The U.S. job market is expected to have little to no growth in 2026, according to Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Analytics. The economy's fragile growth could lead to higher unemployment and possibly a recession. The success of economic recovery will depend on President Trump's policies and business adaptations to AI.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy is predicted to grow in 2026, but this growth is described as fragile.
The job market is expected to see little to no growth, possibly increasing unemployment.
Concerns arise from recent weak job growth and possible continuation of this trend.
President Trump’s trade and immigration policies may influence economic performance.
According to Moody’s, the U.S. added only 50,000 jobs in December, below averages.
The forecasted GDP growth for 2026 is 2.3 percent, as compared to 2.1 percent for 2025.
Mark Zandi mentioned AI as a contributor to GDP growth, adding about half a percent.
Further Federal Reserve monetary easing might provide additional economic stimulus.
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Zaxbys, a fast food chain known for fried chicken, is bringing back two popular dishes, the Southern Fried Shrimp and Giant Chicken Quesadillas, for a limited time. They aim to attract more customers by offering these fan-favorite items, which reflect a larger industry trend of reviving popular menu options to boost sales.
Key Facts
Zaxbys is a fast food chain known for fried chicken.
The Southern Fried Shrimp and Giant Chicken Quesadillas are returning to the menu.
The shrimp is available in three meal options, including the Surf & Turf Meal.
The quesadillas come in two types: Chicken Bacon Ranch and Chicken Fajita.
This is the third consecutive year that Southern Fried Shrimp is returning.
Zaxbys has over 1,000 locations in 21 states as of 2026.
The move is part of a trend where restaurants bring back popular items to increase sales.
Restaurants aim to attract customers facing financial challenges by offering beloved menu options.
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The article talks about the nominees for the 18th Annual Best New Product Awards, organized by BrandSpark and Newsweek. These awards highlight innovations across various consumer product categories, and the winners will be announced in early 2026.
Key Facts
BrandSpark and Newsweek organize the Best New Product Awards annually.
The awards focus on consumer products in categories like food, personal care, health, beauty, and household items.
Products are nominated based on consumer insights and opinions.
Some featured nominees include Neuriva Memory 3D, Pampers Cruisers 360° Pull-On Diapers, and Select Proformance ELITE Whey Protein Isolate.
Neuriva Memory 3D is a brain health supplement aimed at improving memory.
Pampers Cruisers 360° Pull-On Diapers feature new E-Z Off tabs for easier diaper changes.
Award winners will be announced in early 2026.
NewNoteworthy.com provides a preview of the nominated products.
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Retail sales in the UK increased by 0.4% in December, with online jewellery showing strong demand for gold and silver. This growth came despite an overall challenging month for retailers. Retail sales across 2025 grew by 1.3%, but they have not yet returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.
Key Facts
Retail sales in December increased by 0.4% compared to November.
Online jewellery sales saw higher demand, particularly for gold and silver.
Non-food retailers, like department and clothing stores, saw a 0.9% decrease in sales.
Overall retail sales for 2025 were up 1.3% from the previous year.
Sales volumes fell by 0.3% in the last quarter of the year when compared to the previous quarter.
Precious metals are popular in uncertain times as they are viewed as safe investments.
Gold and silver prices hit record highs recently due to economic uncertainties.
The rise in sales is still below levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A survey shows that about 76% of investors are worried that the stock market could crash in 2026. Many are unprepared for a possible recession, with concerns linked to market behavior and global political events. Despite past strong market performance, some experts fear a financial "bubble" might burst soon.
Key Facts
76% of investors worry about a potential 2026 market crash.
46% feel unprepared for a recession in 2026; this increases to 54% for those earning under $75,000 annually.
The stock market saw significant growth in 2024 and 2025 with returns of 25% and 18%, respectively.
Experts warn confidence in the market, partly due to AI investments, may lead to a "bubble."
54% of survey participants are cautious about investing in cryptocurrency.
Gold has risen above $5,000 per ounce, driven by economic and geopolitical concerns.
