Frozen yoghurt (froyo) is becoming popular again in the UK, with new stores opening and customers willing to wait in long lines. People like froyo because they can choose their own flavors and toppings, and it feels like a healthier dessert option, even though it can be expensive, costing up to £12 per tub.
Key Facts
Froyo was very popular in the UK in the late 2000s and early 2010s, especially in London.
New froyo brands like Go Greek, Myka, Yo-Chi, and Frurt have opened stores recently.
Customers often wait up to an hour to buy froyo and enjoy customizing their dessert.
Froyo is seen as a nostalgic treat and is also considered healthier than some desserts because people can control portion sizes and sweetness.
The European froyo market is growing and is expected to be worth £434 million by 2026.
Froyo usually has fewer calories and fat than ice cream but can have added sugar.
Social media trends and a love for 2010s throwbacks are helping froyo become popular again.
Experts say froyo is viewed as an "affordable luxury" and an enjoyable experience, so people may continue to pay the higher prices.
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Ikea will test an online service in Spain and Portugal where customers can sell their used furniture and get vouchers in return. If successful, the service will start in the UK and expand Ikea’s secondhand furniture options alongside its physical buy-back stores.
Key Facts
Ikea will pilot an online buy-back service for secondhand furniture in Spain and Portugal before the end of 2024.
The UK launch will follow if the test is successful.
Customers receive vouchers for unwanted furniture through the service.
Ikea has an online marketplace in the UK for buying and selling pre-owned Ikea items locally.
Buyers and sellers arrange delivery directly, with a buyer protection fee to be introduced later.
The UK secondhand home products market is worth over £4.5 billion and growing about 6.5% yearly.
Ikea provides pre-filled product details and price suggestions to make selling easier.
Sellers get 15% extra paid as Ikea gift cards if they accept that payment method.
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Equinor, an oil company partly owned by Norway, warned it might stop investing in the UK if new oil and gas projects like Rosebank and Jackdaw are not approved. The UK government is deciding whether to allow drilling, balancing energy needs and environmental concerns.
Key Facts
Equinor owns parts of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields in the UK North Sea.
The UK government must approve new drilling projects, with decisions pending after public consultations.
Rosebank is the UK’s largest undeveloped oil and gas field, with up to 500 million barrels of oil and gas.
Both Rosebank and Jackdaw received initial approval but were delayed by a Scottish court ruling over climate impact concerns.
Equinor says rejection of these projects could make the UK less attractive for future investments.
The Jackdaw project’s construction is nearly finished and could supply gas to UK homes this winter if approved.
Critics argue that new drilling will not lower energy bills and will mainly benefit foreign companies.
The UK government says oil and gas remain important for energy while also working on clean power transition.
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The U.S. trade deficit increased to over $100 billion in August, the highest level since March 2025. This means the U.S. bought more foreign goods and services than it sold abroad by a large amount.
Key Facts
The U.S. trade deficit was $105.6 billion in August.
This is the largest monthly deficit in 17 months.
The deficit is the difference between the value of imports and exports.
The Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis provided the data.
A growing trade deficit means the U.S. is importing more than it exports.
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Rising mortgage rates are making it harder for people to buy homes. This trend is affecting the housing market and adding challenges for President Trump and the GOP as they prepare for the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Mortgage rates have increased recently.
Higher rates raise monthly payments for homebuyers.
More people find it difficult to afford buying a home.
The housing market is showing signs of slowing down.
The situation complicates the economic environment for President Trump and the GOP.
These changes are happening before the midterm elections.
The housing market affects overall economic health and voter sentiment.
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Paramount Skydance completed its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery, forming Skydance. This new company now owns CNN and CBS News, two major U.S. news networks, and has agreed to set up an independent editorial board to oversee news coverage.
Key Facts
The merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery is valued at $110 billion.
CNN and CBS News are now both owned by the new company called Skydance.
The deal faced legal challenges from unions and 12 state attorneys general.
