US President Donald Trump arrives in the UK for historic second state visit

Donald Trump and First Lady Melania arrived in the United Kingdom late on Tuesday for a historic two-day state visit, which will see the US leader hosted with royal pomp by King Charles III at Windsor Castle before talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The state visit, the second for any US president, comes as the British government hopes a multibillion-dollar technology deal will show the trans-Atlantic bond remains strong despite differences over Ukraine, the Middle East, and the future of the Western alliance.

It also comes complete with horse-drawn carriages, military honor guards, and a glittering banquet inside a 1,000-year-old castle for the Trumps.

"It's the first time this has ever happened, someone was honored twice. It is a great honor. And this was at Windsor, and they've never used Windsor Castle for this before, usually it's Buckingham Palace," Trump said in what he described as 'a great honor' upon his arrival.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host the Trumps at Windsor Castle on Wednesday before talks begin on Thursday with Starmer at Chequers, the British leader's rural retreat.

According to the British PM's office, the visit will demonstrate that "the UK-US relationship is the strongest in the world, built on 250 years of history"—after that awkward rupture in 1776—and bound by shared values of "belief in the rule of law and open markets."

And the White House expects the two countries to strengthen their relationship during the trip and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, according to senior White House officials.

Trump, the first US president to receive a second state visit to the UK

The unprecedented nature of the invitation, along with the expectation of lavish pomp and pageantry, holds dual appeal to Trump. The US leader has glowingly praised the King's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

He has also spoken about how his own Scotland-born mother loved the queen and the monarchy. British officials say Trump will make a private visit to the Queen's grave.

As he left the White House on Tuesday, Trump noted that during his previous state visit, he was hosted at Buckingham Palace, but is set to be hosted in Windsor by King Charles this time around.

I don't want to say one is better than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate," Trump said. He described King Charles as "an elegant gentleman" saying "he represents the country so well.

But amid the expected blend of 21st-century diplomacy and royal pageantry, criticism is welcoming the visit in the UK.

Activists protest Trump's visit

On Tuesday, protesters gathered for a demonstration ahead of Trump's arrival in Windsor, while four people were arrested after images of the US president were projected alongside sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto the Royal Windsor Castle.

Ahead of the visit, campaigners said they would protest against what they called "our government's choice to honor a man who is violating human rights in the United States and around the world."

And even though Mr. Trump will not be visiting Parliament, where the House of Commons will be in recess for a party conference session on Wednesday, protesters from the Stop Trump Coalition will gather in Portland Place in the heart of London before proceeding to Parliament Square.

However, the schedule in Windsor and at Chequers, both well outside London, will keep Trump away from a planned mass protest against his visit.

Ukraine and Gaza on the agenda

Meanwhile, British PM Starmer, who has already shown he's adept at charming Trump, noted the US president's Oval Office decorating choices in February and decision to display a bust of Winston Churchill, and during Trump's private trip to Scotland in July, Starmer visited and praised Trump's golf courses.

Both leaders are expected to sign nuclear energy deals, expand cooperation on defense technology, and explore ways to strengthen ties between the US and US financial hubs.

Related

• US President Trump to meet King Charles III and PM Starmer on state visit
• Trump and Starmer discuss 'desperate situation' in Gaza and ending the war in Ukraine

Starmer has also tried to use his influence to maintain US support for Ukraine, with limited success.

And while Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he has not followed through on threats to impose new sanctions on Russia for avoiding peace negotiations.

European NATO partners strongly condemned Russia's drone attack on NATO member Poland last week and promised additional aircraft and troops for the bloc's eastern border. Trump downplayed the incident, saying "it could have been a mistake."

Starmer also differs from Trump over Israel's war in Gaza and has stated that the UK will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations later this month, something that sharply contrasts with US policy on Israel.

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Officials issue warning as local dolphin "Reggie" shows alarming change in behavior: "He doesn't really know the harm he could be doing"

Reggie, a dolphin that became famous for engaging with swimmers on multiple recent occasions off England's south coast, was "not asking for belly rubs" but also "not trying to drown people," according to an expert quoted by the Guardian . Instead, the incidents were viewed as troubling animal behavior changes spurred on by human interaction.

What happened?

In August, reports emerged about increasingly close encounters between the solitary male bottlenose and people boating or swimming in Lyme Bay, off Dorset, the news outlet detailed.

In a widely shared video From early August, the dolphin approached a family during a morning swim, nudging them and surfacing beside them in what appeared to be playful behavior.

Later in the month came reports of a pair of kayaking brothers intervening when the dolphin became "boisterous" and pushed two women underwater while they were swimming.

Liz Sandeman, co-founder of the organization Marine Connection, took issue with explanations that Reggie was merely seeking "belly rubs," but also denied that the young, roughly half-ton mammal was out to do harm. Sandeman told the Guardian that the hype around the incidents was "the worst scenario I've seen for at least 25 years."

Over the coming months he will become larger. He will become powerful," Sandeman said. "He doesn't really know the harm he could be doing to us in the water. ... The situation is becoming dangerous, for the swimmers and the dolphin.

Why are changes in animal behavior concerning?

When animals become accustomed to people and start changing their behaviors, it can affect human safety as well as the well-being of wildlife.

In Dorset, the UK government's Marine Management Organization expressed concern In May about "people intentionally approaching the animal too closely."

Reggie, who was locally nicknamed the dolphin in the town of Lyme Regis, was first reported in the area in February, according to Dive Magazine . He was marked by injuries attributed to propeller strikes from boats — another hazard for dolphins habituated to human activities.

