms has faced food safety issues since at least 2009.
Pathogens involved include salmonella, E. coli, and cyclospora. These can cause serious illness.
A recent cyclospora outbreak was traced to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
The company disputes some outbreak links but has cooperated with regulators and taken corrective actions.
Taylor Farms invests over $200 million annually on food safety efforts.
The company helped fund the Center for Produce Safety and follows strict food traceability rules.
A 2009 salmonella outbreak involving shredded lettuce sickened at least 157 people in the U.S. and Canada without a recall.
Illnesses linked to Taylor Farms products have ranged from mild digestive problems to serious cases like kidney failure in children.
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Putting $75,000 into a high-yield savings account could earn you about $3,000 in interest over one year, depending on the account's interest rate. These accounts offer much higher rates than traditional savings accounts and give you easy access to your money without risk.
Key Facts
Traditional savings accounts have an average interest rate of around 0.38%.
High-yield savings accounts currently offer rates near 4%.
The interest rate on these accounts can change based on market conditions.
If the Federal Reserve raises interest rates later this year, these rates may increase.
A $75,000 deposit at a 4% rate could earn about $3,000 in interest after one year.
Returns are estimates because rates can go up or down.
High-yield accounts allow you to access your money easily, similar to regular savings accounts.
Shopping around online can help you find the best rates and terms for your needs.
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This article explains four common mistakes people should avoid when saving money today. It highlights the importance of choosing the right savings accounts and paying attention to changing interest rates to protect and grow your money.
Key Facts
Traditional savings accounts offer very low interest rates, around 0.38%, which means your money grows very slowly.
High-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) often offer rates of 4% or more, which help your money grow faster.
High-yield savings account rates can change over time, possibly going higher if economic conditions improve.
CDs have fixed rates but require you to keep money locked in until the term ends, or you face penalties for early withdrawal.
Putting too much money into CDs can be risky if you might need access to it sooner.
Interest rates are influenced by economic policies, global events, and domestic priorities, so watching these factors can help you find better saving opportunities.
The Federal Reserve may increase interest rates again in late 2026, which could affect savings returns.
Making the right financial decisions now is especially important due to the current economy with inflation and job losses.
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A $200,000 deposit can earn different interest amounts depending on the type of savings account chosen. Interest rates vary from less than 1% in traditional savings accounts to over 4% in high-yield savings, money market, and certificate of deposit (CD) accounts.
Key Facts
Traditional savings accounts offer about 0.38% interest, earning roughly $760 on $200,000 over one year.
Money market accounts have around a 4.00% rate, which can yield about $8,000 in interest annually on the same amount.
High-yield savings accounts offer approximately 4.10%, making about $8,200 in interest per year on $200,000.
A 1-year certificate of deposit (CD) has the highest rate at 4.40%, generating $8,800 in interest for $200,000 over a year.
Variable rate accounts like savings, money market, and high-yield accounts may increase earnings if interest rates rise.
CD accounts have fixed rates, meaning the interest rate stays the same for the entire term.
Early withdrawal from a CD account can result in costly fees, especially with large deposits.
Keeping money in low-rate traditional savings accounts may reduce earnings compared to higher-rate alternatives.
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Ford is planning to launch a new affordable crossover vehicle priced around $25,000, expected in 2029. This car will come with hybrid and regular engine options and will be made at Ford’s plant in Mexico. Ford is also working on other new models including a low-priced electric truck and a four-door Mustang.
Key Facts
Ford’s new entry-level crossover will cost about $25,000 and arrive in 2029.
The crossover will have both hybrid (combined gas and electric) and traditional engine options.
Production will take place at Ford’s Hermosillo plant in Mexico.
Ford recently revealed an affordable electric truck called the Fathom, priced under $30,000.
The electric vehicle platform for the Fathom will be used to make four more electric Ford models.
Ford also showed a four-door Mustang priced below $40,000, which is much cheaper than similar models like the Porsche Panamera.
The average price of new vehicles is rising, with few options available under $30,000 currently.
Ford did not officially comment on these future vehicle plans when contacted.
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The United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), an emergency supply of oil, has dropped below 300 million barrels for the first time since the early 1980s. The latest data from the Energy Department shows the reserve now holds about 298.7 million barrels.
Key Facts
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a stockpile of oil kept for emergencies.
As of the latest report, the SPR holds 298.7 million barrels of oil.
This is the first time the reserve has fallen below 300 million barrels since the early 1980s.
The reserve was originally filled during the 1980s as a safety measure for oil shortages.
The Energy Department released the data showing the current reserve level.
The decline reflects recent uses or sales from the reserve.
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The article argues that industrial hemp should be developed as a material for manufacturing, not just as a crop. It says investing in hemp processing and manufacturing in the U.S. can create jobs, reduce reliance on imports, and build stronger supply chains.
Key Facts
Industrial hemp is more than a crop; it is a raw material for many products.
Hemp can be used in construction, textiles, packaging, paper, and composites.