29% plan to shift to safer investment options amid economic fears, increasing to 36% among Gen Z.
Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley predict moderate returns for the S&P 500 in 2026, with estimates around 12% and nearly 10% respectively.
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The U.S. and TikTok's parent company ByteDance have reached a deal because of concerns about data privacy. TikTok will operate under a new company structure in the U.S., splitting from ByteDance's global operations, to address security worries. The new arrangement includes ByteDance licensing TikTok's algorithm to a U.S. entity, with Oracle as part of the new consortium managing U.S. user data.
Key Facts
TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, has restructured TikTok's U.S. operations amidst data privacy concerns.
President Trump had previously tried to remove TikTok from U.S. stores due to these concerns.
ByteDance initiated "Project Texas" to store U.S. user data locally and moved its headquarters outside of China.
A new agreement separates TikTok's U.S. business from its global operations, involving a consortium including Oracle.
The U.S. remains a critical market for TikTok with around 200 million users and a $10 billion revenue share.
ByteDance retains a 19.9% stake in TikTok's U.S. business.
TikTok's algorithm will now be licensed to a U.S.-based entity, impacting how content is delivered to users.
The changes could affect TikTok's advertising revenue and user engagement in the U.S.
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An award-winning restaurant called The Ollerod in Dorset, England, is set to close due to rising costs. The owner, Silvana Bandini, has decided to keep the business going as a hotel and pub, citing high utility bills, food prices, and increased staff costs. The government plans to monitor the impact of wage increases and may adjust policies to help the food industry.
Key Facts
The Ollerod restaurant in Dorset will close on March 1st and continue as a hotel and pub.
Owner Silvana Bandini cited rising costs of utilities, food, and staff wages as reasons for closure.
Utility costs have significantly increased due to the absence of energy price caps for businesses.
The restaurant won "Restaurant of the Year" at the Dorset Food and Drink Awards.
The hospitality industry faces challenges such as high staff costs, difficult recruitment, and increased business rates.
The UK government is monitoring wage increases and has plans to evaluate the impact on food prices through a Food Inflation Gateway.
Employers have experienced increased staff costs over the past two years due to higher minimum wage and National Insurance contributions.
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TikTok has made a deal to keep operating in the U.S. by forming a new joint venture mainly owned by American investors. Part of the agreement requires TikTok's algorithm to be retrained using only U.S. data, which may change how content appears to American users. The deal follows long-standing concerns about data security and influence due to TikTok's Chinese ownership.
Key Facts
TikTok can continue operating in the U.S. under a new joint venture mainly owned by American investors.
ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, retains a 19.9% stake in the joint venture.
Major investors in the deal include Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, with each holding a 15% share.
The TikTok algorithm will be retrained using only U.S. data, which could affect content recommendations for users in the U.S.
The algorithm changes aim to address concerns about data security and influence.
President Trump played a role in negotiating the agreement with China.
American administrators will oversee data and content moderation to ensure compliance.
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Some retired civil servants in the UK did not receive their pension payments this month after the company managing their pensions, Capita, failed to make the payments. Capita took over the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme in December and now has an unexpected backlog of pension cases to handle. The company apologized and is working to resolve the issue.
Key Facts
The Civil Service Pension Scheme serves 1.7 million public sector workers in the UK.
Capita took over managing the scheme in December with a seven-year contract worth £239 million.
Some retirees did not receive their expected pensions due to a backlog of 86,000 cases.
Capita expected a backlog of 37,000 cases but found it to be much larger.
Retiree Steve Duell reported financial difficulties due to the non-payment.
Another retiree, Paul McKenna, is facing uncertainty and stress, having planned to use his pension for significant expenses.
Capita has increased its workforce on this project to over 500 people to address the backlog.
The Public Accounts Committee had warned Capita might not be ready for the transition.
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President Trump has filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon, claiming they blocked him from financial services because of his conservative views. Trump is asking for up to $5 billion, arguing that the bank's actions were politically motivated. JPMorgan Chase denies these allegations, stating their decisions are based on legal and regulatory concerns, not politics.
