Category: 3. Business

  • Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey – Seasonal Adjustment Revisions for 2026

    In January of each year, the researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia calculate new seasonal adjustment factors for the Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey using data through December of the previous calendar year.

    • These new seasonal factors generate minor revisions to the seasonally adjusted data for prior years.
    • A one-year forecast of the new seasonal factors is used to adjust new survey data for each forthcoming month of the current year.

    Due to atypical volatility at the onset of the pandemic and the long, steep recovery period that followed, we have excluded data from 2020 and 2021 from our analysis of seasonal factors. To revise seasonal adjustment factors for prior years and forecast factors for the current year (2026), we:

    • calculated new seasonal adjustment factors using the U.S. Census Bureau’s X-12 procedure based on data from January 1976 through December 2019, appended with data from January 2022 through December 2025.
    • calculated factors for each month of 2020 and 2021 by interpolating between each month of 2019 and 2022.
    • applied revised seasonal adjustment factors to the nonseasonally adjusted data from January 1986 through December 2025.
    • forecasted seasonal factors for each month of 2026 using the X-12 ARIMA method.

    Find the complete history data for all series.

    Return to the main page for the Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey.

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  • Energy-saving kits help residents stay warm and cut bills

    Energy-saving kits help residents stay warm and cut bills

    Residents received practical support to help reduce energy bills and stay warm this winter, following two Energy Doctors drop-in events held in December.

    The events took place at Harold Hill Library Hub and the Low Energy Visitor Centre (LEVC), as part of Havering Council’s ongoing work to support residents with the cost of living.

    During the events, 40 Energy Saving Helper Kits were distributed, alongside 60 Winter Warm and Energy Saving Information packs.

    Residents were able to speak directly with the Energy Doctors team about energy efficiency, keeping warm and well, and the wider support available locally.

    Several residents also left their details to arrange a free Energy Doctor home visit in the new year, with further enquiries and referrals expected following the distribution of the kits and information packs.

    The Energy Saving Helper Kits included items such as energy-saving lightbulbs, timer switches, night lights, recycling bags and practical advice via information packs to help households reduce energy use.

    Residents were also signposted to a range of cost of living and wellbeing support available across Havering.

    Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:

    “These events show the value of meeting residents face to face and offering practical, accessible support.

    “Alongside the kits, the conversations taking place are just as important, helping residents understand the options available to them and encouraging take-up of further support where it’s needed.

    “As a Council we continue to be there for residents struggling with the cost of living and I urge anyone feeling the pinch to reach out for help as soon as possible.”

    The Council-supported Energy Doctors programme offers free home visits, where trained advisors can install radiator foils and draught proofing, provide tailored energy advice and help residents access additional support.

    If you or someone you know needs support with the cost of living visit the Healthy money web page or contact us directly via email costoflivingresponse@havering.gov.uk or call the Cost of Living helpline on 01708 432280.

    Energy Doctors

    Published:
    8 January 2026

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  • US Department of Labor recovers more than $259M in back wages for workers in 2025

    US Department of Labor recovers more than $259M in back wages for workers in 2025

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division today announced it has recovered more than $259 million in back wages for nearly 177,000 employees nationwide – an average of $1,465 per worker – in fiscal year 2025, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the American workforce.

    “Under the leadership of President Trump and Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, the Department is enforcing the laws fully and fairly to promote equal competition for all job creators while protecting the rights and earnings of American workers,” said Wage and Hour Division Administrator Andrew Rogers. 

    In addition to recovering more back wages than in any year since 2019, the division also enhanced its compliance assistance efforts by providing new guidance and tools aimed at helping employers stay informed of their obligations. The agency created an improved compliance assistance hub, updated compliance videos on the Fair Labor Standards Act, and created a YouTube series on the Family and Medical Leave Act. The division also relaunched its opinion letter program and the Payroll Audit Independent Determination program, which offers employers an opportunity to self-report and resolve potential minimum wage and overtime violations under the FLSA, as well as certain potential violations under the FMLA.

    Workers and employers can call the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers are encouraged to use the agency’s industry-specific compliance assistance toolkits to learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division.

    Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool that workers can use if they think they may be owed back wages collected by the division. Download the agency’s free timesheet app for iOS and Android devices to track hours and pay.

