This week in business: cold fronts, cool stores, and a hot mess in Washington
A weak La Niña with not-so-weak implications, rare-earth jitters rock Wall Street and crypto, and retailers split between expansion and retrenchment.
Emily Price
There’s a
chill in the air—and not just from the weather. A newly arrived La Niña
pattern is setting the stage for a potentially wild winter, with experts
predicting snow-packed northern states, a drier South, and maybe even
more late-season hurricanes. Meanwhile, markets caught their own cold
snap after fresh U.S.–China trade tensions sparked a global sell-off.
Still,
not all the week’s headlines were gloomy. Uniqlo is going on a U.S.
growth spree with 11 new stores planned for next year. But other
industries are feeling the squeeze—from whiskey makers battling tariffs
and falling demand, to airlines struggling through a government shutdown
that’s leaving thousands of flights delayed. Throw in a nationwide
Listeria pasta recall, a soda study that might make you rethink your
next Diet Coke, and the threat of delayed Social Security payments—and
it’s safe to say this week had something for everyone.
Here’s a look at what made headlines:
La Niña Is Back—and Winter Might Get Weird
The National Weather Service says La Niña officially kicked in last month,
bringing cooler Pacific waters that tend to shake up global weather
patterns. Expect snowier-than-normal conditions across the northern U.S.
and drier, warmer weather down South. It could also mean more hurricane
activity into late fall, even though experts are calling this a “weak”
La Niña.
Uniqlo Bets Big on Brick-and-Mortar
The Japanese clothing brand known for minimalist staples is going on a U.S. expansion tear.
Uniqlo will open 11 new stores next year, including four in New York
City and new flagships in Chicago and San Francisco. The move bucks the
trend of retailers downsizing as shoppers cut back—proof that Fast
Retailing, Uniqlo’s parent company, sees plenty of life left in American
retail.
Markets Tank After Trump’s Tariff Threats
Stocks took a nosedive this week
after President Trump reignited his trade feud with China, threatening a
“massive increase” in tariffs. Beijing’s new export controls on rare
earth minerals hit tech and defense sectors hard—but ironically sent
U.S. rare-earth companies like MP Materials and USA Rare Earth soaring
before they cooled off. Crypto investors didn’t fare as well, with
nearly $125 billion wiped out in a single day.
Whiskey Country Feels the Burn
America’s whiskey makers are facing a hangover that’s about a lot more than tariffs. Spirits exports fell 9% in the second quarter
according to the Distilled Spirits Council, and domestic drinking is
down to its lowest level in decades. Distilleries in Kentucky and
Tennessee are cutting jobs or closing doors, while smaller producers
struggle to stay solvent.
Your Daily Soda Habit Could Be Hurting Your Liver
A new European study suggests that even one can of soda a day—regular or diet—could raise your risk of liver disease by up to 60%.
Both sugary and artificially sweetened drinks were linked to fat
buildup in the liver and other metabolic issues. Researchers say the
safest bet is to skip the fizz and stick with water, no matter how
tempting that afternoon “fridge cigarette” sounds.
Flight Delays Pile Up During Shutdown
If you’re flying anytime soon, brace yourself. More than 16,000 flights have been delayed this week
as the government shutdown drags on. Air traffic controllers and TSA
agents are working unpaid, and airports from Chicago to D.C. are feeling
the pinch. With a long weekend ahead, experts say to double-check your
flight before leaving for the airport—and maybe pack some patience.
Kroger Joins the Pasta Recall Parade
Kroger is pulling two pasta salads—Basil
Pesto Bowtie and Smoked Mozzarella Penne—from shelves after possible
Listeria contamination. The recall affects stores in more than two dozen
states and follows similar moves by Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and
Albertsons. At least 19 people have been hospitalized and four have died
in a multistate outbreak linked to ready-to-eat pasta meals.
Social Security COLA Bump Could Be Delayed
Yes, Social Security checks are still going out—but next year’s cost-of-living increase may be stuck in limbo.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which calculates the inflation data
needed for the 2026 adjustment, is mostly furloughed during the
shutdown. Without those numbers, the SSA can’t finalize the expected
2.7% boost in monthly benefits, leaving retirees waiting for answers.
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