This article discusses upcoming changes in tax refunds due to new tax laws under President Donald Trump, which include an average increase of $1,000 per household. However, many people might not see this increase because the benefits are narrowly focused. The changes will mostly affect how refunds are calculated and who benefits from them.
Key Facts
Tax refunds are expected to rise by an average of $1,000 per household, according to the Treasury Department.
The increase is part of the Working Families Tax Cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Erica York from the Tax Foundation noted that not everyone will see the $1,000 increase due to targeted benefits.
More than 100 million households are expected to receive tax refunds.
The child tax credit is increased to $2,200 and adjusted for inflation, benefiting many families.
About 44 million families can use Form 4547 to start a Trump account for children born between 2025 and 2028, which includes a $1,000 contribution from the Treasury.
Changes include the treatment of tips and the deduction of auto loan interest.
Taxes are due in April, a standard deadline for tax submissions.
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A major report highlights that companies need to protect and restore nature to survive. It warns that businesses could face extinction if they do not shift their practices towards supporting natural systems. The report, approved by multiple governments, emphasizes that all businesses rely on nature's services to function effectively.
Key Facts
The report is from Ipbes and involves contributions from scientists worldwide.
It is approved by 150 governments.
Businesses depend on natural resources like clean water and fertile soil.
Biodiversity loss is a significant threat to businesses.
Less than 1% of companies report their impacts on biodiversity.
Large subsidies often harm biodiversity because of lobbying.
Local projects like Steart Marshes show how businesses can work with nature to benefit both agriculture and wildlife.
The report calls for better measures and tools for businesses to manage their impact on nature.
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Starbucks has introduced new pastries and Valentine's Day-themed drinks starting February 9, 2026. The additions include six globally inspired bakery items and a new coffee blend named Roast 1971. All new bakery items are now available in Starbucks across the U.S., with most being permanent menu additions.
Key Facts
Starbucks launched new pastries and drinks as of February 9, 2026.
A new coffee blend called Roast 1971 has been introduced to celebrate Starbucks' heritage.
Six new bakery items have been added to Starbucks' U.S. menus.
The Dubai Chocolate Bite features a shortbread tart with pistachio cream.
The Cookie Croissant Swirl is a croissant with cocoa swirls and chocolate toppings.
The Berry Blondie includes white chocolate and berry jam.
The Strawberry Matcha Loaf combines matcha and strawberry flavors.
The Yuzu Citrus Blossom is a croissant with citrus cream.
The Chocolate Pistachio Loaf is a marbled cake available only through winter.
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Warpaint, a company that makes cosmetics for men, has bought the budget make-up brand Barry M for £1.4 million. Barry M went into administration, which means it had financial troubles and couldn't pay its debts. The deal to buy Barry M is still subject to court approval.
Key Facts
Warpaint bought Barry M for £1.4 million.
Barry M is known for its bright-colored make-up, popular among fans and drag queens.
The deal does not save the jobs of over 100 Barry M employees.
Barry M was founded in 1982 by Barry Mero and later run by his son, Dean Mero.
Barry M was sold in about 1,300 stores in the UK, like Superdrug and Tesco.
Warpaint reports that its profits will be lower this year due to tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.
Barry M had sales of £15 million up to February 2025.
Warpaint's takeover could help increase its sales and expand reach in stores.
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Eddie Bauer has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for its stores in the U.S. and Canada due to declining sales and industry challenges. Most stores will stay open during this process, and the company's e-commerce and international operations are not affected.
Key Facts
Eddie Bauer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its U.S. and Canadian stores.
The company plans to close some stores while keeping others open.
Eddie Bauer's e-commerce and wholesale businesses will continue as usual.
Stores outside the U.S. and Canada are not part of the bankruptcy filing.
Customers can still use gift cards and loyalty programs during the initial bankruptcy phase.
Authentic Brands Group owns the Eddie Bauer brand and may license it to others later.
This is the third time Eddie Bauer has filed for bankruptcy in over 20 years.
Catalyst Brands, which operates Eddie Bauer stores, was formed through the merger of SPARC Group and JCPenney.
