In 2025, President Trump's wealth increased, largely due to his investments in cryptocurrency. However, some of the investments linked to Trump's business ventures did not perform well in the stock and crypto markets. While Trump and his family saw financial gains, many retail investors in Trump-related assets faced losses.
Key Facts
Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) shares fell 67% in 2025.
The Global X Social Media ETF, which includes Trump Media, rose 27% during the same period.
The Nasdaq, a tech-stock index, gained 18% in 2025.
Official TRUMP, a memecoin, dropped by 89% shortly after its launch.
Dogecoin, another popular memecoin, fell 67% during the year.
Global cryptocurrency market value decreased by 16% in 2025.
A $1,000 investment in TMTG shares would be worth about $331 by the end of 2025.
President Trump's net worth more than doubled in 2025, according to Forbes.
The FTSE 100, an index tracking the largest companies on the London Stock Exchange, has reached 10,000 points for the first time. This increase in the stock index reflects strong performances by international companies, especially those in mining and defense.
Key Facts
The FTSE 100 index hit 10,000 points for the first time.
This rise happened on the first trading day of the year.
The index increased by more than 21% compared to the previous year.
The FTSE 100 includes large international companies, not solely UK firms.
Mining companies like Antofagasta and Rio Tinto saw gains due to higher metals prices.
Defense companies, including Bae Systems and Rolls-Royce, also increased in value.
Large banks such as Lloyds and HSBC performed well.
Dan Coatsworth described the event as a historic moment for the FTSE 100.
Tesla is no longer the biggest electric vehicle maker in the world, as its sales fell for the second year. In 2025, the Chinese company BYD sold more electric vehicles than Tesla.
Key Facts
Tesla delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, which is 9% fewer than the previous year.
Chinese company BYD sold 2.26 million electric vehicles last year, making it the largest EV maker.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, Tesla sold 418,227 vehicles, missing the analysts' expected figure of 440,000.
The end of a $7,500 tax credit in September, decided by the Trump administration, may have affected Tesla's sales.
Despite the drop in sales, Tesla’s stock went up by about 11% in 2025.
Investors are optimistic about Tesla’s future in robotaxi service and humanoid robots.
Tesla shares increased by nearly 2% before the market opened on the reporting day.
Brighton Palace Pier, a 126-year-old historic site in the UK, is up for sale. The Brighton Pier Group decided to sell the pier to provide good returns for its shareholders after facing tough trading conditions. The sale is expected to be completed by summer, with no public price disclosed.
Key Facts
Brighton Palace Pier is a Grade II* Listed structure that opened in May 1899.
The pier is being sold by the Brighton Pier Group, which bought it in 2016 for £18 million.
The group decided to sell due to challenging trade conditions and declining tourism in Brighton.
CEO Anne Ackord stated that while the decision was difficult, their duty is to shareholders.
The group introduced a £1 entry fee for non-residents in 2024, later doubling it to £2 in March.
Revenues fell, with like-for-like sales dropping by 4% in 2024 compared to 2023.
The pier might have new owners by the summer, coinciding with its busiest period.
The group is also selling another property, Lightwater Valley theme park, for £3 million.
A U.S. Census Bureau report found that some industries that rely on in-person services, like electronics and clothing stores, hotels, motels, and full-service restaurants, had big job losses from 2017 to 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic made this worse, as more people started using online and home-based services. Meanwhile, industries related to online shopping and local delivery saw strong growth in revenue and jobs.
Key Facts
Electronic stores experienced a 40.8% drop in workforce, losing 110,700 jobs.
Full-service restaurants saw a decrease of 309,700 workers.
Women's clothing stores lost 133,500 jobs, a 38.7% workforce drop.
Hotels and motels (excluding casino hotels) cut 188,200 jobs due to travel restrictions.
Online shopping and mail-order houses added over 1.2 million jobs, a 215.3% increase.
Online business markets saw a 380.5% revenue spike, or $11.8 billion.
Local delivery services enjoyed a 314% revenue rise, driven by demand for fast, contactless delivery.
Target has agreed to pay $4.6 million to settle a lawsuit regarding employee pay at its New Jersey distribution centers. The lawsuit claimed Target did not pay employees for all the time they worked, including time for mandatory security checks. This settlement will be shared among about 13,700 current and former employees without requiring any action from them.
Key Facts
Target settled a class action lawsuit by agreeing to pay $4.6 million.
The lawsuit involved workers at New Jersey distribution centers who were not paid for all work hours, including time for security checks.
About 13,700 employees from these centers will split the settlement.
Employees worked at Burlington, Perth Amboy, and Logan Township locations since August 6, 2019.
The payout will be divided based on pay records, and employees will receive W-2 and possibly 1099 forms.
Target denied wrongdoing but settled to avoid a long legal battle.
Final court approval is expected by February 2024, after which checks will be sent.
Employees have until February 13 to opt out or object to the settlement.