Key Facts
President Trump sued JPMorgan Chase and its CEO Jamie Dimon for up to $5 billion.
Trump claims the bank stopped doing business with him due to his conservative political views.
The lawsuit suggests JPMorgan placed Trump on a blacklist of entities with questionable activities.
JPMorgan says the lawsuit is unfounded and they do not close accounts for political reasons.
JPMorgan has been accused by Trump of participating in discrimination against conservatives.
In response, JPMorgan states its account closures are unrelated to politics, citing legal concerns.
Trump previously signed an executive order targeting banks allegedly discriminating against conservatives.
Trump mentioned another bank, Bank of America, also refused to take his deposits after his first term.
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TikTok has completed an agreement to create a new U.S.-based version of its app, partnering with major American investors like Oracle. This deal aims to prevent a U.S. ban due to national security concerns and includes strict data and software protections for American users.
Key Facts
TikTok has finalized a deal to form a new U.S. unit to avoid a ban.
Major investors in the new venture include Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX.
The new app will have safeguards for national security, including data and content protection.
Adam Presser will be the CEO of the new TikTok U.S. unit.
The U.S. board of directors will mostly consist of Americans.
The agreement resolves ongoing uncertainty about TikTok's presence in the U.S.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to keep TikTok operating while talks for a sale were underway.
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President Donald Trump filed a $5 billion lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase, claiming the bank closed his accounts for political reasons after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Trump alleges that the closure caused financial and reputation damage, and accuses the bank of discrimination based on political views. JPMorgan, led by CEO Jamie Dimon, denies the claims, stating they close accounts due to legal or regulatory risks, not politics.
Key Facts
President Trump filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase seeking $5 billion.
The lawsuit claims the bank closed his accounts for political reasons after the Capitol riot.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is also named in the lawsuit.
Trump says the account closure caused financial and reputational harm.
A JPMorgan spokesperson stated that the lawsuit "has no merit" and accounts are closed due to legal risks.
The lawsuit was filed in Florida, which prohibits political discrimination by banks.
Trump alleges the bank’s actions were based on political bias and involved trade libel.
JPMorgan denied the charges, citing regulatory expectations for account closure decisions.
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Paramount Skydance has extended its deadline to buy Warner Bros Discovery, competing against Netflix to take over the company. Paramount's offer is for $77.9 billion in cash, while Netflix's offer is $72 billion. Both deals seek control over Warner's assets, including popular franchises and the HBO Max streaming service.
Key Facts
Paramount Skydance has extended its takeover bid deadline to February 20.
The offer from Paramount is $77.9 billion, with each Warner share priced at $30.
The enterprise value of Paramount's bid, including debt, is over $108 billion.
Netflix's competing offer is valued at $72 billion, switched to an all-cash deal.
Both companies' bids would involve taking control of Warner's entertainment assets.
Paramount's offer includes the entire company, potentially combining news and cable operations.
Netflix's bid focuses on Warner's studio and streaming businesses.
Regulatory approval is needed, and both Ellisons' relationship with President Trump and Netflix progress could influence outcomes.
Shareholder approval processes and antitrust scrutiny are ongoing concerns in the sale.
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President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and its CEO Jamie Dimon, claiming the closure of his accounts was politically motivated. The lawsuit seeks $5 billion in damages. The news wrap also covered other events such as the U.S. leaving the World Health Organization and a film, "Sinners," receiving a record number of Oscar nominations.
Key Facts
President Trump is suing JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon.
The lawsuit demands $5 billion in damages.
Trump claims the bank closed his accounts for political reasons.
The case refers to actions taken after Trump left office in 2021.
The U.S. completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
The film "Sinners" received 16 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
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President Trump wants lower interest rates in the U.S., but long-term rates remain high because global market conditions influence them. Despite efforts by the Federal Reserve to cut rates, borrowing costs have increased. The bond market is beyond President Trump's control, affecting his ability to achieve his economic goals.
