Krispy Kreme announced two special deals to celebrate New Year 2026. These promotions include a Double Dozen donut offer for $20.26 and free delivery for online orders of at least $5 from December 30, 2025, to January 1, 2026, in participating U.S. locations.
Key Facts
Krispy Kreme has two special deals for New Year 2026.
One deal offers two dozen donuts for $20.26.
Customers can mix Original Glazed and assorted or specialty donuts.
The deals are available in U.S. Krispy Kreme shops, but not in grocery or convenience stores.
Free delivery is available for online orders over $5 during the promotion period.
Customers can buy up to four "Double Dozens" each.
The promotions run from December 30, 2025, to January 1, 2026.
Disney has agreed to pay $10 million to settle claims that it violated U.S. child privacy laws. A federal court approved the settlement, which was based on allegations that Disney collected children's data without parental consent on its YouTube channel. Disney will also change its practices to comply with data protection rules.
Key Facts
Disney will pay $10 million to settle allegations of breaching U.S. child privacy laws.
The settlement was approved by a federal court following allegations by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Disney allegedly collected children's personal data from its YouTube videos without parental consent.
The videos in question were designated as not being aimed at children, which required compliance with specific privacy rules.
Under U.S. law, companies cannot collect data from children under 13 without informing parents.
Disney is required to ensure its YouTube channel complies with data protection regulations moving forward.
Other companies, like Google and Microsoft, have also faced similar legal settlements related to child privacy.
Disney's headquarters are in Burbank, California, and its revenue for the fiscal year 2025 was $94.4 billion.
Gold and silver prices have surged this year, marking the highest annual increase since 1979. Gold hit a record high before slightly decreasing, while silver also reached a new high. Various economic and geopolitical factors, including expected interest rate cuts and central bank gold purchases, contributed to these price changes.
Key Facts
Gold prices increased by over 60% in 2023, hitting a record high of more than $4,549 an ounce.
By the end of the year, gold's price had dropped to around $4,350 an ounce.
Silver reached an all-time high of $83.62 an ounce before settling at around $74.
Rising prices were partly due to expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts in 2026.
Central banks added hundreds of tons of gold to their reserves this year.
China's restrictions on silver exports affected global supply, impacting prices.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw significant investments in precious metals.
Silver price hikes were also due to supply issues and industrial demand.
As 2026 approaches, the United States economy is doing well in some areas but also shows signs of possible problems. Growth has been strong, with a significant boost from investments in artificial intelligence, but many Americans still feel unhappy about their financial situation, despite continuing to spend money.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy has grown by 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025, surpassing expectations.
AI investments have been a major factor, contributing about 40% of growth in 2025.
Consumer sentiment is low, with the University of Michigan's index at 53.3 in December.
Despite low confidence, consumer spending increased by 3.5% in the July-September quarter.
Wealthy Americans account for about half of all consumer spending.
Analysts have divided opinions about AI's potential impact on future productivity.
Economists have mixed views on economic ratings, with some giving it six out of ten.
The U.S. stock market experienced significant volatility due to tariff-related announcements.
Disney will pay $10 million to settle claims with the U.S. government that it violated children's privacy laws. The settlement is about Disney not labeling some YouTube videos as made for children, which led to kids getting targeted ads without parental consent. Disney also agreed to follow children's data protection rules more closely in the future.
Key Facts
Disney is paying $10 million to resolve claims of breaking children's privacy laws.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) raised concerns over Disney not labeling videos for children on YouTube.
This resulted in children's data being collected and targeted ads shown without parental consent.
Disney agreed to create a program to follow children's data protection laws.
The agreement is tied to Disney's content on YouTube, not its other digital platforms.
Following a 2019 FTC and YouTube settlement, content for kids must have labels to prevent data collection.
Disney did not label certain videos as for children, which violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Disney was aware of these issues with video labeling as early as June 2020.
Some officials in the Federal Reserve disagree on whether to continue cutting interest rates to support the economy in 2026. The division arises as President Trump encourages rate reductions, but some officials want to hold rates steady to see past cuts' effects on the economy. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other officials suggest future rate cuts are not certain.
Key Facts
Federal Reserve officials are divided on continuing interest rate cuts in 2026.
The Fed has cut interest rates three times recently, but there was significant disagreement about the third cut.
President Trump is pushing for more interest rate cuts to support economic growth.
Some officials want to keep rates unchanged to observe the effects of previous rate cuts.
Concerns exist about inflation not meeting the Fed's target and the impact of tariffs on prices.
Technological advancements, like AI, might boost economic growth but could affect job creation.
President Trump plans to announce his nominee for the next Fed Chair soon, as Jerome Powell's term ends in May.
Kevin Hassett and Kevin Warsh are potential candidates to lead the Fed.
Elon Musk's net worth reached $749 billion, making him the first person to be worth $700 billion. His wealth comes mainly from his shares in Tesla and SpaceX, which increase in value as these companies produce more products and services. Musk's financial milestone highlights the ongoing conversation about wealth distribution and the role of billionaires in society.
