1. Hostages Freed in Gaza: Three Israeli and five Thai hostages were freed in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees (https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5279274/hostages-freed-gaza-israel-palestinian-detainees) 2. Starbucks Menu Reduction: Starbucks is slashing 30% of its offerings due to its menu becoming "overly complex" (
Fortune
Starbucks is slashing 30% of its offerings because CEO Brian Niccol says its menu has become ‘overly complex’ | Fortune
Niccol said the company made progress on its “Back to Starbucks” plan in the first quarter.
) 3. Trump's FBI Pick Confirmation Hearing: Donald Trump's FBI pick, Kash Patel, is set to face a tough confirmation hearing (
The Times of India
Donald Trump’s FBI pick Kash Patel to face tough confirmation hearing today - The Times of India
US News: Kash Patel, Trump's nominee for FBI Director, faces scrutiny over his impartiality and past controversial actions, including criticism of ...
) 4. Tesla Stock Rise: Tesla stock rose after the company pledged a return to growth following Q4 results (
Yahoo Finance
Tesla stock rises after company pledges return to growth after Q4 results disappoint
Tesla
) 5. Starbucks Earnings Report: Starbucks reported better-than-expected quarterly sales as part of its turnaround efforts (
Yahoo Finance
Starbucks reports better-than-expected quarterly sales as turnaround efforts begin
Starbucks on Tuesday reported better-than-expected sales in its fiscal first quarter as some of its turnaround efforts start to deliver results. C...
)
1. Plane crash near Washington DC Airport: A small aircraft collided mid-air with a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Washington DC, leading to an explosion and the crash of both vehicles into the Potomac River. The incident resulted in multiple fatalities and caused a massive response from emergency services. [Link:
CNBC
67 dead after American Airlines plane collides with Army helicopter
An American Airlines regional jet collided with a helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
] 2. Airbus Space Charge: Airbus, a leading aerospace company, announced it is exploring potential partnerships and collaborations in the space sector, hinting at a possible new charge in the space race. [Link:
Yahoo Finance
Airbus hints at new Space charge as it explores alliance
PARIS (Reuters) -Airbus signalled a potential new charge in its troubled Space business on Tuesday, saying it would update investors on a long-runn...
] 3. Annuity Sales Record: Annuity sales reached a new record high in 2024, with sales increasing by 15% compared to the previous year, according to data from the Limra research organization. [Link: https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/annuity-sales-record-2024-limra-c3bb2800?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo] 4. Elon Musk on Tesla Robotaxi Service: Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company will launch a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, by June 2025. [Link:
Engadget
Elon Musk says Tesla will launch a robotaxi service in Austin this June
Tesla will introduce a paid autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Elon Musk said during an earnings call discussing the automaker's financial ...
] 5. Wells Fargo CFPB Consent Order: Wells Fargo announced that it has cleared a Consent Order with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), marking the end of a long-standing investigation into financial harm caused to customers. The CFPB, however, stated that serious issues still remain. [Link: https://www.barrons.com/articles/wells-fargo-clears-a-cfpb-consent-order-serious-issues-remain-agency-says-8b1dffc2?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo]
1. US Department of Transportation moves to cut fuel efficiency standards: The US Department of Transportation announced its intention to roll back fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks, a move that critics say will lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions and higher fuel costs for consumers. (
Engadget
US Department of Transportation moves to cut fuel efficiency standards
The Department of Transportation's new leader has called for fuel economy standards that align with President Donald Trump's policies.
) 2. Meta will pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit with Donald Trump over his 2021 Facebook suspension: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump over his suspension from the social media platform in 2021. (
Engadget
Meta will pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit with Donald Trump over his 2021 Facebook suspension
Meta has agreed to pay President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a 2021 lawsuit stemming from the social network’s decision to suspend Trump's...
