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KFC is updating its menu for New Year's Eve with a special offer combining fried chicken with luxury items like caviar and sparkling wine. The offer is a buy-one-get-one deal on eight-piece dark-meat fried chicken buckets for KFC Rewards members. The campaign aims to create a unique at-home dining experience for the holiday.
Key Facts
KFC announced a special New Year's Eve menu that pairs fried chicken with luxury items like caviar and sparkling wine.
The offer includes a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal on KFC's eight-piece dark-meat fried chicken buckets.
This promotion is exclusive to KFC Rewards members, available through KFC's website and app.
KFC is partnering with The Caviar Co. and Luc Belaire to provide the high-end pairings.
The promotion is designed to encourage private, at-home celebrations instead of public gatherings.
The deal is available for a limited time at participating locations.
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A major corporate battle is underway as Netflix and Paramount Skydance try to buy Warner Bros Discovery. This takeover effort includes TNT Sports, which holds key sports broadcasting rights in the UK. The outcome could affect how sports rights are managed and who broadcasts major events like the Premier League.
Key Facts
Netflix and Paramount Skydance are competing to buy Warner Bros Discovery.
Warner Bros Discovery owns TNT Sports, important for broadcasting sports like the Premier League.
TNT Sports started as BT Sport and has been a major player in UK sports broadcasting since 2012.
TNT Sports holds broadcasting rights for events like the Premier League and the FA Cup.
TNT Sports is currently a joint venture between Warner Bros Discovery and BT Group.
BT Group is planning to sell its 50% share of TNT Sports to Warner Bros Discovery.
The sale of Warner Bros Discovery could impact sports broadcasting rights in the UK.
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Starbucks has introduced a new drink to its 'Secret Menu,' which is available to Starbucks Rewards members. The menu allows members to order customized drinks through the Starbucks app or in-store by giving special instructions.
Key Facts
Starbucks launched its 'Secret Menu' on July 14, 2025.
The ‘Secret Menu’ lets Starbucks Rewards members order exclusive drink customizations.
A new drink called Cookies & Cream Hot Cocoa is reportedly added to this menu.
This drink includes Starbucks hot chocolate, White Chocolate Mocha Sauce, cookie crumble topping, and whipped cream.
Customers can order the drink in different sizes, with prices starting around $5.25 for a Grande.
All ingredients for the drink are standard stock, allowing it to be ordered year-round.
The drink's availability as a permanent or limited-time offer will depend on its popularity.
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A new report by Zillow found that Rockford, Illinois had the most popular housing market in 2025 due to its affordability. Many top housing markets were in the Midwest and had lower home prices, often under $350,000. Despite this, the U.S. housing market continues to face challenges with affordability and a shortage of homes.
Key Facts
Rockford, Illinois was the most popular U.S. housing market in 2025 according to Zillow.
The Midwest dominated the list due to its affordability.
Home prices have increased nearly 30% from 2019 to 2024.
High borrowing costs and taxes are barriers for potential home buyers.
The U.S. homeownership level dropped to 65% in 2025, the lowest since 2019.
Zillow's list included cities with at least 100,000 people, factoring in housing demand metrics.
Toledo, Ohio, with a typical home value of $126,000, led among large cities for affordability.
Most home buyers in Rockford came from outside the area, showing its broad appeal.
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Many Americans plan to give fewer gifts this Christmas because tariffs and higher prices are affecting their budgets. According to a survey, a significant number of people are borrowing money to cover holiday expenses, leading to increased debt. Despite these challenges, holiday spending has remained strong.
Key Facts
45% of people surveyed plan to give fewer gifts due to tariffs.
46% said higher prices have affected their holiday feelings.
Americans have taken on an average of $1,223 in holiday debt this year.
62% of this debt is on credit cards, and 35% comes from buy now, pay later loans.
49% of people expect to incur holiday debt, and 41% are still paying off last year's debts.
63% think it will take three months or more to pay off this year's holiday expenses.
The National Retail Federation estimates that 203 million people shopped over Thanksgiving weekend.
Adobe Analytics reported $14.25 billion spent online on Cyber Monday.
