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As of December 2025, UK and US retailers report mixed financial results amid subdued consumer confidence and economic uncertainty. Watches of Switzerland benefits from tariff relief and strong US demand, while Frasers Group faces UK sales declines despite international growth. Walmart raises forecasts on strong e-commerce and affluent shoppers. Target and home improvement chains report sales challenges, prompting investments and cautious outlooks.
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Recent articles highlight rapid advancements in humanoid robotics driven by AI and significant investments, especially in China and the US. Despite industry enthusiasm, skepticism persists over technological readiness and market sustainability, with warnings of a potential bubble amid fierce competition and regional efforts to establish ecosystems.
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On December 11, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to preempt state-level AI regulations by establishing a unified federal framework. The order directs the Attorney General to challenge state laws deemed burdensome and threatens to withhold federal funding from states enforcing conflicting AI rules. This move has ignited bipartisan opposition, legal challenges, and fierce pushback from states like California, which have enacted their own AI safety laws.
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As of December 2025, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has chosen not to release its post-2024 election autopsy report, citing concerns it would distract from efforts to win the 2026 midterms. The report, based on over 300 interviews, highlights failures in outreach to young voters and public safety concerns. Meanwhile, fundraising struggles continue for the DNC, contrasting with the Republican National Committee's stronger financial position. Concurrently, former President Trump’s administration has deepened tensions with Europe, labeling it "decaying" and backing nationalist parties opposing immigration, further straining transatlantic relations amid the Ukraine conflict.
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President Trump approved Nvidia's sale of its H200 AI chip to China, reversing previous export controls. The move aims to balance national security with economic interests, allowing Chinese firms access to advanced US technology while collecting a fee. Experts warn this could undermine US AI dominance and benefit China’s chip industry.
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The Bank of Japan increased its short-term policy rate to 0.75%, the highest since 1995, signaling a shift toward normalizing monetary policy amid rising inflation and a weakening yen. The move impacts markets, including a dip in bitcoin, and reflects confidence in economic recovery.
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Nvidia's AI chip dominance faces scrutiny amid US-China tensions, export controls, and market shifts. The company’s close ties with US regulators and Chinese illicit channels complicate its global position, while industry rivals seek alternatives to Nvidia’s CUDA ecosystem. Market confidence fluctuates as geopolitical risks grow.
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In 2025, UK new car registrations surpassed 2 million for the first time since 2019, driven by a 24% rise in electric vehicle (EV) sales, which now hold a 23.4% market share. Chinese brands, notably BYD and MG, nearly doubled their UK market share to 9.7%, intensifying competition. Meanwhile, Tesla's UK sales declined 8.9%, reflecting broader challenges including political controversies and product delays. The UK government plans to review EV sales mandates in 2026 amid industry calls for clearer policies.
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In late 2025, the US under President Trump declared Europe an adversary in its National Security Strategy, citing immigration policies and demographic shifts as threats to Western civilization. The US supports far-right European parties, opposes EU digital regulations, and urges Europe to reduce reliance on adversarial powers. Germany and Europe are called to assume greater self-defense amid waning US commitment, straining transatlantic relations.
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Despite ongoing conflicts, Israeli multinational tech companies are expanding their operations in Europe and maintaining strong investment levels at home. The sector's resilience underscores Israel's strategic focus on AI, cybersecurity, and R&D, even as diplomatic relations face challenges.
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China dispatched air, navy, and rocket troops for joint military drills around Taiwan, prompting Taiwan to alert its forces. The drills follow U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and comments from Japan's prime minister about potential military involvement. Markets show mixed reactions amid geopolitical tensions.
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In 2025, President Trump announced multiple tariffs targeting global trade, including plans for a new External Revenue Service and tariffs on pharmaceuticals and movies. Many of these threats were not implemented, amid ongoing trade disruptions and economic turbulence caused by erratic tariff policies.
