It is not easy being Karan Shah, but it is certainly worth being him. He seems to live by the famous quote, “He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.”Karan Sunil Shah is in his early twenties and has an infectious sense of humour. He lives with Type III Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a genetic condition that affects the motor nerves responsible for voluntary muscle movement. His elder brother, who also had SMA, passed away due to cardiac arrest at the age of 14. One can only imagine the trauma Karan and his parents endured. Yet, Karan chose laughter over despair.Karan shares moments of humour and resilience in his instagram posts. Hi Instagram page rollyrollyshah describes him as Comedian, Canine & Feline Behaviourist and a Bharat Prerna Awardee. He once said that when he visited his therapist to sort through his emotions, the therapist advised him to deal with problems step by step-and laughed. As a child, Karan wanted to be a fashion model. Today, when his wheelchair is pushed up a ramp, he laughs and says, “God gave me a permanent ramp.”Recently, one of Karan’s videos went viral, drawing attention to a harsh reality—how poorly people with disabilities are treated in many parts of the country. One day, while returning from work, Karan found that the lift at the Worli metro station was not working. Unfortunately, Worli is one of the few metro stations equipped with a functioning lift, according to Karan and on that fateful day, it was out of order. There was no way for him to access the metro without a wheelchair-accessible lift.

When he tried to seek help from the authorities, he was met with apathy. Karan waited for 45 minutes, repeatedly calling the emergency helpline. When someone finally responded, he was shockingly asked to “go on foot.” On foot? How does one expect a man in a wheelchair to travel from Worli to Dadar? He turned his camera towards the traffic, showing the busy roads—dangerous even for pedestrians, let alone someone navigating them in a wheelchair.“That night, I wasn’t scared because I’m disabled. I was scared because the system failed me at every step. Lifts, helplines, roads, washrooms-everything made me feel disabled. Living in the current century shouldn’t feel this unsafe. Accessibility is not luxury infrastructure. It’s basic human dignity,” he said.With no other option, Karan wheeled himself from Worli to Dadar on a dangerous road filled with traffic. Along the way, he desperately needed to use a washroom, but not a single one was wheelchair-friendly.“While growing up, I enrolled in Shiamak Davar’s dance classes for children with special needs and cancer. Once, Shiamak came home to meet me and told me I needed an angel in my life. Soon after, he gifted me a female Labrador puppy named Angel. Being a dog lover, I was thrilled,” Karan said in .Determined to train Angel himself, Karan not just managed to train her but also went on to became a certified dog behaviourist. .

There’s a shift happening in parenting styles, with many embracing the ‘Fool Around and Find Out’ (FAFO) philosophy. By letting kids experience the ramifications of their actions in a safe environment, parents are prioritizing experiential learning over traditional lecturing. This strategy nurtures independence and self-regulation.

FAFO parenting stands for “Fool Around and Find Out.” The idea sounds harsh, but the core is simple. Children learn best when actions lead to real, safe consequences. Instead of long lectures, parents step back and let small mistakes teach lessons. This style trusts experience more than warnings. It does not mean neglect or danger. It means allowing age-appropriate outcomes to do the teaching.

Where FAFO parenting comes from

FAFO is not a formal theory from a textbook. It grew from everyday parenting fatigue. Many parents noticed that repeated advice did not always stick. But one lived experience did. A child who ignores a reminder to carry a water bottle feels thirsty later. That feeling teaches faster than ten reminders. FAFO gives space for those moments, without shame or “I told you so.”

How FAFO parenting actually works

The method has three quiet steps. First, the parent checks safety. Nothing risky is allowed. Second, the child is informed once, in clear words. Third, the parent steps back. The consequence arrives naturally. A forgotten homework leads to explaining it to the teacher. A toy left in the rain gets damaged. The parent stays calm and present, not punitive. The lesson comes from life, not from anger.

What FAFO parenting is not

FAFO is often misunderstood. It is not harsh discipline. It is not a public embarrassment. It is not letting children get hurt. A toddler touching a hot stove is not FAFO. That is unsafe. FAFO works only when the result is mild, reversible, and age-appropriate. The aim is learning, not suffering. When safety is at risk, intervention always comes first.

