Business

The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index rose to 91.2 in February from an upwardly revised 89 in January, while the expectations index climbed to 72.0; consumers continued to cite prices and inflation as top concerns.

Kenya has joined the WHO-MPP mRNA Technology Transfer Project to develop local mRNA vaccine manufacturing capacity, with training and infrastructure upgrades planned for the Kenya BioVax Institute and scientific support from KEMRI.

Japan asked the United States to ensure its treatment under a new temporary 15% tariff regime is as favourable as an existing trade deal, and officials from both countries said they would implement last year’s agreement in good faith.

Intel has entered a multiyear collaboration with SambaNova that will see SambaNova adopt Intel server chips and graphics cards, and Intel is participating in a reported $350 million funding round; earlier acquisition talks reportedly fell apart.

Government-backed research found the average number of female FTSE 100 chief executives did not change last year, leaving nine women in those roles. The FTSE 350 missed its voluntary 40% senior leadership target, with women holding 36% of those positions.

Federal officials warned technology leaders that heavy reliance on Taiwan for advanced chips creates a major economic vulnerability, and governments plus some companies have announced investments to expand U.S. production that will take years to change global supply patterns.

Kyntra Bio reported that investigator‑sponsored Phase 1b/2 data for FG‑3246 combined with enzalutamide in metastatic castration‑resistant prostate cancer will be presented at ASCO GU; the study included 44 patients and showed a composite response rate of 21% overall and median radiographic progression‑free survival of 7.0 months (10.1 months in patients with one prior ARPI).

Protara reported interim ADVANCED-2 results showing a 68% complete response rate at six months in the BCG-unresponsive cohort and no Grade 3 or greater treatment-related adverse events; the company expects to complete enrollment of the BCG-unresponsive cohort in the second half of 2026.

A source confirmed the WNBA reached its revenue-sharing target in 2025, creating $16 million in shareable revenue; the WNBPA received the League Revenue Report on Feb. 9 and has 30 days to decide on distribution.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 5.99% on Monday, matching Mortgage News Daily's lowest level since 2022, and applications to refinance are reported about 130% higher than a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for 11 states, forecasting heavy snow and strong winds that will reduce visibility and create hazardous travel. Some areas are expected to see significant snowfall totals through Monday and into midweek.

Recipients with birthdays from the 21st–31st are scheduled to receive February Social Security payments on Feb. 25, and a worker who earned the maximum taxable amount and waits to claim until age 70 would receive about $5,181 per month in 2026.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson is due to set out plans to shift more SEND support and therapy into schools rather than through local councils; parents fear changes could narrow the legal protections tied to EHCPs.

The Chicago Park District proposed a $630 million plan to remake Soldier Field into a major concert and events venue, allocating $130 million for stadium upgrades and $500 million for surrounding infrastructure and parking.

Flights between the Bay Area and Puerto Vallarta were canceled after Mexican officials reported a military operation that killed a cartel leader, leaving dozens of Bay Area residents stranded; it is undetermined when flights will resume.

Dozens of metro Atlanta postal workers from NALC Branch 73 held a rally in Decatur as part of a nationwide effort to press contract priorities including higher pay, safer equipment and career advancement while national negotiations continue.

Brazil and India signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to cooperate on rare earths, covering reciprocal investment, exploration, mining and AI applications; Brazil holds the world’s second-largest rare earth reserves.

Learning Resources CEO Rick Woldenberg said the Supreme Court ruled against tariffs imposed under a national-emergency law, and his companies shifted production to Vietnam and India while planning modest hiring and facility consolidation for 2026.

State Rep. Mary Fitzgerald filed House Bill 1270 to extend the South Dakota Supreme Court's apprenticeship program to graduates of the University of South Dakota law school, amid a reported shortage of active in-state attorneys; the bill is scheduled for a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Monday.

A USA TODAY analysis found about 24% of U.S. counties now restrict large-scale wind or solar projects, and the article reports the Trump administration has tightened permitting and limited approvals since January 2025.

The United States is expanding economic partnerships with Central Asia as Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed investment agreements with US firms, including a $180 million Mars pet food plant and talks on Boeing 787 deliveries expected in the second half of 2026.

Tomislav Ivisic, a 7-foot-1 Illinois player, has shifted toward off-ball and perimeter play while remaining a screening and post threat; over the past six games he is 29-for-52 (55.8%) from the field.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office launched a volunteer fraud awareness training program led by victim advocate Stephen Conley, beginning with sessions for seniors; the office cited FBI data showing Colorado residents lost more than $243 million to scammers in 2024.

A Reddit post showed a large amount of food discarded at an Aldi store and the poster said they redistributed some items and donated savings to charity. Aldi reported diverting 11.9 million pounds of food waste in 2024 and has a goal to cut food waste 50% by 2030.

The conflict that began in October 2023 led to staffing shortages as many reservists were called up, and the sector is now reporting early recovery with renewed investment and defence-focused innovation.

A care assistant pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape and making indecent images and was sentenced to 21 years; police said their investigation remains ongoing.

Workers at three Nova Scotia museums were told the sites will close and their positions will end, and the province announced closures or reduced hours at several provincially run visitor information centres.

The Office for National Statistics reported a public sector surplus of £30.4bn in January 2026, double the surplus in January 2025 and above the OBR's November forecast; government borrowing for the financial year to January was £112.1bn, lower than a year earlier.

The article reports that Toto makes electrostatic chucks used in NAND memory production and Ajinomoto supplies insulating materials for advanced semiconductor packaging; both companies saw recent share gains as AI-related chip demand rose.

Workers at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant ratified a UAW contract by 96%, approving terms that include a 20% wage increase and bonuses.