1. NFL Conference Championships and NFC Title Game Preparations (Football/Sports) - Matthew McConaughey, an avid Redskins fan, shows support for the Washington Commanders as they prepare for the NFC title game. (link:
Fox News
Matthew McConaughey touts Redskins fandom as Commanders prep for NFC title game
Actor Matthew McConaughey showed off his lifelong Washington Redskins fandom on Sunday as the Commanders got set to play in the NFC title game.
) 2. Tesla Stock and January 29th (Business/Economy) - Investors are considering whether to buy Tesla stock before January 29th, as there are several factors influencing the company's value. (link:
Yahoo Finance
Should You Buy Tesla Stock Before Jan. 29?
The electric vehicle giant will update investors with its latest quarterly results.
) 3. Palestine Refugees and Gaza (Politics/Middle East) - Donald Trump calls for Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinian refugees and proposes a plan to 'clean out' Gaza. (link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/26/trump-clean-out-gaza-egypt-jordan-refugees/) 4. Covid-19 Origins and CIA Report (Health/Politics) - The CIA releases a report suggesting that COVID-19 most likely originated from a lab, but with low confidence in its findings. (link:
The Times of India
CIA points to lab origin for Covid-19 but with ‘low confidence’ in conclusion - The Times of India
China News: The CIA has concluded that the Covid-19 virus most likely originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, though the agency assigns “lo...
) 5. Israel-Lebanon and Gaza Ceasefire (Politics/Middle East) - Live updates on the ongoing ceasefire disputes between Israel and Hamas, Hezbollah, which are causing turmoil in the region. (link:
Israel’s Cease-Fire in Gaza Overcomes Snag but Appears Fragile in Lebanon
Israel and Hamas reached a deal to resolve a disagreement over the exchange of a female civilian hostage that had threatened to derail the truce. L...
)
1. Belarus Elections: Alexander Lukashenko is set to win a 7th term in the Belarus election, which the opposition calls a farce. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/belaurus-election-lukashenko-1.7441898?cmp=rss) 2. Social Security COLA: 54% of retirees view the 2025 Social Security COLA as insufficient. (
Yahoo Finance
54% of Retirees View the 2025 Social Security COLA as Insufficient. Here
In order to ensure that benefits keep up with inflation, the Social Security Administration (SSA) typically makes a cost of living adjustment (COLA...
) 3. Netflix Subscription Price: Netflix isn't worth $25 a month, and it seems like even Netflix agrees. (https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/netflix-isnt-worth-25-a-month-and-it-seems-like-even-netflix-agrees/91139405) 4. Israeli-Palestinian Ceasefire Dispute: Israeli fire kills 1 and wounds 7 as Palestinians are kept out of north Gaza over a ceasefire dispute. (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/israeli-fire-kills-1-wounds-7-palestinians-north-118113580) 5. President Yoon's Indictment: South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol is indicted on insurrection charges after martial law attempt. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/26/south-korea-president-yoon-indicted/)
1. US Consumer Sentiment Declines: The sentiment of US consumers towards the economy has declined, according to the latest survey by the University of Michigan. This could indicate a potential slowdown in consumer spending, which is crucial for economic growth. Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/video/us-consumer-sentiment-declines-221057253.html 2. Housing Market Decline: The housing market is expected to see a significant decline in 2024, with home sales dropping to levels not seen since the 1990s. This could have a ripple effect on the broader economy, including the construction and real estate sectors. Link:
Yahoo Finance
Housing market rewind: Home sales drop in 2024 to level not seen since the
High mortgage rates and home prices made 2024 the slowest year for home sales since 1995.
 3. NASDAQ Files for In-Kind Redemptions for BlackRock Spot Bitcoin ETF: Nasdaq has filed for in-kind redemptions for the BlackRock Spot Bitcoin ETF, a move that could potentially pave the way for broader Bitcoin ETF offerings in the US. Link:
Yahoo Finance
Nasdaq Files for In-Kind Redemptions for BlackRock Spot Bitcoin ETF
The Securities and Exchange Commission had previously only allowed cash redemptions when the spot bitcoin ETFs were approved last January.