Key Facts
Elon Musk is the first person to have a net worth of $700 billion.
Musk's wealth mainly comes from his shares in Tesla and SpaceX.
Musk said his wealth increases by producing more products and services.
After a court ruling, Musk's net worth rose to an estimated $749 billion.
Musk is the richest person in the world, with Larry Page as the next-richest at $258 billion.
The growth of Musk's wealth is part of a larger discussion on wealth inequality.
Bernie Sanders commented that AI should benefit all humanity, not just the wealthy.
Some food products use healthy-sounding words to make them seem better for you, but they often contain a lot of hidden sugar. Marketing can make it hard for consumers to notice the added sugars in these products.
Key Facts
Products with labels like "all natural" or "organic" often have hidden sugars.
Granola, low-fat yogurts, plant-based milks, and smoothies are examples of such products.
Companies use marketing strategies to make products seem healthier than they are.
Added sugars can be hard to spot quickly on labels.
Professor Nicole Avena studies added sugars and their marketing techniques.
Disney has agreed to pay a $10 million settlement over claims it violated children's privacy laws on YouTube. The Justice Department alleged Disney collected personal information from children without proper consent. Disney must now comply with regulations to protect children's online privacy.
Key Facts
Disney agreed to pay $10 million to settle the case related to children's privacy on YouTube.
The settlement involves a violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
COPPA requires getting parents' permission before collecting information from children under 13.
The government claimed Disney didn't properly label some YouTube videos as aimed at children.
Disney allowed targeted ads on those videos, allegedly collecting data unlawfully.
A federal court in California approved a stipulated order against Disney.
Disney must establish a program to ensure it complies with COPPA in the future.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) assisted in handling the case.
KFC has introduced a new menu deal for New Year's Eve featuring a "buy-one, get-one" offer on 8-piece Fried Chicken Buckets, exclusively for rewards members. This deal taps into a trend pairing fried chicken with luxury items like champagne and caviar, aiming to attract customers celebrating at home. KFC's strategy is designed to appeal to consumers looking for affordable yet festive meal options.
Key Facts
KFC launched a buy-one, get-one deal for 8-piece Fried Chicken Buckets.
The deal is available only to KFC rewards members.
The offer focuses on pairing fried chicken with items like champagne and caviar.
KFC has partnered with The Caviar Co. and Luc Belaire for the at-home meal experience.
The promotion aligns with a social media trend of pairing fried chicken with luxury foods.
KFC aims to attract customers who wish to celebrate New Year's Eve at home.
KFC is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands with 30,000 restaurants in 150 countries.
A millennial worker shared a post online criticizing older workers who do not retire, which went viral. The worker explained that their career is stuck because their older manager, 71, cannot retire due to financial issues. This sparked debate about retirement struggles and job market difficulties for younger workers.
Key Facts
A 36-year-old worker posted online about older people not retiring, hindering career growth.
The poster's 71-year-old manager stays in the job due to financial hardship from medical expenses.
The post sparked a discussion on how many older workers cannot afford to retire.
Labor participation among people over 65 has increased significantly in recent years.
The post highlights challenges faced by younger workers, including competition with more experienced older workers for jobs.
The viral post received over 11,000 upvotes and 1,800 comments on Reddit.
A user commented that lower healthcare costs could increase job openings by enabling earlier retirements.
A woman ended her relationship after finding out her boyfriend had misrepresented himself as a father. She learned this after contacting his ex-partner, who shared information that contradicted what he had told her. The boyfriend's behavior raised concerns about honesty and responsibility.
Key Facts
The woman, 29, was dating a 34-year-old man who has an 8-year-old daughter.
She was initially unsure about dating someone with a child, but he convinced her he was a devoted father.
She questioned his parenting after he claimed his daughter did not want a Christmas gift, which she found unusual.
She contacted the child's mother through TikTok, who shared a different story about his involvement.
The mother revealed the child was planned, and the boyfriend had been largely absent from the child's life.
The woman decided to end the relationship after learning this information, even though the boyfriend wanted to explain.
A therapist noted that the woman’s decision was about self-protection and values, rather than being punitive.
The U.S. economy showed strength in 2025 despite facing challenges like inflation and a weaker job market. There are concerns for 2026, but recent GDP growth and a rising stock market highlight its resilience. Efforts like the new tax law may provide additional economic support.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy grew at a 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter of 2025.
President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs affected the stock market and raised fears of a recession.
Inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's target, impacting family budgets.
The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November 2025.
The S&P 500 index increased by more than 17% in 2025.
Job creation is mainly in the healthcare sector, with other industries like manufacturing losing jobs.
A new tax law passed in July 2025 aims to boost the economy through fiscal stimulus.
American stocks are performing worse than international stocks for the first time in many years. Investors are looking at global markets outside the U.S. due to high valuations of U.S. stocks and uncertainty with economic policies and AI investments. International stocks, especially from emerging markets, are attracting interest.