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Homeowners in the U.S. are staying in their houses longer than ever, reaching an average of 8.6 years by the end of 2025. This is due to low mortgage rates, high home prices, and less availability of homes for sale.
Key Facts
Homeowners are staying in their homes for an average of 8.6 years, the longest in at least 25 years.
The average homeownership duration in early 2000 was 4.2 years.
Homeowners in coastal and Northeast U.S. cities tend to keep their houses longer than those in Sun Belt and Midwest areas.
Barnstable, Springfield, and New Haven have the highest average tenure, over 13 years.
Cities like Provo, Crestview, and Oklahoma City have the shortest homeownership durations, around 7 years.
The trend of how long people own homes has been consistent in areas with historically long or short tenure periods.
Recently, more U.S. homeowners now have mortgage rates over 6% compared to those with rates under 3%.
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Documents from the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that Jeffrey Epstein tried to influence media coverage about sexual abuse allegations against him. Epstein used his relationship with billionaire Mortimer Zuckerman, the then-owner of the New York Daily News, to alter how the newspaper reported the story after Epstein's 2008 conviction.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Epstein sought to change media coverage about allegations against him.
The U.S. Department of Justice released documents showing Epstein's efforts.
Epstein had a business and personal relationship with Mortimer Zuckerman.
Zuckerman owned the New York Daily News at the time.
Documents show Epstein suggested changes to how the Daily News reported the story.
An email exchange in 2009 showed Epstein contacting Zuckerman about the coverage.
The Daily News eventually published an article but avoided mentioning Ghislaine Maxwell.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking.
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Amazon has recalled bottles of essential oil sold by Gumili Beauty because the packaging is not safe for children. The U.S. agency in charge, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, says the packaging did not meet standards to prevent child poisoning.
Key Facts
The recall involves Gumili Wintergreen Essential Oil sold on Amazon.
The packaging is not child-resistant, which poses a risk of poisoning.
About 2,970 bottles were recalled in the U.S.
The recalled product was sold from October 2023 to November 2025.
The oil contains methyl salicylate, needing special packaging by law.
No injuries have been reported due to this product.
Consumers can get a refund or replacement by contacting the company.
The product was manufactured in China and sold by Guangzhou Feifan Kuajing Supply Chain Co. Ltd.
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Starbucks is offering a free coffee to Starbucks Rewards members when they purchase a qualifying drink the Monday after the Super Bowl. They are also introducing a new coffee blend called the "1971 Roast" and launching merchandise that features their original branding from 1971.
Key Facts
Starbucks offers one free hot or iced coffee to Rewards members with the purchase of another drink.
The offer is valid at participating U.S. stores, excluding delivery services.
Free drinks use a retro-style cup with Starbucks' original logo.
Starbucks introduced a new coffee blend named "1971 Roast."
The 1971 Roast is a dark coffee created to honor Starbucks' founding year.
New 1971-themed merchandise, such as mugs and tumblers, will also be available.
Starbucks started as a small store in Seattle in 1971, selling freshly roasted coffee beans.
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Dunkin' launched a one-day promotion to celebrate "Super Bowl Monday" by giving away 1.995 million free iced coffees on February 9, 2026. This promotion is part of a campaign called "Good Will Dunkin'," featuring a '90s-themed ad with Ben Affleck shown during the Super Bowl. Dunkin' also announced a collection of '90s-style merchandise and a math competition.
Key Facts
Dunkin' offered 1.995 million free iced coffees on "Super Bowl Monday," February 9, 2026.
The offer was part of a campaign named "Good Will Dunkin'."
The promotional ad featured Ben Affleck and aired during the Super Bowl.
Dunkin' released a ’90s-inspired merchandise collection available online.
A math quiz competition was launched with MIT professor John Urschel, offering prizes like free coffee for a year and signed merchandise.
Customers could enter the math contest by sending in handwritten solutions and sharing their favorite Dunkin’ memory.
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Serena Williams appeared in a Super Bowl ad for Ro, a telehealth company, promoting GLP-1 weight loss drugs. The ad faced criticism online, with some saying it was inappropriate for a former athlete to advertise weight loss products. Williams stated the drugs helped her lose weight and improve her health.
