Argos, a retail company, is planning to change how it looks and operates. The goal is to attract more customers by updating its stores and shopping experience.
Key Facts
Argos is undergoing a makeover to improve its stores.
The company wants to attract new shoppers.
Argos is part of the retail and shopping industry.
The update includes changes to store design and services.
This change aims to increase customer visits and sales.
Argos is working on adapting to current shopping trends.
The news was published recently in the business section.
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Asian stock markets showed mixed results after US stock prices dropped slightly, while oil prices increased. Strong corporate profits have helped ease concerns about stock prices, even as oil costs remain high due to tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell by 0.3%, South Korea’s Kospi dropped 0.8%, and Taiwan’s Taiex declined 0.4%.
China’s Shanghai Composite index rose by 0.8% after reporting a 24% growth in exports in July.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng increased by 0.2%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined slightly by less than 0.1%.
The US stock market saw small declines: S&P 500 fell 0.2%, Dow fell 0.9%, Nasdaq fell 0.1%.
Brent crude oil prices rose nearly 4% on Thursday and were up 1.6% on Friday to $83.78 per barrel.
US crude oil prices increased 1.2% to $78.22 per barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for 20% of the world’s oil and gas trade, remains closed or uncertain due to conflict negotiations involving Iran and Oman.
About 85% of companies in the S&P 500 have reported strong earnings growth, the best since 2021, helping calm fears about overvalued stocks.
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China’s exports grew more slowly in July 2026 compared to June, even though there was strong demand for high-tech products like electronics and vehicles. The trade surplus, which is the difference between exports and imports, became smaller due to typhoon disruptions and changes in global supply, but overall trade values stayed high.
Key Facts
China’s trade surplus dropped from $125.6 billion in June to $112.5 billion in July 2026.
Exports increased by nearly 24% in July compared to the previous year, down from a 27% rise in June.
Imports grew 27.5% year-on-year in July, lower than June’s 36% increase.
Typhoons caused disruptions at ports, slowing down trade activities.
Global demand for electronics and green technology products helped keep export and import values high.
Due to conflict in the Middle East, China exported more aluminum to fill supply gaps.
From January to July 2026, exports of high-tech goods rose nearly 41%, vehicles increased by 55%, and electronics and machinery exports grew 26%.
China’s exports to the U.S. grew only 2.6%, while exports to the European Union rose nearly 17%, and exports to Southeast Asia increased by 25%.
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Mexico sent over 1,500 soldiers to protect its main avocado-growing area after the United States stopped import inspections due to safety worries. This pause in inspections has stopped avocado shipments to the U.S., Mexico’s largest buyer, putting many jobs and a valuable industry at risk.
Key Facts
Mexico deployed more than 1,500 troops to its main avocado-producing state.
The U.S. halted export inspections of avocados from Mexico because of security concerns.
The suspension has stopped avocado shipments to the United States.
The U.S. is the biggest market for Mexican avocados.
The disruption threatens thousands of jobs in Mexico.
The avocado industry in Mexico is worth billions of dollars.
The security concerns relate to the safety of the export process.
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In July, high street shopping in the UK dropped because of hot weather, with more people choosing to shop online. Visits to shopping centres also fell, except at retail parks, while some regions like Scotland saw an increase in shoppers.
Key Facts
Trips to UK high streets fell by 3.8% in July compared to last year, after a 6.2% drop in June.
Overall visits to shopping places decreased by 2.1% year on year in July.
London saw a bigger decline in shoppers (5.3%) than the rest of England (3%).
Scotland and Northern Ireland saw increases of 2.7% and 2.5% in shoppers, respectively, while footfall in Wales stayed flat.
Retailers are investing in air conditioning and eco-friendly equipment to handle rising temperatures caused by climate change.
Some retailers, like Next, saw growth from online sales and demand in other countries, even as in-store shopping slowed.
Fashion, supermarkets, and technology stores did well during the heat, while furniture and garden plant sales dropped.
Heat and dry weather reduced plant sales and fewer people are buying furniture due to the slow housing market and higher living costs.
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U.S. crude oil supplies have dropped to their lowest point since 1983. The country's strategic oil reserve now has enough oil to last about 43 days, partly due to ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Key Facts
U.S. crude oil supplies are at a 45-year low.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is the government’s stockpile of oil for emergencies.
Current oil reserves can cover about 43 days of U.S. crude oil needs.
The last time reserves were this low was in 1983.
The conflict involving Iran has affected the oil reserves.
Bank of America Global Research provided the data on oil supplies.
Lower oil reserves may impact energy prices and security.
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President Donald Trump signed an order to impose a 15% tariff and set minimum prices on imported polysilicon, a key material for making chips and solar panels. This action aims to protect U.S. manufacturers from competition, especially from China, which dominates polysilicon production.
