Business
→ NewsCzech defense firm CSG plans Amsterdam IPO as soon as next week.
Czechoslovak Group (CSG) is planning an initial public offering in Amsterdam as soon as next week and could look to raise €3–4 billion while selling about a 15% stake.
JPMorgan, Apple and Goldman agree to transfer Apple Card portfolio
JPMorgan will acquire the Apple credit-card portfolio from Goldman in a transfer expected to take two years, during which customers should not see changes to their cards. Goldman will release nearly $2.5 billion of loan-loss provisions while JPMorgan will record credit-provision charges tied to the portfolio.
US trade deficit narrows in October amid tariff-driven shifts.
The U.S. trade deficit fell to $29.4 billion in October, a 39% decline from September, as imports fell and exports rose; Wells Fargo economists say the change was largely driven by movements in gold and may be reversed.
Nvidia launches Rubin platform with six new AI chips.
Nvidia launched the Rubin platform, a coordinated set of six new chips designed to work as one AI supercomputer. The company said Rubin includes innovations such as updated NVLink interconnects, a Transformer Engine, Confidential Computing, a RAS Engine, and the Nvidia Vera CPU.
U.S. productivity surges as businesses shift from cheap labor to investment
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported labor productivity rose at a 4.9% annual rate in Q3 2025, and unit labor costs fell 1.9% that quarter.
Market risk rises as Supreme Court considers Trump's emergency tariff powers
The Supreme Court will decide whether President Trump could use the IEEPA to impose tariffs, and analysts told Reuters that a ruling against the tariffs could require refunds and increase market volatility.
Pit Bull lawyer Barry Pollack is defending Maduro in U.S. court.
Barry Pollack, a Washington trial lawyer nicknamed 'Pit Bull,' is representing Nicolás Maduro in a Manhattan federal case and plans to challenge the legality of Maduro's capture and assert state-immunity claims; the judge set the next hearing for mid-March.
Venezuela to send up to 50 million barrels of oil to U.S., Trump says
President Trump announced that interim Venezuelan authorities will turn over 30–50 million barrels of oil to the United States and said Energy Secretary Chris Wright was asked to execute the plan.
Passenger legroom on WestJet prompts debate over regulation
A viral TikTok shows a tall passenger cramped on a WestJet flight where some rows were reconfigured to a 28-inch seat pitch; WestJet says it paused plans to add more non-reclining seats after feedback.
German factory orders jump most in a year, suggesting recovery
German factory orders rose 5.6% in November, the biggest monthly gain in a year, and activity excluding large-scale orders increased 0.7% after two prior monthly gains.
Trump calls for $1.5 trillion military budget as defense stocks rise
The article reports President Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. military budget should be raised to $1.5 trillion for 2027, up from about $901 billion, and that defense stocks rose Thursday after earlier losses tied to his comments about banning dividends and buybacks for defense firms.
After the holidays: Practical approaches to get your budget back on track.
Freedom Debt Relief outlines ways to recover from holiday overspending, noting a no‑spend month and revising long-term goals as possible steps.
Stellantis sales fall in 2025 while Dodge Durango rises
Stellantis sold 1,260,344 vehicles in 2025, a 3% decline from 2024, while the Dodge Durango posted a 37% sales increase for the year and a 114% jump in the fourth quarter.
China church reports arrests as crackdown on Christians intensifies
An influential Protestant church says several leaders were detained after police raids in Chengdu, and video shows authorities beginning to dismantle a church building in Wenzhou.
U.S. Trade Deficit Falls to Lowest Level Since 2009
The Commerce Department reported the U.S. trade deficit narrowed to $29.4 billion in October, the smallest monthly gap since 2009, as imports fell to $331.4 billion and exports rose to $302 billion. Analysts polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected a $58.4 billion deficit, and the data were delayed by last fall's government shutdown.
Trump says U.S. oversight of Venezuela's oil could last more than a year
In a New York Times interview, President Trump said U.S. oversight of Venezuela's oil sector could extend beyond a year. He said the U.S. would use Venezuelan oil and provide funds to Venezuela.
Sirens to play first game at MSG as PWHL grows
The New York Sirens will host the Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden on April 4, marking the Professional Women's Hockey League's first game at MSG.
Canadian oil stocks fall after U.S. takes control of Venezuela's crude reserves
Canadian oil stocks fell sharply after the U.S. announced it had taken control of Venezuela's crude reserves, which the U.S. EIA reports at about 303 billion barrels.
Trump proposes $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027
President Trump proposed raising the 2027 U.S. military budget to $1.5 trillion, a $600 billion increase, and signed an executive order focused on reviewing defense contractors while not explicitly capping executive pay or banning buybacks.
Tourists stranded on Socotra after troops withdraw
About 600 tourists were reported stranded on the Yemeni island of Socotra after the UAE withdrew troops and air traffic halted; some governments said airlines would resume flights to repatriate citizens.
Girl Scout cookies 2026: Prices set at $6 a box in New Jersey
In New Jersey, Girl Scout cookies are $6 a box for 2026, and the cookie lineup adds a new flavor called Exploremores.
Layoff plans for December hit lowest monthly level since 2024, Challenger says
Employers announced 35,553 layoffs in December, the fewest monthly total since July 2024, while hiring plans for the month rose to 10,496, Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported.
Netflix may be reshaping cinema and the moviegoing experience
Netflix screened the 'Stranger Things' finale in theaters and reportedly earned about $30 million over two days; the event has highlighted the company's changing approach to theatrical releases.
China restricts rare-earth exports to Japan in escalating dispute
China has restricted exports of rare earths and rare-earth magnets to Japan, and Japan's vice foreign minister has formally asked China to withdraw the measures.
HSBC wins Hang Seng shareholder backing for $14 billion buyout
About 86% of Hang Seng Bank's minority shareholders voted to approve HSBC's $14 billion buyout, and the bank's Hong Kong listing is expected to be withdrawn at 4 p.m. local time on Jan. 27.
California records the largest net out-migration among U.S. states
A U-Haul analysis placed California last on its 2025 Growth Index for the sixth consecutive year, and the company said the state's net loss in 2025 was smaller than in 2024.
Ford to offer eyes-off driving on $30,000 EV in 2028.
Ford announced plans to introduce eyes-off driving technology on a roughly $30,000 all-electric vehicle in 2028 and says the system will be built on its upcoming Universal EV platform; a midsize pickup on that platform is planned for 2027.
Trump says US role in Venezuela could last for years
President Trump said the US role in Venezuela could last "much longer" than a year, and Venezuelan officials reported about 100 people were killed during a US operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro, who was taken to New York to face charges.
Tesco posts highest UK market share in over a decade as festive sales rise
Tesco reported a 3.3% rise in like-for-like sales in the UK and Ireland over the six weeks to January 3, and said its UK grocery market share reached 28.7% for the three months to December 28, rising to 29.4% in December.
Bradley plans for two nonstop flights to return in 2026.
JetBlue will operate seasonal nonstop service from Bradley to Los Angeles June–September, and Aer Lingus will resume nonstop flights to Dublin in March; Bradley added routes in 2025 and now lists more than 40 nonstop destinations.
