Record Valentine's Day Spending Surge

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

💑 Valentine's Day Spending Sets New Record, NRF Survey Reveals 💰

U.S. Valentine's Day spending is anticipated to hit a record $14.2 billion, focusing on significant others, says a National Retail Federation survey. NRF President Matthew Shay notes retailers' readiness for "meaningful and memorable gifts." Top gifts include candy, cards, and flowers, with high spending on jewelry and evenings out. About 53% of Americans plan to celebrate, averaging $185.81 each, with a shift to romantic gifting. Online shopping dominates at 40%.

🏠 Elizabeth Warren Urges Federal Reserve to Slash Rates, Blames Them for Housing Affordability Crisis

In a critical letter to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Senator Elizabeth Warren and fellow Democrats link the U.S. housing affordability crisis to high Federal Reserve interest rates. They emphasize its severe effects on Black and Hispanic communities and the rental sector. The senators call for urgent rate reductions to assist "working families, already struggling with the high cost of housing," amidst speculation of a March rate cut.

🚀 US Arms Exports Reach All-Time Peak in 2023 Fiscal Year

U.S. military equipment sales to foreign nations soared by 16% in 2023, reaching a record $238 billion, driven by global instability and the Ukraine conflict. The State Department views these sales as critical foreign policy tools impacting global security. Key deals included $10 billion in HIMARS to Poland and $2.9 billion in AMRAAM missiles to Germany. Defense firms like Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics are poised for financial gains amid this surge.

WORLD

🕊️ Hamas Withdraws from Hostage Deal, Gaza Peace Delayed – Report

Hamas rejected a proposed four-month ceasefire for releasing Israeli hostages, demanding a "complete and comprehensive ceasefire" first. Negotiations in Paris, involving U.S., Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari officials, faltered despite Israel's commitment to "destroying Hamas" and securing hostages. The plan followed Hamas' attack causing significant casualties, with ongoing efforts to resolve the escalating conflict.

🛸 US Troops in Jordan Killed by Drone Mistaken for a US drone, Early Report Indicates

An enemy drone, misidentified as a U.S. drone, attacked a Jordanian base, resulting in three American soldiers' deaths and over 40 injuries. President Biden, amidst the Gaza conflict, is challenged to respond to Iran, the suspected orchestrator, without escalating tensions. While Iran denies involvement, the White House commits to a measured retaliation, amidst Republican critiques of Biden's approach and concerns over regional stability.

🔒 Imran Khan, Former Pakistan PM, Receives 10-Year Jail Term for State Secrets Case

Just before Pakistan's elections, former PM Imran Khan and aide Shah Mahmood Qureshi received 10-year sentences for leaking state secrets in the "cypher case". The trial, criticized as a "charade" by Khan's party PTI, is seen as a tactic to suppress their influence. Analysts question the trial's fairness, suggesting it aims to block Khan's political return.

SCIENCE & TECH

📱 iOS 18 May Be iPhone's Largest Software Update Ever

Gurman's Power On newsletter reveals iOS 18 as possibly the "biggest" iPhone update, featuring RCS for enhanced iPhone-Android messaging and a smarter Siri with generative AI for task automation. Set for a September release, with a June beta, this update marks a significant technological advancement, reflecting Gurman's view of it as "one of the biggest iOS updates — if not the biggest — in the company's history."

🌍 Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Launches Globally

Samsung's Galaxy S24 series, including the advanced AI-equipped Galaxy S24 Ultra, is now globally available, with significant pre-orders. TM Roh, Samsung's executive, emphasizes this marks a new AI-driven era in smartphones. The series features innovative AI functions, extended to older models, and promises seven years of updates. Available in multiple colors, sales start January 31 on Samsung.com and other outlets.

🧠 Elon Musk's Neuralink Successfully Implants Brain Chip in Human Volunteer

Elon Musk's Neuralink successfully implanted its first brain-chip in a human, showing "promising neuron spike detection." Approved by the FDA, 'Telepathy' aims to aid quadriplegics, a pattern of paralysis. Despite progress, Neuralink faces safety scrutiny, including a fine for hazardous material violations and potential SEC investigation into Musk's safety claims. The implant trial, part of the PRIME Study, began after FDA clearance.

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

🎤 Joni Mitchell Set for First-Ever Grammy Performance at 80

At 80, Joni Mitchell will debut at the 66th Grammy Awards alongside stars like Dua Lipa. Nominated for Best Folk Album, her return after two decades is celebrated. Fito Páez's Instagram reaction, "Wow! What a night!" encapsulates the excitement. Mitchell, a legendary figure with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, joins U2 in making history. The event airs live on CBS and Paramount+.

👋 Vince McMahon Quits WWE Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

Vince McMahon, WWE founder, resigned from WWE and TKO after Janel Grant's lawsuit alleging sexual assault and trafficking. Denying the accusations as "lies" and "vindictive distortion," McMahon stepped down to respect WWE and its community. This follows his 2022 step-back as CEO amid investigations into alleged affairs and hush money.

🌟 DCU Casts Supergirl with "House Of The Dragon" Star Milly Alcock

In the latest DC Studios update, James Gunn confirms Milly Alcock, celebrated for her "House of the Dragon" role, as the new Supergirl. Gunn applauds her as a "fantastically talented" actor for the upcoming "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow," scripted by Ana Nogueira. Alcock's potential involvement in "Superman: Legacy" is yet to be confirmed, marking a significant addition to the lineage of Supergirl portrayals.

OTHER NEWS

🚨 US Issues Bahamas Travel Alert Amid Rising Crime Rates

The U.S. State Department warns Americans of heightened violent crime in the Bahamas, especially in New Providence and Grand Bahama. The advisory highlights risks in Nassau's 'Over the Hill' area and cautions against using poorly maintained commercial watercraft. Following 18 murders in Nassau since 2024, travelers are urged to exercise caution, enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), and adhere to safety guidelines.

🚨 Five Detained for Drug-Linked Murder of Six in California Desert, Says Sheriff

In California's Mojave Desert, a deadly shootout over an "illicit marijuana" deal resulted in six deaths, leading to the arrest of five suspects. San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus linked the tragedy to organized crime and the area's illegal marijuana farms issue. Four victims were found in a burned vehicle, another nearby, and the sixth in a second vehicle.

🚗 Toyota Maintains Position as Global Top Automaker for Fourth Consecutive Year

Toyota maintained its position as the world's top carmaker in 2023, selling a record 11.2 million vehicles, up 7.2%. Recovering from supply chain issues, Toyota, as Bloomberg's Tatsuo Yoshida notes, now "sells whatever it makes." Despite lagging in electric vehicles, the company plans significant EV growth. However, recent scandals involving safety test manipulations by Toyota Industries Corp. and Daihatsu have surfaced, prompting a call for a return to basics.

THIS DAY THAT YEAR

On 30 January, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian leader who was revered as the father of his nation and widely respected worldwide for his advocacy of nonviolent protest (satyagraha) was tragically assassinated. Known as the "Great Soul," Gandhi's impact on India and his global legacy endured far beyond his life.

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