Business

Consumer confidence plunges to 12-year low

U.S. consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since 2014 in January, dropping 9.7 points to 84.5, below pandemic-era lows. Concerns about the labor market and the overall economic outlook drove the decline, with all five components of the index deteriorating. The present situation index, reflecting current business and employment conditions, fell to 113.7, while the expectations index, which gauges short-term outlook for income and … Continue reading Consumer confidence plunges to 12-year low

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Business

UPS to cut 30,000 more jobs amid turnaround plan

UPS announced it plans to cut up to 30,000 operational roles in 2026 as part of its ongoing transformation strategy, with reductions occurring through attrition and a voluntary separation program for drivers. The company’s transformation, launched in June 2025, aims to optimize its U.S. network, boost productivity, and implement additional automation, marking the largest network reconfiguration in UPS history. Last year, UPS cut 48,000 jobs, … Continue reading UPS to cut 30,000 more jobs amid turnaround plan

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Politics

Two Republican senators call for Kristi Noem to resign as DHS secretary

Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign Tuesday, making them the first Republicans in Congress to do so. Their comments came after federal officers killed Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota, incidents that have drawn widespread criticism of Noem’s handling of immigration enforcement. Trump, however, defended Noem, calling her border work “a tremendous success,” … Continue reading Two Republican senators call for Kristi Noem to resign as DHS secretary

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Politics

Trump issues executive order assuming control of Los Angeles wildfire rebuild

President Trump signed an executive order transferring permitting authority for wildfire rebuilding in California from state and local governments to federal agencies, including FEMA and the SBA. The order allows federal officials to approve building permits, overriding local and state procedures, citing slow progress in reconstructing homes and businesses after last year’s Palisades and Eaton fires. Trump criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen … Continue reading Trump issues executive order assuming control of Los Angeles wildfire rebuild

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Politics

Trump promises to ‘de-escalate’ Minnesota crisis after Alex Pretti shooting

President Donald Trump said his administration plans to “de-escalate” the crisis in Minnesota following the deaths of two U.S. citizens, including ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was shot by federal Border Patrol officers over the weekend. The killings occurred amid a sweeping federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis that has sparked protests and tensions between state and federal authorities. Pretti, who was legally carrying a gun, … Continue reading Trump promises to ‘de-escalate’ Minnesota crisis after Alex Pretti shooting

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Politics

China’s Xi Jinping signals deeper ties with Finland during PM’s visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to Beijing, emphasizing Beijing’s willingness to enhance trust, strengthen communication, and deepen economic cooperation with Finland. Xi invited Finnish businesses to “swim freely” in China’s market and highlighted collaboration on energy transition, agriculture, and forestry. The leaders also discussed upholding the international system under the UN and promoting a multipolar world. During the visit, Finnish … Continue reading China’s Xi Jinping signals deeper ties with Finland during PM’s visit

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Politics

Canada’s Carney Tells Trump ‘I Meant What I Said’ in Davos

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected claims that he walked back controversial remarks he made at the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying he told U.S. President Donald Trump he stood by what he said. Carney said during a Monday call with Trump that he “meant what I said in Davos,” where he had criticized economic coercion by major powers and defended Canada’s efforts … Continue reading Canada’s Carney Tells Trump ‘I Meant What I Said’ in Davos

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U.S. News

3 young brothers in Texas die after falling through icy pond during winter storm

Three young brothers, ages 6, 8, and 9, died in Texas after falling through an icy pond during a massive winter storm, authorities said. The boys fell into the private pond Monday near Bonham, a rural town near the Oklahoma border, and were pulled from the water by first responders and a neighbor, though all three later died. Their mother, who tried to save them, … Continue reading 3 young brothers in Texas die after falling through icy pond during winter storm