The bipartisan Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act aims to support plant-based materials with tax incentives.
Turning raw materials into finished products creates economic strength and skilled jobs.
The U.S. currently risks losing industrial hemp manufacturing opportunities to other countries.
Building manufacturing and processing facilities is important for economic and strategic reasons.
Hemp products can reduce dependence on petroleum-based materials.
Investment in engineering, research, workforce development, and entrepreneurship is needed to grow the hemp manufacturing sector.
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Taylor Farms has recalled products containing jalapeños due to a large Salmonella outbreak linked to Coast Citrus Distributors. This recall comes amid an ongoing Cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms' iceberg lettuce, affecting many states and causing numerous illnesses.
Key Facts
Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño products such as diced jalapeños, dips, salsas, pico de gallo, guacamole, salads, burritos, and sandwiches on August 9.
The recalled jalapeños came from Coast Citrus Distributors and were sold in 26 states through major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Target.
The Salmonella outbreak linked to these jalapeños has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states, with 36 hospitalized and no deaths reported.
Illnesses began around June 19, and many affected people had eaten at Mexican-style restaurants such as Chipotle and Qdoba.
Chipotle and Qdoba stopped using jalapeños from Coast Citrus in late July.
Coast Citrus Distributors sourced the peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico, and sold them to various food distributors and restaurants.
Taylor Farms is also involved in a large Cyclospora outbreak from its iceberg lettuce, with over 22,700 cases reported this year and two deaths.
Taylor Farms has faced criticism for its handling of the Cyclospora outbreak and its communication with regulators and the public.
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A viral video shows a Shake Shack kiosk at Salt Lake City Airport increasing the price of shakes after a customer selects a 0 percent tip option. Shake Shack said this price change is not company policy and is investigating with the airport operator HMSHost. The cause of the price change is unclear and may relate to other factors like scheduled price updates or airport-specific pricing.
Key Facts
A customer ordered three shakes at Shake Shack for $5.99 each on a kiosk screen.
After selecting no tip, the kiosk showed a message about a pricing update.
The shakes’ price then increased to $6.49 each, a 50-cent rise per shake.
The video sparked debate that Shake Shack punishes customers who don’t tip.
Shake Shack said this price increase is not company policy.
The airport location is run by HMSHost under a license agreement, not directly by Shake Shack.
The cause of the price change could be a pricing update, time-specific promotion ending, or airport-specific pricing rules.
Shake Shack is investigating the issue with HMSHost to clarify what happened.
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Oil prices have risen sharply because the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Iran wants the US to stop military threats, lift sanctions, and pay compensation before reopening the waterway, causing worry about future fuel prices.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is still closed, causing oil prices to increase.
Brent crude oil price rose 3.3% to $84.64 per barrel.
US West Texas Intermediate crude price rose 3.1% to $80.63 per barrel.
Iran has asked the US to end military threats, lift sanctions, and provide compensation to reopen the strait.
US gasoline prices dropped slightly last week to an average of $4.00 per gallon.
Experts warn that fuel prices may rise again if the strait closure continues.
Shares of major oil companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, and ConocoPhillips increased in US markets.
The situation affects both oil prices and stock market activity related to energy companies.
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Many Americans carry large amounts of debt, including high-interest credit card debt. While creditors sometimes forgive debt without being asked, this usually happens only in special cases, and borrowers should not rely on automatic forgiveness to manage their repayments.
Key Facts
Total U.S. household debt reached about $18.8 trillion by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Credit card debt alone was around $1.25 trillion during that time.
About 4.8% of household debt was delinquent, meaning payments were overdue.
Creditors may forgive debt if the amount is too small to collect or if the borrower likely cannot pay.
Debt forgiveness can also occur through legal processes like bankruptcy, but this is not the same as voluntary forgiveness by the creditor.
A "charge-off" is an accounting action that does not mean the debt is forgiven; collection efforts can continue afterward.
Creditors may sell delinquent debt to collection agencies or debt buyers to recover money owed.
Negotiating a debt settlement lets borrowers possibly reduce what they owe, but this approach suits specific situations and requires active effort.
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Global payment systems face problems with speed, cost, and complexity, especially in cross-border transactions. Stablecoins, a type of digital money tied to stable assets, are being studied as a way to make payments faster, cheaper, and more flexible.
Key Facts
Cross-border payments often involve many middlemen, causing delays and higher costs.
These delays and costs reduce liquidity and slow down international trade.
Payment fees are a large part of business expenses, sometimes costing large retailers hundreds of millions yearly.
Traditional payment methods are slow and inflexible, often delaying payments for weeks or months in trade finance.
Policymakers in countries like Australia are discussing the need to update payment systems.
Stablecoins can enable faster transfers (minutes instead of days), lower fees, and programmable payments that respond automatically to conditions.
Experts say stablecoins could change business economics by cutting transaction costs drastically.
Proper regulation will be important for stablecoins to be widely adopted.
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