Business

Union Pacific announced that Big Boy No. 4014 is planned to make a coast-to-coast tour in 2026 to mark the nation's 250th anniversary, with a full schedule still pending; the restored steam locomotive last passed through Texas in October 2024 and is currently in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Japan's new vehicle market rose 1.7% in December 2025 to 335,459 units, and full-year sales increased 3.3% to 4,565,777 units.

Infiniti says it will introduce a new sports sedan in 2027 and a compact hybrid SUV using Nissan’s e-Power system in 2028, while broader electric-vehicle plans remain under evaluation.

President Trump announced a plan to have his "representatives" buy $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities, and the average 30-year rate fell from about 6.21% to 5.99% after the announcement.

Federal prosecutors called defense claims that Attorney General Pam Bondi should recuse 'meritless' ahead of a federal hearing in Luigi Mangione's case; the defense is also seeking to suppress evidence recovered from a backpack.

Saks Global is reported to be seeking up to $1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing to support operations during a potential Chapter 11 filing, but investors have shown limited interest after the company missed an interest payment; liquidation is among the possible outcomes if financing cannot be secured.

Major U.S. grocery chains have announced product rebranding, technology pilots, new store openings and membership adjustments set to roll out or continue in 2026; specific plans were shared by Aldi, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Kroger, Costco and Walmart.

American Airlines is rolling out free high-speed Wi‑Fi for AAdvantage members beginning Jan. 6, starting on narrowbody and dual-class regional jets and aiming to cover most of the fleet by early spring.

The European Commission will meet national agriculture ministers in Brussels to address member states' concerns about a long‑standing Mercosur trade agreement, including future farm funding and import controls; Italy signalled possible support after a proposed acceleration of 45 billion euros for farmers, while Poland, Hungary and France remain opposed.

Three major British retailers issued mixed trading updates after a challenging holiday period, with Associated British Foods warning on profits and Tesco reporting slower-than-expected Christmas sales.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the department is increasing scrutiny of transfers between Minnesota and Somalia and has opened investigations into four money service businesses; the Treasury also announced enhanced reporting and alerts for transfers from Hennepin and Ramsey counties.

Ten elementary students were taken to hospitals after a school bus braked abruptly to avoid a sedan that ran a red light; investigators said the sedan was at fault.

US President Donald Trump said interim Venezuelan authorities will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States; the announcement coincided with a 2.4% drop in the US oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate.

Devyn Michaels, 47, was convicted in the August 2023 death of her ex-boyfriend and was sentenced to at least 28 years in prison. Prosecutors said the incident occurred as the man was preparing to move into Michaels' home.

China, Russia and South Africa announced maritime exercises called "Will for Peace 2026" to be held off South Africa in January, with the Port of Simon's Town named as the base; Chinese officials said the drills will include maritime security tasks such as counter-terrorism and rescue operations.

Glencore and Rio Tinto confirmed preliminary talks about a possible combination of some or all of their businesses, and Rio Tinto said the talks could include an all-share merger.

Nationwide protests in Iran over worsening economic conditions have led authorities to cut internet and phone services; a rights group reports demonstrations across all provinces with dozens of deaths and thousands of arrests.

S&P Global projects global copper demand will rise about 50% to roughly 42 million metric tons by 2040 while mine output may peak near 33 million tons around 2030, creating a potential 10‑million‑ton gap.

Kia unveiled the EV2 at the Brussels Auto Show as a compact, lower-cost electric model for Europe, offered in Standard (42.2 kWh, 317 km WLTP) and Long-range (61 kWh, 440+ km WLTP) trims; Kia says production of the standard-range model starts in Slovakia in February 2026, with longer-range and GT trims following in June 2026.

U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 50,000 in December, below Reuters poll forecasts, and global shares rose while the dollar eased as markets weighed the outlook for Federal Reserve rate cuts.

A crane removed the Hampton Inn by Hilton sign in Lakeville, Minnesota after reports that the independently owned hotel denied stays to ICE and immigration officers; the General Services Administration removed the property from its list of approved federal lodging and Hilton said it removed the hotel from its systems.

Missouri is awaiting a $25.7 million federal payment that was due in December, and state officials say they are communicating with federal stakeholders while payments to child care providers remain paused.

U.S. stocks produced three consecutive years of strong, double-digit gains through 2025, and Morningstar data show many stock and bond fund categories posted solid returns last year. The article notes geopolitical tensions, fiscal and monetary policy questions, and market momentum as key factors that could influence 2026 outcomes.

ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane said the euro could play a larger role as some investors reassess the dollar amid U.S. policy shifts, and he called for expanding common euro safe assets while stressing member states must keep debt paths sustainable.

Patrick Zalupski told Dream Finders Homes shareholders on Dec. 29 that the Rays' "world class baseball operations will stay in place" and emphasized that a new ballpark and surrounding development are central to the team's future.

U.S. forces were reported to have attacked Venezuela and detained President Nicolás Maduro, and the Canadian dollar fell about 0.7% as oil prices softened and concerns rose about heavy crude displacement.

President Trump announced a proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027 and said tariff revenues would fund the increase. Analysts estimate the plan could cost about $5 trillion through 2027–2035, and a Supreme Court ruling on the administration's tariff authority is pending.

The Southern Transitional Council's secretary-general announced the group will dissolve after talks in Saudi Arabia, saying the move is meant to preserve peace and security; the STC also reported loss of contact with its Riyadh delegation and there are reports the STC leader went to the UAE.

Minnesota officials say the FBI denied state investigators access to the federal probe into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, and the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has withdrawn from the investigation while the FBI leads the inquiry.

Labor productivity rose at a 4.9% annualized rate in the third quarter while GDP expanded about 4.3%, even as job gains stayed modest and inflation-adjusted hourly compensation edged down.