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.
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.
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.
Krispy Kreme launched special Super Bowl-themed doughnut offers for a limited time. Customers can buy themed doughnuts in-store or online and access a special deal to get discounted original glazed doughnuts.
Key Facts
Krispy Kreme launched special doughnut offers for the Super Bowl.
The offer includes a "Big Game Dozen," with football-shaped and goalpost-themed doughnuts.
Customers can buy these limited-time doughnuts in-store or online.
There's a special "go for 2" deal: buy any dozen doughnuts and get a dozen original glazed for $2.
The promo code SCORE can be used online for the discount on glazed doughnuts.
Each customer can use the "go for 2" deal twice in-store or once online.
The promotion ends after Super Bowl Sunday.
Super Bowl spending is expected to top $20 billion, mostly on food and drinks.
American Airlines is introducing a new in-flight menu to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The menu, inspired by popular dishes from the 1920s, will be available in First Class and Business Class on certain flights starting in March and April 2026.
Key Facts
The new menu is inspired by dishes from the 1920s.
It will be available in domestic First Class starting April 2026.
International and transcontinental First and Business Class will have the menu starting in March 2026.
Dishes include Waldorf salad, beef Wellington, and chicken Florentine.
The menu can be preordered by passengers from February 9, 2026.
The menu is part of American Airlines' centennial year celebration.
The centennial dining options will be available through August 2026.
The CEO of The Washington Post, Will Lewis, has resigned following significant staff layoffs. Jeff D'Onofrio, the chief financial officer, will take over his role. These changes come after the newspaper experienced major financial challenges and declines in subscriber numbers and revenue.
Key Facts
Washington Post CEO Will Lewis announced his resignation shortly after the company cut about a third of its staff.
Jeff D'Onofrio, the chief financial officer, will step in as the new CEO.
The Washington Post is owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos.
Under Lewis's leadership, the newspaper faced multiple layoffs and lost many subscribers, affecting revenue.
The newspaper has faced concerns about editorial independence after deciding not to endorse a presidential candidate for 2024.
Will Lewis attempted to hire Robert Winnett as a top editor, but it did not happen due to past controversies.
Hundreds of journalists were laid off, including those covering the Middle East and Ukraine.
The Washington Post Guild criticized Lewis's leadership and urged Jeff Bezos to reverse the layoffs or sell the newspaper.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has introduced a new set of commemorative Forever stamps called "Lowriders," set to release in 2026. The stamp collection celebrates the cultural significance of lowrider cars, which have deep roots in Mexican American communities in the U.S.
Key Facts
The USPS announced a stamp collection called "Lowriders," part of their 2026 stamp program.
Lowrider cars, central to the stamps, have historical ties to 1940s Mexican American communities in the American Southwest.
These cars are famous for riding low to the ground and often have special hydraulic systems.
The collection includes five stamps featuring photographs of classic lowrider models.
The first-day-of-issue event for "Lowriders" stamps will be on March 13, 2026, in San Diego.
The stamps are Forever Stamps, meaning they will always be worth the First-Class Mail rate, even if prices go up in the future.
Chipotle will give away up to $1 million in free food during the Super Bowl through a one-time Instagram video featuring a text-to-claim code. The promotion aligns with Chipotle's focus on "real food" without artificial additives. Chipotle is also introducing new nacho options and bringing back its Chicken al Pastor for a limited time.
Key Facts
Chipotle will offer up to $1 million in free food during the Super Bowl.
A 30-second video on Instagram will provide a code for a free meal.
The promotion is available to the first 100,000 fans who text the code.
Chipotle stresses its commitment to "real food" without artificial ingredients.
The free food offer will occur after halftime and before the third quarter.
New "Game Day Nacho Hacks" are available starting February 5.
The Chicken al Pastor option returns on February 10 for a limited time.
Chipotle uses such promotions as part of its marketing strategy amidst inflation challenges.
British cities are seeing a surge in US-style fried chicken shops, with more opening up compared to other fast-food options. This trend is mainly driven by younger people who follow popular food trends online. Traditional British takeaways like fish and chip shops are adapting by adding chicken options to keep up with changing customer preferences.
Key Facts
The number of chicken shops in the UK increased by 7.2% from last year, outpacing other fast foods.