Why some parents see value in it

This style builds cause-and-effect thinking early. Children connect choices with outcomes. Over time, this supports self-control and accountability. It also reduces power struggles. The parent stops being the “bad cop.” Life becomes the teacher. Many children respond better to this calm distance. They feel respected, not controlled. That respect often leads to better cooperation later.

Where FAFO parenting can fall short

FAFO does not suit every child or situation. Anxious children may feel overwhelmed by consequences. Neurodivergent children may not link action and outcome in the expected way. Cultural and school pressures also matter. A missed assignment may affect grades beyond the lesson. Without emotional support, FAFO can feel cold. The style needs empathy to work. Silence alone is not guidance.

Using FAFO with care and balance

The strongest version of FAFO includes reflection. After the outcome, a short, kind conversation helps. What happened. Why it happened. What can change next time. No sarcasm. No blame. This closes the learning loop. FAFO works best when mixed with warmth, clear boundaries, and trust. It is a tool, not a rulebook.Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Parenting styles affect children differently based on age, temperament, and health needs. FAFO parenting should never involve unsafe situations or emotional harm. For specific concerns, consult a qualified child health or mental health professional.

Hyderabad tops the chart of top cities in India for real estate investment in 2026. The city continues to make its position stronger on the list thanks to its booming IT, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing sectors. Areas including Kondapur, Gachibowli, and HITEC City are experiencing strong development activity attracting investors. Hyderabad’s relatively affordable entry prices, makes it an attractive option for mid-size and first-time investors. The city also has a metro connectivity, ring roads, and peripheral growth corridors.
(Canva)

Akshay Kumar champions a down-to-earth childhood for his kids, choosing to instill principles of self-reliance and integrity rather than relying on celebrity status. He maintains a close-knit relationship with his son, teaching him the value of hard work and appreciation for what he has.

If you walk into Akshay Kumar’s house expecting celebrity chaos, you might be disappointed. No midnight movie star schedules. No dramatic parenting manifestos. More likely, you will find something surprisingly un-Bollywood: bedtime.For a man whose life runs on big sets and bigger action sequences, his voice softens when he talks about home. The spotlight fades. The father steps forward.In a conversation with NDTV, Akshay recalled a moment that defines the atmosphere he wants for his children. “He came to me and said that I don’t want to do films,” he shared about his son Aarav. The response was not persuasion. It was respect. Aarav choosing his own direction mattered more than continuing a film legacy.That idea of independence appears again in his parenting philosophy. Speaking about raising children, Akshay told KidsStopPress, “One needs to give kids the space to grow, and I do that. But instilling right values is important, that’s what my parents did, and that’s how I want it for my kids.” Space and structure, not pressure and expectation.In an interaction covered from his ABP News appearance, he described the emotional dynamic at home, saying, “I am not strict, that job belongs to my wife… I am more like a friend to my son.” It is a line that reshapes the image of celebrity parenting into something more conversational than commanding.

His thoughts on upbringing also extend to responsibility. As he put it to KidsStopPress, “Whatever they get, they have to earn it. I want them to be responsible human beings who are also full of gratitude for what they have.” Stardom, in his view, should not replace effort.Even the emotional side of fatherhood finds a place in his words. In the same parenting conversation, he shared, “To all the fathers out there, hug your kids for as long as you can, because it’s your grip that makes them so strong to stand there and face it all.” It is less about ambition and more about emotional grounding.He has also spoken about the kind of patience he wants his children to learn. Reflecting on advice he once wrote to his son, he said, “Slow fire is much better than a two-minute noodle.” following his talk with ABP News. Growth is not instant. Life does not have to move at the speed of fame.Parenting, for him, seems less about preparing children for visibility and more about preparing them for stability. His own career reflects discipline and consistency, and that example becomes part of the environment his children grow up observing.The interesting thing about this approach is that it does not reject ambition. It simply refuses to let ambition replace childhood. Success, in his version of fatherhood, is not the opening chapter. It is something that can come later, built on character and habits that have nothing to do with cameras.In a world where children of celebrities often grow up under observation, the most radical choice might be to keep life unperformed at home.Normal, in this context, is not ordinary. It is protective. It allows children to grow without the weight of inherited expectation.Akshay Kumar’s parenting approach, at least from how he speaks about it across interviews and parenting conversations, is less about preparing children for fame and more about preparing them for a life that works even without it.And maybe that is the point. Stability has to be built long before success arrives.