Key Facts
Serena Williams featured in a Super Bowl ad for Ro, promoting weight loss drugs called GLP-1.
Williams claimed the drug helped her lose 34 pounds and improve other health markers.
Critics on social media expressed concern about promoting weight loss drugs during a widely-watched event.
GLP-1 drugs are used for weight loss and type-2 diabetes treatment.
About 12% of Americans have tried GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.
Ro, the telehealth company, offers medical services and began selling GLP-1 drugs as pills and injections.
Williams' husband is an investor in Ro and serves on its board.
Ro states its medications have helped many patients with both weight loss and health improvements.
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A babysitter, sharing her experiences online, expressed concern about an overnight job offer that pays only for the hours when the children are awake, leaving sleeping hours unpaid. The job requires her to travel and stay overnight, but she disagrees with the way the parents calculate the payment. The issue highlights common disagreements in child care work about compensation for overnight duties.
Key Facts
The babysitter, using the nickname Low_Fee6188, shared her situation on Reddit.
She is hired to look after two children from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.
The job requires her to travel about two and a half hours and arrive the night before, staying overnight.
She is paid $15 an hour only for the hours the children are awake.
The arrangement offers no pay for the night, or calculates an average of $10 waking and $5 sleeping hours.
The babysitter previously worked full-time for the family when they lived in her city.
Online responses suggest differing views on whether overnight hours should be compensated.
Child care industry guidelines recommend paying an hourly rate for all hours of overnight stays, even if the children are asleep.
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Some U.S. homeowners owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth, a situation known as being "underwater." A report shows that while the number of such cases is rising slightly, the overall level of negative equity in the housing market is still low by historical standards.
Key Facts
A home is "seriously underwater" if the mortgage is 25% more than the home's market value.
3% of U.S. homes are seriously underwater as of the fourth quarter of 2025.
Louisiana has the highest rate of underwater properties at 10.7%.
Other states with high rates include Mississippi and Kentucky.
Vermont has the lowest rate of underwater properties at 0.7%.
High equity levels remain strong due to past home price gains and cautious lending.
The Northeast and West have the highest shares of equity-rich properties.
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A woman discovered she earns $15,000 more than a coworker who trained her, prompting her to feel uncertain about whether to reveal this information. Discussing salaries is legal in the U.S. under federal law, but many worry about the potential tensions such discussions could cause at work. This situation highlights ongoing debates about salary transparency in the workplace.
Key Facts
A woman learned she earns more than the coworker training her.
She makes $15,000 more annually than her coworker.
The coworker has been with the company for three years.
Discussing salary is legally protected in the U.S. under the National Labor Relations Act.
Despite legal rights, many workers are uneasy discussing pay to avoid tension.
Experts advise careful consideration of timing and workplace dynamics before discussing pay.
International laws on discussing pay vary, with some regions having fewer protections.
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Luxury condo developers in New York City are creating advanced wellness spaces to meet the high expectations of buyers. These spaces include modern fitness and relaxation amenities designed to offer an upscale lifestyle experience. The move is driven by the competitive real estate market and the rising demand for wellness-focused living.
Key Facts
New York City developers are adding large wellness areas to luxury condos to attract buyers.
These wellness areas include features like high-end fitness centers, yoga and Pilates studios, and saunas.
Four major properties in NYC are highlighted for their special focus on wellness: 18W55, 547 West 47th Street, 720 West End Avenue, and One Williamsburg Wharf.
At 18W55, features include a two-story fitness center designed by well-known architects and managed by LIVunLtd, a luxury concierge service.
547 West 47th Street offers a "West Residence Club" with an indoor/outdoor fitness center and spaces for yoga and mindfulness.
The trend reflects a change from simple gyms to comprehensive lifestyle and wellness offerings in residential buildings.
Developers are targeting a diverse range of buyers, including international clients and local movers, by offering these enhanced amenities.
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The number of abandoned oil tankers and other commercial ships has increased significantly worldwide. Many of these ships are part of "shadow fleets," used to bypass international sanctions, creating problems for crews who can be left without pay and basic supplies.
Key Facts
Abandoned oil tankers and ships have increased in number over the past year.