"Human interaction can cause dolphins to lose their natural wariness, leading to injury or even death," the MMO wrote In a Facebook post: "Disturbed dolphins are also known to become aggressive toward people."

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Swimming and boating are not the only ways human activities are affecting animal behavior. Elsewhere, marine animals have turned up in unexpected places , possibly due to changes in their ocean environments. And scientists have studied whether orcas are changing their feeding patterns due to world temperature increases that are driven by people.

What is being done about changes in animal behavior?

In the UK, the MMO has increased its public warnings to avoid human interactions that cause changes in dolphin behavior.

It has reminded citizens of its Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code , which explains how to behave towards various species and details legal protection. This code parallels guidelines and laws in the U.S.

"Please remember," said the MMO's recent Facebook post. "Never swim with, touch, feed, or approach dolphins. If a dolphin approaches you, calmly leave the area."

Join our free newsletter for Good news and useful tips , and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

Officials issue warning as local dolphin "Reggie" shows alarming change in behavior: "He doesn't really know the harm he could be doing" first appeared on The Cool Down .

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All You Need To Know About TikTok, Its Algorithm, and the US-China Deal

A central question in TikTok's potential shutdown saga has been whether the popular social video platform would keep its algorithm - the secret sauce that powers its addictive video feed - after it's divested from Chinese parent company ByteDance.

Now, it seems that it can. Wang Jingtao, deputy director of China's Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, told reporters in Madrid on Monday that there was consensus on the authorization of "the use of intellectual property rights such as (TikTok's) algorithm" — a main sticking point in the deal.

The sides also agreed on entrusting a partner with handling U.S. user data and content security, he said. But while China has agreed that a divested TikTok could use its algorithm, it's uncertain how that would work.

Little is known about the actual deal being negotiated, including which companies are involved and whether the United States would have a stake in TikTok. Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative, said both sides have reached "basic framework consensus" to properly address TikTok-related issues in a cooperative manner, reduce investment barriers, and promote related economic and trade cooperation. The two sides now have until December 16 to work out the details, following the latest deadline extension by the Trump administration.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a press conference this week after the latest round of trade talks between the world's top two economies concluded in Madrid that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would speak on Friday to possibly finalize the deal. He said the objective of the deal would be to shift to American ownership.

He did not disclose the terms of the deal, saying that it is between two private parties, but added that "the commercial terms have been agreed upon."

Oracle Corp. has been floated as a likely buyer for the platform. Representatives of the company did not immediately respond to a message for comment on Monday and Tuesday.

In Madrid, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the team was "very focused on TikTok and making sure that it was a deal that is fair for the Chinese," but also "completely respects U.S. national security concerns."

The sides also agreed on entrusting a partner with handling U.S. user data and content security, he said.

At arguments in the Supreme Court in January, a lawyer for TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance Ltd. told the justices how difficult it would be to complete a deal that complies with the TikTok law, especially since Chinese law restricts the sale of the proprietary algorithm that has made the social media platform wildly successful.

American officials have previously warned the algorithm that drives what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that is difficult to detect.

TikTok has said that the U.S. never presented evidence that China has attempted to manipulate content on its U.S. platform.

The House Select Committee on China says any deal between Beijing and Washington must comply with a law requiring TikTok to be sold off from its Chinese ownership or face a ban in the U.S.

"It wouldn't be in compliance if the algorithm is Chinese. There can't be any shared algorithm with ByteDance," said a committee spokesperson.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the committee's ranking Democrat, said he wants information on the ownership structure.

"Underpinning all of our concerns is the Chinese Communist Party's access to American data," he said. The social media platform needs user data to determine what to show users, and Krishnamoorthi said he would be open to discussions if the app is protected from Beijing's infiltration.

Although he has no clear legal basis to do so, Trump has continued to extend the deadline for TikTok to avoid a ban in the U.S. The latest extension came on Tuesday, a day before the previous deadline was set to expire.

This gives his administration more time to broker a deal to bring the social media platform under American ownership.

It is unclear how many times Trump can keep extending the ban as the government continues to try to negotiate a deal for TikTok, which is owned by China's ByteDance. While there is no clear legal basis for the extensions, so far, there have been no legal challenges against the administration. Trump has amassed more than 15 million followers on TikTok since he joined last year, and he has credited the trendsetting platform with helping him gain traction among young voters. He said in January that he has a "warm spot for TikTok."

TikTok did not immediately respond to a message for comment on Tuesday.

For now, TikTok continues to function for its 170 million users in the U.S. Tech giants Apple, Google and Oracle were persuaded to continue to offer and support the app, on the promise that Trump's Justice Department would not use the law to seek potentially steep fines against them.

Americans are even more closely divided on what to do about TikTok than they were two years ago.

A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about one-third of Americans said they supported a TikTok ban, down from 50% in March 2023. Roughly one-third said they would oppose a ban, and a similar percentage said they weren't sure.

According to the report, among those who said they supported banning the social media platform, about 8 in 10 cited concerns over users' data security being at risk as a major factor in their decision.

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Toyota Offers Fuel-Efficient 2025 Highlander Hybrid Lease Deal for September

What does it cost to lease a Toyota Highlander Hybrid in September 2025?

The Highlander is Toyota's longest-running three-row mid-size SUV, and it only gets better with the fuel efficiency of a hybrid powertrain. In September, lease payments for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid start at $519 per month with $3,999 due at signing in select markets, including the New York metro and some of the Northeast. The lease term is 36 months and includes 36,000 miles total, allotting 10,000 miles per year.

