Chick-fil-A removed pea starch from its waffle fries after customer complaints. The recipe change aimed to keep the fries crispy but altered the flavor, leading to negative feedback and allergy concerns.
Key Facts
Chick-fil-A initially added pea starch to waffle fries in 2024.
Customers complained about the change, saying it affected taste and texture.
Pea starch was removed from the fries' recipe after public backlash.
Some customers had concerns about potential allergic reactions to pea-based ingredients.
Pea starch comes from legumes, which include peanuts and soy, known allergens.
The company confirmed that all waffle fries no longer have pea starch.
The change led to much discussion on social media, with mixed reactions.
Chick-fil-A's waffle fries remain a popular menu item despite the controversy.
The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, raising the unemployment rate to 4.4%. Economists had expected small job gains, but several sectors, especially healthcare, lost jobs. The Federal Reserve faces decisions about interest rates amid economic concerns.
Key Facts
The U.S. lost 92,000 jobs in February, leading to a 4.4% unemployment rate.
This marks the sixth time the job market has shrunk during President Trump's administration.
Economists predicted job gains between 50,000 and 59,000, but instead, there were losses.
The healthcare sector lost 28,000 jobs, which was the most affected area.
Federal government jobs decreased by 10,000 in February.
There were widespread job strikes in California, Hawaii, and New York.
The transportation and warehousing sector lost 11,000 jobs.
The Federal Reserve's next meeting is on March 17-18, with increased chances for a future interest rate cut due to the job market data.
Morgan Stanley announced it will cut about 2,500 jobs, which is roughly 3% of its global workforce. The layoffs will occur across its main business areas such as investment banking and wealth management, despite the company having a record revenue year in 2025.
Key Facts
Morgan Stanley is cutting 2,500 jobs out of about 83,000 employees worldwide.
The layoffs will affect investment banking, trading, wealth management, and investment management.
The company has not provided a public explanation for the job cuts.
FOX Business reported that these cuts relate to business priorities and individual performance.
Financial advisors are not affected by the layoffs.
Morgan Stanley had a record revenue year in 2025, with revenue increasing to $17.89 billion.
The job cuts are part of a larger trend in the finance and tech industries, where companies are making staffing changes for efficiency.
Other companies like Amazon and Nike also made significant job cuts recently.
A recall has been announced for a type of Atlantic salmon sold in seven states due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall, managed by Slade Gorton & Co., Inc. and classified as Class II by the FDA, involves salmon sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club stores.
Key Facts
The recall involves Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon sold in 2-pound packages.
The salmon is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause illness, especially in pregnant women.
The recall affects 190 cases identified by recall number H-0541-2026 and lot 3896.
The salmon was sold between January 31 and February 7, 2026, in seven states.
No illnesses have been reported so far.
The FDA discovered the contamination through random sampling.
BJ’s Wholesale Club is notifying customers and offering refunds.
A Class II recall means the product may cause temporary or reversible health issues.
A new UK singles chart focused on Christian and gospel music has been launched. This chart recognizes and promotes music from British artists in this genre, driven by growing interest in faith-based music over recent years.
Key Facts
A new UK singles chart for Christian and gospel music has been launched.
This chart highlights singles released by British artists based on sales and streams in the UK.
Gospel music, originating from Afro-American culture, has roots in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The UK Christian and gospel albums market has grown by 64% since 2015.
Sales and streams of Christian and gospel albums exceeded 500,000 last year for the first time.
Gospel music streaming in the UK increased by 119% since 2020.
Artists like Laura Ehio and Chantelle Rutendo see this chart as a wider platform for gospel music.
There have been reports of more young people attending church in England and Wales, though experts debate the accuracy of these findings.
MrBeast's company, Beast Industries, fired a video editor after finding evidence of insider trading. The employee used confidential information to make bets on MrBeast's upcoming YouTube videos through a platform called Kalshi. This incident highlights concerns about insider trading in prediction markets.
Key Facts
Beast Industries is owned by YouTube creator MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson.
The employee, Artem Kaptur, was fined $20,000 for improper trading using inside information.
Kalshi, a prediction market platform, determined Kaptur used insider knowledge about MrBeast's videos.
Beast Industries reinforced its zero-tolerance policy against insider trading.
Kalshi has opened 200 investigations into trading violations in the past year.
Prediction markets are being closely watched by U.S. lawmakers due to suspicious trading activity.
The case has been reported to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
MrBeast's company received significant investment and acquired a teen banking app recently.
Capital One is laying off 1,139 workers from its Riverwoods, Illinois office as part of its integration with Discover. These layoffs come after the company bought Discover in 2024 and laid off 600 workers last year. Most of the affected employees will leave in phases by May 2024.
Key Facts
Capital One is laying off 1,139 employees from its Riverwoods, Illinois location.
This follows Capital One's acquisition of Discover for $35 billion, completed in May 2024.
Layoffs include 532 at Riverwoods, 69 remote workers from Illinois, and 538 remote workers outside Illinois.