An independent editorial board must be created within 180 days to oversee news coverage.
Mark Thompson will continue as CNN’s editor-in-chief, and Bari Weiss will remain at CBS News.
The merged company carries $80 billion in debt and plans to produce 30 movies per year.
There are ongoing concerns about possible news layoffs and loss of editorial independence.
Recent ratings show a decline in viewership for CBS News’ program 60 Minutes.
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Paramount Skydance has merged with Warner Bros Discovery in a $110 billion deal. The new company will be called Skydance and will include many famous TV networks and studios.
Key Facts
Paramount Skydance took control of Warner Bros Discovery.
The deal is worth $110 billion.
The merged company will be named Skydance.
It will include HBO, CBS, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Comedy Central, DC Studios, and Food Network.
This deal followed months of legal fights and concerns about competition.
The merger will change the Hollywood and media industry.
Both companies are based in Los Angeles.
The merger has been widely discussed because of its impact on consumers and the market.
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Paramount Skydance has completed its purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery and announced plans to combine its streaming services—HBO Max, Paramount+, and Discovery+—into one single service over time. This change aims to simplify the streaming experience by uniting content from all three platforms under one roof.
Key Facts
Paramount Skydance finalized its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
The newly formed company is called Skydance and is worth $111 billion after the merger.
Skydance owns the streaming services HBO Max, Paramount+, and Discovery+, which will merge into one service gradually.
This move is intended to reduce the need for customers to subscribe to multiple services separately.
Casey Bloys, HBO Max’s content chief, is expected to lead the combined streaming efforts.
The unified service will include popular shows from all services, such as "House of the Dragon," "Tulsa King," and "90 Day Fiancé" spinoffs.
Skydance also owns CBS, CNN, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon, but these channels will continue to operate independently for now.
The company will create an Editorial Independence Board to keep news outlets like CBS and CNN independent.
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The S&P 500 and Nasdaq stock indexes reached record highs, driven by strong performance from AI chipmakers and expectations that the US Federal Reserve will keep interest rates steady. Despite uncertainty in the economy and global politics, investors remain hopeful due to ongoing growth in artificial intelligence technology.
Key Facts
The S&P 500 rose by 0.58%, passing 7,800 points for the first time.
The Nasdaq increased by 0.45%, and the Dow climbed 0.49%.
AI chip companies like Marvell Technology, AMD, and Broadcom showed strong market growth.
Investors believe the Federal Reserve may not raise interest rates in October because recent job growth was weak.
US bond yields reached their highest level since April 2022, then fell slightly.
Gas prices remain about $1.20 higher per gallon compared to last year, while diesel is over 40% more expensive.
Economic concerns, especially about prices, are expected to influence voter decisions in the upcoming midterm elections.
President Donald Trump spoke at a rally, claiming the nation’s situation is improving and predicted fuel prices will drop soon.
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The UK Chancellor, John Healey, is planning to spend over £1 billion to help poorer households with rising energy bills. He may increase the current £150 energy discount for certain benefit recipients by an extra £100, funded by taxpayers, while more costly options like removing levies from all bills are still being debated.
Key Facts
Energy bills in the UK are forecast to rise by around £442 in January, worsening costs for many households.
The planned intervention focuses on increasing the warm homes discount for poorer households receiving benefits.
The warm homes discount currently offers £150 and may increase by £100 funded by taxpayers, not energy bill payers.
The energy secretary proposed removing levies from all energy bills to reduce costs for everyone by up to £120, shifting their funding to taxes.
Removing levies, which support renewable energy and efficiency programs, could cost the government around £3.2 billion.
The Chancellor aims to balance helping households with a government cash crunch caused by defense spending and borrowing costs.
Officials are considering longer-term reforms, including a “social tariff” that would charge poorer households less per unit of energy.
Creating a social tariff would require extensive data sharing and likely take a long time to implement.
