Author: Isabella Sorvani

Labour Government Responds to Reform UK Pressure Britain may soon tighten the criteria for migrants seeking permanent residency, as Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood is set to announce at the Labour Party conference on Monday. The proposal would make applicants prove their “value to society” before securing indefinite leave to remain, a move seen as a response to growing public support for the populist Reform UK party. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has surged in polls with its hardline stance on immigration. The party has even floated the idea of scrapping indefinite leave to remain entirely, replacing it with renewable…

Over 100 Stores to Shut Down Starbucks has begun issuing severance packages to its laid-off employees just days after announcing sweeping job cuts and store closures across North America. The Seattle-based coffee chain said last week it would close roughly 1% of its stores, more than 100 outlets in total, including its high-profile Capitol Hill Roastery in Seattle. The closures are part of CEO Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” turnaround plan, which follows several quarters of declining sales. In addition to retail staff affected by closures, 900 non-retail corporate roles are being eliminated. Details of the Severance Package According to…

The Trump administration’s approval of a U.S.-led takeover of TikTok has raised new concerns about government intervention in private markets. While investors agreed to a multibillion-dollar “fee” to the federal government as part of the deal, critics argue the arrangement reflects a growing pattern of crony capitalism that could reshape American business practices. TikTok Takeover and Federal Fee A coalition of U.S. investors, including Oracle’s Larry Ellison, the Murdoch family, and Andreessen Horowitz, is set to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. According to reports, the group was asked by the Trump administration to contribute a payment in the “low billions” to…

Core inflation remained largely unchanged in August, according to the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge, keeping policymakers on track for further interest rate cuts. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index showed moderate monthly increases, aligning with forecasts and reinforcing expectations of continued monetary easing before year-end. Inflation and Spending Trends The headline PCE index rose 0.3% in August, bringing annual inflation to 2.7%, a slight uptick from July’s 2.6%. Core PCE, which excludes food and energy, climbed 0.2% month-over-month and held steady at 2.9% year-over-year. Both figures matched consensus forecasts, suggesting inflationary pressures remain contained despite tariff-related concerns. Consumer behavior…

Event details The Ryder Cup is one of golf’s most anticipated events, taking place every two years and pitting 12 of the best golfers from the United States against 12 of Europe’s top players. The 2025 edition will run from Friday, September 26, to Sunday, September 28, at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. Fans can watch the competition on NBC, Golf Channel, USA Network, and stream it on Peacock. Team rosters For the U.S. team, automatic qualifiers include Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, J.J. Spaun, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau. Captain Keegan Bradley rounded out the…

New rival to Pinterest Google has unveiled Mixboard, an AI-powered software that allows users to create digital mood boards, stepping directly into Pinterest’s territory. Unlike Pinterest’s collage feature, which relies on users saving and curating existing images, Mixboard lets anyone generate boards from scratch using text prompts. The service is now available in the U.S. as a public beta through Google Labs. Powered by Nano Banana Mixboard integrates Google’s new image editing model, Nano Banana, which has earned praise for handling complex edits and producing realistic visuals. Users can ask the AI to make adjustments, combine different images, or regenerate…

Historic investment Nvidia has pledged up to $100 billion to OpenAI, marking the largest private investment in the tech sector’s history. The deal cements CEO Jensen Huang’s ambition to position the $4.3 trillion chipmaker at the center of the global AI boom. Analysts say the investment could generate hundreds of billions in revenue for Nvidia, even as uncertainties remain over construction timelines and energy supply. Strategic implications The agreement designates Nvidia as OpenAI’s “preferred strategic compute and networking partner.” It includes building at least 10 gigawatts of AI data centers, dubbed “AI factories” by Huang, capable of consuming as much…

Mass evacuations and flooding Nearly 2 million people in southern China were evacuated this week as Typhoon Ragasa swept across the region, leaving widespread damage in its path. The storm triggered landslides, floods, and waves up to three meters high in Guangdong province, home to megacities such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou. In neighboring Taiwan, at least 17 people lost their lives and 17 remain missing after a natural dam collapsed, releasing 68 million tons of water that inundated Guangfu township in Hualien County. Authorities had warned for weeks the lake could overflow, but underestimated the impact of heavy rainfall combined…

Leaders reject claims on Tylenol and vaccines US President Donald Trump has sparked international backlash after claiming, without solid evidence, that acetaminophen and certain vaccines cause autism. In a televised response, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting dismissed the remarks, urging the public to trust doctors and scientists instead of political rhetoric. European regulators also reaffirmed that paracetamol, the international name for acetaminophen, remains safe during pregnancy when used as directed. Scientific evidence contradicts Trump Trump’s comments suggested that Tylenol during pregnancy poses a “very increased risk of autism.” However, extensive studies have found no causal link. A 2024 Swedish study…

Record surplus amid tariff pressure China is on course to post a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus despite facing some of the highest tariffs ever imposed by the United States. Over the past five months, Chinese manufacturers have redirected exports away from the US, with shipments to India, Africa, and Southeast Asia reaching historic highs. The surge has raised alarms abroad, where governments are weighing domestic industry protection against the risks of antagonizing Beijing, which remains the top trading partner for more than half the world. Global reactions remain cautious Mexico has been the most vocal responder, considering tariffs of…