Catherine O’Hara, the beloved star who left us at 71, exemplified the beauty of prioritizing family. Her career decisions revolved around her desire to be present for her sons, showing that joy and laughter should reign in the household.

Catherine O’Hara, the beloved actress who brought warmth and humour to classics like Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, died on January 30, 2026, at age 71. While the world admired her comic genius, she said the role she cherished most was being a mother to her two sons, Matthew and Luke, whom she shared with her husband, production designer Bo Welch.

The unspoken rule: Put family first

O’Hara’s number-one parenting rule wasn’t written in a handbook. It was lived day by day: family comes before fame. In interviews, she explained her work choices were shaped by this belief. “In deciding what work I might get involved in for my whole working life, my family’s always come first,” she said, adding that when her sons were babies, she often questioned the point of working if it meant leaving them. This wasn’t a catchphrase. It was a steady compass that guided her toward roles close to home and limited long trips that would pull her away from her children. That priority wasn’t simple. It required thoughtful trade-offs between career momentum and shared moments at home.

Laugh together, stay together

O’Hara also modelled another gentle rule: nurture joy in the everyday. She once said of her home life, “I’m proud to say, we all make each other laugh… They made each other laugh to the end.” Humour wasn’t just part of her profession. It was the glue of her family’s world. She cultivated light-hearted moments, encouraged her sons’ own funny instincts, and made laughter a steady rhythm in daily life. For parents, that lesson matters: caring for emotions and connection can be as powerful as teaching manners or routines.

Choosing presence over pressure

Over a career spanning decades, O’Hara chose projects that fit her family life. When offered work that required weeks of travel, she weighed the cost with real honesty. She once explained how a job in London became a life lesson: she kept it short and simple because a long absence didn’t feel right for her and her young sons. That doesn’t mean she avoided challenges. It means she measured success not by awards or applause but by presence. In today’s culture, where busyness is often praised, her quiet commitment to presence offers a refreshingly human model.

A legacy that speaks without words

O’Hara rarely spoke publicly about parenting tips. Yet her life broadcast a clear message: be there, truly and fully. For many families, that message resonates deeply because it mirrors the hopes parents tuck into every day: being present when little feet run into the room, when jokes spill at the dinner table, when life’s ordinary moments become memories.Her own sons later joined her world behind the camera, working on Schitt’s Creek and The Last of Us, proof of their shared creative life and the environment that nurtured their gifts.

What can parents take home?

O’Hara’s unspoken rule isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. It’s about making choices that align with values rather than the loudest applause. And it reminds parents that the most lasting legacies grow in small, everyday moments, breakfasts, afternoon jokes, bedtime stories, and shared laughter.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information about Catherine O’Hara’s life and statements. It aims to reflect her perspectives accurately, with quotes and details drawn from verified interviews and news reports.

The Temple of Pythons is a rare sacred place where religion, history, legend, and living ritual come coiling together, quite literally, which is around snakes. The temple is deeply tied to Vodun, a spiritual tradition practiced across parts of West and Central Africa, particularly in Benin, Togo, and Ghana. Through the African diaspora, Vodun beliefs travelled to the New World, influencing spiritual systems such as Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo. Within this belief system, snakes are not feared creatures but revered symbols of protection, balance, and spiritual mediation. At the heart of Vodun theology stands Dan, the rainbow serpent: a sort of intermediary super being between our world and that inhabited by spirits. Pythons, linked to this cosmic power, are revered as embodied divinity and not as creatures to be tamed or caged. Local lore lends the temple a rich sense of history. One such common tale is of the 1700s when the king of Ouidah was being pursued by enemies during a time of war. Racing into an adjacent sacred forest, the king took cover among the trees, and this, as legend goes, was when pythons started to appear from nowhere in the underbrush, surrounding him and standing in the way of his capture. Appreciative of the protection provided, the king ordered that monuments be built paying tribute to the snakes, which would eventually grow into what is now known as the Temple of Pythons.