If this all sounds rather familiar, it should, as it's the same lease payment Toyota advertised last month. As with almost all Toyota leases, the lease includes two years or 25,000 miles of ToyotaCare scheduled maintenance, too. This offer doesn't include local taxes and fees, which could increase the monthly payment.

Prefer $0 down on your Toyota Highlander Hybrid lease?

Not ready to part with $3,999 at signing? By rolling that amount into the 36-month lease, you can estimate what a Toyota Highlander Hybrid lease might cost with no upfront payment. Dividing $3,999 by 36 adds about $111 to the $519 monthly figure, raising the payment to roughly $630. Keep in mind this is only an approximation, since local taxes, fees, and dealer adjustments will influence the final cost. For the most accurate and up-to-date Highlander Hybrid lease deals and incentives , it's best to visit Toyota's website and enter your zip code for region-specific offers.

More about the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Like the regular Highlander, the Highlander Hybrid has long been a mainstay of the mid-size SUV segment, on the market in some form for nearly two decades. Its continued presence speaks to how well it balances practicality, efficiency, and everyday usability. Notable standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, blind spot monitoring, and flexible seating for up to eight passengers.

In terms of performance, the Hybrid produces 243 horsepower, slightly less than the gas model's 265 horsepower, even with the assistance of two electric motors. Still, the tradeoff is worthwhile: an EPA-estimated 35 mpg, far exceeding the standard Highlander's 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway ratings. In other important SUV areas, like cargo space and passenger room, the Highlander is mid-pack. Expect only okay third-row and cargo space for the segment. That said, the Highlander offers a comfortable and quiet ride that not all rivals can replicate.

View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

Final thoughts

It's not too surprising to see an unchanged lease offer for September. With Q4 coming up, we expect some good lease deals, particularly on 2025 model year vehicles. We'd likely wait and see what happens on this one, since it's unlikely the lease deal will see a dramatic shift towards unaffordability. The Highlander Hybrid accomplishes its primary goal well; that is, carrying up to eight people around in relative comfort while using as little fuel as possible. While we wish the Highlander Hybrid had the crazy MAX hybrid powertrain from the Grand Highlander with 362 horsepower to boot, we think that for fuel efficiency, it doesn't get much better than this.

*Disclaimer* : This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle.

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Why Investing $10,000 in NextEra Energy Today Might Just Be a Brilliant Move

Key Points

• NextEra Energy is a company with two businesses.

• The company's regulated utility operations are a reliable foundation.

• NextEra Energy's clean energy division is a growth machine.

• 10 stocks we like better than NextEra Energy ›

If you have $10,000 to invest, a great choice today is NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) . That money would buy you approximately 135 shares of what is the largest publicly traded utility in the world, according to recent research by The Motley Fool . But buying NextEra Energy isn't a brilliant move because it is a big utility, it is because it's more than just a utility. Here's what you need to know.

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What does NextEra Energy do?

NextEra Energy's core business is operating a regulated utility in the state of Florida. Florida Power & Light is one of the largest utilities in the United States. It has long benefited from migration to the Sunshine State. More residents means more paying customers. And more paying customers means more need for the capital spending that keeps supply and demand in balance while also ensuring service reliability.

All of that is important because regulated utilities are granted a monopoly in the regions they serve, but the trade off is that they have to consent to government regulation. Simply put, a regulated utility has to get its rates and investment plans approved by the government. This generally leads to slow and steady growth as regulators balance customer costs with reliable supply and investor returns. The regulated utility business that NextEra Energy operates is a solid, though slow-growth, foundation.

There are lots of companies that fall into the regulated utility bucket. What sets NextEra Energy apart is that on top of this business it has built one of the world's largest solar and wind power companies . Other utilities have tried to do the same thing and fallen short. NextEra Energy, in contrast, has turned this business into a growth engine. This division currently operates around 39 gigawatts of capacity with another 30 gigawatts in its construction backlog. In other words, this division's growth is nowhere near over yet.

The proof of how valuable this combination has been for investors comes from NextEra Energy's dividend. Not only has it increased annually for more than three decades, but the annualized dividend increase over the past decade was a huge 10%. That's good for any company, but it is truly outstanding for a utility. In fact, half that rate of dividend growth would be considered very attractive for this sector.

Why buy NextEra Energy now?

The first reason to like NextEra Energy goes back to its growth as a business. The company has ample opportunity to expand on both the regulated and renewable power sides of its operation. And management expects that this will lead to earnings growth of between 6% and 8% a year through at least 2027. The dividend is projected to increase 10% a year through at least 2026.

The company is so confident in its outlook that management actually wrote "We will be disappointed if we are not able to deliver financial results at or near the top end of our adjusted EPS expectations ranges through 2027" in a recent corporate presentation. That is a confidence-inspiring statement, but only because management has a history of achieving the kind of success it is predicting.

But opportunity for growth and dividend growth is just piece one of the story. The next important reason why you'll want to buy NextEra Energy today is because it looks like an attractive dividend stock, too. The current dividend yield is nearly 3.2%. The S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is only yielding around 1.2% and the average utility's yield is 2.7%. If you are a dividend investor or a growth-and-income investor, NextEra Energy should be highly attractive to you.

NextEra Energy is a differentiated utility

NextEra Energy is not your typical utility, but that's exactly why the stock is so appealing today. Sure, you can find higher yields or stocks with higher dividend growth rates. But a relatively high yield and a high dividend growth rate are a rare combination. If you are looking for a utility, NextEra Energy should be at the top of your list. But it should probably be at the top of the list for anyone who just loves dividends, too.

Should you invest $1,000 in NextEra Energy right now?

