Business

Polymarket opened a temporary free grocery store in Greenwich Village and has relaunched a U.S. beta after acquiring QCEX and receiving federal regulatory approval; the company and rival Kalshi face state legal challenges over whether event contracts amount to gambling.

Two U.S. officials told Reuters the military is preparing for possible sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Trump orders an attack, and U.S. officials said the Pentagon is sending an additional aircraft carrier and more forces to the Middle East.

Enbridge executives told analysts that Canadian crude will continue to see strong demand at U.S. Gulf Coast refineries and that Venezuelan heavy oil would be a supplement rather than a replacement. The article reports Enbridge posted a $1.95 billion quarterly profit and raised its quarterly dividend by 3%.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced an expansion of mortgage relief that will provide up to 12 months of mortgage payments and raise the cap to $100,000 for homeowners affected by the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.

Workers at Sheri's Ranch in Pahrump filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to form a union represented by the Communications Workers of America; the move followed a December independent contractor agreement that would give the brothel broad rights over workers' likenesses.

Centrica will provide £2.4 million over three years to Multibank to expand the supply of essential household goods and link with energy support programmes.

Polymarket opened a West Village pop-up described as a 'free grocery store' that drew more than 400 people and donated $1 million to the Food Bank for NYC. The event comes as prediction betting platforms face warnings from New York regulators and proposed legislation.

About five million U.S. vehicles remain with unrepaired Takata airbags, and authorities issued a 'do not drive' warning for roughly 250,000 Chrysler vehicles; Texas, California and Florida have the highest counts.

A dispute that began over Yemen strategy has escalated into public social media attacks and growing diplomatic strain between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Two Mexican Navy ships carrying humanitarian aid docked in Havana as Cuban authorities report energy rationing and disruptions to transportation and flights.

The New York Federal Reserve reports a sharp jump in student loan delinquencies at the end of 2025 and student loan balances near $1.7 trillion.

Speakers including Geoff Keighley, Phil Spencer, Hideo Kojima and Todd Howard paid tribute to Vince Zampella during a DICE Summit keynote; attendees were invited to leave written tributes on blank Magic: The Gathering cards to be delivered to his family.

Singapore's 2026 Budget announced a package of AI measures, including a national AI council chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, a 'Champions of AI' programme, and expanded Enterprise Innovation Scheme tax deductions for AI spending capped at S$50,000 per year for 2027–28.

RICS reported moderation in declines for new buyer enquiries, agreed sales and short-term price falls in January, indicating early signs of recovery. Regional performance remains uneven and lettings supply is constrained, with rental prices expected to rise.

Nearly all of the 130,000 jobs added in January were in healthcare or related fields, while employers cut jobs in government, finance and information.

The FDA approved Novocure's Optune Pax for certain locally advanced pancreatic cancers after a Phase 3 trial met its primary endpoint; the company's shares rose in after-hours trading.

Federal law allows consumers to file complaints about abusive debt collection practices with the CFPB, state attorneys general or the FTC, and those complaints address the collector's conduct rather than the underlying debt.

Major broadband and mobile providers have signed a government telecoms consumer charter to give clearer pricing at signup and to make social tariffs easier to access, with Ofcom estimating eligible households could save up to £220 a year.

Several wealth management stocks dropped after Altruist unveiled an AI-powered tax-planning tool, and Wall Street analysts cited in the article — including Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank — called the pullback overdone and framed AI as a potential opportunity.

A simple soil test, often done with a home kit, can report pH, nutrient levels, and organic matter percentage, helping explain why plants may not be thriving.

Wood ash can raise soil pH and supply small amounts of nutrients, and its abrasive texture and soluble salts are reported to repel slugs and snails.

Toyota unveiled the 2027 Highlander EV, its first three-row electric SUV for the US and the first Toyota EV assembled in America. All-wheel-drive models with the larger 95.8 kWh battery are estimated to achieve up to 320 miles of range.

Italian authorities reported at least a dozen deaths this week tied to avalanches on ungroomed backcountry slopes, and said Olympic venues and managed ski areas remain monitored and are being kept safe.

Australia's trade minister Don Farrell will meet EU trade and agriculture commissioners in Brussels as both sides aim to conclude long-standing negotiations; beef and other agricultural market access remain key sticking points.

Maxim Naumov opened his Olympic short program with a jumbotron tribute to his parents, who died in a January plane crash in Washington, D.C.; he scored 85.65 and advanced to the men's free skate, which is scheduled for Friday.

Christopher Allen Hawkins was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in federal prison after pleading guilty to transporting a minor for sexual activity; he was also ordered to serve ten years of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.

Lenders, nonprofit credit counselors and debt relief firms offer hardship programs, debt management plans and settlement options that can provide faster relief for borrowers facing urgent debt problems.

Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) has acquired the financial app Step, which serves teens and young adults; the app will operate under his company Beast Industries and the purchase price was not disclosed.

Family and neighbors are gathering where a car entered a 99 Ranch Market bakery in Westwood, killing a customer and two employees; investigators are examining whether a medical emergency or a mechanical issue caused the crash.

Starbucks rolled out internationally inspired bakery items, a dark roast and two fruit-flavored matcha drinks as part of CEO Brian Niccol's 'Back to Starbucks' turnaround, and the company reported same-store sales rose 4% in the most recent quarter.