Another tale is told of a woman who is fleeing war and famine, she meets a python in the bush and takes it home with her. By night, the snake would wind through the adjoining fields eating rodents and pests,helping crops flourish. With time, the python was considered as not just a protector of food but a spiritual guardian. Today the Temple of Pythons is a small concrete building adorned with a clay roof. Inside is a pit where dozens of royal pythons, which are prized for their calm, docile and relentlessly slow-moving behavior, relax in coils on top of one another. It’s believed that about 60 pythons are kept at the temple site, which is also home to the largest number of sacred pythons found anywhere in Benin.The priests do not feed the snakes. They are set free into town on schedule, usually released during night time when they can go hunting for mice, rats and other pests. It is not rare for pythons to end up in village houses. Once that happens, nobody in the neighborhood panics. The snakes are welcomed back as honored visitors.Contrary to popular fears, people are not in danger from Python. They are not poisonous and has such a gentle nature. Visitors can hold the snakes after a short hand-purification ritual, and for a fee they can have their photos taken. Guides help lead the way, to ensure visitor comfort and, more important, to protect the snakes.Apart from being a tourist destination, the temple is still used for worship. Some of the structures in the complex are for the public, some serve only prayer purposes.According to temple guides, the pythons are ceremonially-set free once a month to purify the town in rituals dating back centuries.In Ouidah, snakes are not symbols of danger or deceit. They are protectors, spiritual intermediaries, and living reminders of the town’s layered past. The Temple of Pythons is one of those rare places where myth, and faith still remain together, and without fear.

Today, the 2026–27 Union Budget was presented in the Parliament by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. It’s a budget that loves travellers as at the heart of the Budget’s travel appeal is a sharp reduction of the Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on overseas tour packages. Yes, this time, the Budget didn’t just target economic growth; it also also signalled towards making dreams of international travels cheaper and more achievable. Let’s have a closer look at it:Cheaper international vacations through TCS rationalisationEarlier, Indian travellers wanting to book international tours faced a TCS structure: 5% on tour packages up to ₹10 lakh and 20% on amounts above ₹10 lakh. But as per the new Budget, the finance minister proposed a uniform TCS rate of 2% on the sale of overseas packages. This flat-rate reduction means that travellers will pay significantly less tax at the time of booking.It’s a welcoming move for travellers and industry leaders too. “The sharp reduction in TCS on overseas travel is an immediate demand stimulant for the sector and improves cash flows for both consumers and operators. More importantly, it signals the government’s intent to reduce friction in legitimate travel spending and support the formal travel economy,” said Kunal Gala, Partner in Deal Value Creation Services at BDO India. Affordability meets technology

Canva

Beyond tax cuts, the Budget also emphasises on technology-led governance in the travel sector. Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder of Pickyourtrail, pointed out how these structural changes extend beyond the numbers: “From an outbound travel perspective, the emphasis on technology-led governance and the reduction in TCS on overseas tour packages meaningfully improve affordability, transparency, and ease of travel for Indian consumers.”Industry ReactionAs per a joint statement by Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO, and Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO of ixigo, “This year’s budget has also taken steps to make international travel, both outbound and inbound, more accessible and affordable for Indian travellers. The proposal to reduce the TCS rate on overseas tour packages to a flat 2% … is a welcome move for making outbound tourism more amenable.”

Canva

Beyond making travel cheaper, the Budget sends a clear message that tourism is a strategic economic sector. Aviral Gupta, CEO of Zostel & Zo World, noted, “The Budget’s reduction of the tax on overseas tour programme packages from 5% to 2% is a positive step that simplifies outbound travel and reflects the growing scale of global tourism activity. The focus on experience quality — through the training of 10,000 certified tourist guides, investments in hospitality education, and the development of 15 archaeological and cultural sites into experiential destinations — marks a clear shift towards value-led tourism.”Impact on local economiesFor the hospitality sector, the Budget’s travel-friendly measures are expected to generate meaningful demand. Ayu Tripathi, Director of Aahana Resort, commented on how these changes might play out for service providers: though she was not quoted directly here, industry response generally underscores optimism that lower TCS, improved airport processes and hospitality training will enhance guest experiences — both for outbound and inbound travellers.Future of travel looking bright

Canva

India’s outbound travel market has grown rapidly in the last 10 years. There are over 10 million Indians who travel abroad every year for several purposes. The Budget’s measures, particularly the uniform 2% TCS, could strengthen this trend by lowering barriers to entry and making international travel more affordable for first-time and frequent travellers alike.