) 3. Tesla shares rally on pledge to return to growth in 2025: Tesla's shares rose on Wednesday after the electric vehicle maker pledged to return to growth in 2025, following a weak fourth quarter. (
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) 4. Trump to build mass detention camp for deportees at Guantanamo Bay: President Donald Trump announced plans to build a mass detention camp for deported migrants at the US military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/01/29/guantanamo-cuba-el-salvador-deportations/) 5. SpaceX Confirmed to Return NASA Astronauts From ISS: SpaceX confirmed that it will return NASA astronauts from the International Space Station, marking a major milestone for the private aerospace company. (https://www.inc.com/reuters/spacex-confirmed-to-return-nasa-astronauts-from-iss/91141065)
1. Mark Zuckerberg Moves Closer to Washington D.C.: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly looking for a home in Washington D.C., aiming to be closer to the White House and the commander-in-chief (Fortune). Link:
Fortune
Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly looking for a home in Washington, D.C., to be even closer to the commander-in-chief and his inner circle | Fortune
He may have found a place, according to the Financial Times.
 2. Justice Department Drops Charges Against Trump's Co-Defendants: The U.S. Justice Department has dropped charges against former President Trump's co-defendants in the classified documents case at Mar-a-Lago (Times of India). Link:
The Times of India
US Justice Department drops charges against Trump's co-defendants in classified documents case - The Times of India
US News: The US Justice Department has ended criminal proceedings against two co-defendants in President Donald Trump's classified documents case. ...
 3. Tesla, Microsoft, Meta Earnings Reports: Tesla, Microsoft, and Meta are set to release their fourth-quarter earnings reports after the bell (CNBC). Links: Tesla:
CNBC
Tesla fourth-quarter results miss estimates as automotive revenue drops 8%
Tesla reported weaker-than-expected earnings and revenue for the quarter that ended in December.
, Microsoft:
CNBC
Microsoft shares slip on weak quarterly revenue guidance
Microsoft intends to address execution challenges in its key cloud unit, while continuing to endure supply constraints.
, Meta:
CNBC
Meta shares pop after company beats on revenue
Meta reported earnings after the bell. Here are the results.
 4. DeepSeek AI and the US-China AI Race: DeepSeek, a new AI company, has sparked interest in the US-China AI race, as it is rumored to have been built with help from the Chinese government (Fox News). Link:
Fox News
Fox News AI Newsletter: DeepSeek underscores US-China race for AI dominance, OpenAI says
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
 5. Russia-Ukraine Conflict Escalates: Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated, with Russia accusing Ukraine of shelling civilian areas in Donbas and Ukraine accusing Russia of sending troops to the border (BBC). Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60055434
1. SpaceX Rival Orbex Investment: Britain has taken a stake in Orbex, a space launch company that is seen as a rival to SpaceX. This investment is part of Britain's efforts to boost its space ambitions and become a major player in the space industry. (Link:
CNBC
Britain takes stake in SpaceX rival Orbex to boost space ambitions
The U.K. government has invested £20 million in Orbex, a Scottish spaceflight startup aiming to rival Elon Musk's SpaceX.
) 2. UK Pension Funds and Gilt Yield: Volatile borrowing costs have stirred memories of the UK's pensions crisis, but some insiders see it as a "nice opportunity" for pension funds to invest in gilts. (Link:
CNBC
Volatile borrowing costs stir memories of UK's pensions crisis — but insiders say this time, it’s a 'nice opportunity'
A sharp spike in U.K. borrowing costs this year triggered memories of the 2022 "mini-budget" crisis, which rocked the country's pension funds.
) 3. Trump's Fight Against Online Censorship: Trump's fight against online censorship has quickly gone global, with other countries looking to follow his lead. (Link:
Trump's Fight Against Online Censorship Quickly Goes Global | ZeroHedge
ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero
) 4. Climate Change and California Wildfires: A scientific study has found that climate change made California wildfires more likely and more intense. (Link:
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) 5. SpaceX in Texas: SpaceX is permanently changing the Texas landscape as it continues to expand its operations in the state. (Link:
Gizmodo
SpaceX Is Permanently Changing the Texas Landscape
“We’ve got a lot of land with no one around, and so if it blows up, it’s cool,” Elon Musk said in 2018.
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