World Business Report - Jobs grow in the US – beating expectations

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US employers added a greater-than-expected 130,000 jobs in January, helping nudge the unemployment rate lower to 4.3%, according to official government statistics released on Tuesday The figures could help ease fears about the health of the job market, after last year's sharp slowdown as firms wrestled with changes, including major cuts to government spending and a crackdown on immigration. The US added just 181,000 jobs in 2025, according to the latest data, even weaker than previously reported.

The Dutch brewers Heineken cuts thousands of jobs after it finds drinkers are consuming less beer. Heineken - which also brews Amstel and Tiger lagers - said the cuts would come from brewing and white-collar roles among its 87,000-strong global workforce.

And China teeters on the edge of stagflation as inflation slows and worries continue over why consumers just don’t appear to be spending - putting pressure on firms to sell their goods abroad and make profits there.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Senior Producer: Craig Henderson

Published on Wednesday, 11th February 2026.

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