In a landmark move, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has revealed plans for a new Buddhist Circuit scheme for six Northeastern states in the Union Budget 2026–27. The budget was presented in Parliament on February 1, 2026 and this announcement marks a major policy shift to boost India’s religious tourism portfolio. This initiative will create a proper planned network of Buddhist pilgrimage sites across Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur. It’s a fact that despite being historically important, these states remain under explored.Cultural Tourism boostTourism was one of the prime highlights in the 2026 budget. The industry is a key driver of jobs and growth. The minister also announced plans of investment in electric transport and seaplane manufacturing. However, the development of Buddhist Circuit remains one of the prime features with immense potential to reshape travel across South Asia’s Buddhist travel network.Commenting on the development, Karan Agarwal, Director, Cox & Kings, said, “What stood out for me in this Budget is that it doesn’t treat travel as a one-sided story. Outbound travel needed a course correction, and cutting TCS on foreign tour packages to 2% does exactly that, it takes away a friction that travellers were feeling every time they planned a trip. On the inbound side, the intent is clearly longer-term. What stands out is the emphasis on cultural and experiential travel, whether through developing archaeological sites, strengthening Buddhist circuits, or building skilled local guide networks, tells us the focus is finally shifting to how India is experienced, not just how many people arrive. If this is executed well, it could move Indian tourism from being crowded and transactional to curated and experience-led.”Summing up the budgetTo sum up, Sitharaman explained that the Northeast presents deep cultural intersections of Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions. The new scheme is designed to preserve Buddhist temples and monasteries. There are also plans to install interpretation and pilgrimage centres and improve transport along with digital connectivity for the convenience of tourists.Mr. Siddhartha Gupta, CEO, Yatra Online Limited, says, “India’s travel and tourism sector has reached a point where demand is well established across segments and geographies. The focus now has to be on building an ecosystem that allows this demand to scale in a more efficient, affordable, and predictable way, and the Union Budget 2026-27 takes steps in that direction.”It is a fact that while other Buddhist attractions including Bodh Gaya and Sarnath attract lakhs of tourists and pilgrims every year, the Northeast’s sites remain largely unexplored. But with better connectivity and infrastructure, the government plans a more integrated journey in the Eastern Himalayas.“The emphasis on experience-led growth—through integrated medical and tourism hubs, the development of immersive heritage destinations, and the expansion of eco- and nature-based tourism- significantly strengthens India’s appeal for international travelers seeking authentic, high-quality, and purpose-driven experiences. These initiatives not only diversify India’s inbound tourism narrative beyond metros and seasonal circuits but also distribute economic benefits more evenly across regions and communities”, commented Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder, Pickyourtrail.Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “The focus on sustainable and experiential tourism, including the development of Himalayan trails, the continued push for Buddhist circuits, and the strong policy thrust on the Northeast, will support the growth of diverse tourism segments while enabling more balanced regional development. These measures are expected to encourage longer stays, wider travel dispersal, and stronger demand for quality accommodation and services across tier-2 and tier-3 markets.“Appreciating the budget, Zubin Karkaria, Founder & CEO, VFS Global, said, “The Union Budget charts a strong roadmap to Vision 2047, positioning tourism, mobility, and human capital as engines of long-term growth. By recognising tourism as a catalyst for job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and regional development, the government is laying the foundation for a more competitive and resilient travel ecosystem. The emphasis on capacity building is particularly encouraging, with focused measures on infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and institutional support. These initiatives will play a crucial role in strengthening service quality, improving destination readiness, and enhancing ease of doing business across the sector.”What the Buddhist Circuit CoversSome prime Buddhist attractions in the Northeast region include:In Arunachal Pradesh:Tawang Monastery — One of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India In SikkimRumtek Monastery Enchey Monastery in Gangtok In AssamHayagriva Madhava Temple in Hajo — A site revered by Buddhists as well as HindusIn ManipurHosts historic Buddhist communities and templesIn MizoramThere are several Buddhist heritage sites which underscore the diversity beyond common travel circuits.In TripuraKalachand Temple and other heritage sitesThere’s no doubt that these states struggle because of lack of proper infrastructure and harsh weather. But things look positive for these states now as the Buddhist Circuit scheme in the Northeast stands as one of Union Budget 2026’s most visionary travel announcements.

The US job market faces a brutal start to 2026 with nearly 6 lakh jobs already gone, driven by massive layoffs at companies like Amazon and UPS. This wave of job cuts, significantly higher than last year, is fueled by automation and AI, impacting various sectors beyond tech.