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Taiwan has surpassed South Korea in per capita income due to a strong demand for advanced semiconductors. This ranking is based on data from the International Monetary Fund and lists economies in East and Southeast Asia by their per capita income.
Key Facts
Taiwan's rise in per capita income is linked to its semiconductor industry and particularly the success of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.
Per capita income is a measure of national wealth divided by population, indicating average wealth but not accounting for income inequality or cost differences.
Singapore leads in the region with the highest per capita income of $94,480.
Macau and Hong Kong, both special administrative regions of China, rank second and third with incomes of $74,920 and $56,840 respectively.
Taiwan's per capita GDP reached $37,827, moving it ahead of South Korea ($35,960) and Japan ($34,720).
Other regional rankings include Brunei with significant oil and gas income, and countries like Malaysia, China, and Thailand with lower per capita incomes.
The rankings are part of a forecast from a United Nations special agency.
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President Donald Trump is deciding who will be the new leader of the U.S. Federal Reserve, with Kevin Hassett and Kevin Warsh as the main contenders. The new leader will face challenges like political pressure and internal disagreements about interest rates. Trump's choice must be approved by the Senate.
Key Facts
President Trump needs to pick a new head for the Federal Reserve because Jerome Powell's term ends in May.
Kevin Hassett, a close adviser to Trump, is considered a top choice but his chances have decreased recently.
Hassett has supported Trump's economic policies and faced questions about his independence at the Fed.
Kevin Warsh, another candidate, served as a Fed governor previously and is known for being a Fed critic.
Warsh has been suggested as someone who might support lower interest rates now, despite a history of favoring higher rates.
The nomination for the Fed leader will need confirmation by the Senate.
Whoever is chosen will face issues like political pressure and differing opinions on how to handle interest rates.
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The article compares the cost of major subscription services in 2025 to their costs in 2015. It highlights how prices for services like Netflix, Spotify, YouTube Premium, Amazon Prime, and The New York Times have generally increased, often due to inflation and pricing strategies by companies.
Key Facts
Netflix's cheapest option in 2025 costs $7.99 with ads; in 2015, the standard plan without ads was $9.99.
Spotify's individual premium plan increased from $9.99 in 2015 to $11.99 in 2025.
YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month in 2025, up from $9.99 when it was called YouTube Red in 2015.
Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year in 2025; in 2015, it was $99 per year without a monthly option.
A New York Times subscription increased from $15 per month in 2015 to $25 per month in 2025, now including access to games.
Inflation rates in the U.S. rose to 8% in 2022, with a peak of 9.1%; it was 2.9% in 2024 but remains higher than before the pandemic.
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Dr. Ruth Gotian studies what makes some people highly successful across different fields, like Nobel Prize winners, Olympians, and astronauts. She identifies common traits they share, such as intrinsic motivation and continual learning. Gotian uses networking to connect with these high achievers and learns about their approaches to success.
Key Facts
Dr. Ruth Gotian studies high performers and what leads to their success.
Her work includes researching individuals like Nobel Prize winners, Olympians, and astronauts.
She finds that successful people are motivated from within and adapt their passions over time.
Successful individuals focus on overcoming challenges, not avoiding them.
High achievers continue to work hard on basic skills and do not become complacent.
They are constantly learning and eager to gain knowledge from any source.
Networking helps Gotian connect with these high achievers for her interviews.
She believes success involves creating new ways of thinking and doing things.
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Several major companies in the U.S., including Tyson Foods, FedEx, and General Motors, plan to lay off thousands of workers in January. This comes as economic challenges and advances in technology continue to impact the labor market.
Key Facts
Over 71,000 job cuts were announced by U.S.-based employers last month.
Tyson Foods will close a Nebraska plant, resulting in about 3,200 job losses.
FedEx will layoff 856 workers due to facility closures in Texas.
General Motors will let go of 1,140 employees in Michigan linked to electric vehicle production challenges.
The total number of job cuts in 2025 has reached 1.2 million, the highest since 2020.
Advances in Artificial Intelligence may contribute to more layoffs, particularly in white-collar jobs.
Other companies like Amazon and HP are also planning long-term cost reductions.