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U.S. News

California Senate Approves Bill Making It Easier to Sue ICE Agents

California’s state Senate passed Senate Bill 747, the “No Kings Act,” on Tuesday, creating a first-of-its-kind pathway for residents to sue federal agents for civil rights violations in state court. The bill, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener, would allow Californians to seek damages for excessive force, false arrest, and other constitutional violations, addressing gaps in federal accountability under laws like the Federal Tort Claims Act. … Continue reading California Senate Approves Bill Making It Easier to Sue ICE Agents

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U.S. News

Ilhan Omar rushed by man on stage and sprayed with liquid at town hall event

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was attacked during a town hall Tuesday night when a man sprayed her with a liquid from a syringe before being tackled by security. Omar, who had recently criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, was unharmed and continued her event, emphasizing resilience in the face of threats. Her office confirmed the assailant is in custody and praised Omar for not letting … Continue reading Ilhan Omar rushed by man on stage and sprayed with liquid at town hall event

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U.S. News

NASA jet erupts in flames as it skids down runway at Houston airport

A NASA WB-57 research jet made a gear-up landing at Houston’s Ellington Airport Tuesday after a mechanical failure prevented its landing gear from deploying. Footage showed the 60-year-old high-altitude aircraft skidding along the runway, sparks and flames trailing as its belly scraped the tarmac. Emergency crews helped the two pilots exit safely, and NASA confirmed all crew members are unharmed. The WB-57, capable of flying … Continue reading NASA jet erupts in flames as it skids down runway at Houston airport

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U.S. News

Man shot in incident involving Border Patrol in Arizona

A 34-year-old Arizona man with a prior human smuggling conviction, Patrick Gary Schlegel, was shot and wounded by a Border Patrol agent Tuesday after allegedly firing at agents during a foot chase near the U.S.-Mexico border. The incident followed a traffic stop linked to an “active alien smuggling matter,” after Schlegel fled from a vehicle he had been driving. Officials said he also fired at … Continue reading Man shot in incident involving Border Patrol in Arizona

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World News

Snow leopard mauls tourist who tried to take its photo in China

A tourist in China was injured after being mauled by a snow leopard while attempting to take photos of the rare animal, officials said. The incident occurred Jan. 23 in Koktokay town in the Xinjiang region when the skier left her car and approached the leopard. Authorities said the woman was bitten and taken to a local hospital, where she is in stable condition. Video … Continue reading Snow leopard mauls tourist who tried to take its photo in China

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World News

Russian drone strike on Ukrainian passenger train kills five

A Russian drone strike hit a passenger train in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Tuesday, killing five people, according to prosecutors. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as terrorism, saying there was no possible military justification for striking a civilian train carrying more than 200 passengers. The train, traveling from western Ukraine toward Barvinkove, was struck by one drone, while two others hit nearby areas, setting … Continue reading Russian drone strike on Ukrainian passenger train kills five

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U.S. News

North Korea launches suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea, neighbors say

North Korea launched suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea on Tuesday, according to South Korea and Japan, amid rising tensions with Seoul. The launch followed North Korean threats over alleged South Korean surveillance drone flights, which Seoul has denied. Analysts say the accusations and weapons tests are likely aimed at stoking anti–South Korea sentiment ahead of an upcoming Workers’ Party congress. In recent months, North … Continue reading North Korea launches suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea, neighbors say

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World News

South Korea’s former first lady sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption

The wife of South Korea’s ousted president, Kim Keon Hee, was sentenced Wednesday to 20 months in prison for corruption, while her husband Yoon Suk Yeol awaits a verdict on rebellion charges that could bring life imprisonment or the death penalty. The couple fell from power after Yoon’s failed martial law declaration in December 2024 led to his impeachment and removal from office. A Seoul … Continue reading South Korea’s former first lady sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption

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World News

‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer to midnight over threats from nukes, AI

Scientists warned that humanity is closer than ever to catastrophe following the latest reset of the Doomsday Clock. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the clock at 85 seconds to midnight, advancing it four seconds and marking the closest point since its creation in 1947. The group cited rising catastrophic risks and a global failure of leadership as key reasons for the change. Bulletin … Continue reading ‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer to midnight over threats from nukes, AI