Musician Brian King Joseph has sued Will Smith, claiming he was fired for reporting a sexual assault during his tour. Joseph thanked his fans for their support following the lawsuit. The case was filed in California, and Joseph alleges he was accused of lying after alerting hotel security and tour management about the incident.
Key Facts
Brian King Joseph is a musician involved in a legal case against Will Smith.
Joseph alleges he was fired after reporting a sexual assault on his tour.
The lawsuit was filed in California.
Joseph claims the incident involved someone entering his hotel room and leaving a sexual message.
He reported the incident to hotel security and tour management.
Joseph was accused of lying after he reported the incident.
Joseph expressed gratitude to his supporters on Instagram.
China's car company BYD is expected to become the largest seller of electric vehicles (EVs) in the world, surpassing Tesla. BYD sold over 2.25 million electric cars last year, while Tesla's sales for the same period are estimated to be around 1.65 million.
Key Facts
BYD, a Chinese company, is set to overtake Tesla in global electric vehicle sales.
BYD's EV sales increased by nearly 28% last year, reaching over 2.25 million vehicles.
Tesla, expected to reveal its total 2025 sales soon, reportedly sold about 1.65 million vehicles.
Tesla faced challenges in 2025, including mixed reactions to new products and growing competition from Chinese automakers.
To boost sales, Tesla introduced cheaper versions of its popular models in the US.
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, is working on several projects and aims to increase Tesla's sales and stock value significantly.
BYD has expanded quickly in areas like Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Europe, despite high tariffs on Chinese EVs in many countries.
The UK became BYD's biggest market outside of China, with sales jumping by 880% within a year.
Billionaires in America have increased their political influence, but this has led to mixed feelings among the public. A survey shows that many people are worried about billionaires spending money on political campaigns.
Key Facts
Billionaires in the U.S. have more influence in politics now than before.
A survey by Washington Post/Ipsos shows 58% of people think billionaire campaign spending is harmful.
There's growing skepticism about the role of wealthy individuals in politics.
The discussion between Lisa Desjardins and Beth Reinhard focused on money's role in politics.
Public opinion varies on whether wealth brings positive or negative changes in politics.
Geoff Bennett interviewed Damola Adamolekun, the CEO of Red Lobster, on the video podcast "Settle In". They talked about Adamolekun's plans for improving the seafood chain after it went bankrupt.
Key Facts
Geoff Bennett hosts a video podcast called "Settle In".
Damola Adamolekun is the CEO of Red Lobster.
Red Lobster is a seafood restaurant chain.
The company went through bankruptcy.
Adamolekun is focused on improving and changing the business.
The podcast discusses Adamolekun's strategy for Red Lobster's future.
President Donald Trump decided to delay tariff increases on imported upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities by one year. This decision affects tariffs that were planned to rise on January 1, 2026, now postponed to January 2027. The decision aims to provide temporary relief to industries affected by price increases.
Key Facts
The tariff increase was set to take effect on January 1, 2026, but has been delayed by one year.
Current tariffs remain at 25% for these goods; increases to 30% and 50% are now pushed to 2027.
The move is meant to help businesses dealing with inflation, supply chain issues, and rising costs.
Tariff changes impact industries like furniture and cabinet manufacturers and importers.
The decision follows concerns about economic impacts, such as higher costs and potential job losses.
The U.S. is negotiating with trade partners to address national security concerns related to imports.
The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing President Trump's authority to impose broad-based tariffs.
President Trump has delayed higher tariffs on some furniture and cabinets for a year. The current 25% tariff will stay, but certain items won't see further increases right away.
Key Facts
President Trump signed a proclamation on New Year's Eve.
The proclamation delays increased tariffs on specific goods.
The goods affected include upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities.
Currently, there is a 25% tariff on these goods, imposed since September.
The delayed tariffs would have increased to 30% for furniture and 50% for cabinets and vanities.
The IRS is introducing new tax brackets, standard deductions, and credits due to inflation adjustments and recent tax legislation. These changes will affect Americans' paychecks and taxes starting in 2026. Key provisions include benefits for seniors and tipped workers, and adjustments in tax withholding to boost take-home pay.
Key Facts
The IRS is updating tax brackets and deductions starting in 2026.
The changes stem from inflation adjustments and a recent law known as the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.
Some 2017 tax overhaul provisions became permanent under the recent law.
New tax breaks include benefits for seniors and eliminating federal tax on tips.
Updated deductions for 2026 include $31,500 for married joint filers and $15,750 for single filers.
A new $6,000 deduction for seniors on Social Security income starts in 2025.
The IRS released new 2026 withholding tables to adjust federal tax withholding from wages.
Many companies, including Amazon and FedEx, plan to lay off employees in January. These layoffs will affect thousands of workers and are partly due to economic factors and company restructuring. Over 100 companies have announced layoffs through official notices.
Key Facts
Companies must provide a 60-day notice before mass layoffs, according to a law called the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.