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Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

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Petco Announces Nationwide Store Closures, Leaving Pet Parents Stunned

With the rise of online shopping, increased supply costs, and fierce market competition, brick-and-mortar retailers are facing challenges unlike ever before. From fashion chains to major department stores, closures have become a common headline in recent years. Unfortunately, the pet retail industry is now feeling the same pressure.

In a move that has left pet parents stunned, Petco has announced it will be closing 25 underperforming locations across the United States. The news comes as a shock for many loyal customers who have long relied on the chain for everything from pet food and toys to grooming and veterinary services.

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Why Petco Says It's Closing Stores

According to company reports, declining revenue is the main factor behind this decision. Although Petco has tried to modernize with services such as in-store veterinary clinics, training programs, and curbside pickup, it continues to face strong competition. Rivals like PetSmart, along with online giants such as Chewy and Amazon, are capturing a larger share of the market by offering competitive prices, convenience, and fast delivery.

Industry experts also note the rising costs of the supply chain and changing consumer habits. Many pet owners now prefer to shop online for bulky items, such as food and litter, reserving in-person visits for specialty needs. For Petco, this has meant declining foot traffic and increasing pressure to cut back.

Related: This Soft Ball From Petco Is a Safer Way to Play Fetch With Small Dogs

Pet Parent Reactions

On social media, the closures have already sparked frustration and disappointment. One user commented, "When they charge $66 for a bag of bird food, no doubt. $16 at Walmart." Others expressed sadness, noting that Petco has been a community staple where families have adopted pets, attended training classes, or relied on staff for advice.

For many, the closures feel personal. Petco has long branded itself not just as a retailer but as a partner in pet parenthood, and customers are voicing concern about what this means for future accessibility to services like grooming and training.

What Petco Could Do Next

While the closures mark a challenging chapter, the future isn’t necessarily bleak. To differentiate itself, Petco could lean further into its wellness model by expanding vet care, grooming, and training services that online competitors can’t replicate. Focusing on experiential retail, where pet parents feel they’re gaining more than just products, may also help the brand carve out a niche.

At the same time, improved pricing strategies and loyalty programs could help mitigate the impact of competition. If Petco can strike a balance between affordability and its service-first approach, it may win back the trust of pet parents who still value face-to-face expertise.

Petco's announcement highlights the changing landscape of the pet industry. While fans are stunned, the retailer's next steps will determine whether it fades into the background or regains its position as a leader in pet care.

Thankfully, the brand is continuing for now, so be sure to check out the great items they have, like this mini dog treat maker or this cute cat scratcher that your feline will love.

Related: Petco Is Selling the 'Cutest' Dog Hoodie for Just $12, and It's Perfect for Fall

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Workers fired, placed on leave for Charlie Kirk comments after assassination

The killing of Charlie Kirk is sparking debate about political violence in the U.S., as well as the types of professional consequences employees who speak out about the conservative activist's death — and other sensitive issues — might face.

A number of businesses and other organizations have shown employees the door this week because of their public remarks about Kirk, who was assassinated on Wednesday while giving a speech at Utah Valley University. Among those to lose their jobs or face sanctions: a political commentator, a university employee , a sports reporter and a U.S. secret service agent .

Private employers have the law on their side when it comes to removing a worker who makes public statements that the business views as potentially harmful, according to legal experts.

"A private company can generally fire an employee for public comments, even political ones, if those comments are deemed to harm the company's reputation, violate workplace policy or disrupt the business," said Marjorie Mesidor, a workplace attorney, to CBS MoneyWatch.

Vanessa Matsis-McCready, vice president of human resources for Engage PEO, a provider of HR solutions, said that high-profile individuals in particular must tread carefully when commenting publicly on politically charged issues.

In today's climate there is very little tolerance for that," she said. "Employers are very mindful of what is being associated with them, and they are trying to be as apolitical as possible.

Multiple firings

A number of employees across various industries, as well as in academia, are finding themselves in hot water over comments they made about Kirk's death or his political beliefs.

PHNX Sports, an online sports news site focused on Arizona, announced the firing of reporter Gerald Bourguet after he said on social media on Wednesday, in a post that has since been deleted, that "Refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence."

"Truly don't care if you think it's insensitive or poor timing to decline to respect an evil man who died," he added.

Bourguet declined to comment when contacted by CBS News.

MSNBC said It cut ties with analyst Matthew Dowd after he said in an on-air conversation that Kirk had promoted incendiary speech and that "hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions." In a public statement, Comcast accused Dowd of making "an unacceptable and insensitive comment about this horrific event."

"That coverage was at odds with fostering civil dialogue and being willing to listen to the points of view of those who have differing opinions. We should be able to disagree, robustly and passionately, but, ultimately, with respect. We need to do better," said Comcast executives.

Dowd, the former chief strategist for Republican President George W. Bush, apologized in a Substack post on Friday, saying he hadn't meant to imply Kirk was to blame for the violence that killed him, according to AP. But Dowd, a long-time political analyst at ABC News before joining MSNBC in 2022, also accused the network of giving in to pressure to fire him.

"The right wing media mob ginned up, went after me on a plethora of platforms, and MSNBC reacted to that mob," he wrote on Substack. "Even though most at MSNBC knew my words were being misconstrued, the timing of my words forgotten ... and that I apologized for any miscommunication on my part, I was terminated by the end of the day."

Also in the media industry, Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah said in a Substack post Monday, the company dismissed her last week after she spoke out "against political violence, racial double standards, and America's apathy toward guns," noting that she only mentioned Kirk once in a separate social media post.