A senior deck officer described a lack of essential supplies on an abandoned ship outside China's waters.
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) reported the abandonment and helped crew members get paid and receive supplies.
Many ships are part of "shadow fleets," often older and poorly maintained vessels with unclear ownership.
Shadow fleets try to conceal their activities to help countries like Russia and Iran export oil despite sanctions.
Flags of convenience (FOCs) allow ships to register in countries with fewer regulations, such as Panama and Liberia.
In 2025, FOC vessels accounted for 82% of abandoned ships.
Gambia, which previously had no registered oil tankers, increased to hosting 35 such vessels by March last year.
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Private jet makers are focusing on Asia's wealthy individuals as demand for luxury travel rises. Companies like Gulfstream, Dassault, and Bombardier are showcasing their high-end aircraft at events like the Singapore Airshow. The increase in wealthy individuals and international business activities is driving this demand.
Key Facts
Gulfstream's G700 jet was prominently featured at the Singapore Airshow, showcasing luxury features to attract wealthy buyers.
The number of global private jet flights reached about 3.7 million in 2025, a 5% rise from 2024.
The population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (those worth more than $30 million) grew by over 70% from 2020 to 2025.
Companies and wealthy individuals are increasingly using business jets for efficient global travel.
Major private jet manufacturers, including Dassault, Bombardier, Embraer, and Textron Aviation, are competing for market share.
There are environmental concerns about the increased use of private jets, despite their growing popularity.
Private jets have high sales prices but offer manufacturers additional revenue through support and maintenance services.
Dassault's Falcon jets incorporate advanced technology from its military aircraft to enhance performance and comfort.
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The documentary "Melania," featuring First Lady Melania Trump, saw a 67% drop in domestic box office sales during its second weekend, earning $2.37 million. Despite the expansion to more theaters, its total domestic earnings reached $13.35 million over ten days.
Key Facts
The "Melania" documentary dropped from No. 3 to No. 10 at the box office in its second weekend.
It earned $2.37 million over that weekend, bringing its total earnings to $13.35 million in ten days.
The documentary expanded to 2,003 theaters after its opening weekend.
Amazon MGM Studios spent $40 million on the documentary and an additional $35 million on marketing.
Criticism arose due to director Brett Ratner's involvement and the film's high costs.
The film was pulled from South African theaters due to the "current climate."
The documentary had mixed reviews: critics gave an 8% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but audience ratings were high.
President Trump commented that he is not involved in the film and considers it important to show life in the White House.
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Gold prices have reached a record high, peaking at $5,600 per ounce before stabilizing below $5,000. Gold's value is measured by its weight in troy ounces and its purity in karats. Many people see gold as a safe investment, especially during times of economic instability.
Key Facts
Gold price hit an all-time high of $5,600 per ounce on January 29, 2023.
It later settled slightly under $5,000 per ounce.
Gold is seen as a secure investment when economies are uncertain.
Gold's value depends on weight (in troy ounces) and purity (in karats).
A troy ounce is about 31.1 grams and differs from a regular ounce.
Pure gold is 24 karats, while 18 karat gold is 75% pure.
The price of gold has gone up four times in the last 10 years.
Globally, gold prices depend on the spot market and vary due to local taxes and conversion rates.
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Will Lewis, the publisher of The Washington Post, announced his resignation shortly after the newspaper laid off a third of its workforce. These cuts were significant and included the closure of the sports section and reduction of other staff areas. Jeff D'Onofrio will serve as the interim publisher.
Key Facts
Will Lewis stepped down as publisher of The Washington Post just days after significant layoffs.
The layoffs affected one-third of the staff, closing the sports section and reducing other reporting teams.
Jeff D'Onofrio, the chief financial officer, has been named temporary publisher.
The newspaper owner, Jeff Bezos, did not join the layoff announcement meeting with staff.
There have been calls for Bezos to either increase investment in the newspaper or sell it.
The Washington Post Guild criticized Lewis' leadership and called for reversing the layoffs.
Lewis praised Bezos and mentioned the importance of making difficult decisions for the newspaper's future.
Jeff Bezos spoke about the newspaper's mission and future opportunities without mentioning Lewis.
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