 4. Elon Musk's SpaceX Investment Opportunity: Elon Musk's SpaceX is now an investment opportunity through a new ETF. This could potentially attract more investors to the space industry and contribute to further advancements in space exploration. Link: https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/spacex-etf-invest-4cb93783?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo 5. Oracle Stock Skyrockets: Oracle's stock saw a significant surge this week, driven by strong earnings and a positive outlook for the tech giant's future growth prospects. This could have a positive impact on the broader tech industry and the broader stock market. Link:
Yahoo Finance
Why Oracle Stock Skyrocketed This Week
The surge comes as the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) were up 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively. Oracle is a featur...
1. Trump Fires Government Watchdogs: President Trump terminated at least a dozen government watchdogs from various federal agencies. (Link:
Trump purges at least a dozen inspectors general overnight
Democrats described Trump's late-night firing of the federal agency inspectors general as an 'attack on Democracy'.
) 2. Biden Administration Halt to Foreign Aid: The Biden administration has halted funds for several countries, including Egypt and Israel, but not for military aid. (Link:
Sweeping Halt to Foreign Aid Does Not Apply to Arms for Israel and Egypt
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s orders could force many groups working on global aid to stop their programs. And the White House has approved se...
) 3. Canadian Freighter Stuck in Lake Erie's Ice: A Canadian freighter named the Manitoulin has been stuck in the ice on Lake Erie for days, and more ships are arriving to help free it. (Link:
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) 4. Supreme Court Allows Small Businesses to Report Ownership Information: The Supreme Court allowed a law that requires small businesses to report ownership information, stating that the law does not violate the First Amendment. (Link:
Supreme Court Allows Law Requiring Small Businesses To Report Ownership Information | ZeroHedge
ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero
) 5. Wall Street Banks Prepare to Sell Billions of Dollars in X Loans: Wall Street banks are preparing to sell up to $3 billion in X loans next week, as they face a growing number of defaults. (Link: https://www.inc.com/reuters/wall-street-banks-set-to-sell-3-billion-in-x-loans-sources-say/)
1. Israeli-Palestinian Ceasefire and Prisoner Release: The most significant event mentioned in the headlines is the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which led to the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for four Israeli soldiers. This event has been covered by multiple news sources, including The New York Times and Al Jazeera. (
Israel Releases 200 Palestinian Prisoners
Dozens of the prisoners, who were freed on Saturday as part of a cease-fire and hostage deal, had been serving life sentences in Israeli jails for ...
) 2. New Defense Secretary Confirmation: The confirmation of Pete Hegseth as the new Defense Secretary of the United States is another major event mentioned in the headlines. Vice President JD Vance had to break a tie vote to confirm Hegseth, despite opposition from three Republican senators. (
Fortune
Senate confirms Hegseth as defense secretary after VP Vance casts tie-breaking vote to overcome 3 GOP dissenters | Fortune
Republican Senators Mitch McConnell, the influential former GOP leader, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins voted against Hegseth.
) 3. Trump Administration's Initial Moves: The first week of the Trump administration's second term is also a prominent event, with headlines focusing on executive orders and policy changes. (
The Times of India
Trump’s bold first week: A look at early moves of his second term - The Times of India
US News: President Donald Trump’s first week in office has already provided a glimpse into what his second term could look like, with decisive mo...
) 4. Elon Musk's Exploration of Blockchain for US Government Efficiency: Tesla CEO Elon Musk is reportedly exploring the use of blockchain technology to improve government efficiency. This news has been covered by Fortune and Cointelegraph. (
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) 5. Economic Changes and Market Impact: Headlines also discuss Trump's economic policies and their impact on the markets. The President's tariff talks and decisions have led to fluctuations in oil prices and the value of the US dollar. (
Barrons
Stock Futures Fall, Dollar Drops. What Trump Tariff Talk Means for Markets.
U.S. stock futures and the dollar were both sliding on Friday as Asian markets rallied after President Trump signaled he wouldn’t rush to raise t...
)
1. Israel-Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release: Hamas released four Israeli soldiers as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. This event has been widely reported in various news outlets, including The New York Times, BBC, and Al Jazeera. (Links:
Hamas Frees 4 Israeli Hostages in Exchange for Palestinian Prisoners
The hostages and 200 prisoners were released in the second swap of the Gaza cease-fire deal, which went into effect this month.
, https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-611605187,
Al Jazeera
Four Israeli soldiers, 200 Palestinians released under Gaza truce deal
The exchange is the second since a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect last Sunday.