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At CES 2026, Nvidia announced its Vera Rubin AI platform, entering full production with a six-chip architecture promising five times the AI computing power of previous models. The platform targets complex AI workloads and will ship in the second half of 2026 to major cloud providers. The event also showcased Lego's new Smart Play system, advances in robotics, AI-powered consumer products, and autonomous vehicle technology.
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As of January 29, 2026, Tesla reported a 46% drop in net income for 2025 to $3.8 billion, with Q4 profit plunging 61% to $840 million. Revenue declined 3% year-on-year to $24.9 billion in Q4. Despite falling car sales and political backlash, Tesla is investing $2 billion in AI startup xAI and advancing its robotaxi and humanoid robot projects, aiming to shift focus from vehicles to AI-driven services.
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As of mid-January 2026, the FTSE 100 has surpassed 10,000 for the first time, capping a 21.5% gain in 2025 driven by mining, defence, and financial sectors. This milestone coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions following the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which has spurred investor interest in Venezuelan debt and defence stocks, while oil prices face downward pressure.
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Morocco's plans to develop large-scale data centers for AI and cloud services are advancing with international investment, but face hurdles due to energy and water constraints. Meanwhile, in the US, xAI's new supercomputer data center in Mississippi faces environmental scrutiny and local opposition.
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Despite concerns over AI-driven overvaluation, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley forecast continued US stock growth in 2026. Goldman expects a 7% return, citing strong earnings and economic resilience, while Morgan Stanley predicts a 13% rise driven by global cyclical recovery and commodity demand. Experts warn of potential risks, including a possible market correction and shifts in investor confidence.
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The US and Taiwan have reached a deal reducing tariffs on Taiwanese goods from 20% to 15%, while Taiwan commits to investing at least $250 billion in US semiconductor, AI, and energy sectors. The agreement aims to strengthen supply chains and US economic resilience amid geopolitical tensions.
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On January 14, 2026, the Trump administration announced a 25% tariff on imports of select high-end AI chips, including Nvidia's H200 and AMD's MI325X, citing national security concerns. The tariffs exclude chips used domestically in US data centers and allow Nvidia to sell H200 chips to China under strict conditions, including third-party testing and revenue sharing with the US government.
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Gold prices hit new highs as geopolitical tensions, trade threats, and currency concerns drive investors toward safe havens. Trump’s trade threats and global instability are fueling the rally, with central bank buying and currency debasement fears supporting the surge in gold’s value today, January 27, 2026.
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In early 2026, AI industry leaders warn of rapid technological advances, economic upheaval, and geopolitical tensions. Anthropic's CEO warns of AI surpassing human capabilities within years, urging regulation and global cooperation to manage risks and ensure equitable benefits. The story highlights ongoing debates about AI safety, economic impact, and international security.
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Blue Origin announced TeraWave, a constellation of 5,408 satellites designed to deliver up to 6 terabits per second globally for enterprise and government use. Deployment begins in late 2027, positioning Blue Origin as a key player in space-based internet infrastructure alongside SpaceX and Amazon. The network targets critical data operations, not consumer internet.
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A planned $100 billion investment deal between Nvidia and OpenAI has fallen apart amid reports of internal doubts and dissatisfaction with Nvidia's chips. Both companies deny tension, but the deal's collapse raises questions about AI infrastructure funding and industry confidence as OpenAI explores alternatives.
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Multiple articles reveal that days before Trump's 2025 return to office, a senior Emirati official invested $500 million in a Trump-linked crypto firm, raising questions about foreign influence, potential conflicts of interest, and US policy reversals on AI chip exports to the UAE.
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Leaders and industry experts warn of increasing pressure for countries to develop sovereign AI capabilities amid US-China tech rivalry. The GCC has invested early, while Europe focuses on building local infrastructure. Open-source models are seen as key for middle powers to maintain control.
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As of February 2026, a landmark trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court is underway against Meta and Google's YouTube, accused of deliberately designing platforms to addict children and harm their mental health. The case centers on a 19-year-old plaintiff, KGM, and could set precedent for hundreds of similar lawsuits. TikTok and Snap settled earlier. Meta denies wrongdoing, citing complex mental health factors and safeguards.