A spokesperson for the Washington Post declined to comment to CBS News on personnel matters.

It's policies and standards state that "A Post journalist's use of social media must not harm the editorial integrity or journalistic reputation of The Post."

Other organizations have also taken action against workers who spoke out about Kirk. Middle Tennessee State University said in statement that it had fired a university employee over "inappropriate and callous comments on social media regarding the horrific and tragic murder of Charlie Kirk."

Nasdaq, in a statement posted on X, said it dismissed an employee over social media posts related to Kirk's shooting that the stock exchange said "were a clear violation of our policy."

In a Facebook post, the U.S. Secret Service said it placed an agent who it said expressed negative opinions about Kirk on leave. "The U.S. Secret Service will not tolerate behavior that violates our code of conduct. This employee was immediately put on administrative leave, and an investigation has begun," a U.S. Secret Service spokesperson said in a statement.

United Airlines told CBS News that it took action against employees who the company said had publicly commented on Kirk's death. "Our mission at United Airlines is to connect people and unite the world. So we've been clear with our customers and employees that there's zero tolerance for politically motivated violence or any attempt to justify it," the carrier said in a statement to CBS News.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy praised United for "doing what's right by placing pilots celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk out of service. They must be fired," in a statement t on X.

"There's no room for political violence in America and anyone applauding it will face the consequences. ESPECIALLY those we count on to ensure the safety of the flying public," Duffy wrote.

Few legal protections

First Amendment protections are generally limited for workers in the private sector, according to attorneys.

"Employers often have a strong legal basis to terminate an employee if their public comments, especially on a high-profile and sensitive topic like a murder, cause reputational damage or customer backlash," Mesidor said.

Some states - California, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, South Carolina and West Virginia - do have laws to protect employees from being fired for their conduct off the job, including their political speech and activity, but most do not. Maynard Nexsen attorney Andrew Kragie told CBS MoneyWatch that workers at private employers typically have little protection from punishment for their public comments.

"If someone says, 'Thank goodness this person was assassinated,' then generally their employer can fire them," he said. That's because most workers are employed at-will, meaning either party can terminate the contract at any time, for any reason," he explained.

"So, most employees in the private sector can be disciplined based on what you say on social media, even if your account doesn't identify you as an employee," Kragie added.

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IHOP latest to launch value menu: What you can get for $6

At a time when eating out is costing more, some restaurant chains are turning to value menu options to draw customers in. The latest to join the trend may have you reaching for the maple syrup.

IHOP unveiled its value menu, with offerings priced at $6 at participating U.S. restaurants. At some locations, the four meals on the menu will cost $7. In a Monday press release, the company said its first-ever value menu will be available every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

We know our guests are more value conscious than ever, so the launch of IHOP's Value Menu is a direct response to what they want - delicious food, variety, abundance, and affordability without compromise, seven days a week," said IHOP President Lawrence Kim in the release, describing this as "just the beginning of a new chapter where we bring fresh energy and continue to delight our guests with the comfort and joy they've come to expect from IHOP.

Chiefs-Eagles Week 2 sets multiple viewership records

The menu, found here , includes four breakfast meals, according to IHOP:

• Breakfast Faves Combo: Two buttermilk pancakes, two eggs, and a choice of two strips of bacon or pork sausage links
• Ham and Cheese Omelette: An omelette with ham and a jack, cheddar, and white cheese sauce, served with two buttermilk pancakes.
• French Toast Faves Combo: A slice of IHOP's Thick 'N Fluffy French Toast, two eggs, and your choice of two bacon strips or pork sausage links.
• House Scramble: Scrambled eggs with chopped bacon and jack and cheddar cheese, served with hash browns.

According to IHOP, the value menu will be available for a limited time at participating U.S. restaurants.

An online review by Nexstar found that at restaurants in Chicago , Los Angeles , Austin , the value menu items were listed at $6. Meanwhile, at least one location in San Francisco , New York City , and Portland , Oregon, value menu items were $7. You can check the prices of your IHOP location's menu online .

Does the First Amendment protect you at work? Charlie Kirk critics are learning the answer

Regardless of the cost, the meals are among the cheapest options at IHOP, unless you're ordering off the kids' menu.

Dine Brands, the parent company of IHOP (as well as Applebee's and Fuzzy's Taco Shop), reported in early August that year-over-year sales at the breakfast chain declined by more than 2% in the second quarter of 2025. In a statement , Dine Brands CEO John Peyton said, "IHOP saw growth fueled by its refreshed brand positioning and value strategy."

Meanwhile, eating out in general has become more expensive. The latest data From the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released earlier this month, it shows that in August, the cost of food away from home increased by almost 4% year-over-year. The month-to-month increase was much smaller, coming in at less than half a percent.

Why your iPhone may die faster this week

Other fast food chains have been turning to discounted menu items lately. Most recently, McDonald's began offering Extra Value Meals, with offerings costing 15% less than ordering each of the included items individually.

Within the last year, Domino's , Applebee's, Chili's , and Taco Bell have also offered lower-priced menu items.

Overall U.S. fast food customer traffic fell nearly 1% in the second quarter, according to Revenue Management Solutions, a consulting company. The company said price increases were sharply lower than previous quarters, suggesting that chains are already offering more deals.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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YouTube announces expanded set of tools for creators in latest AI initiative

YouTube is introducing a series of AI-powered tools aimed at reducing creators' workloads.

At its annual Made On YouTube event, the video platform introduced a new AI "creative partner" called Ask Studio, which can provide personalized summaries of things like how a video is performing or what commenters are saying.

