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Episode details

World Service,11 Feb 2026,9 mins

Jobs grow in the US – beating expectations

World Business Express

Available for over a year

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 Dutch brewers Heineken has cut thousands of jobs after it finds drinkers are consuming less beer. Heineken - which also makes 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 Chinese firms to sell their goods abroad and make profits there. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Senior Producer: Craig Henderson

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