Keeping up with America

Rep. Ilhan Omar Attacked with Unknown Liquid at Minneapolis Town Hall

A 55-year-old man was arrested after charging the stage and spraying the Congresswoman with a syringe during a public meeting on Tuesday night.

Republican Senators Join Calls for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to Resign

Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski have joined a growing bipartisan group demanding Noem step down following fatal shootings by federal agents.

Watchdog Report Contradicts DHS Claims in Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti

Internal documents reveal Pretti was unarmed when shot by federal immigration officers, directly challenging initial statements made by the Department.

Winter Storm Leaves Over 120,000 Without Power in Mississippi and Tennessee

Heavy ice accumulation has snapped power lines across the South, with officials warning that a “bomb cyclone” could be brewing for the East Coast.

Federal Judge Threatens ICE Leadership with Contempt Over Record Defiance

A judge in Minnesota has ordered top ICE officials to appear in court following repeated failures to comply with judicial orders regarding enforcement raids.

Treasury Dept. Unveils New “Trump Accounts” for Private Investment

The administration released official details on a new federal program designed to incentivize personal stock ownership for middle-class American families.

Around the World

UK PM Keir Starmer Arrives in Beijing for Historic Three-Day Trade Visit

Starmer is the first British leader to visit China in eight years, aiming to stabilize diplomatic relations and expand economic cooperation.

North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles Sparking International Condemnation

The UN Security Council is facing calls for new sanctions after Pyongyang fired multiple projectiles into the waters east of the peninsula.

Indonesia Seizes Corporate Land to Combat Devastating Sumatra Flooding

The government has taken control of land from 28 firms linked to environmental degradation to initiate a massive state-led restoration project.

China Confirms Guangzhou as Host for 2026 APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting

More than 1,000 representatives will gather in February to discuss “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.”

Cambodia’s Bakong Payment System Hits Record Digital Transaction Volume

The blockchain-based system saw a massive surge in usage for both riel and US dollar payments, marking a shift in regional digital banking.

South Korea’s Ex-First Lady Sentenced to Prison in Major Bribery Scandal

A high-profile corruption case concluded Wednesday with a jail sentence for the former leader’s spouse, shaking the nation’s political landscape.

Business & Tech

Amazon to Cut 16,000 Jobs in Latest Wave of Corporate Restructuring

The layoffs target white-collar roles in AWS and Prime Video as the company pivots heavily toward AI and automated operations.

IBM Reports Massive $12.5 Billion AI Booking as Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates

The tech giant exceeded revenue expectations, fueled by a surge in enterprise adoption of generative AI and hybrid cloud consulting.

UPS to Shed 30,000 Jobs in Aggressive Drive for Warehouse Automation

The shipping giant announced a major cost-cutting initiative that will replace thousands of operational roles with robotic logistics systems.

Meta Hits Record Sales but Warns Investors of “Massive” AI Spending Hikes

While earnings are strong, the company admitted it will need billions more in capital expenditure to stay competitive in the AI race.

AT&T Finishes Fiscal Year Strong with Surge in 5G Wireless Subscribers

The telecom leader reported high consumer demand for mobile services, helping boost its stock following the fourth-quarter report.

ASML Reports Record Orders as Global Chipmakers Gear Up for AI Boom

The Dutch semiconductor equipment giant revealed a massive backlog of orders, signaling that the hardware side of AI is still accelerating.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Federal Reserve Keeps Interest Rates Steady Despite Pressure from Trump

The Fed maintained rates at 3.5% to 3.75%, with Jerome Powell stating the economy is on “firm footing” and does not yet require further cuts.

Corporate Defaults Expected to Drop as Global Credit Conditions Stabilize

New data from S&P Global suggests a 5% rise in bond issuance this year as companies successfully navigate the current rate environment.

How to Use AI in Excel to Turn Messy Data into Instant Answers

Learn how to use “Copilot” and plain English queries to generate charts and trends without ever writing a complex formula.

Marquette University Launches Free Year-Round Financial Fitness Challenge

A new public initiative provides tools for consolidating accounts and building sustainable savings habits for 2026.

Geopolitics Named Top Risk to Global Credit Portfolios in 2026 Analysis

While the economy looks strong, analysts warn that shifting trade policies remain the biggest variable for your long-term investments.

The “Budget Ritual” Habit: Why Your Environment Matters for Your Money

Research suggests that pairing financial tracking with a specific, pleasurable activity can help you stick to your goals more effectively.

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

LeBron James Breaks Down in Tears During Emotional Tribute in Cleveland

The 41-year-old legend was visibly moved by a video showcase of his iconic 2007 Finals run during his return to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Ted Lasso Season 4 Officially Confirmed for Summer 2026 Premiere

Apple TV+ has revealed that Ted will return to Richmond to coach a women’s football team in the highly anticipated next chapter.

Song Kang to Star in Music-Themed Drama “Four Hands” as Piano Prodigy

The actor will play a gifted musician whose world is turned upside down by a mysterious rival in this new series.

Luka Doncic Scores 46 Points as Lakers Prep for Playoff Push

Despite the team being short-handed, Doncic’s massive offensive output is keeping the Lakers competitive in a crowded West.

Alex Eala Sweeps Into Quarterfinals of Philippine Women’s Open

The tennis star dominated her latest match 6-4, 6-0, solidifying her status as the top seed to watch this tournament season.

Bill Belichick’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Snub Sparks Fan Outrage

The exclusion of the legendary coach from the latest finalist list has led to heated debates among NFL voters and enthusiasts.

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