Key Facts
Polysilicon is essential for semiconductors and solar panels.
The U.S. share of global polysilicon production dropped from 50% in 2005 to less than 2% in 2024.
China is the largest producer of polysilicon worldwide and controls most of the market.
The tariff and price controls will start in December.
The U.S. plans to support its domestic polysilicon producers like Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie.
The move follows a national security investigation into foreign production of polysilicon.
The Chinese embassy criticized the tariffs, saying they harm trade and accuse the U.S. of protectionism.
This is part of broader U.S. efforts to limit China’s role in advanced technology supply chains, including chips and AI development.
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A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, Facebook's parent company, to pay $567 million for harming children’s mental health through its platforms. The money will fund treatment, awareness, prevention, and screening services over five years. The court also required Meta to make specific changes to its platforms to better protect children.
Key Facts
Meta must pay $567 million for mental health harm to children caused by its platforms.
$420 million of this amount will fund treatment services for young people.
The rest will support awareness, prevention, and screening services over five years.
This ruling is part of the second phase of a trial Meta lost in March.
A jury previously found Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and hid information about child sexual exploitation.
Meta must add banners and screens explaining protection features and tools on Facebook and Instagram.
The company must also improve age checks, reduce addictive features, and enhance privacy settings to prevent abuse.
Meta said it disagrees with the ruling and will appeal.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has required inspections on almost 500 Boeing 737 Max airplanes in the U.S. to check for cracks in the fuselage, which is the main body of the aircraft. This safety measure aims to find and fix any damage that could affect the planes' safe operation.
Key Facts
The FAA ordered inspections on nearly 500 Boeing 737 Max jets.
The inspections are for detecting cracks in the airplane's fuselage (the main body).
These inspections are a safety step to prevent possible issues during flights.
The Boeing 737 Max is a widely used passenger airplane.
The order applies to jets operating within the United States.
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Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger plans to intervene in the proposed merger between NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy. The merger would create the largest regulated electric utility in the world if approved.
Key Facts
The merger involves NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy.
If approved, the combined company would be the biggest regulated electric utility globally.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced her intention to intervene in the merger deal.
Spanberger made this announcement in an op-ed published in the Washington Post.
Her intervention means she wants to participate in the official review process of the merger.
The merger is under regulatory review and still needs approval to move forward.
Regulated electric utilities are companies controlled by government agencies to ensure fair prices and reliable service.
Spanberger's involvement suggests concern about how the merger could affect Virginia residents and customers.
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The National Gallery is examining how vibrations from the upcoming Freedom 250 IndyCar race might affect its artwork. IndyCars will travel at speeds up to 185 miles per hour close to the gallery, so they conducted a study to understand possible impacts on the art pieces.
Key Facts
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is an IndyCar race event.
Racecars will reach speeds of up to 185 miles per hour.
The race course is near historic artifacts at the National Gallery.
The National Gallery has done a detailed study on vibrations caused by the race.
The study aims to assess the potential effects on the art collection.
This is a precaution to protect valuable artworks during the event.
The gallery is in Washington, D.C., where the race will take place.
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A judge approved a $106 million settlement to resolve lawsuits related to the 2019 collapse of a Hard Rock Hotel under construction in New Orleans. The collapse killed three people and caused property damage, and the settlement ends a legal case involving many plaintiffs and defendants.
Key Facts
The Hard Rock Hotel partially collapsed in October 2019 during construction.
Three people died in the collapse.
Nearby properties were also damaged by the collapse.
No criminal charges were filed after a grand jury reviewed the case.
Multiple lawsuits were filed, including one by the city of New Orleans in 2020.
The lawsuit cases were combined into one with 490 plaintiffs and 21 defendants.
The settlement of $106 million was approved by Judge Kern Reese in Orleans Parish.
A special master will manage the distribution of the settlement money to claimants.
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Argos, a British retail chain known for its catalog shopping and quick in-store pickups, has seen declining sales and store closures due to competition from online sellers like Amazon. Its current owners, Sainsbury's, are selling Argos at a loss, while new owners plan to open more standalone shops and invest in growth opportunities.
Key Facts
Argos has been a part of British shopping for over 50 years and is used by about half of UK households.
Competition from online retailers like Amazon has caused Argos’s sales to stagnate and led to many store closures.
Sainsbury's, the current owner, is selling Argos for less than they paid for it 10 years ago.
Argos made £4.1 billion in sales last year, compared to Amazon’s £32 billion in the UK.
Argos offers same-day click-and-collect service through about 200 standalone stores and shops inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets.
Some shoppers like Argos for its convenience and physical stores, while others find Amazon easier for delivery.
Retail experts say Argos needs to improve its app and remind people it still exists to compete with digital-first stores.