Young people are the main customers, with 52% of Gen Z and 47% of Millennials having eaten at chicken shops in the past year.
US chains like Popeyes and Chick-fil-A have expanded into the UK market.
Chicken is a cheaper protein option, making it popular during times of rising food costs.
Traditional fish and chip shops have decreased in number from roughly 25,000 in the 1920s to about 9,000 now.
Some fish and chip shops are adding chicken to their menu to attract younger customers.
The Irish Spice Bag trend, crispy chicken and chips with seasoning, has been successful in attracting more customers.
The chief executive of the Washington Post, Will Lewis, is leaving his position following significant job cuts at the newspaper. The Post announced job cuts affecting a third of its staff, reducing its sports and international news coverage. Jeff D'Onofrio will become the acting publisher and CEO.
Key Facts
Will Lewis, Washington Post's chief executive, announced his departure after major job cuts.
The newspaper cut one-third of its workforce, including all Middle East staff and the Ukraine correspondent.
Jeff D'Onofrio will temporarily take over as acting publisher and CEO.
Owner Jeff Bezos faced criticism for not endorsing a presidential candidate in the 2024 election.
The Post's decision to not endorse a candidate resulted in losing many subscribers.
The newspaper has faced financial struggles and criticism for recent editorial decisions.
Marty Baron, former executive editor, commented on the severity of the job cuts.
Will Lewis, the CEO of The Washington Post, announced his resignation in an email to staff. This decision comes shortly after the newspaper laid off about one-third of its employees, impacting various sections including sports and books. Jeff D’Onofrio will step in as the acting CEO immediately.
Key Facts
Will Lewis resigned as CEO of The Washington Post.
The resignation follows significant staff layoffs at the newspaper.
About one-third of the staff lost their jobs, affecting sports, books, metro, and international reporting.
The layoffs prompted concerns about the newspaper’s editorial direction.
The Washington Post is owned by Jeff Bezos.
Lewis took on the role of CEO in January 2024.
Jeff D’Onofrio, the CFO, will be the interim CEO.
Nearly half-a-million dollars were raised to support the laid-off staff.
More people are dining alone, according to a report by Yum Brands. Solo dining has increased significantly since 2021, with many choosing it as a form of self-care. The trend is seen both in fast-food visits and full-service restaurant reservations.
Key Facts
Solo dining has increased since 2021, per Yum Brands.
Investors lost over $400 billion as AI starts to change major industries. Anthropic's latest AI software release made investors rethink the value of software companies, causing a big drop in their stock prices.
Key Facts
Investors lost more than $400 billion after realizing AI may replace entire industries.
Anthropic released new AI tools that can write software code and function like coworkers.
Software company stock values fell by 25% in the last week.
These AI tools led to less communication among software engineers.
Some investors still find value in software companies, especially those with comprehensive toolkits.
Experts think AI will impact not just labor but company profits too.
Comparing AI's impact to BlackBerry, which survived but was deeply changed, illustrates the shift.
Future market changes could occur as AI disrupts more industries.
Sanju Pal, a former management consultant at Accenture in London, was dismissed from her job after taking time off for surgery due to endometriosis. She won an employment appeal tribunal that recognized her condition as a disability, leading to a decision that her dismissal was discriminatory. This case might impact how businesses treat employees with health conditions like endometriosis.
Key Facts
Sanju Pal worked as a management consultant at Accenture and had notable achievements, including meeting Queen Elizabeth and being invited to 10 Downing Street.
She was dismissed after missing performance targets due to time off for surgery related to endometriosis, a condition affecting some women.
Endometriosis involves cells similar to those in the womb lining growing elsewhere in the body, causing pain and health issues.
In her case, she had surgery to remove large cysts, resulting in a month-long recovery period.
She was initially denied compensation despite the tribunal finding in her favor, leading her to appeal the decision.
In 2026, the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled that the dismissal was discriminatory, recognizing endometriosis as a disability.
Accenture stated they could not comment further as the legal matter continued.
Martin Lewis, a money-saving expert, advises that only high earners should consider making extra payments on student loans. BBC analysis shows that voluntary repayments on UK student Plan 2 loans have increased significantly. Many graduates, like Luke England, choose to make these payments despite concerns that it may not be beneficial for everyone.
