Wales to introduce tourist tax

📍Top line: The Welsh government has announced plans for a £1.25 per night tourism tax, aimed at funding services in popular tourist areas. While the tax could generate significant revenue, critics argue it might deter visitors and harm the tourism sector.

Key Points:

• Proposed Tax Details: £1.25 per night for hotels, B&Bs, and self-catered stays; 75p for hostels and campsites. Applies per person, including children, with exemptions for stays over 31 nights and temporary housing.

• Implementation Timeline: If approved by the Welsh Parliament, the tax could start in April 2027.

• Projected Revenue: If adopted widely, the tax could raise approximately £33 million annually. Funds will be earmarked for tourism promotion, Welsh language initiatives, and infrastructure improvements.

• Government Stance: Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford defended the tax, stating it is "fair" for visitors to contribute to local services and noted similar levies are common worldwide.

Most common scam revealed ahead of Black Friday

📍Top line: Nationwide Building Society has identified "card not present" fraud as the most common scam of the year, comprising nearly a quarter of all reported cases. As Black Friday approaches, shoppers are urged to remain vigilant against fraud, which tends to spike during periods of increased transactions.

Key tips to protect yourself:

• Don’t share codes: Never share one-time PINs; banks won’t ask for them.

• Avoid saving card details: Enter them for each purchase instead of storing them online.

• Be cautious in public: Shield PINs and avoid making transactions where others can see or hear.

• Report suspicious activity: Contact your bank immediately if anything seems off.

Other common scams include fake product sales (20% of fraud cases) and stolen cards (14%). Nationwide warns fraudsters will exploit high transaction volumes this Friday.

Elsewhere in business:

🛒 Tesco has announced plans to open 150 new Express convenience stores over the next three years, expanding its estate to 2,224 sites and creating over 2,000 jobs across the UK. Other major retailers are also expanding their convenience offerings. Asda aims to reach 500 Express stores by the end of the year, Waitrose plans to open 100 convenience shops within five years, and Sainsbury's expects to launch 75 Local stores over the next three years.

🎲 The UK government is set to implement a mandatory levy on gambling operators to fund research, education, and treatment of gambling-related harms. Gambling firms will be required to pay 1% of their gross gambling yield - what they win from gamblers - towards initiatives addressing gambling harms. The levy is expected to take effect from April next year.

Trump issues fresh tariff plans

📍 Top line: Donald Trump has announced plans to impose substantial tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

Key Points:

• Tariffs on Canada and Mexico: Trump vowed to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from the two countries until the flow of drugs and illegal immigration stops.

• Additional China Tariffs: A 10% tariff on Chinese imports would be layered on top of existing levies, targeting Beijing for alleged failure to address fentanyl production.

• Economic Impact: Analysts warned the tariffs could increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and fuel inflation across economies.

• Canadian Response: Canada’s deputy prime minister emphasised the strength of the bilateral relationship and highlighted Canada’s significant purchases from the US.

• China’s Reaction: Beijing criticised the tariffs, calling them "irresponsible," while reaffirming its commitment to global trade and supply chain stability.

Elsewhere in the economy:

💷 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has assured businesses there will be no further tax increases or borrowing as she defended the tax rises outlined in her recent Budget. Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference, she acknowledged criticism from industry leaders but emphasised her Budget aims to stabilise public finances and set long-term service budgets.

💼 The UK government has unveiled a £45 million "trailblazer" scheme to provide teenagers with skills training through partnerships with major institutions such as the Premier League, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Channel 4. The initiative, targeting eight English regions including Liverpool and Tees Valley, aims to help hundreds of thousands of young people gain work or training opportunities, ensuring that "no young person is left behind."

Electronic Arts has opened applications for its 2025 Game Design Internship in Birmingham. Successful applicants will work with a range of other disciplines, such as programmers, artists, experience designers and producers to develop future projects and may even get the opportunity to work on an upcoming racing game. Applicants should be in their penultimate year of undergraduate study and must be available to start the 12-month internship in Summer 2025. Apply now here.

Apple discontinues 15 products

📍Top line: Apple has discontinued 15 products this autumn, including popular iPhone models, as the tech giant focuses on its latest offerings. Despite these changes, Apple assures users that support and updates for older devices will continue for years.

Key Discontinued Products:

• iPhones: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 13.

• iPad Mini: iPad Mini 6 replaced by a new AI-powered model.

• Apple Watch: Apple Watch Series 9 dropped in favor of Series 10.

• AirPods: Lightning port models, including AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Max (Lightning).

• Mac Devices: M3 MacBook Pro, M2 Mac Mini, and M3 iMac replaced with M4-chip versions.

• Magic Accessories: Lightning-based Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard shifted to USB-C.

• FineWoven Cases: Environmentally friendly but widely criticised iPhone cases removed.

Apple routinely phases out older products to make way for updated versions while maintaining repair and update services for discontinued models.

Elsewhere in tech:

🪙 The number of adults in Britain owning cryptocurrency has surged to seven million, up from five million in 2022, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).  The average holding value climbed to £1,842 from £1,595 last year.

🛍️ TikTok is forecasting its highest-ever Christmas sales this year as its UK livestream shopping feature, TikTok Shop, gains momentum. The platform, which allows users to purchase products directly from videos and live broadcasts, takes a commission on sales and has seen significant growth in recent months after a rocky start. The platform now hosts over 200,000 active businesses, including major brands like Sweaty Betty, Karen Millen, L’Oreal, and Nivea, doubling its seller base compared to last year.

🛥️ Egyptian authorities have reported that 16 people, including two Brits, are missing and 28 others have been rescued after a tourist boat sank in the Red Sea. The vessel, carrying 44 individuals, including 13 crew members, sent a distress signal early Monday. The boat, Sea Story, reportedly capsized after being hit by a wave, according to accounts from those onboard.

🇬🇧 A shortlist of candidates to become the UK’s next cabinet secretary has been finalised, with Sir Keir Starmer interviewing the final four contenders for the £200,000-a-year role. The shortlist includes Sir Olly Robbins, a former chief Brexit negotiator, and three serving department heads: Dame Antonia Romeo from the Ministry of Justice, Tamara Finkelstein from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and Sir Chris Wormald from the Department of Health and Social Care.

🇺🇸 A US special prosecutor, who spearheaded two major criminal cases against Donald Trump, has requested their dismissal following Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election. The cases involved allegations of Trump attempting to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling classified documents. Trump had denied all charges. Justice Department policy prohibits the prosecution of a sitting president.