Our vision is for Ask Studio to become the ultimate creative partner for every Creator — a trusted companion that Creators turn to first," YouTube wrote in an announcement. "It will provide personalized and actionable strategic insights based on knowledge of you as a Creator, your channel, and how YouTube works.

The announcement comes as social media companies continue to aggressively lean into the AI boom, throwing AI agents and in-platform chatbots at users while integrating more AI-powered tools for creators.

Many creators have been experimenting with various AI tools for years, including ones rolled out by YouTube last year , to help them improve their videos.

But the Google-owned video platform came under fire earlier this year from a handful of creators who expressed concerns that YouTube was making subtle changes to their videos using AI without their permission or knowledge. In response, the platform said it would offer creators the ability to opt-out of the platform’s recent enhancements to some Shorts

On Tuesday, YouTube said it plans to offer creators an AI feature that will ideate potential future videos, coming up with a title, description and AI-generated thumbnail for each, along with a possible video hook and narrative outline. The company added that it will pull from past audience behavior to inform creators on specific reasons for its suggestions.

The company is also expanding on existing features such as automatic dubbing and deepfake detection.

In the coming months, YouTube announced, new lip sync technology should make dubbed languages better match creators' mouth movements. The feature is designed to localize YouTube's content across 20 languages, using AI instead of the human translators and voice actors that some creators traditionally relied on.

Meanwhile, YouTube's tool detecting unauthorized uses of creators' likenesses is now in an open beta for members of the YouTube Partner Program. First announced in December, this likeness detection tool is the platform's response to the growing prevalence of nonconsensual AI-generated deepfakes, often of celebrities or influencers promoting products, that have flooded the internet in recent years.

As for live streams on the platform, YouTube says its new AI-powered highlights will automatically find and clip the "most compelling" moments from each stream to turn into Shorts that creators can then share.

Other features announced Tuesday include expanded A/B testing options for newly uploaded videos and the option to add up to five collaborators to one video.

More AI tools are coming to content creation on the platform as well for YouTube Shorts.

Google's Veo 3 video generator, which will allow creators to turn text prompts into video Shorts, has begun its rollout, and the company is now experimenting with an AI video editor that "transforms your raw footage into a compelling first draft." The platform says it will also start testing a new speech-to-song tool that can remix dialogue into "catchy soundtracks."

This article was originally published on newsrealtime

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What hurdles lie ahead for any US-China TikTok deal?

(Corrects story to show Andreessen Horowitz is not a current investor in ByteDance in paragraph 13)

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (newsrealtime) - Questions and potential hurdles surround a framework agreement announced on Monday between the U.S. and China that would transfer short-video app TikTok to U.S.-controlled ownership, including whether any deal will comply with a 2024 law.

U.S. and Chinese officials announced the deal in principle in Madrid following trade talks, but did not provide details or answer key questions such as whether China will agree to transfer ownership of the algorithm that makes the app so popular with 170 million Americans.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ALGORITHM?

During previous negotiations, Chinese authorities expressed strong reluctance to allow the export of TikTok's recommendation algorithm, widely seen as owner ByteDance's most valuable asset and a key driver of the app's global popularity.

In 2020, when the Trump administration first pushed for a sale of TikTok's U.S. business, China updated its export control rules to cover technologies such as recommendation algorithms, effectively giving the government a say over any transfer.

DOES CONGRESS NEED TO APPROVE THE DEAL?

Any agreement could require approval by the Republican-controlled Congress, which passed a law in 2024 requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban in the U.S., due to fears that TikTok's U.S. user data could be accessed by the Chinese government and allow Beijing to spy on Americans or conduct influence operations through the app.

Since that law came into effect, U.S. President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for its enforcement three times.

Some Democratic lawmakers argued that Trump had no legal authority to extend the deadline and suggested that a previous deal under consideration in April would not meet legal requirements.

Attorney General Pam Bondi sent letters to Apple, Google, and other companies in February that provide services or host TikTok, informing them that the Justice Department was relinquishing any claims for potential violations of the law. They were made public in June.

A congressional aide told NewsRealTime on Monday that lawmakers plan to scrutinize the latest deal when it is made public to see if it complies with the law.

WILL CHINA RETAIN ANY OWNERSHIP?

One issue is whether ByteDance will fully divest from TikTok U.S. after the deal.

Trump responded to a question during an Oval Office press conference about whether China will have a stake in TikTok: "We haven't decided that, but it looks to me, and I'm speaking to President Xi on Friday for confirmation."

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton said in April that American investors wanting to buy TikTok must cut all ties with China.

ByteDance's current shareholders include American firms Susquehanna International Group, General Atlantic, and KKR.

If Congress rejects the latest agreement, Trump may have limited recourse. In January, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the law, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress last year and signed by former Democratic President Joe Biden, did not violate the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protection against government abridgment of free speech.

WHO WILL CONTROL TIKTOK AFTER DIVESTITURE?

Officials expect the final deal to be very similar to what was anticipated under the previous deal outlined in April, which would spin off TikTok's U.S. operations into a new U.S.-based company, majority-owned and operated by U.S. investors. This stalled after China indicated it would withhold its approval following Trump's announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese goods. The precise structure of the new expected ownership remains unclear.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Nia Williams)

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I sold my flat before the Renters' Rights Bill becomes law

"I would really like to come out of being a landlord," says Patricia Ogunfeibo.

The 61-year-old has just sold a two-bedroom flat in south-east London, one of her nine properties.

She is one of many landlords selling their properties ahead of the new Renters' Rights Bill - one of the biggest overhauls of the private rental sector.