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Job cuts in the U.S. increased significantly towards the end of 2025, with concerns over more layoffs continuing into 2026. Tariffs and the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to affect various sectors, leading to potential job losses. Consumers, analysts, and experts are worried about the impact on employment due to economic uncertainties and AI advancements.
Key Facts
Job cuts rose sharply in late 2025 among major U.S. employers.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell described the earlier part of 2025 as a "low hire, low fire" period, meaning few job gains or losses.
Economic uncertainties, tariffs, and AI advancements are influencing future job market trends.
Tariffs may continue to hurt sectors like retail and services due to reduced consumer spending.
President Trump’s policies, such as immigrant restrictions, have impacted labor demand.
AI could displace many white-collar jobs, especially in roles involving repetitive cognitive tasks.
Many companies have already announced layoffs, citing AI’s role in replacing human jobs.
Physical labor roles remain less affected by AI, although the use of robotics is growing rapidly.
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President Donald Trump's handling of the economy during his second term is being closely observed, with specific scrutiny on inflation and trade policies. Inflation has decreased compared to earlier figures during President Joe Biden's term, while Trump has implemented tariffs to address the trade deficit. These economic policies and their impacts are critical as voters assess Trump's economic management leading into the 2026 midterms.
Key Facts
President Trump is in his second term, and his economic policies are under voter scrutiny.
Inflation has reduced to 2.7% in November 2025, compared to 6.8% during the same month in 2021 under President Biden.
Inflation rates were lower at similar points in Trump's and Obama's first terms, at 2.2% in 2017 and 1.8% in 2009, respectively.
Economic experts often note that a president's policies may not influence the economy significantly within their first year in office.
Trump has implemented tariffs to reduce the trade deficit and bring jobs back to the U.S.
The trade deficit decreased by about 144% from January to September, sitting at $52.8 billion.
Critics argue that tariffs could contribute to higher consumer prices and may affect U.S. innovation in the long run.
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Amazon blocked over 1,800 North Korean job applications because they were linked to schemes that fund weapons programs. The company used artificial intelligence and staff verification to identify and prevent these fraudulent applications. U.S. and South Korean authorities have been alerting companies to North Korean online scams.
Key Facts
Amazon stopped more than 1,800 North Korean job applications using false identities.
North Korean job seekers aimed to fund weapons programs with their earnings.
The company saw a nearly 33% rise in these applications in the past year.
North Korean operatives use "laptop farms" — U.S.-based computers run from abroad.
Amazon employed artificial intelligence and manual checks to screen applications.
Fraudsters used stolen LinkedIn accounts to seem genuine to potential employers.
The U.S. government found 29 illegal "laptop farms" within the country.
An Arizona woman was sentenced for aiding North Korean IT workers through these scams, earning more than $17 million.
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Paramount and Netflix are both interested in buying Warner Bros., with Netflix offering $83 billion. This potential sale worries many people in Hollywood about the future of creative work.
Key Facts
Paramount and Netflix are trying to buy Warner Bros.
Netflix has proposed an $83 billion offer.
Many in Hollywood are concerned about how this sale might affect the creative industry.
Jeffrey Brown provides insights related to the arts and culture sector.
The topic is being discussed as part of the CANVAS series, focusing on arts and culture.
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The Post Office and Fujitsu signed an agreement in 2006 to handle errors in the Horizon IT system, which affected sub-postmasters. This contract included fixing transaction mistakes or paying up to £150 per error if problems arose. Despite this, the Post Office claimed during legal proceedings that the system had no bugs that could cause accounting mistakes, leading to wrongful convictions.
Key Facts
The Horizon IT system had bugs that led to errors in sub-postmasters' accounts.
A 2006 agreement required Fujitsu to fix these errors or pay the Post Office if unable to do so.
Between 1999 and 2015, over 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly accused and some were convicted due to these errors.
The issue is considered one of the biggest legal injustices in the UK.
A long-running public investigation is examining the scandal.
Documentation recently surfaced showing the Post Office was aware of these potential errors.
Fujitsu's system could be involved in discrepancies and might alter records without sub-postmasters' knowledge.