Key Facts
U.S. stocks are less popular globally because they are priced high compared to international stocks.
The S&P 500 index rose by about 17% this year, trading at nearly 23 times forward earnings, while the historical average is 18 times.
In the same period, an index tracking international stocks (excluding U.S. stocks) increased by 29%.
Emerging markets grew nearly 30%, with a weaker dollar aiding the growth.
Before 2025, U.S. stocks generally outperformed international stocks.
Concerns include high valuation of U.S. equities and the lasting effects of trade tariffs under President Trump.
Investors are interested in Asian markets, especially China, which shows strong growth and competitive technology.
Experts continue to hold positive views on international stocks for upcoming years, despite the ongoing AI market rally in the U.S.
Octopus Energy plans to separate its technology division, Kraken Technologies, into an independent company valued at $8.65 billion. The company sold a $1 billion stake in Kraken to investors, which might lead to a future stock market offering. Kraken uses AI to improve customer service and energy management for its clients.
Key Facts
Octopus Energy is creating a separate company for its technology arm, Kraken Technologies.
Kraken is valued at $8.65 billion after a $1 billion investment by a group of investors.
Investors include New York-based D1 Capital Partners, Fidelity International, and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.
Kraken uses AI to automate tasks for energy companies, like customer service and billing.
Kraken serves around 70 million household and business accounts globally.
Octopus Energy will still own a 13.7% stake in Kraken after the spin-off.
Kraken may go public, potentially listing its shares in either London or the US.
The investment will support Octopus Energy's expansion, creating jobs in the UK.
India has become the fourth-largest economy in the world, surpassing Japan and California, with a GDP of $4.18 trillion. The Indian government predicts further growth, potentially placing India as the third-largest economy by 2030.
Key Facts
India is now the world's fourth-largest economy.
India's GDP is valued at $4.18 trillion.
It surpassed both Japan and California in economic size.
India may overtake Germany by 2030 with a projected GDP of $7.3 trillion.
Japan's 2024 GDP was $4.02 trillion, placing it fifth after India.
California’s GDP was $4.10 trillion in April according to IMF data.
Official confirmation of these figures awaits the IMF's final report in 2026.
The article discusses the popularity of affordable vehicles in the U.S. market. Many top-selling vehicles are budget-friendly and start around $20,000, making them attractive to cost-conscious buyers. These vehicles include the Honda Civic, Kia K4, and Nissan Sentra, which offer good value for money and come equipped with modern safety features.
Key Facts
Budget-friendly vehicles are among the top-selling cars in the U.S. for 2025.
Popular models starting around $30,000 include the Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V.
The Honda Civic, Kia K4, and Nissan Sentra are priced closer to $20,000.
These vehicles attract younger, tech-savvy buyers due to affordability and features.
Safety technology in these cars is on par with more expensive models.
The Honda Civic offers a hybrid version with a high fuel economy of up to 50 mpg.
The Kia K4, formerly known as Optima, has various standard features and a starting price of $22,190.
The Nissan Sentra includes advanced safety features and starts at $22,600.
A Swedish pharmacy chain, Apotek Hjärtat, is trying a new program where workers get paid time to spend with friends to help fight loneliness. Employees in this trial can use this time to connect with others and have activities with a special budget. This is part of a larger effort in Sweden to address loneliness, supported by the government.
Key Facts
Apotek Hjärtat, a pharmacy chain in Sweden, launched a "friendcare" program to help reduce loneliness among employees.
Participants in this program get 15 minutes each week, or an hour each month, during work hours to strengthen friendships or make new ones.
Employees have received 1,000 kronor (about $100) for friendship activities as part of this year-long trial.
The program includes online training about recognizing and addressing loneliness.
The initiative is inspired by previous collaborations with the mental health charity Mind.
Sweden's government released a national strategy to reduce loneliness and has encouraged businesses to participate in efforts.
The Public Health Agency of Sweden cited loneliness as a public health issue linked to various health risks, such as heart disease.
Apotek Hjärtat aims to see if small amounts of friendship time can improve employee wellbeing.
Betty Brown, aged 92, has been awarded an OBE for her efforts to achieve justice for victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal. This IT system led to over 900 sub-postmasters being wrongly prosecuted, and thousands like Betty were forced to cover false financial shortfalls. After a long legal fight, Betty received compensation from the government.
Key Facts
Betty Brown, 92, received an OBE for campaigning against wrongful prosecutions related to the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.
The Horizon IT system wrongly caused over 900 sub-postmasters to be prosecuted due to incorrect data.
Betty and her husband spent more than £50,000 of their savings to cover non-existent losses caused by the system.
She was part of a group of 555 original victims who took legal action against the Post Office.
Betty received compensation from a government scheme, choosing a fixed sum of £75,000 or an individual settlement.
The government has paid over £1.3 billion to more than 10,000 victims of the scandal.
The scandal has been recognized as a major miscarriage of justice in the UK.
The Post Office has apologized for the impact of the Horizon system on postmasters and their families.
