consumers

The United States is set to finalize vehicle fuel economy standards that are sharply lower than previously planned, according to Reuters. The rollback would ease efficiency requirements for automakers, reversing stricter targets and easing pressure on manufacturers of gasoline-powered vehicles while drawing criticism from climate and environmental advocates.

The United States and China have reached a trade deal to lower tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods described as non-sensitive, following a meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. The agreement is expected to reduce prices on consumer products such as small appliances, toys and holiday items, and markets are watching for official confirmation and further details.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, the Japanese company at the center of a supplement contamination scandal linked to suspected deaths, is reportedly considering a buyout offer worth more than ¥500 billion. The news has drawn attention given the company's damaged reputation and the uncertain future of its consumer health business following the red yeast rice supplement scandal.

Donald Trump said he has approved new fuel economy standards that roll back rules put in place during Joe Biden's administration. The change relaxes efficiency requirements for cars and light trucks, a longstanding goal of Trump's deregulation agenda that automakers and environmental groups have been contesting. Reaction has focused on what the rollback means for gasoline prices, vehicle choices and US climate targets.

Meta has introduced a new lineup of artificial intelligence products, according to Bloomberg. The company is positioning the offering as an attempt to succeed where competitors have struggled to gain traction with AI. The announcement is drawing attention as tech giants race to convert AI investments into widely adopted consumer and business products.

The United States is set to finalize vehicle fuel economy standards that are sharply lower than previously planned, according to a Reuters report. The rollback would ease requirements on automakers to improve mileage efficiency, a reversal of stricter rules pursued under earlier policy. The move is likely to draw criticism from environmental groups while being welcomed by parts of the auto industry.

The Seattle City Council has voted to ban surveillance pricing in the sale of groceries, prohibiting retailers from setting individualized prices based on consumer data such as shopping habits or personal profiles. Consumer advocates, including Consumer Reports, welcomed the move as a first-of-its-kind protection against algorithms charging different shoppers different prices for the same items, while retailers may face questions about compliance.

President Trump announced that his administration has ended an electric vehicle rule introduced under President Biden and has updated federal fuel economy standards. The move rolls back emissions and efficiency requirements that had pushed automakers toward electric vehicles. The announcement is drawing attention from the auto industry and environmental groups, who are weighing the impact on vehicle prices, manufacturing plans and US climate goals.

Federal health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese that has sickened 13 people across the United States, according to the FDA. Eight of those affected required hospitalization. The agency has not detailed which cheese products or brands are involved, and consumers are being advised to watch for updates as the investigation continues.

BYD has reduced the price of one of its electric cars in Australia, making it the cheapest EV available on the local market. The move highlights intensifying competition in Australia's electric vehicle segment, where Chinese manufacturers are undercutting rivals and putting pressure on established brands to lower prices.

Immigration raids targeting meatpacking and beef-processing workers in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma are raising concerns that labor shortages could disrupt beef production and push consumer prices higher. The enforcement actions hit the heart of America's cattle industry, where immigrant labor is central to slaughterhouses and processing plants, prompting debate over the economic cost of the crackdown.

OpenAI is paying influencers and sponsoring creators on platforms like Instagram to promote ChatGPT and shape a public image of the company as 'good for the world', according to Business Insider reporting on its marketing strategy. The move signals a shift toward conventional brand advertising as competition over AI users intensifies. Critics see it as image management rather than substance, while others view it as a normal step for a company reaching a mass consumer market.

The FDA has announced a recall of raw milk cheese linked to an E. coli outbreak. Multiple US news outlets, including DC News Now, WTNH and NewsNation, are reporting the recall, which affects consumers who may have purchased the cheese. Health officials typically urge anyone with symptoms of E. coli infection, such as severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, to seek medical attention. Further details about the brand and affected states have not been provided in early reports.

Health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese that has sickened 13 people across the United States. News outlets across multiple regions are reporting the advisory, warning consumers to avoid the implicated cheese while the investigation continues. Details on specific brands, affected states, and whether any hospitalizations occurred have not been released publicly.

President Donald Trump says he has approved new fuel economy standards that end the Biden administration's electric vehicle mandate. The move rolls back requirements pushed under the previous administration to push automakers toward electric vehicles. Coverage from major outlets, including Reuters, highlights the policy reversal as a significant shift in US automotive and climate regulation, with implications for carmakers and the broader EV industry.

The European Central Bank's digital euro has entered wholesale financial markets for the first time, marking a step beyond the retail-focused pilot work discussed so far. The debut signals that the eurozone is moving forward with a central bank digital currency for institutional settlement between banks, not just consumer payments. Observers of monetary policy and financial infrastructure are watching closely, as wholesale use could reshape how cross-border and interbank transactions are settled in Europe.

President Trump announced he has approved new fuel economy standards that, according to him, end the Biden-era electric vehicle mandate. The move would roll back emissions and fuel-efficiency rules introduced under the previous administration that pushed automakers toward electric vehicles. The announcement is drawing attention from the auto industry and energy policy observers.

The U.S. economy continues to grow even as bond yields climb toward 5%, defying expectations that high borrowing costs would slow activity. Consumer spending and business activity are surging, breaking the usual link between rising yields and economic slowdown, and prompting debate about whether the economy can keep defying these pressures.

Federal health agencies are investigating an E. coli outbreak that has been linked to a raw milk cheese brand. The CDC and FDA have identified the cheese as the likely source of the infections. Raw milk products carry a higher risk of bacterial contamination because they are not pasteurized, and officials typically urge consumers to avoid affected products while the investigation continues.

North Carolina's attorney general is calling on Congress to establish safeguards around artificial intelligence following a series of bot attacks. He argues federal action is needed to protect consumers and elections from AI-driven manipulation, and is urging lawmakers to move on regulation as AI misuse cases mount.

Sales of Chinese electric vehicles continue to rise in Norway, according to Euronews, even as scepticism about Chinese-made cars grows among European consumers and policymakers. Norway, the world's leading market for electric car adoption, has proven notably open to Chinese brands. The report examines the gap between public wariness and actual buying behaviour.

Health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak that has spread across nine US states and has been linked to cheese made from raw, unpasteurised milk. No details on case numbers or the specific producer have been confirmed yet. Food safety watchers are urging consumers to check products and warning that unpasteurised dairy carries heightened contamination risks.

Brazilian President Lula has announced a ban on online gambling ahead of the country's presidential election. The move affects the fast-growing betting industry, which has expanded rapidly among Brazilian consumers in recent years. With the election approaching, the decision is being closely watched for its political and economic implications, and reactions are emerging from across Brazil's political spectrum and the gambling sector.

Coverage highlights how the war between Russia and Ukraine is increasingly being fought through economic means, including sanctions, energy supplies and trade pressure, alongside the military conflict. Commentators are weighing how far economic measures can shape the war's outcome and what the costs are for global markets and energy consumers.

A Harper's Magazine essay examines why lab-grown, or cultivated, meat has failed to deliver on the sweeping promises once made for it. The piece looks back at claims that cellular agriculture would replace conventional livestock farming and asks where the industry stands now, reigniting debate about the technology's commercial viability, regulatory hurdles, and consumer appetite.