Business

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.

At least 39 people died and 122 were injured after two high-speed trains collided near Adamuz in Cordoba, Spain; officials say an Iryo service derailed and a second train struck the derailed carriages or debris, and authorities have opened an investigation and established a DNA office for relatives.

Independent readers were divided after an analysis said Donald Trump's tariff threat over Greenland could prompt the UK to move closer to the EU; some cited US unpredictability and security concerns, while others pointed to the Brexit vote and lengthy negotiations.

HDFC Bank reported better-than-expected results driven by nearly 12% year-on-year loan growth and a 28.45 trillion rupee loan book, and its CFO said the bank expects loans to expand faster than the overall banking system in the next financial year.

China's economy grew 5.0% in 2025, meeting the government's target, driven by a surge in exports while domestic consumption remained weak.

At least 10 people were reported dead and more than 25 seriously injured after two high-speed trains derailed near Adamuz in Cordoba, and train services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended.

China's real GDP expanded 5% last year, meeting Beijing's official target, as a surge in exports helped offset a decline in trade with the U.S.; customs data showed a record $1.19 trillion trade surplus for 2025 driven by a 5.5% rise in exports.

Different tire wear patterns are linked to distinct mechanical issues: center wear often aligns with overinflation, edge wear with underinflation or alignment issues, and cupping, feathering, or one-sided wear point to balance, alignment, or suspension problems.

Dodge's renewed Charger was named the 2026 North American Car of the Year, beating finalists that included the Honda Prelude and Nissan Sentra. The model was noted for its combination of performance, everyday usability, and updated technology.

Mark Martin called Steve Phelps' resignation as NASCAR commissioner a necessary reset after a federal antitrust lawsuit and the release of private text messages, saying the move is about timing and optics as the sport moves forward.

TSMC plans to spend tens of billions to build several new chip fabs in Arizona as part of a larger U.S. expansion; a recent Taiwan-U.S. trade deal includes more than $250 billion in Taiwanese spending in the U.S. and $250 billion in credit guarantees.