Business

President Trump renewed his call for a temporary 10% cap on credit card interest rates, but analysts see slim odds of action; experts say existing low-rate and 0% promotional cards and a higher credit score influence the APR consumers can receive.

Energy ministers at the third North Sea Summit in Hamburg agreed to connect offshore wind farms to multiple national grids and aim for up to 100 gigawatts of capacity, with plans for €9.5 billion of investment by 2030 and a pledge to reduce levelized costs by 30% by 2040.

More than 60 Minnesota CEOs, including leaders from Target and UnitedHealth, signed a letter calling for an "immediate deescalation" after federal officers fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

A Gallup Workforce survey of more than 22,000 U.S. workers found 12% use AI daily and roughly one-quarter use it at least a few times a week.

In a recent CNBC special, Warren Buffett warned against personal debt and discussed parenting, learning from mistakes, and choosing work you enjoy.

At a Penguins practice at UBC, large crowds—many children—gathered to watch Sidney Crosby, whose warmth and long career continue to draw admiration; Kris Letang practiced and his availability for Sunday’s game versus the Canucks had not been confirmed.

After the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, thousands of Minnesotans have volunteered to observe and document ICE activity; trainings have filled quickly and some local officials have encouraged documentation.

UAH women's basketball defeated West Florida 79-67 to extend its winning streak to 17 and improve to 18-3, with Bella White recording 13 points and 12 assists.

Federal prosecutors filed a complaint accusing the head of an LA homeless nonprofit of diverting public housing funds and spending at least $10 million on personal items and a property.

Two proposed data centers in Port Washington and Mount Pleasant have requested nearly four gigawatts of power; the article calls for requiring developers to cover infrastructure costs and use clean energy to protect ratepayers and water supplies.

Former Tennessee economic development director Lady Jackson was recruited by Gov. Phil Bredesen to expand Dolly Parton's Imagination Library across the state, and within about 18 months all 95 counties had committed to support the program. The state pledged more than $1.5 million annually to match local contributions while private donors and nonprofits helped fund local participation.

Analysts say 2026 could be make-or-break for OpenAI as investor attention shifts to returns; the company has reported large cash burn while preparing for a possible IPO.

Nigel Farage met U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for dinner in Davos, and Farage said the meeting came hours after President Trump announced he would not impose tariffs on the U.K. and other European nations over Greenland.

Disney announced the Garden View Lounge - Tea Experience at the Grand Floridian will reopen March 19, 2026, after a pause during the pandemic. Reservations open February 19, 2026 through the My Disney Experience app, online, or by phone.

President Trump unveiled the "Board of Peace" at the World Economic Forum in Davos and announced the charter is now in force; he said the group would work with the United Nations and tied it to rebuilding postwar Gaza while suggesting a broader global role.

Glassdoor's 18th annual Best Places to Work list ranks Crew Carwash first and In‑N‑Out Burger second, while tech companies' share of the 100-company list has fallen by more than a quarter since 2024.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the AI-driven build-out of chip plants, data centers and related facilities will create many skilled-trade jobs and that workers constructing those sites can expect "six-figure salaries." He also noted significant recent wage growth in these sectors and said advanced degrees are not required for high pay.

NatWest and Halifax have reduced some two- and five-year mortgage rates. The article also reports cashback offers and lenders expanding borrowing options amid ongoing affordability pressures.

Holtec is reviving Michigan's Palisades plant and plans to add small modular reactors, while experts caution that SMRs remain costly, largely unproven in the US and face timeline and fuel-supply challenges.

The long-running dispute over Western Sahara is foregrounded by the story of Ali Radjel, a Spanish-based footballer born in Tindouf refugee camps, as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup. A UN-brokered truce in 1991 promised a referendum that has not taken place and Morocco now administers most of the territory.

Australia added 65,200 jobs in December and the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, beating forecasts. Markets increased the chance of an RBA rate rise in February after the report.

U.S. natural gas futures rose roughly 60% over two days as an Arctic cold wave boosted expected heating demand; retail gas prices generally take months to reflect market moves.

Berlin-based Cloover announced $22 million in Series A equity and access to about $1.2 billion in debt financing, bringing total available debt to more than $1.3 billion and supported by a €300 million guarantee from the European Investment Fund.

The UK government announced low and zero-interest loans for homeowners to install solar panels, heat pumps and batteries, and pledged £5 billion for free insulation and clean-technology upgrades for low-income and fuel-poor households as part of a £15 billion "warm homes plan".

The Utah State Pinball Championships took place Jan. 17–18 in Salt Lake City and South Jordan, and the winners will represent Utah at North American events in March. Utah also surpassed the criteria to be called a pinball “super state,” recording more than 140 sanctioned tournaments and 520 unique players this year.

Canada will allow up to 49,000 China-made electric vehicles a year at a 6.1% tariff, restoring limited market access that had largely been closed since 2024. The article reports Tesla prepared earlier by upgrading its Shanghai plant to build Canada-specific vehicles and could restart China-to-Canada shipments faster than some rivals.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he feels in a better place as NASCAR prepares for 2026 and has returned to a Chase-style playoff format that removes the "win, and you're in" rule.

A collision between two high-speed trains in Adamuz, Spain, killed at least 21 people and injured dozens, officials said; authorities say investigators have been ordered to probe the cause.

Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill updating New Jersey's e-bike rules on his last day in office, changing speed class definitions and adding requirements for registration, licensing and insurance. Lawmakers said the changes follow a series of serious and fatal crashes, and local enforcement will initially emphasize safety and education.

Valentino Garavani has died at 93, his foundation announced; he was an Italian fashion designer known for 'Valentino red' and dressing many high-profile clients.