) 2. Trump's First Week in Office: President Trump had a busy first week back in office, with several significant actions and announcements. This includes the declassification of JFK files, changes to immigration policies, and meetings with world leaders. (Links: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/flooding-the-zone-trump-hits-warp-speed-first-week-back-office,
Fox News
Trump to declassify JFK files: Famed doctor who investigated assassination predicts what Americans could learn
A famed doctor who investigated the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy discussed what the upcoming release of the assassination files ...
,
Fox News
'Just evil': Top Republican details Russia's 'horrific' mass abductions of Ukrainian children
Rep. Michael McCaul, former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is working to raise awareness about Ukrainian children taken into Russia.
) 3. Economic Challenges for the Pound: The British pound is facing challenges due to inflation and a decline in GDP. This has impacted the country's economy and financial markets. (Link:
Yahoo Finance
Challenges for the Pound After Inflation and GDP Edge Down
Despite a generally strong job report, the pound has held close to recent lows.
) 4. Starboard Takes Stake in Qorvo: Activist investor Starboard Capital Partners has taken a stake in Qorvo, a semiconductor company. This move could potentially lead to changes in the company's management and strategy to improve its financial performance. (Link:
CNBC
Starboard takes a stake in Qorvo. Here are the steps the activist may take to improve margins
The activist investor is familiar with Qorvo, dating back to one of its predecessor companies.
) 5. Google's Fight Against Fake Reviews: Google is taking steps to combat fake reviews on its platform, following a probe by a UK regulator. This move aims to improve consumer trust and protect businesses from misleading information. (Link:
Yahoo Finance
Google steps up fight against fake reviews after UK probe
Google will do more to tackle fake reviews, including sanctioning UK businesses and people involved in manipulating star ratings, Britain
)
1. Confirmation of Pete Hegseth as U.S. Defense Secretary: After a tiebreaking vote by Vice President Mike Pence, Pete Hegseth was confirmed as the new U.S. Defense Secretary. This event is significant as it marks a change in leadership for the Pentagon. Link:
Fox News
Pete Hegseth confirmed to lead Pentagon after VP Vance casts tie-breaking vote
The Senate voted Friday night on the confirmation of Trump's pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth.
 2. Mexico City Policy Reinstated: President Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits U.S. funding for foreign organizations that perform or promote abortions. This policy change could have significant implications for international family planning and reproductive health services. Link:
Fox News
Trump reinstates Mexico City Policy, separates taxpayer dollars and abortions
President Trump Friday signed an executive order reinstating the Mexico City Policy, which forbids using taxpayer money for coercive abortion or in...
 3. Trump Visits California Wildfire Damage: President Trump visited the wildfire-damaged areas of California, meeting with residents and law enforcement officials. This event highlights the ongoing challenges with wildfires in the state and President Trump's response to the crisis. Link:
Fox News
Trump meets with California residents, fire and law enforcement officials to see LA wildfire damage first hand
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump traveled to Southern California and met with residents to tour the damage of the Los Angeles wildfires...
 4. New U.S. Defense Policy Chief Wants to Scale Down US Presence in Middle East: The new Mideast policy chief for the Pentagon, Elizabeth Peace, has expressed her desire to scale down the U.S. presence in the Middle East. This event could have significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and relations with Middle Eastern countries. Link:
Pentagon's New Mideast Policy Chief Wants To Scale Down US Presence In Region | ZeroHedge
ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero
 5. Trump Freezes Foreign Aid for Almost All Countries: The U.S. has frozen foreign aid for almost all countries, including Ukraine, except for Israel and Turkey. This event could have significant implications for international relations and aid programs. Link:
The Times of India
US freezes foreign aid for almost all countries including Ukraine, except Israel and Turkey | World News - The Times of India
US News: The US halts foreign aid for most countries, including Ukraine, while sparing Israel and Turkey. The directive affects military, developme...
1. President Trump's Arrival and Impact on Digital Assets - Summary: President Trump's arrival in office has had a significant impact on the digital asset market, as described in various news articles. The articles suggest that Trump's policies and statements have influenced the crypto market, with some analysts viewing his arrival as a pivotal shift for digital assets. - Relevant Link:
Cointelegraph
Crypto Biz: Trump’s arrival marks a pivotal shift for digital assets
This week
 2. Companies' Actions Regarding DEI Initiatives - Summary: Several companies, including Target and Alphabet, have recently announced their decisions to end or scale back on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These actions have been met with criticism and discussion in various news articles. - Relevant Link:
Al Jazeera
Target becomes latest US firm to end DEI initiatives
The move comes after US President Trump ended DEI hiring in gov't jobs and encouraged the private sector to do the same.