Sub-postmasters were believed to have been at fault due to alleged incompetence or dishonesty before this document emerged.
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Recent changes in U.S. trade rules have created challenges for UPS, particularly following the end of the "de minimis" rule. This change has led to slower shipping, lost packages, and higher tariff fees for international goods, affecting businesses like Tezumi Tea.
Key Facts
The "de minimis" rule allowed packages worth $800 or less to be free from tariffs and taxes.
President Trump signed an order ending this rule in August, meaning more shipments are now taxed.
UPS is having more trouble with these new changes compared to FedEx and DHL.
UPS customers are experiencing issues such as packages being stuck, lost, or disposed of.
Tezumi Tea, a company shipping from Japan, lost about $13,000 worth of matcha due to these changes.
UPS did not comment on the situation when asked.
Customs clearance firms have noted increased requests for help from UPS customers.
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CBS News pulled a segment from its "60 Minutes" program that was about President Trump’s deportation of Venezuelan men to a detention center in El Salvador. The segment was removed for further reporting, and the decision has received criticism. CBS plans to air the segment, called "Inside CECOT," at a later date once it is ready.
Key Facts
CBS News removed a "60 Minutes" segment about the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan men to El Salvador.
The segment focused on allegations of poor treatment at the CECOT detention center in El Salvador.
CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss said the segment needed more details and interviews to be complete.
The decision to pull the segment received criticism, including from CBS correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi.
Alfonsi reported that the team tried to get comments from various U.S. government departments, but officials declined interviews.
CBS aired information about the segment before its scheduled appearance but later said further reporting was required.
The issue adds to broader scrutiny of CBS News following its merger with Paramount earlier this year, overseen by David Ellison.
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Jim Beam will stop making bourbon at a Kentucky distillery for at least a year starting in 2026. The company plans this pause to improve the facility and deal with challenges from tariffs and lower demand.
Key Facts
Jim Beam is a bourbon maker.
The company will stop production in 2026 at its Clermont, Kentucky distillery.
The pause is expected to last at least one year.
Jim Beam wants to use this time to make improvements to the distillery.
The whiskey industry is facing challenges from tariffs introduced by the Trump administration.
There is also a decrease in demand for bourbon.
Bottling and warehousing will continue at the Clermont site.
The visitor center and restaurant at the site will stay open.
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Paramount updated its offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery by securing a $40.4 billion guarantee from Larry Ellison, chairman of Oracle. There was concern from Warner Bros. about previous funding promises from a family trust. Paramount has not raised its price offer but extended the deadline for Warner Bros. shareholders to agree to the offer.
Key Facts
Paramount made a takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery with backing from Larry Ellison.
Larry Ellison is offering a $40.4 billion personal guarantee for the bid.
Warner Bros. previously rejected the bid, questioning the reliability of funding from a family trust.
David Ellison, Larry's son, agreed not to revoke or change the family trust's assets during the deal.
Paramount's bid maintains a $30-per-share offer, higher than Netflix's offer of $27.75 per share.
Paramount values Warner Bros. Discovery at about $108 billion.
Paramount increased its proposed breakup fee to $5.8 billion, matching Netflix's offer.
The deadline for Warner Bros. shareholders to tender their shares is now extended to January 21.
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Ray Ray's, a barbecue chain in Ohio, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 19, 2025, and closed nearly half its locations due to rising meat costs. The chain, like others in the industry, is affected by increasing beef prices caused by reduced cattle supply and limited beef imports. The company plans to focus on its remaining locations in Ohio.
Key Facts
Ray Ray's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 19, 2025.
The company closed three Ohio locations: Johnstown, Marion, and Linworth.
Rising beef costs are due to reduced cattle supply and limited imports.
Ground beef prices increased by 13% in August 2025 compared to the previous year.
Steak prices increased by 16.6%, and minced beef by 12.8% year-over-year.
Ray Ray's will continue operating four locations in Clintonville, Franklinton, Westerville, and Granville.
The financial difficulties facing Ray Ray's are similar to those of other barbecue chains, which have also filed for bankruptcy.
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