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Markets opened volatile as AI names and Broadcom weighed on the Nasdaq while the S&P 500 and Dow drifted. Investors are pricing a pause in the AI euphoria, monitoring the US jobs print and Fed signals; safe‑haven flows kept oil and cyclical commodities under pressure, while geopolitical headlines (Ukraine, Bondi) added risk‑off tone.
Ford slams the brakes on its big-vehicle EV push, recording multi‑billion-dollar charges while pivoting to hybrids and battery storage. The move reverberates across suppliers, plants and investor sentiment.
19.5B – Ford’s EV write‑down, the largest single EV-related charge announced by a US automaker this year.
iRobot, the Roomba pioneer, has filed for Chapter 11 and is being restructured under new ownership. The bankruptcy marks a major shakeout in consumer robotics after years of competition and margin pressure.
Lidar specialist Luminar has joined the string of auto-tech failures, seeking bankruptcy protection while negotiating sales to preserve parts of the business. The filings underscore the capital strain across autonomy suppliers.
Steve Cohen cleared for $8bn Queens casino – construction greenlit
Regulators approved hedge‑fund billionaire Steve Cohen’s $8bn casino project in Queens, unlocking a major New York development and boosting local construction and gaming-sector jobs.
More on ft.com
The hunt for the Brown University shooter continues as authorities widen the manhunt and ramp up rewards. Federal and local agencies are coordinating appeals for tips amid community fear and scrutiny of campus security.
A deadly attack at Bondi Beach has shocked Australia and sparked immediate calls for tougher gun controls. Officials are weighing new legislation as communities grieve and security reviews begin.
FTC and 21 states sue Uber – shares tumble
A broad enforcement action alleging deceptive billing and cancellation practices has prompted a multistate lawsuit against Uber, hitting the stock and raising regulatory risk for gig platforms.
More on breakingthenews.net
Diplomacy intensifies as the US and Ukraine report progress in peace talks while important territorial questions remain unresolved. Negotiations focus on security guarantees and the shape of any ceasefire or longer-term settlement.
The White House is launching a Tech Force to recruit private‑sector AI talent for short-term government stints, part of a wider push to rebuild federal tech capabilities. The program targets engineers and executives to accelerate modernization.
EU signals a climb‑down on the 2035 combustion‑engine ban; UK plans to regulate crypto like financial products by 2027; US pauses a tech prosperity deal with the UK and debates executive action to reclassify marijuana.
PayPal is moving to own banking rails — filing for charters and licences to house deposits, offer loans and scale small-business lending tied to its PYUSD stablecoin. The effort signals fintechs’ push to vertically integrate banking services.
AI-related names and infrastructure stocks have slid in a sudden re‑rating, with analysts downgrading big cap suppliers. The move highlights rising concerns over valuation, demand visibility and profit cycles in the AI supply chain.
Crypto could become a powerful financial‑surveillance tool if regulators aren’t careful.
— Paul Atkins, former SEC official
Nasdaq is pushing to extend trading hours toward near‑round‑the‑clock markets to meet investor demand and crypto‑era expectations. The proposal could reshape market access and liquidity patterns if approved by regulators.
Nvidia is bulking up its open-source and hardware play — acquiring Slurm developer SchedMD and weighing higher H200 production for China. The moves underline Nvidia’s central role in global AI infrastructure supply chains.
Tesla has accelerated driverless testing in Austin, removing human safety operators in some trials and sending shares higher as investors price robotaxi potential. The tests intensify scrutiny over regulation and safety.
President Trump has filed high‑stakes defamation suits against the BBC over a Jan. 6 documentary edit, seeking multibillion‑dollar damages. The litigation escalates an already fraught relationship between the White House and major media outlets.
The killing of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife has prompted a high‑profile homicide probe and the arrest of a family member. The case has ignited intense public scrutiny and heated political commentary.
Traditional banks and Wall Street are experimenting with tokenized products as established firms test blockchain rails for money-market and payments innovation. The moves reflect growing institutional acceptance of on‑chain settlement and stablecoins.
Congress moved a major defence policy package forward while the Pentagon invests in critical minerals projects to secure supply chains. Lawmakers and the military are aligning on industrial priorities amid rising strategic competition.
Oil prices fell as hopes for a Russia‑Ukraine deal and weak demand cues pressured markets, keeping crude near multi‑year lows. Traders are balancing geopolitical risk with demand concerns and Chinese data.
China’s investment and property sectors are showing fresh signs of strain as investment contracts and home prices fall, prompting pledges from Beijing to stabilise markets. The data add urgency to policy discussions about stimulus and reforms.
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