Key Facts
President Trump advocates for lower interest rates, aiming for the U.S. to have the lowest rates globally.
The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 1% in 2024 and an additional 0.75% in 2025.
Despite these cuts, long-term borrowing costs, like the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, have increased.
On September 18, 2024, the 10-year Treasury yield was 3.7%; by the latest updates, it was 4.27%.
The bond market, which sets long-term interest rates, is influenced by global economic conditions.
President Trump believes new appointments to the Federal Reserve might help achieve lower rates.
Policies affecting government deficits and bond issuance also impact long-term interest rates.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the bond market's actions did not alter President Trump's strategies.
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The U.S. dollar, although not a cryptocurrency, serves a similar role for many people around the world. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the U.S. dollar is viewed as a stable and reliable asset, especially in countries facing high inflation. Technological advancements have made it easier for people to hold and access digital dollars.
Key Facts
The U.S. dollar is not a cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin was created in 2008 during the global financial crisis.
Bitcoin was designed to prevent bailouts and excessive money printing.
Many countries experienced high inflation, but major economies did not face hyperinflation after quantitative easing.
Despite Bitcoin's intent, people in emerging markets prefer the U.S. dollar.
The U.S. dollar is seen as stable, well-known, and backed by the U.S. government.
Access to digital dollars has increased thanks to smartphones, better software, and stablecoins.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego will attend a Democratic Party event in Nevada to honor the late Harry Reid and possibly set the stage for future presidential bids. This event comes as the Democratic National Committee prepares to decide which states will vote first in the 2028 presidential primary.
Key Facts
Gov. JB Pritzker and Sen. Ruben Gallego will headline a Democratic event in Nevada on February 1st.
The event honors the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Nevada is trying to be the first state to vote in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.
The event, called "Fighting the Good Fight," will be hosted in Las Vegas and may become annual.
Pritzker has invested in Nevada politics and supported a 2024 ballot measure for abortion rights.
Gallego is focusing on Nevada's Latino population and has engaged with local unions.
The Democratic National Committee will discuss the primary calendar later this month in Puerto Rico.
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The U.S. economy grew by 4.4% in the third quarter of the year, driven by strong consumer spending and exports. This growth rate is the highest in the past two years and higher than previous estimates. Despite the growth, challenges like high living costs and sluggish job market improvements remain.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy grew at a 4.4% annual rate from July to September.
Consumer spending rose by 3.5%, making up 70% of the GDP.
Spending on services increased by 3.6%, while spending on goods went up by 3%.
Exports surged and imports decreased, contributing to economic growth.
Business investment grew by 3.2%, partly due to investments in artificial intelligence.
The unemployment rate is 4.4%, with minimal job creation since March.
Many Americans are unhappy with the economy due to high costs and income inequality.
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President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and its CEO. He claims the bank closed his accounts for political reasons after he left office in January 2021.
Key Facts
President Trump is suing JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon for $5 billion.
The lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade County court in Florida.
Trump alleges JPMorgan closed several of his accounts in February 2021.
He claims the accounts were closed with only 60 days notice and no reason given.
Trump says this action blocked access to millions of dollars.
He also claims that the closures disrupted his business operations.
Trump says he had to open new bank accounts urgently.
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Around 1.5 million bottles of a stain remover sold at Walmart and Target have been recalled because they may contain a harmful bacteria. Thrasio, the company that makes Angry Orange Enzyme Stain Removers, announced the recall due to a possible contamination with a type of bacteria that could lead to serious infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
Key Facts
The recalled product is called Angry Orange Enzyme Stain Remover.
The recall affects products sold at Walmart and Target.
The bacteria involved is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, found in soil and water.
It can cause serious infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems or lung conditions.
The product was sold in three sizes: 24-ounce, 32-ounce, and 1-gallon.
People who purchased the product are advised to stop using it and contact Thrasio for a refund.
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