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  • Minister MacDonald to announce federal investment to support Halal production

    January 8, 2026 – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 

    The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will be in Albany, Prince Edward Island, to announce federal investments to Atlantic Beef Products Inc. (ABPI), to improve processing and package of Halal products. He will be accompanied by Russ Mallard, President and CEO of ABPI.

    Date
    Friday, January 9, 2026

    Time
    10 am (AST)

    Location
    Atlantic Beef Products Inc.
    95 Train Station Road
    Albany, Prince Edward Island
    C0B 1A0

    Notes for media  

    • Please allow time to set up if you have a tripod camera or microphone
    • Parking spaces are available on site
    • Media must sign in at front desk before proceeding to announcement location

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  • ‘ChatGPT Health’ Soon Will Connect To Your Electronic Medical Records

    The new feature from OpenAI allows users to analyze medical test results and seek guidance on diets and workout routines, but the company stressed that it will supplement, not replace, the judgment of doctors. Initially, OpenAI will let users sign up for a waitlist to try it out, Bloomberg reported, but the program will expand in the coming weeks.

    Bloomberg:
    OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Health To Review Test Results, Diets

    OpenAI is introducing a new feature in ChatGPT that will allow users to analyze medical test results, prepare for doctors appointments and seek guidance on diets and workout routines — marking the company’s biggest push yet into the health care sector. ChatGPT Health, announced Wednesday, is intended to help provide useful health and fitness information but stop short of making formal diagnoses. The new feature can connect with peoples’ electronic medical records, wearable devices and wellness apps, such as Apple Health and MyFitnessPal, the company said. (Ghaffary, 1/7)

    More news about artificial intelligence —

    Modern Healthcare:
    Aidoc Names Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld As Chief Medical Officer

    Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, former president of the American Medical Association, has been named global chief medical officer of Aidoc. The startup offers artificial intelligence-enabled tools designed to support clinical decision making. Ehrenfeld will work with health systems looking to implement a comprehensive approach to AI-powered clinical technology, Aidoc said in a Wednesday news release. (DeSilva, 1/7)

    AP:
    AI Health Tech At CES Makes Big Promises, Experts Wary

    Health tech gadgets displayed at the annual CES trade show make a lot of promises. A smart scale promoted a healthier lifestyle by scanning your feet to track your heart health, and an egg-shaped hormone tracker uses AI to help you figure out the best time to conceive. Tech and health experts, however, question the accuracy of products like these and warn of data privacy issues — especially as the federal government eases up on regulation. (Hill, 1/8)

    The New York Times:
    Google And Character.AI To Settle Lawsuit Over Teenager’s Death 

    Google and Character.AI, a maker of artificial intelligence companions, agreed to settle a lawsuit that had accused the companies of providing harmful chatbots that led a teenager to kill himself, according to a legal filing on Wednesday. The lawsuit had been filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in October 2024 by Megan L. Garcia, the mother of Sewell Setzer III. Sewell, 14, of Orlando, killed himself in February 2024 after texting and conversing with one of Character. AI’s chatbots. In his last conversation with the chatbot, it said to the teenager to “please come home to me as soon as possible.” (Rocha, 1/7)

    More health industry developments —

    The 19th:
    Children’s Hospitals Face HHS Probe Over Gender-Affirming Care

    Three children’s hospitals are under federal investigation for providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth, as the Trump administration continues to use all the levers it can to block such care. (Rummler, 1/7)

    Stateline:
    Freestanding Birth Centers Are Closing As Maternity Care Gaps Grow

    Dr. Heather Skanes opened Alabama’s first freestanding birth center in 2022 in her hometown of Birmingham. Skanes, an OBGYN, wanted to improve access to maternal health care in a state that’s long had one of the nation’s highest rates of maternal and infant mortality. (Vollers and Hassanein, 1/7)

    Becker’s Hospital Review:
    Medical Groups Face Mounting Costs, Stagnant Revenue: 5 Things To Know

    Operating expenses continue to exceed revenue for many system-affiliated medical groups, with average expense ratios over 100%, according to the “AMGA 2025 Medical Group Operations and Finance Survey.” The organization gathered data from 39 medical groups — 25 system-affiliated and 14 independent — encompassing more than 7,100 clinics and over 34,500 provider [full-time equivalents]. (Gooch, 1/7)

