US job growth unexpectedly surged in January, while tech giants Apple and Google face scrutiny over their app store practices and social media addiction concerns. Simultaneously, Iran's leaders used state-organized rallies to denounce the United States, and Amazon launched early deals for its Presidents' Day sale.
According to the Labor Department, employers in the US added a greater-than-expected 130,000 jobs in January, which helped nudge the unemployment rate lower to 4.3. This growth came after the weakest year for new jobs since the Covid-19 pandemic, with only 181,000 jobs added in 2025, according to the latest data. The figures could ease fears about the job market's health, as firms wrestled with changes including major cuts to government spending, tariff uncertainty, and an immigration crackdown (BBC Business).
In the tech sector, Apple and Google agreed to make changes to their app stores in the UK following intervention from the UK markets regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The tech giants committed to not giving preferential treatment to their own apps and will be transparent about how others are approved for sale, among other agreements. The CMA's head Sarah Cardell said the proposed commitments "will boost the UK's app economy" (BBC Technology).
Meanwhile, a landmark trial began in California examining the mental health effects of Instagram and YouTube. Lawyers for the plaintiffs accused the social media companies of creating "addiction machines." Mark Lanier, representing the plaintiff "K.G.M.," argued that his client suffered from mental health issues as a result of her social media addiction. Lawyers for Meta and YouTube, however, said K.G.M.'s addiction stemmed from other issues in her life (BBC Technology).
On the retail front, Amazon launched its Presidents' Day sale early, offering discounts on various items. Shoppers could save on tech, tools, mattresses, cookware, and clothing. For example, the sale included savings on the Apple Watch Series 11, a Sealy mattress, and Levi's jeans (Fox News).
In Iran, authorities used state-organized rallies and celebrations commemorating the Islamic revolution to ratchet up messaging and threats against the United States. Chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" rang out during the demonstrations, which marked the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution (Al Jazeera).
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