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President Donald Trump will announce a large investment in Baltimore to increase the production of U.S. submarines. Anduril Industries plans to invest $3.7 billion in a new shipyard, and the U.S. Navy may spend up to $2.9 billion to buy submarines made there.
Key Facts
President Trump will speak in Baltimore about a new investment.
Anduril Industries will invest $3.7 billion to build a submarine shipyard.
The shipyard will be located at Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point, Baltimore.
The U.S. Navy might spend up to $2.9 billion purchasing submarines made at this shipyard.
The goal is to increase U.S. submarine production capacity.
This investment aims to strengthen U.S. defense technology and manufacturing.
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The Emmy Awards will move from traditional broadcast TV to Amazon’s Prime Video starting in 2027 under a six-year deal. This ends over 70 years of the show being aired on major broadcast networks and makes the Emmys available on a streaming platform without a subscription fee.
Key Facts
The Emmy Awards have aired on broadcast networks since 1955.
The new deal with Amazon’s Prime Video lasts six years, beginning with the 79th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2027.
The Emmys will still be free to watch and won’t require a Prime Video subscription.
Previously, the Emmys rotated annually among ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC.
The move reflects a trend toward streaming platforms hosting major award shows, similar to the Oscars going to YouTube in 2029.
Emmy viewership has dropped from over 20 million at its peak to around 7 million now.
Amazon hopes streaming can help grow Emmy audiences, especially younger viewers.
Prime Video has experience broadcasting live events, including NFL games, which may help with the Emmys’ scheduling challenges.
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A lawsuit claims Starbucks incorrectly labeled eight of its protein drinks as "sugar-free." These drinks were introduced in September 2025 to compete with other brands offering protein-enhanced beverages.
Key Facts
Starbucks launched protein drinks in September 2025.
The drinks were marketed as "sugar-free."
A lawsuit has been filed against Starbucks for false labeling.
The lawsuit targets eight different protein drink products.
Starbucks created these drinks to keep up with competitors like Dutch Bros.
Dutch Bros started selling protein coffee drinks in 2024.
The case raises concerns over product labeling accuracy.
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Skydance-owned Paramount has completed its $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a large new company in Hollywood. This merger joins many popular TV shows, movies, and networks under one company, now called Skydance.
Key Facts
Paramount, owned by Skydance, bought Warner Bros. Discovery for $81 billion.
The new company is named Skydance.
The deal took about a year to finalize and involved a difficult fight.
The merger combines popular brands like HBO Max, CNN, Paramount+, and CBS.
Movies such as "Harry Potter," "Sinners," "Top Gun," and "The Godfather" are now under the same company.
Billionaire David Ellison is leading the company with new co-CEO Ynon Kreiz.
The merger increases the concentration of power in the movie and TV industry.
This deal brings two of America's oldest movie studios together.
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Paramount Skydance has completed its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, forming a new company called Skydance. The deal combines major movie studios, streaming services, news channels, and sports networks, after overcoming legal challenges and reaching a settlement with several states.
Key Facts
The merger combined Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery into one company called Skydance.
The deal is worth $111 billion and includes Paramount+, HBO Max, CBS, CNN, CBS Sports, and TNT Sports.
A lawsuit from California and 11 other states claimed the merger would reduce competition and violate antitrust laws.
The states settled the lawsuit by requiring certain rules around film release and cable channel negotiations.
The settlement also requires Skydance to create an Editorial Independence Board for CBS News and CNN to ensure news coverage remains independent.
Legal attempts to block the merger, including appeals by consumers and emergency requests to the Supreme Court, were denied.
The US Department of Justice approved the merger in June, despite initial concerns among its staff lawyers.
Paramount previously bought Skydance separately last year and agreed to regulatory conditions involving a “bias monitor” for CBS.
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Elaine Parker writes that higher prices for healthcare, childcare, and housing come from government rules and borrowing money, not from capitalism. She says letting free markets work more might lower inflation and reduce support for socialism.
Key Facts
Healthcare, childcare, and housing costs have been rising.