    The Wall Street Journal:
    This Startup Wants To Bring Cancer Patients Care At Home

    For cancer patients, traveling to receive drug infusions is often a regular part of treatment. Luminate Medical wants to bring infusions to them. The startup has raised $21 million in new venture financing from 8VC, Artis Ventures and others to deliver chemotherapy and other cancer-drug infusions in the home—a service that could ease burdens on patients, but one that isn’t typically offered today. (Gormley, 1/7)

    KFF Health News:
    Solving The Home Care Quandary

    You’re ready to leave the hospital, but you don’t feel able to care for yourself at home yet. Or, you’ve completed a couple of weeks in rehab. Can you handle your complicated medication regimen, along with shopping and cooking? Perhaps you fell in the shower, and now your family wants you to arrange help with bathing and getting dressed. There are facilities that provide such help, of course, but most older people don’t want to go there. They want to stay at home; that’s the problem. (Span, 1/8)

    The Baltimore Sun:
    Stop The Bleed Could Save Maryland Lives

    Earlier application of basic bleeding control called Stop the Bleed could have saved up to 70 Maryland lives, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis published by the Journal of the American College of Surgeons in December. (Hille, 1/7)


    This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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  • CrowdStrike to Acquire SGNL to Transform Identity Security for the AI Era

    CrowdStrike to Acquire SGNL to Transform Identity Security for the AI Era

    CrowdStrike is expanding the Falcon platform with Continuous Identity, redefining privilege and access for all users everywhere – from human to non-human AI agents

    AUSTIN, Texas – January 8, 2026 – CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire SGNL, a leader in Continuous Identity. This acquisition will accelerate CrowdStrike’s leadership in Next-Gen Identity Security, enabling access for human, non-human (NHI), and AI identities to be continuously granted and revoked based on real-time risk. With SGNL, CrowdStrike will extend dynamic authorization across SaaS and hyperscaler cloud access layers. The combination of dynamic privilege and access coupled with Falcon® platform intelligence sets a new standard for agentic identity security. 

    “AI agents operate with superhuman speed and access, making every agent a privileged identity that must be protected,” said George Kurtz, CEO and founder of CrowdStrike. “With SGNL, CrowdStrike will deliver continuous, real-time access control that eliminates the known and unknown gaps from legacy standing privileges. We’re disrupting the premise of modern privilege and access – for every identity, human or machine. This is identity security built for the AI era.”

    Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security: Identity Security for the AI Era

    Identity security is rapidly becoming one of cybersecurity’s largest and fastest-growing segments. According to IDC, the identity security market is expected to grow from approximately $29 billion in 2025 to $56 billion by 2029.1

    As NHIs and the agentic workforce expand, these entities function as high-privilege identities with access to data, applications, compute resources, and other agents. They’re created dynamically in SaaS applications and hyperscaler workloads and operate across distributed cloud access paths. This shift exposes the risk created by legacy access models built on static policies and standing privileges. These models cannot reassess risk or revoke access as threat conditions change, leaving organizations exposed as AI identities operate autonomously. Identity security for the AI era requires a fundamentally different approach, built on continuous risk evaluation and dynamic authorization across modern access paths.

    Falcon® Next-Gen Identity Security already secures the full hybrid identity lifecycle, unifying initial access prevention, privileged access management (PAM), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), SaaS identity security, and agentic identity protection. Falcon correlates identity, asset, and threat intelligence across endpoint, cloud, and SaaS environments, establishing the foundation for continuous, risk-aware authorization at scale.

    Securing Modern Identities with SGNL

    SGNL is the runtime access enforcement layer between modern identity providers and the SaaS and hyperscaler resources that people, NHIs, and AI agents access. Powered by real-time Falcon platform intelligence and risk signals, SGNL will continuously evaluate identity, device, and behavior to dynamically grant, deny, or revoke access as conditions change, eliminating standing privilege access across every identity and environment.

