In 2026, the U.S. is expected to face weaker job growth and higher inflation despite stronger economic growth, according to economist Mark Zandi from Moody's Analytics. This comes after a slowdown in the labor market in 2025 and is influenced by policies such as increased tariffs and restrictive immigration measures. While there is optimism for GDP growth, employment challenges remain.
Key Facts
Economist Mark Zandi predicts weaker job growth and higher inflation in 2026.
The U.S. economy is expected to grow faster in 2026 than in 2025.
Factors contributing to the weaker job market include restrictive immigration policies and increased tariffs.
Inflation is expected to rise due to delayed effects of higher tariffs.
Artificial intelligence has contributed positively to economic growth.
The U.S. experienced a labor market slowdown in the second half of 2025.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported a 4.3% GDP growth rate in Q3 of 2025.
President Donald Trump faces scrutiny over economic handling amid these conditions.
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Starbucks will end its 2025 holiday menu in January 2026, making way for new winter items. The winter menu will introduce caramel protein drinks and pistachio flavors, starting on January 6, 2026. Rumors suggest a broader selection of themed drinks and bakery items will appear in February.
Key Facts
Starbucks' 2025 holiday menu launched on November 6, 2025.
The holiday menu includes drinks like the Caramel Brûlée Latte and Peppermint Mocha.
Holiday items will phase out in early January, depending on store supplies.
The 2026 winter menu starts on January 6, 2026.
New winter items include caramel protein drinks and pistachio flavors.
February might bring new themed drinks and bakery items, focusing on matcha and berry.
Starbucks has yet to officially confirm February's menu changes.
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President Trump sees potential for American oil companies to help rebuild Venezuela's oil industry. The U.S. is interested in Venezuela's large oil reserves and wants them controlled by a friendly government. However, U.S. companies are cautious about investing due to political and security concerns.
Key Facts
President Trump wants U.S. companies to help rebuild Venezuela's oil industry.
Venezuela has large oil reserves, but they are currently controlled by a government opposed to U.S. interests.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of Venezuela's oil for U.S. policy.
U.S. companies are hesitant due to Venezuela's unstable political situation.
Investment in Venezuela depends on political stability and U.S. government guarantees.
Chevron is the only major U.S. company still operating in Venezuela.
Other companies like Exxon and ConocoPhillips left Venezuela around two decades ago.
There is potential for increased oil production if conditions become favorable.
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The CEO of the American clothing company Origin spoke out after Nicolás Maduro, a Venezuelan politician, was photographed wearing one of their hoodies. Maduro, who faces charges related to drug trafficking, was seen in New York City under DEA custody. The company's CEO commented on the symbolic nature of an individual like Maduro wearing their product.
Key Facts
Nicolás Maduro was seen wearing an Origin hoodie when he arrived in New York City under DEA custody.
Maduro was indicted for "narco-terrorism" charges by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Origin's CEO, Pete Roberts, noted the irony of Maduro wearing a product from an American company focused on reviving U.S. manufacturing.
Roberts discussed the impact of losing manufacturing jobs in American communities, leading to social issues such as narcotics use.
John Gretton "Jocko" Willink Jr., co-owner of Origin, also shared the photo of Maduro wearing the hoodie on social media.
Origin's hoodie seen on Maduro is not available for immediate purchase and is set to ship in spring.
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Amazon will pay $2.5 billion in a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for enrolling customers in Prime memberships using questionable tactics. As part of the settlement, Amazon is sending refunds to eligible Prime customers across the U.S. Customers began receiving payments in November 2025.
Key Facts
Amazon reached a $2.5 billion settlement with the FTC.
The FTC claimed Amazon used deceptive methods to sign up customers for Prime and made it hard for them to cancel.
Of the settlement amount, $1.5 billion will go to Prime customers as refunds.
Automatic refunds started on November 12, 2025, and continued until December 24, 2025.
Eligible customers received emails to choose either PayPal or Venmo for refunds, or they will get checks in the mail.
Refunds are available for customers who enrolled in Prime between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, under certain conditions.