The increase is linked to government regulations and deficit spending.
Deficit spending means the government is borrowing more money than it takes in.
Parker argues capitalism is not the cause of these higher costs.
She suggests that applying free-market ideas more broadly could help lower inflation.
Lower inflation might reduce the popularity of socialism among people.
The article discusses economic policy and market forces.
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Finnish authorities have ordered Google to stop work at two planned data centre sites because the company did not complete an environmental study before clearing large forest areas. Google said it will follow the rules and work with officials to address the concerns.
Key Facts
Finland stopped construction at two Google data centre sites in Muhos and Kajaani.
Google cleared over 300 hectares of forest without completing a required environmental impact assessment.
The Finnish Supervisory Agency demanded work halt by October 23 and requested explanations from Google by October 14.
Google acknowledged it failed to meet its own standards and will follow the agency’s guidance.
Google plans to invest €13 billion ($15 billion) in Finland between 2027 and 2028 to build data centres and expand existing ones.
The project is expected to create over 37,000 jobs and add about €3.6 billion annually to Finland’s economy.
Google signed a 22-year deal with Finnish energy company Fortum for nuclear power to supply half the needed electricity.
Finland’s cool climate and low-carbon energy make it attractive for data centre development.
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Paramount Skydance completed its $110 billion deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a large new entertainment company called Skydance. This company will combine major movie studios, streaming services, and cable networks under one roof, aiming to better compete with big technology firms.
Key Facts
Paramount Skydance acquired Warner Bros. Discovery after a yearlong process.
The new company, called Skydance, includes Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Skydance studios, Paramount+ and HBO Max streaming services, and major news networks like CNN and CBS.
Skydance will merge HBO Max and Paramount+ into one streaming platform.
The combined cable networks include MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, TBS, TNT, Food Network, and Discovery Channel.
The deal required approval from regulators worldwide, including U.S. agencies, despite some political and legal challenges.
Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder and ally of President Trump, helped secure financing for the deal.
Skydance took on significant debt, raising $52 billion in new loans and carrying Warner Bros. Discovery’s $87.5 billion debt.
The merger may lead to job cuts but also includes promises to release more movies in theaters and invest in U.S. production jobs.
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Paramount completed its purchase of Warner Bros Discovery, creating a large new media company called Skydance. The deal was approved after a legal settlement with 12 US states that had tried to block it over competition concerns.
Key Facts
Paramount took over Warner Bros Discovery, merging TV, news, and movie businesses under Skydance.
The combined company includes Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros Pictures, CBS News, CNN, HBO, and CBS TV.
David Ellison will be chairman and CEO; Ynon Kreiz will be co-CEO managing daily operations.
Skydance plans to merge the streaming services Paramount+ and HBO Max eventually.
The deal was approved by a federal judge and backed by $47 billion from investors including Ellison family and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds.
The Ellison family holds the largest ownership share in Skydance, with funding help from Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle.
Critics worry about job cuts and fewer movies being made, as well as possible risks to CNN’s editorial independence.
Safeguards are included to protect CNN’s independence, such as a special board for editorial matters.
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Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery completed a $111 billion merger to form Skydance Corp., now one of the world’s largest entertainment companies. The merger combines many major studios, TV networks, and streaming services, aiming to better compete with Netflix in the streaming market.
Key Facts
The merger created a new company called Skydance Corp. led by CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz.
Skydance now includes CBS, CNN, HBO, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, HBO Max, and Paramount+.
The new company has nearly $70 billion in yearly revenue but about $80 billion in debt.
A group of 12 Democratic state attorneys general sued to block the merger over concerns about reduced competition.
To proceed, Skydance agreed to invest $300 million annually in U.S. film and TV production for five years and keep releasing many movies each year.
Netflix remains a strong competitor, as the merger shows how hard it is for other companies to match its global reach.
The merger also combines major sports assets, like CBS Sports and TNT Sports, potentially benefiting sports fans with more integrated sports content.
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