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By the end of 2025, U.S. household debt reached $18.8 trillion, according to recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This increase highlights the ongoing trend of rising consumer debt, particularly in non‑housing sectors such as credit cards, auto loans, and personal loans. As borrowing costs climb, more households are facing financial strain, with a growing portion of their income going toward servicing debt. The data reflects not only the sheer volume of consumer debt but also the types of debts that are rising. Credit card balances, which typically carry higher interest rates than mortgages, continue to increase, driving up the overall household debt figure. These trends raise concerns about the impact of rising debt levels on household budgets, particularly as non‑mortgage interest payments continue to consume a larger share of disposable income. Rising Interest Payments Stress Household Budgets Non‑mortgage interest payments have become a significant portion of household budgets, reflecting the strain of rising borrowing costs. With credit card interest rates hovering near 24 percent, a large portion of disposable income is being directed toward servicing debt, leaving less room for discretionary spending or savings. As the cost of borrowing increases, households with outstanding credit card
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UK Entrepreneurship Trend: AI Replaces Traditional Hiring in Startups
Startups across the United Kingdom are adopting a new approach to staffing, increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and freelance talent to replace permanent employees. As businesses navigate rising costs and regulatory changes, AI platforms are becoming integral to streamlining operations and supporting growth. The shift is reshaping the UK startup landscape as entrepreneurs explore flexible, technology-driven models. Recent reports reveal a notable trend: the average UK startup created just 2.7 jobs per company in 2025, marking a sharp decline compared to previous years. Founders are increasingly leaning on AI for tasks that were once the responsibility of full-time staff, from customer service and marketing to administrative work. As competition for skilled workers intensifies and employment laws become more complex, AI is emerging as a crucial tool to manage costs without sacrificing operational efficiency. The Shift Towards Digital Solutions and Freelance Talent UK startups are increasingly prioritizing AI tools over traditional hiring methods to manage their operations. With labor costs continuing to rise, entrepreneurs are turning to digital solutions to manage tasks such as customer service, content creation, and project management. By utilizing AI platforms, startups can reduce overheads while maintaining flexibility. At the same time, freelance talent is
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Fed Signals Policy Patience as Inflation Cooling Remains Uneven
The Federal Reserve has opted to hold short-term interest rates steady following its January 2026 meeting, signaling a continued cautious approach to monetary policy. Despite signs of cooling inflation, core inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, prompting policymakers to take a wait-and-see approach before considering rate cuts. The Fed’s decision to maintain its target range at 3.5%–3.75% reflects its desire to balance the risks of easing too soon against the potential for price pressures to persist. The minutes from the meeting, released in February 2026, revealed that while inflation has slowed in some sectors, it has not cooled evenly across the economy. This unevenness has made it difficult for the Fed to determine the right timing for any rate adjustments, underscoring the importance of a measured and flexible approach. Inflation Remains Above Target, Impacting Future Rate Decisions While inflation has shown some signs of cooling, it remains above the Federal Reserve’s long-term target of 2%. This persistent inflation, especially in sectors like housing and services, continues to complicate the central bank’s monetary policy decisions. The Fed’s cautious stance is largely due to the fact that core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, remains higher than desired. As
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Carmakers Report Heavy in Losses from EV Programs Amid Market Challenges
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UK Names Brian Bell Chief Economic Adviser Amid Policy Challenges
The UK government has appointed Professor Brian Bell as the new Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury and Head of the Government Economic Service. This announcement comes amid complex domestic and global economic conditions that present significant challenges for the UK’s fiscal policy. Bell will begin his tenure on March
Unilever Warns of Slower Sales Growth as U.S. Consumer Market Softens
Unilever has adjusted its sales growth forecast for 2026, indicating that growth will likely be at the lower end of its previously stated range of 4% to 6%. The company cited weakening consumer demand in developed markets like the U.S. and Europe as primary contributors to this revision. While Unilever
Overtourism Crisis Pushes Destinations to Rethink Tourism Economics
Global tourism has rebounded strongly since the pandemic, with many destinations seeing visitor numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Cities such as Barcelona, Venice, and Paris are reporting record crowds, while island destinations like Mallorca and Santorini are struggling to manage the overwhelming influx of tourists. This surge in travel has reignited
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67,800‑Year‑Old Hand Stencil Discovered
In December 2025, archaeologists working at the Liang Metanduno Cave on Muna Island, part of Indonesia’s Sulawesi region, made a landmark discovery that challenges our understanding of early human art. A 67,800‑year‑old hand stencil was found, now regarded as the oldest known human-made artwork ever discovered. This revelation significantly alters
UK Unemployment Levels Unchanged as Hiring Trends Slow Down
UK unemployment has remained at 5.1% in the three months to November 2025, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Although the unemployment rate has not fluctuated significantly, the broader labour market continues to show signs of strain, with slower hiring activity across several sectors.
Venezuela Oil Reserves: Exploring Their Role in Global Energy Markets
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at over 303 billion barrels, surpassing other major oil-producing countries. These reserves, primarily located in the Orinoco Belt, are made up of heavy crude, which presents specific challenges for production and export. Despite the vast size of these reserves, Venezuela’s oil
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Basic Economy Flyers Lose Mileage Perks at American Airlines
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How Inflation Shapes Your Spending and What You Can Do
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Walmart and Google Gemini Team Up to Simplify Online Product Discovery
Walmart has announced a strategic partnership with Google’s Gemini AI, marking a significant step in transforming the way consumers discover products online. This collaboration aims