The layoffs will not affect front-line, customer-facing jobs.
Employees were informed of the layoffs on February 23, 2024.
Capitol One filed a formal notice about the layoffs with Illinois authorities, as required by law.
The layoffs will occur in phases, with most employees leaving by May 2024.
Oil prices rose sharply after Qatar's energy minister warned that Gulf oil and gas production might stop soon due to a conflict in the Middle East. This region is key for global energy supply, and disruptions could raise oil prices significantly. Qatar has stopped producing liquefied natural gas, citing military attacks on its facilities.
Key Facts
Qatar's energy minister warned that Gulf oil and gas production could stop soon due to ongoing conflict.
Brent crude oil prices rose 4.4% to $89.17 per barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for oil, has seen reduced traffic due to conflict.
About 20% of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz daily.
Current conflict is likened to the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on energy prices.
Qatar declared "force majeure" due to recent military attacks on its liquefied natural gas facilities.
It could take weeks to months to resume normal energy production even if the conflict ends now.
Rising energy prices are already affecting consumers in places like the UK.
A woman named Sarah found an authentic Christian Dior dress at a thrift store in Florida for about 50 cents. The story highlights the growing trend of second-hand shopping, as many Americans, including Gen Z, are thrifting more due to financial concerns. The global second-hand clothing market is expanding, with the U.S. being a significant part of it.
Key Facts
Sarah, aged 28, found a Christian Dior dress at a thrift store in Florida for about 50 cents.
The dress was discovered at a Goodwill Outlet, where items are sold in bulk by weight.
Thrifting is becoming more popular in the U.S. due to financial worries, with many cutting back on spending.
A survey found that 66% of Americans shop second-hand regularly, and 28% of Gen Z thrift weekly.
The global second-hand apparel market was valued at $227 billion in 2024 and could reach $370 billion by 2027.
TikTok has increased interest in thrifting, with users sharing their finds and thrift-store success stories.
The US economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, which was unexpected. The unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, causing concerns about the stability of the job market.
Key Facts
The US lost 92,000 jobs in February.
The unemployment rate increased to 4.4%.
Health care jobs decreased due to strikes.
This is the largest job loss since October.
Analysts did not expect hiring numbers to drop.
Concerns are rising about how the US-Israel war in Iran could affect the economy.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the country lost 92,000 jobs in February, contrary to analysts' expectations of a job gain. The unemployment rate rose slightly from 4.3% to 4.4%. These developments add pressure to President Trump's economic agenda.
Key Facts
The U.S. lost 92,000 jobs in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Analysts had expected an increase of 59,000 jobs for February.
In January, the job market had added 126,000 jobs, while losing 17,000 in December.
January and December job numbers were revised down by 69,000 jobs in total.
The unemployment rate increased to 4.4% from 4.3%.
The current unemployment rate is compared to 4% in January 2025 when President Trump took office for a second term.
A house near the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles is for sale at $2.25 million. The property has a rich history, including being previously home to members of the 1960s band The Association and appearing in a photography book by Linda McCartney. The listing has drawn interest online due to its historical significance and comparatively low price given its location.
Key Facts
The house is located near the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles, California.
It is priced at $2.25 million.
The residence includes three bedrooms and four bathrooms across 2,515 square feet.
The house was once home to members of the band The Association.
Linda McCartney, Paul McCartney's late wife, featured the house in a photography book.
The property is described as a significant place for artists and creative people.
Some potential buyers are concerned about wildfire risks due to its hillside location.
The price surprised some because homes in similar areas usually cost more.
Axel Springer, a European media company, has agreed to buy the Telegraph Media Group for £575 million. The British government is investigating the deal for how it might affect public interest and competition. Axel Springer plans to grow the Telegraph's business and expand its presence in the United States.
Key Facts
Axel Springer agreed to buy the Telegraph Media Group for £575 million.
The Telegraph Media Group includes The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, The Telegraph Magazine, and its website and app.
An earlier bid of £500 million by the Daily Mail and General Trust led to a government investigation.
Axel Springer hopes to preserve the Telegraph's character and expand its business.
The acquisition will expand the Telegraph's reach into the United States.
The Telegraph Media Group was put up for sale due to debts of its previous owners, the Barclay brothers.
The UK government is investigating the deal for possible impacts on media competition and public interest.
Oil and gasoline prices are rising again due to military threats and disruptions in the Middle East. The Trump administration is trying to reduce the impact by allowing temporary oil purchases from Russia. However, experts believe this will not provide significant long-term relief to oil prices.
Key Facts
Oil and gasoline prices are increasing due to the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude oil prices reached about $88 on Friday.
U.S. average gasoline prices rose by 32 cents per gallon this week.
The Trump administration issued a 30-day waiver for India to buy more Russian oil.
This move is not expected to have a long-term effect on reducing oil prices.
Saudi Arabia is working to increase oil shipments through the Red Sea.
Current measures are seen as temporary and not a lasting solution for the high prices.