    Key features and benefits of SGNL and the Falcon platform will include: 

    • Eliminate Standing Privileges for Humans, NHIs, and AI Agents: Grant access the moment it’s needed and remove it the moment it’s not with continuous dynamic authorization powered by real-time Falcon platform risk signals.
    • Access Enforcement Across All Major Identity Systems: Extend Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security’s Just-in-Time access beyond Active Directory and Entra ID to AWS IAM, Okta, and other cloud identity and SaaS systems.
    • Identity Governance and Downstream Protection: Enhance Falcon’s asset intelligence and identity governance with Continuous Access Evaluation Protocol (CAEP)-driven enforcement integrated into Falcon® Fusion SOAR to revoke access beyond the identity provider, proactively prevent misconfiguration-driven breaches, and protect downstream applications and services.
    • Unify Hybrid Identity Security: Secure every identity across the attack chain – from initial access to privilege escalation and lateral movement spanning on-prem, SaaS, and cloud environments.


    “SGNL was founded to connect access decisions with business reality,” said Scott Kriz, CEO and co-founder of SGNL. “The world needs our technology to eradicate the significant risk that legacy standing privileges expose in today and tomorrow’s environments. Joining CrowdStrike provides us with global scale natively through cybersecurity’s leading platform to transform enterprise security with Continuous Identity, furthering CrowdStrike’s mission of stopping breaches.”

    Transaction Details

    The purchase price is contemplated to be paid predominantly in cash and includes a portion to be delivered in the form of stock subject to vesting conditions. The proposed acquisition is expected to close during CrowdStrike’s first quarter of FY’27, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory clearances. 

    About CrowdStrike

    CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), a global cybersecurity leader, has redefined modern security with the world’s most advanced cloud-native platform for protecting critical areas of enterprise risk – endpoints and cloud workloads, identity and data.

    Powered by the CrowdStrike Security Cloud and world-class AI, the CrowdStrike Falcon® platform leverages real-time indicators of attack, threat intelligence, evolving adversary tradecraft, and enriched telemetry from across the enterprise to deliver hyper-accurate detections, automated protection and remediation, elite threat hunting, and prioritized observability of vulnerabilities.

    Purpose-built in the cloud with a single lightweight-agent architecture, the Falcon platform delivers rapid and scalable deployment, superior protection and performance, reduced complexity, and immediate time-to-value.

    CrowdStrike: We stop breaches.

    Learn more: https://www.crowdstrike.com/

    Follow us: Blog | X | LinkedIn | Instagram

    Start a free trial today: https://www.crowdstrike.com/trial

    © 2026 CrowdStrike, Inc. All rights reserved. CrowdStrike and CrowdStrike Falcon are marks owned by CrowdStrike, Inc. and are registered in the United States and other countries. CrowdStrike owns other trademarks and service marks and may use the brands of third parties to identify their products and services.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the benefits of the acquisition to CrowdStrike and its customers, CrowdStrike’s plans to integrate SGNL’s technology and operations, and the closing of the acquisition. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated as a result of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including the satisfaction of conditions to closing the acquisition including the receipt of regulatory clearances, CrowdStrike’s ability to integrate SGNL’s technology and operations, and other risks described in the filings CrowdStrike makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including CrowdStrike’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and subsequent filings. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to CrowdStrike as of the date hereof, and CrowdStrike does not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

    Media Contact

    Jake Schuster

    CrowdStrike Corporate Communications

    press@crowdstrike.com

     



    1Source: IDC, Semiannual Security Products Forecast, 2025 H1, November 2025.

     


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  • Bounty Returns as the Ultimate Wingman

    The Quicker Picker Upper is back with NFL Star Rob Gronkowski and brings in rookie for his Wingman, sportscaster Charissa Thompson, to give fans the winning play against gameday’s messiest food: wings + Bounty

    CINCINNATI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Back for its fourth year, the Bounty is Your Wingman campaign is built on the simple, saucy truth: you can’t have football without wings, and you can’t have wings without Bounty. As NFL fans across the country gear up for the most-watched games of the year, Bounty is once again showing up where it belongs, at the center of wing-filled watch parties, handling every spill, drip, and sticky-finger so fans can focus on the fun.

    Gronk and Charissa are joined by more than 20 NFL players from across the league, each paired with their own wingman to share stories from messy game-day feasts, their love of football, and what it really means to be a wingman. Content will roll out across Instagram throughout the playoffs and Super Bowl season.

    Why Wings, Why Bounty?