Once the bill becomes law, the government will ban Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, give tenants greater rights to challenge rent increases, and make it illegal to discriminate against prospective tenants on benefits.

Ms Ogunfeibo says "landlords are scared" of some of the changes that are coming into effect.

The government says the bill will provide tenants with "greater security, rights and protections in their homes".

The proposed changes have been widely welcomed by tenants, including Natasha Johnson, who was evicted under the Section 21 clause in 2020 and says it was "traumatic".

Among some of the changes in the Tenants' rights bill the government wants to:

• Ban Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, where landlords can evict tenants without a reason
• Allow tenants to challenge unfair rent increases
• Make it illegal to discriminate against tenants who receive benefits or have children
• Stop bidding wars, so tenants do not pay over the advertised price
• Allow tenants to request pets

Ms Ogunfeibo, who has rented out properties since 1986, says by selling the flat she was "able to get out the money" she had invested in it.

She says she accepts that parts of the law are needed, including a Private Rented Sector Database to help landlords understand their legal obligations and demonstrate compliance.

But she is concerned that the bill will ultimately raise rents.

"We need more affordable homes in the UK at the moment," she says.

"What we don't need is the private rental sector being contracted because landlords are scared and they're selling up and they're leaving the sector."

This time last year, the Property Franchise Group, which is behind brands including Hunters, Fine & Country and EweMove, was managing 153,000 rental homes for landlords, but that has fallen to 150,000 at the last count.

Meanwhile, data from real estate agency Knight Frank showed that the number of new lettings properties coming to the London market in the year to August was 8% below the previous 12-month period.

"Whilst landlords will take into account many factors when deciding future investment plans, including tax and energy efficiency policies, the bill will play a major part for many in deciding their futures," says Chris Norris, chief policy officer for the National Residential Landlords Association.

Given this, amid the lack of rental housing to meet demand, it is vital that the bill has the confidence of responsible landlords as much as tenants.

He said it was key that courts had the capacity to process legitimate possession cases swiftly when Section 21 ends.

According to a survey of 821 landlords in May 2021 by the flat rental website SpareRoom, small landlords are more likely to exit the market than professional landlords.

According to the data, four in 10 UK landlords with one to two rental properties say they plan to leave the market, compared with 22% of those with five to nine properties and 26% of those with more than 10 properties.

But according to SpareRoom, so far, supply in the room rental market remains largely unaffected by the Renters' Rights Bill, with January 2025 being the highest month for flatshare ads in four years.

The Tenants' Rights Bill will introduce a new system giving new tenants a 12-month "protected period" during which they cannot be evicted if the landlord wants to move in or sell the property.

Landlords can still evict tenants for other reasons, including criminal behavior by the tenants.

After the first year, landlords would have to give tenants four months' notice to leave, doubling the current time period, and provide a specific reason for ending a tenancy.

The move is "welcome news" for Ms. Johnson, who was evicted with her teenage son from their rental property in 2020 in the middle of the Covid pandemic.

She now campaigns for others in a similar situation through the London Renters Union (LRU).

"No one should be able to go through that," she said.

"We're human beings. Some form of communication, compromise. It was really really traumatic. I wouldn't wish that on my own enemies."

She said she and her teenage son moved from shelter to shelter, and even spent one night on the street.

"The child still needs to go to school, you still need to prepare breakfast. You still need to try and be strong for that person. It eats away at your mindset, your mental health."

The LRU says ending Section 21 is a "big victory for tenants everywhere but soaring rents will continue to force many out of their homes and communities".

Jae Vail, a spokesperson for the union, said: "Every person deserves a secure home where they can build a life without living in fear of eviction for challenging mistreatment or because their landlord seeks higher profits."

However, he said tenants would "not have real security without rent control".

"Rent control would keep prices down and keep communities together," he said.

"Yet the government continues to side with the rich while ordinary people pay the price for our rigged housing system. It's time to put people's lives before landlords' portfolios."

Level the playing field

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said the Renters' Rights Bill remains on track to become law this year.

They said it was a "manifesto commitment and legislative priority" for the Labour government, and the bill's "transformational powers" would be implemented swiftly after it becomes law.

"The bill will level the playing field by providing tenants with greater security, rights and protections in their homes, and including abolishing Section 21 evictions and rightly empowering tenants to directly challenge excessive rent hikes and poor conditions," the spokesperson added.

Listen to the best of newsrealtimeRadio London on Sounds and follow newsrealtimeLondon on Facebook , X and Instagram .Send your story ideas to hello.newsrealtimelondon@newsrealtime.co.uk

• How are renting and eviction rules changing?

More on this story

• Tenants demand rent controls in a demonstration
• Charities warn the bill does not protect renters enough

Related internet links

• Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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This Billionaire Has Bought $442 Million Worth of Nvidia Stock This Year. Does He Know Something We Don't?

Key Points

• Demand for Nvidia's GPUs remains strong.

• Nvidia's management projects massive growth over the next few years.

• Investors can still buy shares and make a fantastic return if management's projections come true.

• 10 stocks we like better than Nvidia ›

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been at the top of the list of best artificial intelligence (AI) stocks to buy over the past few years. Anyone who has bought shares at nearly any time since 2023 has made money, but after the incredible run it has been on, it would be logical to think that there isn't much gas left in the tank.

However, multiple signs point to Nvidia's continued dominance - so much so that some of the largest investors are starting new positions in Nvidia.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »

Daniel Loeb of Third Point began accumulating Nvidia shares at the start of 2025, purchasing $442 million worth over the past two quarters, after owning none at the beginning of 2025. This represents nearly a 6% position sizing within his fund, indicating a clearly bullish bet.