Refunds could be up to $51, the cost of an annual Prime membership.
Amazon will make changes to improve transparency in the subscription process.
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A bluefin tuna was sold for a record 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million) at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market. The buyer was Kiyomura Corp, a sushi chain operator, whose president, Kiyoshi Kimura, often bids high at these auctions.
Key Facts
A bluefin tuna was auctioned for 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million) in Tokyo.
The auction took place at Toyosu fish market, known for high-price auctions.
Kiyomura Corp, which runs the sushi chain Sushi Zanmai, made the winning bid.
Kiyoshi Kimura, president of Kiyomura Corp, is called the "Tuna King" for his high bids.
Previous records set by Kimura include a 333.6 million yen bid in 2019.
The auction typically attracts both high bidders and tourists.
The auctioned tuna is intended to be served at Kimura’s restaurants.
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The article discusses the potential for a universal basic income (UBI) in the United States amid the rising influence of artificial intelligence (AI). It highlights the financial challenges of implementing UBI and compares it to past debates and experiments in places like Alaska. President Trump emphasizes the U.S. goal to lead in AI development, influencing the UBI discussion.
Key Facts
Discussions about guaranteed income surfaced prominently during college debates in the U.S. in the late 1960s.
President Trump has stated that the U.S. will make significant efforts to lead in AI.
Alaska has tested a form of guaranteed income through its oil-fund dividend.
U.S. companies spent over $1 trillion on stock buybacks in the past year.
AI spending by major tech companies hit a quarterly record of $142 billion.
Some experts argue that UBI could decrease job motivation, while others see it as beneficial.
The cost of Andrew Yang's UBI proposal is estimated to be between $2.8 trillion and $3.0 trillion annually.
Critics warn that UBI might lead to higher costs in sectors like housing if not managed properly.
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Gold prices increased after the United States captured Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, causing worries about geopolitical risks. People moved their money into "safe-haven" assets like gold and silver, leading to a rise in their prices. President Donald Trump expressed intentions to use Venezuela's oil, but experts believe this won't quickly change energy prices.
Key Facts
The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. led to higher gold prices.
Gold was up about 1.8% in Monday morning Asian trading, reaching around $4,408 an ounce.
Silver prices also rose by close to 3.5%.
President Trump plans to utilize Venezuela's oil reserves.
Experts say fixing Venezuela's oil infrastructure would cost billions.
Venezuela's oil production is low, contributing only about 1% to global output.
Stock markets in Asia-Pacific saw gains, unaffected by Venezuela's situation.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose by 2.6% on the year's first trading day.
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Newsweek, in partnership with Statista, is conducting a survey to identify the best maternity hospitals in the United States for 2026. This annual ranking will evaluate hospitals based on feedback from medical professionals and publicly available data regarding patient experiences. The survey will collect data until February 2, 2026.
Key Facts
Newsweek and Statista are evaluating America's Best Maternity Hospitals for 2026.
The survey targets hospitals providing top quality maternity, prenatal, and postpartum care.
They will use feedback from hospital managers and medical professionals.
The survey will also use publicly available hospital data about patient experiences.
The period for submitting survey responses ends on February 2, 2026.
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India is exploring the option to build passenger jets domestically. It recently signed a deal with Russia to manufacture the SJ-100 aircraft in India. However, the plan faces several challenges, including questions about cost, feasibility, and logistics.
Key Facts
India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.
IndiGo and Air India are the major airlines in India and have ordered nearly 1,500 planes in the next decade.
India and Russia signed an agreement to manufacture the SJ-100 passenger plane in India.
The SJ-100 aircraft is a twin-engine plane carrying up to 103 passengers and is used by Russian airlines.
Western sanctions have affected the aircraft production in Russia by limiting spare parts supply.
India has tried to domestically manufacture passenger planes since the 1950s with limited success.
Past projects like the Saras and Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) have faced delays and challenges.
Experts cite the lack of domestic demand, skilled labor, and a small manufacturing infrastructure as challenges.