Drug companies are increasing the prices of many brand-name medications in 2026, despite past agreements with President Trump to lower drug costs. Some known drugs will see price hikes, while a few will have reduced costs. President Trump previously secured deals to lower drug prices for Medicare and Medicaid, aiming for parity with international prices.
Key Facts
Drugmakers are raising prices on over 350 branded medications and vaccines by an average of 4%.
President Trump made deals with 16 major drug companies to lower drug costs through his TrumpRx platform starting January 2026.
Americans pay nearly three times more for prescription drugs compared to other wealthy countries.
In 2026, nearly 1,000 drugs experienced price increases, including Ozempic, Cosentyx, and Stelara.
Despite hikes, 20 medications experienced price drops, such as Eliquis (down 43%) and Jardiance (down 44.4%).
COVID-19 and cancer-related drugs, like Comirnaty and Ibrance, are among those with increased prices.
President Trump highlighted his efforts to reduce drug prices in his State of the Union address.
Trump's website, TrumpRx, will sell certain prescription drugs at reduced rates for eligible consumers.
More Americans are using their 401(k) retirement savings for urgent financial needs. A report by Vanguard showed that 6% of U.S. workers made hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) accounts last year, which is an increase from the previous year. Changes in rules, like the SECURE 2.0 Act, now allow for some penalty-free withdrawals.
Key Facts
Vanguard reported 6% of U.S. employees used 401(k)s for emergencies last year.
This was up from 4.8% of workers who did so the year before.
The median amount withdrawn was $1,900.
401(k) accounts are generally performing well despite increased withdrawals.
Hardship withdrawals are now allowed without penalties for specific amounts due to rule changes.
The SECURE 2.0 Act lets individuals withdraw up to $1,000 per year for emergencies without facing penalties.
The IRS advises caution with withdrawals, reminding people it can impact long-term retirement savings.
Commenters online discussed financial struggles and the challenges of maintaining retirement savings.
Jet fuel prices have jumped by over 80% due to disruptions in supply from the Gulf. This increase could lead to higher airfares and possible flight cancellations. Airlines use strategies like hedging to manage fuel costs, but not all carriers are fully protected against these price jumps.
Key Facts
Jet fuel prices have risen more than 80% following US and Israeli air strikes on Iran.
The Gulf provides about 50% of Europe's jet fuel imports, but supply is now disrupted.
Before the strikes, jet fuel in Europe cost $830 per ton; it now exceeds $1,500.
Fuel costs make up 20-40% of airlines' expenses.
Some airlines use hedging to lock in fuel prices but not all do, leaving some exposed.
Wizz Air expects a €50 million impact on profits due to fuel costs.
Ryanair and EasyJet report being well-protected from immediate fuel price effects.
Experts warn of potential flight cancellations or delays due to fuel shortages.
The Royal Mail in the UK will increase the price of first class stamps by 10p to £1.80 on April 7. The increase is due to rising delivery costs and declining letter volumes. Some consumer groups criticize the higher prices, mentioning issues with delivery performance.
Key Facts
First class stamp prices will rise to £1.80 on April 7, 10p more than before.
Second class stamps will increase by 4p to 91p.
Ten years ago, a first class stamp cost 64p.
Delivery costs have risen, but fewer letters are being sent.
Royal Mail currently delivers to 32 million addresses, up by 4 million in recent years.
UK adults spend about £6.50 on stamps annually.
Royal Mail was fined £21 million for missing delivery targets in 2024-25.
Citizens Advice criticizes the price rise, citing delivery performance issues.
American Airlines will partner with America250 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. They plan to design two special planes in America250 themes and serve as the official airline for an innovation program. This partnership is part of American Airlines' 100-year milestone celebration.
Key Facts
American Airlines is an official sponsor and partner of America250, joining companies like Walmart and Coca-Cola.
America250 celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Two American Airlines planes, a Boeing 737 and an Embraer 175, will have special America250 designs.
These planes will fly routes across the U.S. and globally.
American Airlines also marks its own centennial in 2023.
America250 is organized by a commission set up by the U.S. Congress in 2016.
The efforts involve celebrating U.S. history and inspiring future innovators.
In January, nearly 45,000 homes in the U.S. were relisted for sale, marking the highest number for that month in the past decade, according to a Redfin study. This increase in available homes could give buyers more power in the market, though many sellers are listing at lower prices to attract interest. Relistings were most frequent in high-priced areas like the West Coast and less common in more affordable regions like the Northeast and Midwest.
Key Facts
Around 45,000 homes were relisted in January, the most in a decade.
Sellers now outnumber buyers by more than 600,000 in the U.S. housing market.
In January, the median sale price of a home was $423,029, up by 1.1% from a year earlier.
Some homes are being relisted at lower prices to make them more attractive to buyers.
Relistings made up 3.6% of active housing listings in January.
The highest relisting rates were in West Coast cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.
Relistings were least common in cities like Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Virginia Beach.
More available homes may lead to better negotiation opportunities for buyers.
