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The first major set of economic reports last week reflect the state of the United States economy during President Donald Trump’s first full month in office. The data reveal a spike in layoffs and slower hiring growth across both the public and private sectors, with looming cuts suggesting larger economic woes in the months ahead. The US economy added 151,000 jobs, according to the Labor Department report, which came out on Friday – well short of economist expectations showing a stall in economic growth. Approximately 7.1 million Americans are currently receiving unemployment benefits compared with 6.5 million this time last…

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia could allocate extra money to educate poor public school students for the first time under a House budget approved on an 171-4 vote Tuesday.However, the $28 million proposed is far less than what advocates argue is necessary.House Bill 68, which would spend $37.7 billion in state money and $73.1 billion overall in the year beginning July 1, advances to the Senate for more debate. It would further boost spending on prisons, provide another bonus payment for some state retirees and raise judges’ salaries.Georgia’s 40-year-old K-12 school funding system provides extra money to school districts with low…

In the latest banking survey results published by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in February 2025, customer perceptions of service quality were illuminated, offering insights into the competitive landscape of the banking sector.   The survey’s results are intended to foster a culture of competitiveness and continuous improvement, making the rankings a critical benchmark for banks. Chase UK emerged as the leader in this year’s survey, closely followed by Starling and Monzo. This outcome echoes a persistent trend over the past three years where digital banks have outperformed their peers, primarily due to their innovative use of technology which enhances overall customer…

PARIS (AP) — Paris has spoken, and fashion’s final authority has laid down the law: This coming fall, it’s all about power shoulders, enveloping outerwear, and a color palette that runs from somber to surreal.If Milan softened up with romance and New York leaned into Y2K grunge, Paris countered with sartorial surety — a wardrobe built for the sharp, the serious, and the spectacular. Coats are enormous, tailoring is back, and drama is dialed up on every front.While trends may start in luxury, they quickly trickle down, as fast fashion companies like Zara, H&M, and Shein race to transform runway…

Zolve, a neobank specialising in financial services for global citizens relocating to the US, has secured $51m in equity funding and an additional $200m in debt as it seeks to scale its operations and enter new markets.The Series B funding round was led by Creaegis, with participation from HSBC, SBI, GMO, and DG Daiwa, according to a report from TechCrunch.Existing investors, including Accel, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sparta Group, and DST Global, also contributed.The $200m debt financing will allow Zolve to underwrite expat credit risks by purchasing loan books from its partner banks.Founded in 2021, Zolve provides seamless financial access to…

Sola Security, a cybersecurity firm focused on democratising security solutions, has emerged from stealth with a $30m seed funding round.The funding was led by S Capital and veteran investor Michael Moritz, with additional backing from S32, Glilot Capital Partners, and prominent angel investors.Founded in 2024 by cybersecurity experts Guy Flechter, former CEO and co-founder of Cider Security, and Ron Peled, former global CISO of LivePerson, Sola Security aims to revolutionise the way security teams build and manage their defences. The company’s AI-driven, no-code platform allows organisations to create and customise security tools without requiring extensive technical expertise or dedicated engineering…

PARIS (AP) — By all logic, Chanel should be floundering. A global juggernaut without a captain, the house has been in a state of limbo since the abrupt departure of Virginie Viard, drifting toward an uncertain horizon while awaiting the arrival of Matthieu Blazy in the fall.Yet against all odds, inside the majestic Grand Palais, Chanel did what it has done for a century: endure. And not just endure — dazzle. The VIP-filled fall show on Tuesday unfolded beneath a colossal swirling black ribbon, an audacious centerpiece that coiled toward the ceiling, defiant and theatrical. It was a collection that…

PARIS (AP) — At Miu Miu, the little sister brand of Miuccia Prada, the feminine wasn’t just celebrated — it was deconstructed, reconfigured and worn with a wink.The starry Paris Fashion Week collection on Tuesday took the very idea of womanhood and turned it into a conversation starter, one silk-knit bias cut at a time.And what a crowd to witness it. A$AP Rocky, perched in the front row in a nonchalant slouch, soaked in the scene, while Sydney Sweeney, swathed in Miu Miu’s latest ode to femininity, radiated old Hollywood meets modern mischief.Prada, known for casting both models and Hollywood…

Hawcx, a cybersecurity startup focused on passwordless authentication, has raised $3m in a pre-seed funding round.The investment was led by Silicon Valley venture capital firm Engineering Capital, with additional backing from seed-stage investor Boldcap.The company is tackling the persistent security vulnerabilities associated with passwords, which are responsible for over 86% of global data breaches, according to a report from Google. Hawcx’s authentication platform offers seamless security integration using just five lines of code, enabling businesses to enhance user protection while simplifying the login experience. Founded in 2023 by Riya Shanmugam, Selva Kumaraswamy, and Ravi Ramaraju, Hawcx emerged from stealth in…

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge in Boston on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration’s plan to cut hundreds of millions of dollars for teacher training, finding that cuts are already affecting training programs aimed at addressing a nationwide teacher shortage. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun sided with the eight states that had requested a temporary restraining order. The states argued the cuts were likely driven by efforts from President Donald Trump’s administration to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs.Trump, a Republican, has said he wants to dismantle the Education Department, and his administration has already started overhauling much of its…