Key Facts
Martin Lewis recommends that only those with high incomes should make extra student loan payments.
Voluntary repayments for Plan 2 loans rose from £141.7 million in 2017 to £491.1 million in 2025.
Luke England voluntarily pays extra on his loan to pay it off faster.
He started with about £19,500 in debt and now owes £16,800.
Tuition fees in 2012 in England increased to £9,000 per year.
The repayment threshold for Plan 2 loans is frozen at £29,385 from April 2027 for three years.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies says changes to loan terms will increase repayments by around £16,000 for students who began courses in 2022.
More than half of the drugs listed on the TrumpRx website have cheaper generic versions available elsewhere. Experts note that patients could save more by opting for these non-branded drugs even without insurance. The TrumpRx site offers discounts on branded drugs, but generic versions are often still less expensive.
Key Facts
TrumpRx is a website listing drugs with discounts.
Over half of the drugs on TrumpRx have cheaper generic versions available.
Pristiq, a drug listed on TrumpRx, costs about $200 with a coupon, while its generic costs less than $30 elsewhere.
26 out of 43 drugs on TrumpRx have generic alternatives.
Generic drugs become available after a drug's patent expires, leading to competition and lower prices.
The FDA states that 9 out of 10 U.S. prescriptions are for generics.
The Trump administration claims TrumpRx provides low-cost options for branded drugs.
Generics contain the same active ingredients but the FDA doesn't always test them for quality.
President Donald Trump commented as the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached 50,000 for the first time, with a significant market rally led by technology stocks. The rise was driven by gains in chip stocks and stabilized cryptocurrency prices. Meanwhile, concerns about large tech investments and the impact of AI on software services influenced market behavior.
Key Facts
The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit 50,000, a milestone for the U.S. stock market with a 2.5% increase.
President Trump attributed the market success to his leadership, stating it happened three years ahead of schedule.
Chipmaker stocks like Nvidia and Broadcom saw substantial gains, bolstering the market rally.
Amazon and Alphabet's large spending on AI and tech raised investor concerns about future profitability.
Bitcoin rebounded from recent declines, and its recovery positively affected related stock prices.
U.S. consumer sentiment improved, leading to a boost in airline stocks as travel spending expectations rose.
Global markets showed mixed results, with European markets mostly up, while Asian markets had varied outcomes.
Reports from National Highways indicate that many smart motorways in England are not providing the expected financial benefits, though they mostly meet safety goals. Of 16 projects, only three are delivering expected economic returns, while specific sections of the M25 and M6 provide poor value for money.
Key Facts
Smart motorways use technology to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion.
Two sections, one on the M25 and another on the M6, were found to provide poor financial value.
Only three out of 16 smart motorway projects in England meet their expected financial benefits.
Smart motorways often replace the hard shoulder with an additional traffic lane.
The AA describes smart motorways as a "waste of time, money, and effort."
National Highways claims smart motorways meet safety expectations, reducing collisions.
Traffic growth on these motorways was lower than forecasted, affecting their value.
Some projects failed to improve journey times as expected, particularly on the M25.
Wetherspoon, a UK pub chain, has a policy requiring customers with assistance dogs to show ID from Assistance Dogs UK. This policy might be against the law, says the Equality and Human Rights Commission, as it could discriminate against people with disabilities.
Key Facts
Wetherspoon pubs have banned dogs for several years but allow assistance dogs.
The chain's new policy requires assistance dog owners to show ID from Assistance Dogs UK.
Some disabled patrons have felt embarrassed and refused service without this ID.
Wetherspoon believes the policy is legally sound and aims to protect customers from misuse.
UK law requires businesses to make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers, but specifics on assistance dogs aren't clearly defined.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is concerned this policy might violate UK law.
Assistance Dogs UK argues that no legal requirement exists for such identification.
The article discusses whether people should put extra money towards paying off their mortgage faster or save it. It considers different factors like personal finances and interest rates that might affect this decision.
Key Facts
The topic is about choosing between overpaying a mortgage or saving money.
Overpaying a mortgage means paying more than the required monthly amount.
Saving money involves setting aside funds for future use or emergencies.
Personal finance and interest rates are important factors in deciding between these options.
Different personal situations might lead to different choices.
The article is available in a full episode on BBC Sounds.