 3. Ongoing Conflict in Gaza - Summary: The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has continued, resulting in a ceasefire deal that includes the release of four female Israeli soldiers. The deal, however, has been criticized for potential violations. - Relevant Link:
The Times of India
Israel & Hamas ceasefire deal: Four female soldiers to be released this weekend - The Times of India
Middle East News: Four female Israeli soldiers are set to be released by Hamas this weekend, under a ceasefire deal that pauses fighting in Gaza fo...
 4. President Trump's Policies on Immigration and Border Control - Summary: President Trump's policies on immigration and border control have been a significant topic of discussion, with articles discussing the impact of his border surge and potential future actions. - Relevant Link:
Fox News
Trump’s border surge is working. Here are 5 things likely to happen next
Trump's border surge is on and it's working. If it continues to succeed, here are five likely follow-up actions -- from a rise in automation to a c...
 5. Economic Impact of COVID-19 - Summary: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has continued to impact the global economy, with articles discussing various aspects such as company earnings, unemployment, and economic recovery. - Relevant Link: https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp500-nasdaq-live-01-23-2025/card/jobs-report-shows-americas-unemployment-rate-drops-to-6-3-percent-as-economy-recovers-8d699299?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo
1. Oscars Snub and Joke from Josh Brolin: Actor Josh Brolin criticized the Academy Awards for not nominating him for his role in "Those Who Wish Me Dead," and joked about quitting acting (foxnews.com/entertainment/josh-brolin-slams-academy-over-oscar-snub-jokes-hes-going-quit-acting) 2. Walmart Middle Manager Pay Increase: Walmart announced it will increase pay for middle managers to $620,000, aiming to attract and retain talented employees (fortune.com/2025/01/24/walmart-bets-on-the-stressed-out-fading-middle-managers-future-bumping-pay-to-620000/) 3. Education in Gaza Defying Israel's War: The Al Jazeera program "Inside Story" discussed how education in Gaza is continuing despite the ongoing conflict with Israel (aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2025/1/24/how-is-education-in-gaza-defying-israels-war?traffic_source=rss) 4. FBI Arrest in Vermont Border Patrol Agent Killing: The FBI arrested a suspect in the killing of Vermont Border Patrol Agent Robert Wetherbee (foxnews.com/us/fbi-arrests-suspect-killing-vermont-border-patrol-agent) 5. Trump's Digital Assets Executive Order: President Trump's executive order on digital assets was discussed in several articles, including Bitcoin Magazine's take on how Senator Lummis is handling the situation (bitcoinmagazine.com/takes/trumps-digital-assets-executive-order-may-not-last-senator-lummis-is-doing-it-right)
1. Cease-Fire in Gaza Strip: Israel and Hamas are preparing for the next round of hostage and prisoner releases as part of the cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The truce was widely welcomed but may not last due to ongoing tensions. (Link:
Hamas Names Four Hostages It Says Will Be Released Saturday
Hamas identified four female soldiers abducted from a military base as those who will be freed in the next exchange for Palestinian prisoners held ...
) 2. Tesla Price Increase in Canada: Tesla has announced significant price increases for all its cars in Canada, as shown on its website. (Link:
Yahoo Finance
Tesla to significantly raise prices of all cars in Canada, website shows
Tesla did not provide a reason for the price increase. The company does not produce cars in Canada and imports from other factories. It was not i...
) 3. Bank of Japan Interest Rate Hike: The Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates by the most in 18 years, according to reports. (Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bank-japan-expected-raise-interest-234000840.html) 4. Biden Administration Immigration Arrests: The Biden administration has arrested and deported hundreds of "illegal immigrants" in a single day, according to reports. (Link:
The Times of India
'Largest deportation operation in history': Trump administration arrests, deports hundreds of 'illegal immigrants' in a day - The Times of India
US News: US authorities arrested 538 migrants, including criminals and a suspected terrorist, and deported hundreds in a large-scale operation afte...
) 5. Ukraine Drone Strike on Russian Oil Refinery: Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone strike on a Russian oil refinery, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. (Link:
Ukraine Sends Volley of Drones at Russia, Hitting Oil Refinery
Videos showed fireballs over a facility in Ryazan, 110 miles southeast of Moscow. Kyiv is seeking to disrupt Russian military logistics and put pre...
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