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President Donald Trump has a plan to boost U.S. involvement in Venezuela's oil industry by encouraging American companies to invest billions to improve the country's oil infrastructure. Venezuela has large oil reserves, but produces much less oil compared to its potential due to infrastructure and political issues. Experts say that the plan faces many challenges and would take a very long time and a lot of money to make a real impact.
Key Facts
President Trump wants U.S. oil companies to invest in Venezuela, which has the largest oil reserves in the world.
Venezuela's oil output has significantly decreased since the early 2000s.
U.S. companies, like Chevron, still operate in Venezuela but have reduced their operations due to U.S. sanctions.
Venezuela's oil is "heavy, sour," making it difficult to refine; the U.S. mainly produces "light, sweet" oil.
Legal and political hurdles, including requiring government agreements, are major barriers to Trump's plan.
Experts warn it could take tens of billions of dollars and up to a decade to restore Venezuela's oil production.
The International Energy Agency reported Venezuela produced about 860,000 barrels per day as of November.
Analysts believe Trump's plan would have little immediate impact on global oil prices due to the lengthy timeline and obstacles involved.
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James Cameron's new movie, "Avatar: Fire and Ash," hit over $1 billion at the box office. It is Cameron's fourth film to reach this milestone. The movie earned $306 million in the U.S. and $777.1 million internationally.
Key Facts
"Avatar: Fire and Ash" is now the fourth James Cameron movie to surpass $1 billion in box office sales.
The film has made $306 million from U.S. ticket sales.
It has also earned $777.1 million outside the U.S., making the total $1.083 billion.
It took 18 days for the movie to pass the $1 billion mark.
Previous "Avatar" films reached the $1 billion milestone faster, with the first film taking 17 days and "Avatar: The Way of Water" taking 14 days.
The original "Avatar" is the highest-grossing movie ever, making $2.93 billion, and its sequel "Avatar: The Way of Water" earned $2.343 billion.
If "Avatar: Fire and Ash" does well, Cameron could have four out of the five top-grossing films in history.
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In the East of England, many people are using food banks, indicating ongoing cost of living challenges. Measures in the recent budget might impact the economy, with changes like raising the minimum wage and removing some energy taxes. Business owners, like those in the hospitality sector, express concerns over rising costs and their ability to survive financially.
Key Facts
Over 330,000 people used food banks in the East of England last year.
Food bank usage indicates ongoing financial difficulties, affecting even teachers, police officers, and nurses.
The recent budget includes measures like raising the minimum wage and removing certain energy taxes.
Business confidence is currently low in the East of England, according to local chambers of commerce.
Hospitality business owners report increased expenses due to rising minimum wage and business rates.
The food bank co-director expects changes from the budget to take time to impact people's finances.
A Treasury spokesperson highlighted measures like freezing rail fares to help with the cost of living.
Industry body Hospitality UK expects that average business rates will nearly double over three years.
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The British plush toy brand Jellycat has become very popular in China, particularly during the pandemic. The toys, originally aimed at children, have found a large market among young adults in China who buy them for comfort.
Key Facts
Stella Huang started collecting Jellycat plush toys during the pandemic and now owns 120 of them.
Jellycat toys were originally for children but became popular with young adults in China seeking comfort.
The Amuseable line of toys features faces on items like boiled eggs and toilet rolls.
Jellycat entered the Chinese market in 2015 and increased its focus during the pandemic.
The company used pop-up store events and local cultural references, like teapot plushies, to attract buyers.
In 2024, Jellycat's revenue increased by two-thirds to £333 million.
The collectable-toy market in China is expected to reach 110 billion yuan in 2024.
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The city of San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against 11 major food companies. The lawsuit claims these companies sell ultraprocessed foods that are harmful to people's health.
Key Facts
San Francisco is suing 11 top U.S. food manufacturers.
The lawsuit claims the companies sell harmful ultraprocessed foods.
Ultraprocessed foods make up over 60% of consumed foods in the U.S., according to some estimates.
The lawsuit is the first of its kind in the U.S.
Ashley Gearhardt, a psychology professor, studies the impact of such foods on addiction.