    According to the National Chicken Council, Americans eat enough wings during the Super Bowl alone to circle the Earth more than three times if laid out end-to-end.* Just imagine the mess.

    As the MVP of clean, Bounty is twice as absorbent as ordinary paper towels, so fans can use less and get the job done with just one sheet.**

    Enter Rob Gronkowski & Charissa Thompson

    With that many wings in play, Bounty called in NFL legend and longtime partner Rob Gronkowski (aka Gronk), along with his newest wingman, sportscaster, on-air co-host, and real-life friend Charissa Thompson. Together, Gronk and Charissa are giving fans a front-row seat into how they really do gameday at home.

    “I go big on game day, big plays, big energy, and a ton of extra saucy wings,” said Gronk. “As the Bounty Man, I know mess happens, so Charissa and I call in Bounty, the only paper towel tough enough to keep the game going.”

    “Gronk and I go way back, and while fans might be used to seeing us together on camera, we’ve logged just as much time hanging out at each other’s watch parties,” said Charissa Thompson. “And anyone who has been to a Gronk watch party knows a mess is guaranteed. That’s why I’m excited to team up with Bounty so fans can enjoy every part of gameday, the fun, the food and yes, even the mess.”

    Bounty Takes Over Super Bowl LX Media Center

    It’s game on at Super Bowl Radio Row from February 2 – 6, 2026 at The George R. Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco with the annual Bounty House of Wingman. This year, Bounty takes the watch party experience to the next level with a two-story, 1,200 square foot smart home – anticipated to be an unforgettable standout at the Super Bowl media hub.

    The highlights:

    • Tens of thousands of chicken wings served to hungry reporters
    • Live interviews, photo ops, and content creation with Gronk, Charissa, and NFL Wingmen
    • A “front-lawn” football challenge, where attendees can launch footballs through an oversized roll of Bounty and race the clock for a high score

    The experience brings together food, fun, football, and of course plenty of Bounty to pick up the mess.

    Helping Fans Gear Up for Gameday at Home

    And it doesn’t stop there; Bounty is helping fans gear up for their own watch parties at home by offering a limited time coupon for up to $3 off select packs of Bounty starting today, making it easier to stock up and stay ready for the messiest Sunday of the year.

    About Procter & Gamble

    P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at https://www.pg.com/news.

    *Source: https://www.nationalchickencouncil.org/americans-to-eat-1-45-billion-chicken-wings-for-the-big-game/

    **vs leading ordinary brand

    Contacts

    Alan Danzis

    908-209-9940

    alan.danzis@mslgroup.com

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  • Wood Green library services temporarily relocate to Clarendon Recovery College from today

    Library services in Wood Green reopened today (Thursday 8 January 2026) at Clarendon Recovery College temporarily while essential improvement works are carried out to the main library.

    The college has a quiet study area for pupils and students looking to do homework or revise for exams in peace, while there’s also a warm space for residents to socialise and shelter away from the cold and inclement weather.

    Located at 32 Clarendon Road (N8 ODJ), you can access free Wi-Fi on your devices, read daily newspapers, pick up reserved titles and return library items as well.

    The opening hours for library services at Clarendon Recovery College are as follows:

    Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm.

    Saturday: 10am-5pm.

    Sunday: Closed.

    The improvement works to Wood Green Library, which include repairs to the alarms, ceilings, passenger lift, service cupboards and water supply/system, are due to be completed in April 2026.

    We will reopen some sections of Wood Green Library before then, if it’s possible for us to do so. We apologise for any disruption and inconvenience this may cause.

    The on-site Customer Service Centre at Wood Green Library will remain fully open for the duration of the project along with Eat Wood Green, Haringey Learns and Haringey Works.

    Access to Eat Wood Green (including the first-floor growing terrace) will remain open throughout the works and we’re seeking to schedule work on the second floor (Haringey Learns and Haringey Works) over weekends and during the February half-term holidays. Every effort is being made to keep disruption to a minimum.

    The partial closure will ensure the facility continues to comply with relevant fire, health and building safety regulations, ensuring the ongoing safety of all residents who use the library and other services in the building.

    Residents are advised that they can visit all other libraries in the borough to access books and other library resources. You can find your nearest, alternative library on the Haringey Council website.