The year has barely started, and the mood in the US job market is already tense. In just a few weeks, some of the world’s biggest companies have announced huge layoffs, leaving offices quieter and warehouses emptier. Close to 6 lakh jobs are expected to vanish, making this one of the roughest starts to a year for workers in a long time.Amazon is right at the centre of it. The company has confirmed that around 16,000 corporate roles are being cut in this latest round – its second big trim since late 2025. Add that to the 14,000 jobs it had already let go earlier, and you’re looking at nearly 30,000 roles gone worldwide. Most of the damage is in the US, but teams in Canada and parts of Asia are also getting hit.UPS isn’t far behind. The delivery giant says it will cut up to 30,000 jobs in 2026, after already letting go of almost 48,000 people last year. As the company pulls back from parts of its partnership with Amazon and reshuffles how it runs deliveries and warehouses, the biggest blow is falling on ground staff – the people who actually move the parcels.Put it all together, and the pace of job cuts has jumped sharply – about 42% higher than this time last year.

It’s not just Amazon and UPS

What’s really worrying is that this isn’t a problem limited to a couple of headline-making companies. Layoffs are popping up across tech, banking, retail, and manufacturing. From flashy Silicon Valley firms to old-school retailers and big banks, companies are tightening their belts and quietly freezing hiring.

And this time, it’s not even about a classic recession. Many of these companies are still making money. The real driver is change – more automation, more AI, and a constant push to run leaner teams. In plain terms, companies are rethinking how much work actually needs people, and some jobs are getting cut out of the picture altogether.

What’s happening inside Amazon

At Amazon, the cuts are part of a bigger shake-up of how the company is run behind the scenes. Even after posting strong numbers in 2025, the company is trimming layers of management and speeding up its shift towards AI tools and automated systems.This round has hit teams like HR, AWS support, operations, and other corporate departments. In the US, affected employees have been told they’ll get severance and a few months to look for internal roles.But for many workers, the official talk of “efficiency” doesn’t make it any easier. Jobs that once felt safe are now being handled by software. Work that used to need whole teams can now be done by a handful of people with the help of AI.Amazon says this is about long-term restructuring, not endless rounds of layoffs. Still, internal chatter suggests the company is serious about staying lean and leaning harder on automation going forward.

UPS and fewer hands in logistics

UPS is also in the middle of a major reset. The plan to cut up to 30,000 jobs in 2026 will mostly hit delivery routes, sorting centres, and warehouses. Some people will leave voluntarily, some roles will fade out over time, and some facilities will shut down altogether.After losing nearly 48,000 jobs in 2025, the scale of change is huge. Fewer delivery workers on the road. Fewer warehouses running. A much smaller workforce overall.A big reason behind this shift is UPS moving away from low-margin Amazon deliveries. As Amazon builds more of its own delivery network, UPS is turning towards areas like healthcare logistics and specialised freight – work that relies more on machines and tech than large teams of people.Unions like the Teamsters have already raised concerns, warning that workers are paying the price for this race towards automation. The clash between old-school jobs and tech-driven efficiency is only getting louder.

What this means for workers in the US

Last year was already tough, with over a million layoffs across industries – numbers not seen since the pandemic days. Some months were the worst in decades. And 2026 doesn’t look any kinder so far.Tech, telecom, finance, retail – no sector seems untouched. Hiring has slowed, job openings are shrinking, and people who lose their jobs are finding it harder to land new ones quickly. The economy may not be in a full-blown recession, but the job market definitely feels colder.For workers, the reality is uncomfortable. Skills that can’t be easily replaced by AI – like cybersecurity, data analysis, machine learning, and specialised tech work – are becoming more valuable. But learning those skills takes time, money, and support, and not everyone has that luxury.

A new, uneasy phase of work

This isn’t just a bad few months – it feels like a shift in how companies think about people and productivity. After years of aggressive hiring during and after the pandemic, businesses are now pulling back. Automation, AI, and smaller teams are becoming the new normal.Companies may talk about “future-proofing” and “long-term growth,” but for the people losing their jobs, it’s deeply personal. As 2026 rolls on, one thing is becoming clear: the future of work in the US won’t be shaped only by the economy – it’ll be shaped by how fast technology changes what work even looks like.