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This article provides advice on how to save money on energy bills during winter. It includes practical tips such as sealing gaps to prevent heat loss, adjusting boiler temperatures, and using reflective panels.
Key Facts
The energy price cap will increase by 0.2% in January, affecting energy costs for households in England, Scotland, and Wales.
The energy price cap sets a maximum charge for energy usage, and from January to March 2026, it is set at £1,758 for a typical household.
Sealing gaps and draught proofing can reduce heat loss and save on heating costs.
Lowering the boiler temperature from 60C to between 55C and 45C can improve efficiency and save money.
Turning down heating by one degree can save up to £73 annually, though it's advised not to go below 18C for vulnerable groups.
Reflective panels behind radiators can help retain heat by reflecting it back into the room.
Plug-in heaters are generally less efficient and can be more expensive than central heating.
Using a dehumidifier can help reduce dampness and save on tumble dryer costs.
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The article discusses the growing trends in the wellness industry for 2026, focusing on recovery, the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO), and brain-boosting supplements. Experts highlight a shift towards prioritizing rest and mental health alongside physical fitness and the increasing popularity of cognitive supplements.
Key Facts
The wellness industry is predicted to focus heavily on recovery in 2026.
Recovery involves understanding when to rest and how technology, like smartwatches, guides fitness routines and rest periods.
JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out—is a shift from FOMO to prioritize personal comfort over societal expectations.
This trend encourages people to feel less pressure to socialize and to focus more on personal needs.
Brain-boosting supplements, known as nootropics, are increasingly popular and aim to enhance cognitive functions.
Nootropics are not the same as regulated medications and are marketed for memory and stress reduction benefits.
The market for these supplements, including ingredients like lion's mane and L-theanine, is expected to grow significantly by 2030.
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Micro-condos in Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver are losing value because there are too many available and not enough buyers. The trend of building small, affordable units to attract investors has led to a surplus, especially as Canada's population growth slows down.
Key Facts
Micro-condos are small living spaces, often around 300 square feet.
These types of condos have become common in Toronto and Vancouver over the past decade.
The value of micro-condos is falling faster than other types of homes.
The condo market in Canada is experiencing a significant downturn not seen since the 1980s.
In 2025, Canada saw a large decline in population growth due to new immigration limits.
Over 60,000 new condo units were built recently, exceeding current demand.
Investors own most of the smaller condos in Toronto, which were initially popular due to lower prices.
Many recently built condos are sitting empty and unsold in Toronto and Vancouver.
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Tesla lost its spot as the top global seller of electric vehicles to Chinese company BYD in 2025. Tesla sold 1.64 million vehicles compared to BYD's 2.26 million. The decline in Tesla's sales coincided with political controversies involving CEO Elon Musk and the end of U.S. tax breaks for electric vehicles.
Key Facts
Tesla sold 1.64 million vehicles in 2025.
BYD sold 2.26 million vehicles, overtaking Tesla as the top global seller of electric vehicles.
Tesla's sales fell by 9% from the previous year.
Elon Musk's political activities and connection with President Trump led to protests and sales slumps.
A $7,500 U.S. tax credit for electric vehicle purchases ended in September 2025.
Tesla's fourth quarter sales were 418,227, missing a 440,000 unit target.
Despite challenges, Tesla's stock rose by about 11% in 2025.
Tesla introduced cheaper Model Y and Model 3 vehicles to compete in Europe and Asia.
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Korean beauty products, known as K-beauty, have grown from a trend to a major industry, valued at $13 billion in South Korea alone in 2024. These products, popularized through social media, are now global phenomena, making South Korea the second-largest exporter of beauty products.
Key Facts
K-beauty products have become popular worldwide, boosted by viral social media content.
The South Korean domestic market was worth about $13 billion in 2024.
South Korea became the second-largest beauty product exporter in 2025, surpassing France.
K-beauty is part of the "Korean Wave," alongside K-pop and K-dramas.
Products like snail mucin serums have gained international attention.
The industry is driven by constant innovation and new product releases.
There are concerns about the impact of beauty ideals propagated on social media.
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