    You can find details of opening times on our website, where you can also explore our digital offer, including audiobooks, digital magazines, e-books and newspapers.

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  • CHIPOTLE TEAMS UP WITH EA SPORTS™ COLLEGE FOOTBALL 26 TO LAUNCH COLLEGE FOOTBALL ULTIMATE TEAM PACK AND NEW CHIPOTLE CHALLENGER SERIES

    CHIPOTLE TEAMS UP WITH EA SPORTS™ COLLEGE FOOTBALL 26 TO LAUNCH COLLEGE FOOTBALL ULTIMATE TEAM PACK AND NEW CHIPOTLE CHALLENGER SERIES

    NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 8, 2026 – In celebration of college football’s championship season, Chipotle is introducing two new integrations in EA SPORTS™ College Football 26. The brand is offering gamers a chance to score the exclusive Taste Victory College Ultimate Team pack and hosting a massive online College Football 26 tournament for its latest edition of the Chipotle Challenger Series. 

    Image and video assets for the Taste Victory College Ultimate Team pack are located here: https://tinyurl.com/2jmus8h5.

    Build Your Ultimate Team

    College Football Ultimate Team™ is where players build their dream college football team, allowing them to team up today’s student-athletes with legends of the past. College Ultimate Team packs contain a randomized assortment of players, items or Coins that gives gamers more options to construct their roster, and Chipotle’s Taste Victory Pack will include two (2) randomized player items, each with a guaranteed overall rating (OVR) of 81+. 

    Players can unlock the Taste Victory pack by placing a digital order on the Chipotle app or Chipotle.com and using the promo code “CHIPCUT” at checkout.* Chipotle Rewards members will also have a chance to score a second Taste Victory Pack by redeeming points in the Chipotle Rewards Exchange.**

    Bring Glory Home: The Chipotle Challenger Series Returns

    The Chipotle Challenger Series (CCS) is a series of online tournaments that gives fans across the U.S. the chance to compete head-to-head for major prizes. For the first time ever, Chipotle will feature a sports video game title, EA SPORTS™ College Football 26, in the CCS. Hosted on PlayStation Tournaments™, the Chipotle Challenger Series will run from Thursday, January 1 through Saturday, January 31. Participants will be organized into 32-player brackets, with each daily tournament running from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. local time. 

    All players who enter and compete in the tournament will receive an exclusive PlayStation avatar, in addition to a free Double Protein code from Chipotle to celebrate the launch of the brand’s High Protein Menu. First-place winners will receive a promo code for a free entrée and 1,050 College Football Points. From January 15 to 22, first-place winners will also receive a Taste Victory College Ultimate Team Pack.

    “With these new integrations from Chipotle, players now have more ways to build their dream teams and compete for glory, all while being rewarded with the real food they love,” said Chris Brandt, President, Chief Brand Officer of Chipotle. “We are fueling the competitive spirit of fans and adding real value to their gaming experience during the most exciting time of the college football season.” 

    Additionally, Chipotle continues to offer virtual athletes the opportunity to sign an NIL deal in the game’s “Road to Glory” mode. In return, players receive in-game skill points and boosts to key stats such as Leadership, Coach Happiness and Social Following. This integration initially launched last September, coinciding with the start of college football season.