Argos customers have given poor ratings on Trustpilot, showing room for improvement in customer service.
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A big fire happened last month at a food warehouse in Los Angeles. A CBS News investigation is looking into the safety practices of the cold storage company connected to that warehouse.
Key Facts
The fire occurred at a large food warehouse in Los Angeles last month.
CBS News conducted an investigation into the incident.
The investigation focuses on the safety record of the cold storage company linked to the warehouse.
Cold storage companies keep food at very low temperatures to preserve it.
Questions are being raised about whether the company followed proper safety rules.
The investigation aims to understand if safety lapses contributed to the fire.
The results may impact the company’s future operations and industry safety standards.
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Young adults in Generation Z say dating costs are very high. They mention expenses like paying for dating app subscriptions, buying drinks, and going out to expensive dinners.
Key Facts
Generation Z refers to people born roughly between 1997 and 2012.
Many in this group find dating too costly.
Common expenses include paying for dating apps.
Alcohol and drinks during dates add to the cost.
Dining out at restaurants is often expensive.
These factors make finding love financially challenging for young people.
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The Teamsters union in California sued the state's Department of Motor Vehicles and other agencies over rules that approve self-driving trucks. They claim the state did not do the required studies to understand the economic and practical effects before allowing these trucks.
Key Facts
The Teamsters sued California’s DMV and other agencies on Wednesday.
The lawsuit was filed in Alameda County.
The Teamsters argue that the state did not finish an important economic study as the law requires.
They also claim the state did not assess the practical impact of self-driving trucks properly.
The lawsuit challenges the approval process for self-driving trucks in California.
The dispute focuses on how the new technology might affect jobs and the economy.
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Kellogg Company announced it will stop using artificial dyes and the preservative BHT in its cereals by the end of 2026. The company is speeding up its plan to make its products more natural.
Key Facts
Kellogg plans to remove all artificial colors from its cereals by the end of 2026.
The company also aims to eliminate the preservative BHT from all its products.
The decision was announced in a press release on a Thursday.
This change is part of Kellogg’s effort to make its products healthier and more natural.
The company has set an accelerated timeline to complete these changes.
The focus is currently on cereals, but the goal covers all Kellogg products.
Artificial dyes and BHT are often used to improve appearance and shelf life in food.
Removing these ingredients responds to growing consumer demand for cleaner labels.
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Young Americans, especially Generation Z, are starting businesses at a fast pace, helping drive economic growth. New technology like artificial intelligence (AI) is making it easier and cheaper for these young entrepreneurs to launch their companies.
Key Facts
Generation Z business applications rose 66% in June compared to a year earlier.
Overall, more than 531,000 business applications were filed in June, doubling numbers from 2020.
Lower-income households now start 25% of new businesses, up from 20% in 2020.
AI helps young founders automate tasks, lower startup costs, and speed up work.
Melanie Herbert launched a healthcare tech startup called Sync Labs while in college to improve care for older Americans.
Sync Labs uses AI to collect and analyze patient information and provide recommendations.
Many young people want to be their own bosses instead of working for others, fueling entrepreneurship.
Access to AI and other tools is making business startups more accessible to a wider group of people.
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The FCC voted 2-1 to remove the rule that stops one broadcaster from reaching more than 39% of U.S. TV households. This change lets local broadcasters merge and grow bigger to better compete with tech and streaming companies.
Key Facts
The rule lifted was a national TV ownership cap limiting a broadcaster’s reach to 39% of TV households.
The vote was along party lines, with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr supporting the change and one dissenting commissioner.
The FCC will review broadcast deals one by one to ensure they serve the public interest.
Nexstar, a big broadcaster, could benefit most from the new rule as it tries to buy the competitor Tegna.
A federal judge paused Nexstar’s purchase of Tegna due to an antitrust lawsuit filed by DirecTV and several states.
DirecTV claims the deal would let Nexstar charge higher fees to pay-TV companies, increasing costs for consumers.
Some groups argue the FCC does not have the legal power to remove the ownership cap.
Media advocacy groups like Free Press plan to legally challenge the FCC’s decision.
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This podcast episode talks about changes in global trade, focusing on why countries are protecting their economies more than before. It looks at the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the importance of Africa’s Lobito Corridor for trade, and how artificial intelligence (AI) affects jobs in China and other countries.
Key Facts
Many countries are using economic protectionism, meaning they put up barriers to protect their own industries.
President Donald Trump’s tariffs helped speed up this move toward protectionism.
Despite these barriers, international trade continues to grow and adapt.
The Lobito Corridor in Africa is important for improving trade routes.
AI technology is changing the job market in China and other places.
The drinks company Diageo is reducing its costs to stay competitive.
The episode also highlights popular foods like China’s baozi (steamed buns) and Uganda’s matoke (a type of banana).
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