Mass layoffs involve either 50 employees from one-third of the workforce or 500 employees being let go in a 30-day period.
In 2025, there were over 1.1 million layoffs.
More than 100 businesses plan to lay off employees in January 2026.
Well-known companies like Amazon, FedEx, and General Motors are among those laying off workers.
These layoffs may be due to economic challenges, restructuring, or profit-maximizing strategies.
Economic uncertainty is influenced by trade issues, fiscal policies, and government shutdowns.
Publix has recalled two products due to mislabeling that could pose health risks for people with allergies. The products affected are Rice & Pigeon Peas with undeclared soy content and Maple Walnut Coffee Cake incorrectly labeled as Raspberry Coffee Cake. Customers are advised to return the products for a full refund.
Key Facts
Publix has recalled two products because of undeclared allergens, which are Rice & Pigeon Peas and Maple Walnut Coffee Cake.
The Rice & Pigeon Peas product was sold only in Florida and contains undeclared soy, a common allergen.
The product could be mistakenly labeled for Three Cheese Mac & Cheese and is marked with specific codes ("5387-4," "5387-5," "5387-6").
The Maple Walnut Coffee Cake was mislabeled as Raspberry Coffee Cake, omitting walnuts from the label.
The mislabeled cakes were distributed in several states, including Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Customers are advised not to eat the products and can return them to Publix for a refund.
The incidents highlight the challenge of accurate labeling, important for consumer safety.
No illnesses linked to the mislabeling have been reported.
New UK rules require cryptocurrency users to share their account details with tax officials starting January 1. The UK's tax agency, HMRC, will collect information on crypto transactions to ensure proper tax payments. This measure aims to collect unpaid taxes and improve compliance among crypto investors.
Key Facts
Cryptocurrency users in the UK must now share their account details with tax officials.
This rule took effect on January 1 and aims to ensure taxes are paid on crypto transactions.
HMRC will automatically collect crypto users' data to track tax compliance.
The changes target unpaid capital gains tax from buying and selling cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrency exchanges, acting like banks for the industry, must report user earnings to HMRC.
The regulations are part of a larger effort to enhance global tax cooperation on crypto transactions.
HMRC anticipates collecting at least £300 million in unpaid taxes over the next five years.
Investors with crypto gains from the 2024-25 financial year may need to file a tax return by January 31.
The article discusses how music megatours have become highly profitable, focusing on Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour. It explains that as streaming has changed music sales, artists now rely more on live concerts for income. Technology, fan demand, and economics play critical roles in making modern tours successful.
Key Facts
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is the highest-grossing concert tour ever.
Streaming services have changed how people listen to music, affecting artists' income from sales.
Live concerts have become a major income source for musicians.
Large concert tours need big investments and complex production.
High demand for tickets leads to increased prices, making tours more lucrative.
The program explores the intersection of technology, fan enthusiasm, and economics in modern tours.
Experts from different countries contribute insights on the business of music tours.
Major U.S. airlines are planning to start new domestic and international flight routes in 2026. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines will introduce flights to various destinations in Europe, Asia, and the U.S., offering more travel options during peak travel seasons.
Key Facts
Delta Air Lines will start its largest transatlantic flight schedule ever, launching seven new flights to Europe from U.S. cities like Boston, New York, and Seattle in 2026.
United Airlines will begin flights from Newark to Split, Croatia; Bari, Italy; Santiago de Compostela, Spain; and start its first Washington, D.C. to Reykjavik, Iceland route.
United Airlines will also introduce a new daily nonstop flight from Newark to Seoul, South Korea, in September 2026.
American Airlines will add new routes to Europe, featuring the only U.S. non-stop flights to Budapest, Hungary, and from Dallas Fort Worth to Zurich, Switzerland.
Alaska Airlines will offer 17 nonstop destinations from Anchorage, Alaska, next summer, the most flights it has ever had during the Alaska travel season.
Alaska Airlines will introduce new routes from Portland, Oregon, to Bellingham and Everett in Washington, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
These new routes by major airlines aim to expand travel options for passengers and increase connectivity between the U.S. and international destinations.
The new flight routes are set to launch primarily in the spring and summer seasons of 2026, aligning with peak travel periods.
Energy bills in England, Scotland, and Wales have risen slightly due to an increase in Ofgem's price cap. This small adjustment means households with a typical amount of energy usage will see an annual increase of around £3. The cost is expected to decrease in April as announced changes in the Budget take effect.
Key Facts
Ofgem increased the energy price cap slightly, causing a 0.2% rise in energy bills.
The typical household will see an annual bill rise from £1,755 to £1,758.
Standing charges for electricity and gas have also increased by 2% and 3%, respectively.
The price cap applies to England, Wales, and Scotland. Northern Ireland is regulated separately.
Households can potentially reduce bills by switching to a fixed tariff with lower rates.
Some areas have cold weather payments of £25 a week if temperatures fall to 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.
The government extended the £150 Warm Home Discount to more low-income households.