So far, it has worked out well for him, but is there something going on that others don't know about?

Global data center spend is expected to rise dramatically over the next few years

Nvidia manufactures graphics processing units (GPUs) , which are the computing muscle behind today's AI models. GPUs can process multiple calculations in parallel, making them ideal for computing tasks such as AI training and inference.

Although Nvidia has already sold a lot of GPUs, it is scheduled to sell even more over the next few years. The demand for AI computing power has been insatiable so far. Even though the biggest AI hyperscalers plan to spend $600 billion on data center capital expenditures this year and even more next year, Nvidia believes global data center spending can rise to $3 trillion to $4 trillion by 2030.

That's a significant increase, and if this projection proves to be true, it would make Nvidia an even bigger winner for investors.

So if you think you're too late to the party, don't. Even billionaire investors like Daniel Loeb can get in much later than many investors and still benefit from Nvidia's rise.

Additionally, this information is publicly available, so billionaire investors are not acting on any additional information. Nvidia has a lot of room to grow if they are right, but what kind of increase should investors expect?

Nvidia will crush the market if this projection comes true

Using the bottom end of the global data center capital expenditure range of $3 trillion, past performance suggests that Nvidia captures about a third of total revenue. That would indicate revenue of $1 trillion. If Nvidia can maintain its 50% profit margins , that would indicate profits of $500 billion by 2030.

Currently, Alphabet is the most profitable company in the world, generating nearly $116 billion in profits over the past 12 months. For Nvidia to be that much larger is hard to believe, but it's what Jensen Huang and his team at Nvidia are projecting.

If you apply a 30 Price to earnings ratio to this, that indicates that Nvidia would be a $15 trillion company, more than triple from Nvidia's current $4.3 trillion market cap.

That's a major upside, and if Nvidia delivers a triple over the next five years, investors everywhere would benefit due to Nvidia's inclusion in S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) . Still, because the market tends to double only once every seven years, it would be logical to overweight Nvidia due to its potential upside.

I think Nvidia is as good a buy as it was during any time over the past two and a half years, and investors who believe the AI arms race will continue should be scooping up shares right now. just like billionaire Daniel Loeb did in 2025 .

Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now?

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Keithen Drury has positions in Alphabet and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

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ECB's Digital Euro Hits Political Wall—And That Could Be Bad News For Your Privacy

The European Central Bank's digital euro is facing a harsh reality check in the European Parliament, where lawmakers are raising red flags about everything from banking disruption to privacy violations, according to Reuters.

For investors watching the fintech space and anyone concerned about digital payment privacy, this political pushback could signal a longer road ahead for Europe's answer to China's digital yuan and potential U.S. central bank digital currencies.

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Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank Piero Cipollone Presented the digital euro as a "backup payment option" to European Parliament lawmakers on September 4, positioning it as essential protection against cyberattacks on eurozone banks and potential weaponization of U.S. payment systems by the Trump administration. However, the reception was lukewarm at best, with the proposal now stuck in parliament for over two years—far longer than the ECB had anticipated.

The Banking Industry Disruption Nobody Wants to Talk About

The core concern isn't technical - it's existential for traditional banking. The EU parliament worries that a risk-free digital euro account could drain deposits from commercial banks, even with individual account caps. Pierre Pimpie , a lawmaker for the right-wing Patriots for Europe Group, got straight to the heart of the issue: "Isn't it a problem that we don't really have control over the ceiling?" Pimpie said during a European Parliament hearing on the ECB's digital euro proposal.

Here's why this matters for your money: If the ECB sets account limits too low, the digital euro becomes irrelevant for most transactions. Set them too high, and traditional banks could face a deposit crisis as customers move money to guaranteed central bank accounts. It's a delicate balance that could reshape European banking entirely.

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Cipollone argued that financially savvy individuals would find ways around any restrictions anyway, pointing to U.S. stablecoins as an example of how money can already exit the traditional euro system. But this response highlights another concern—the digital euro is being designed partly as a defensive move against American financial dominance rather than purely for citizen benefit.

Privacy Fears Could Kill Public Support

The privacy debate is where things get really interesting for everyday users. Unlike physical cash, every digital euro transaction could potentially be tracked, creating a comprehensive database of European spending habits. While Cipollone assured lawmakers that physical cash wouldn't disappear, critics worry about the gradual erosion of financial privacy.

This isn't just a theoretical concern. With data breaches becoming increasingly common and governments expanding surveillance powers, the digital euro represents a fundamental shift in how private our financial lives remain, according to Reuters reporting. For Americans watching this debate, it's a preview of similar discussions that will inevitably emerge around any U.S. central bank digital currency.

See Also: Kevin O'Leary Says Real Estate Has Been a Smart Bet for 200 Years — This Platform Lets Anyone Access It

Timeline Keeps Slipping as Resistance Grows

The procedural hurdles are daunting: Once Navarrete submits his report in the coming weeks, it faces parliamentary debate, amendments, and then negotiations between the European Parliament, Commission, and Council. Markus Ferber , another committee member, suggests a vote might not happen until "spring or early summer next year," told Reuters—and that's just for the legislation.

Even if approved, the ECB estimates it would need another two and a half to three years to build the necessary technology. That puts actual implementation potentially into 2028 or beyond.

Read Next: Backed by over $300 million in Assets and Microsoft's Climate Fund, Farmland LP Opens Vital Farmland III to Accredited Investors

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This article ECB's Digital Euro Hits Political Wall—And That Could Be Bad News For Your Privacy originally appeared on newsrealtime .

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