    *AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Beginning on 1/1/26 up to the first 38,500 people who purchase a regular-priced entrée item through the Chipotle App or Chipotle.com using the promo code “CHIPCUT” at digital checkout will receive one (1) code (“Code”) redeemable for the “Taste Victory” College Ultimate Team Pack in EA SPORTS College Football ‘26. Promotion ends the earlier of 1/31/26 or when all Codes have been claimed. Entrée items include burrito, burrito bowl, salad, quesadilla or order of 3 tacos; kids meals do not qualify. The Code will be delivered to the email address used to place the order and can be redeemed at ea.com/redeem; limit one (1) redemption per e-mail address and EA Account. Visit www.ea.com to create an EA Account (if you do not already have one) by following the instructions at https://help.ea.com/en/ea-account/. Conditions and restrictions apply to your use of the EA SPORTS™ College Football 26 game; see the game page on your platform’s digital store for details. EA Account registration requires agreement to EA’s User Agreement and acknowledgement that EA’s Privacy & Cookie Policy applies to your use of EA’s services. Code is one-time use. Codes cannot be auctioned, bartered, or sold. You must have a valid copy of EA SPORTS College Football ’26, EA Account and internet access to redeem and use the “Taste Victory” College Ultimate Team Pack benefit. Applicable platform account required. Not valid on orders in store or via third party delivery or ordering platforms. Limit: one (1) Code per transaction. U.S. only. 13+. Additional restrictions may apply; void where prohibited. The “Taste Victory” College Ultimate Team Pack includes two (2) randomized College Ultimate Team player items for use in College Ultimate Team mode. Use of the “Taste Victory” College Ultimate Team Pack subject to EA’s terms and conditions. Chipotle, EA, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents are not responsible for errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the offer, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the offer, the processing of orders, the functionality of the Chipotle apps or websites, or in any offer-related materials. This offer is in no way administered, executed, or produced by EA or its affiliates. Chipotle reserves the right to cancel the offer at any time. EA SPORTSTM College Football 26 ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; users interact, in-game purchases (includes random items). Visit www.esrb.org for rating information. EA SPORTS and Ultimate Team are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. This buy-get offer can only be redeemed one time.

    **Beginning on 1/1/26 up to the first 10,000 Rewards Members can redeem 250 points to receive one (1) code (“Code”) redeemable for the “Taste Victory” College Ultimate Team Pack in EA SPORTS College Football ‘26. Promotion ends the earlier of 1/31/26 or when all 10,000 Codes available via the Rewards Exchange have been redeemed. The Code will be delivered to the email address associated with the Chipotle Rewards account in which the redemption is made and can be redeemed at ea.com/redeem; limit one (1) redemption per Chipotle Rewards account and EA Account. Visit www.ea.com to create an EA Account (if you do not already have one) by following the instructions at https://help.ea.com/en/ea-account. Conditions and restrictions apply to your use of the EA SPORTS™ College Football 26 game; see the game page on your platform’s digital store for details. EA Account registration requires agreement to EA’s User Agreement and acknowledgement that EA’s Privacy & Cookie Policy applies to your use of EA’s services. Code is one-time use. Codes cannot be auctioned, bartered, or sold. You must have a valid copy of EA SPORTS College Football 26, EA Account and internet access to redeem and use the “Taste Victory” College Ultimate Team Pack benefit. Applicable platform account required. U.S. only. 13+. Additional restrictions may apply; void where prohibited. The “Taste Victory” College Ultimate Team Pack includes two (2) randomized College Ultimate Team player items for use in College Ultimate Team mode. Use of the “Taste Victory” College Ultimate Team Pack subject to EA’s terms and conditions. Chipotle, EA, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents are not responsible for errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the offer, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the offer, the processing of orders, the functionality of the Chipotle apps or websites, or in any offer-related materials. This offer is in no way administered, executed, or produced by EA or its affiliates. Chipotle reserves the right to cancel the offer at any time. Visit https://www.chipotle.com/rewards-terms for Chipotle Rewards terms. EA SPORTS™ College Football 26 ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; users interact, in-game purchases (includes random items). Visit www.esrb.org for rating information. EA SPORTS and Ultimate Team are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.

    About Chipotle

    Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. There are over 3,900 restaurants as of September 30, 2025 in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Middle East and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With over 130,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit CHIPOTLE.COM. 

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  • We’re carrying out essential work to repair gas pipes in Featherstone

    Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributor for the North of England, is carrying out essential repair work on gas pipes in Featherstone, West Yorkshire.

    This work will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in Featherstone, keeping homes and businesses safe, warm and connected.

    So that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect the public, some temporary traffic management measures will be put in place.

    From the afternoon of Thursday 8 January, temporary traffic lights will be in place at the four-way junction of Pontefract Road, Wakefield Road, Girnhill Lane and Station Lane – close to the Lidl supermarket.

    The gas supply to homes and businesses in the area is unaffected.

    Mark Austerberry, Site Manager at Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused during these essential repair works. Our investigations are ongoing, and we’ll provide a completion date for these works as soon as we can.

    “Our teams will be working 24/7 to get the repairs completed as soon as possible, and the temporary traffic lights will also be manned from 7am-7pm to minimise disruption.”

    For further information about the work please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.


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