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Space

Space Force’s Newest Reconnaissance Satellites Could Come Online by 2030

The Space Force plans to award initial contracts as soon as next month for RG-XX, a new fleet of small, maneuverable satellites to monitor activity in geosynchronous orbit, potentially operational by 2030. The program aims to supplement or replace the current GSSAP constellation with lower-cost, off-the-shelf satellites that can be updated or replaced as threats evolve. Early contracts will establish a pool of vendors, with … Continue reading Space Force’s Newest Reconnaissance Satellites Could Come Online by 2030

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Space

Mysterious dark matter seen in new high-resolution map of distant galaxies

Scientists have created the most detailed high-resolution map of distant galaxies to date, helping them study dark matter, the invisible substance that makes up over a quarter of the universe. Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the map identified nearly 800,000 galaxies, including some seen for the first time, and captures structures spanning the past 10 billion years. By observing how dark matter’s gravity bends … Continue reading Mysterious dark matter seen in new high-resolution map of distant galaxies

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Technology

Breakthrough laser technique holds quantum matter in stable packets

Physicists have, for the first time, created stable bright matter-wave solitons with attractive interactions inside a laser-generated grid. Unlike typical quantum waves that spread out, solitons remain concentrated in one spot. Using a Bose–Einstein condensate of cesium atoms cooled near absolute zero, the team trapped the atoms in an optical lattice of laser light and tuned magnetic fields to make them attract each other. This … Continue reading Breakthrough laser technique holds quantum matter in stable packets

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Business

Gold tops $5,000, silver soars

Gold surged past $5,000 an ounce, exceeding Wall Street expectations, while silver briefly climbed above $115, marking a rapid rally in precious metals. The gains reflect a “debasement trade,” as investors seek protection against rising government debt and potential erosion of purchasing power. Platinum and copper also hit new highs, with platinum up over 40% this year and copper breaking above $13,000 per ton. Analysts … Continue reading Gold tops $5,000, silver soars

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Business

Dollar Sinks to Lowest Level in Four Years 

The U.S. dollar slid to its weakest level in nearly four years, with the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index dropping as much as 0.4%, pressured by a surging yen and investor concerns over U.S. policy. Long-term structural factors, including political polarization, fiscal deficits, and doubts about Federal Reserve independence, are weighing on confidence in the greenback. The yen strengthened to 153.03 per dollar, fueling speculation of … Continue reading Dollar Sinks to Lowest Level in Four Years 

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Business

10-year Treasury yield nudges higher as investors await Fed decision

On Tuesday, the 10-year Treasury yield edged up to 4.227% as investors awaited economic data and the Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate decision. The 2-year yield dipped slightly to 3.591%, while the 30-year yield rose to 4.823%. Traders expect the Fed to keep rates unchanged at 3.5%–3.75% but will watch the press conference for hints on future policy, with markets anticipating possible cuts by the end … Continue reading 10-year Treasury yield nudges higher as investors await Fed decision

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Business

Amazon to Shut Down All Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh Stores

Amazon is closing its Amazon Fresh grocery stores and Amazon Go automated markets, two key parts of its physical retail strategy. Some locations will be converted into Whole Foods Market stores. Amazon cited the challenge of creating a distinctive customer experience with a sustainable economic model for large-scale expansion. This move continues Amazon’s retreat from brick-and-mortar retail, following past closures of bookstores, 4-Star stores, electronics … Continue reading Amazon to Shut Down All Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh Stores

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Politics

California governor Gavin Newsom accuses TikTok of suppressing content critical of Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused TikTok of suppressing content critical of former President Donald Trump and launched a review to determine if the platform violated state law. The claims follow reports of users experiencing post delays and content being “under review,” though TikTok’s U.S. joint venture blamed the issues on a data center outage and technical failures. Newsom’s announcement coincides with TikTok’s recent deal … Continue reading California governor Gavin Newsom accuses TikTok of suppressing content critical of Trump

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