Archive: January 2026
102 articles published this month
Starlink in Iran: Trump asks Musk to restore access
Starlink in Iran moved back into the spotlight on Jan. 12, 2026 after Trump said he would talk to Elon Musk about restoring internet access during a four-day blackout amid deadly protests and rising U.S.–Iran threats.
Iran internet blackout deepens U.S.-Iran escalation
Iran internet blackout measures have cut Iran off from the outside world as protests spread, limiting verification while Trump threatens retaliation and Tehran escalates blame through the UN.
U.S.-Iran escalation: Iran blames US, Israel at UN
U.S.-Iran escalation deepened on Jan. 9–10, 2026 as Iran told the UN the US (and Israel) fueled “violent” unrest, Trump warned Tehran over shootings, and an internet blackout obscured verification.
Meta nuclear power deals target 6.6 GW for AI by 2035
Meta nuclear power deals with Vistra, Oklo and TerraPower aim to secure up to 6.6 GW by 2035 for AI data centers, including 20-year contracts tied to three existing nuclear plants and new small-reactor projects with 2030–2035 timelines.
X and Grok app-store ban urged by senators
X and Grok app-store ban pressure is rising after three US senators urged Apple and Google to delist the apps over nonconsensual sexualized AI images, saying the content violates app-store rules.
Anglo-Teck merger nears EU antitrust green light
The Anglo-Teck merger is set for a likely EU antitrust clearance via a simplified review, with a Feb 10, 2026 decision date and a separate foreign-subsidies check due Feb 3.
U.S. payrolls stall at 50k as S&P 500 hits record
U.S. payrolls rose just 50,000 in Dec 2025 and unemployment held at 4.4%, while the S&P 500 hit an intraday record as traders kept pricing 2026 Fed easing despite a likely January pause.
Russia Kyiv war updates: strikes, drones, Paris talks
Russia Kyiv war updates show Kyiv hit by a deadly drone-and-missile attack, while Russia claims near-daily Ukrainian drone raids on Moscow. In Paris, Kyiv allies discussed security guarantees and ceasefire monitoring ideas.
2026 Winter Olympics ad inventory sells out early
2026 Winter Olympics ad inventory is sold out at NBCUniversal a month before Milano Cortina begins, with 100+ new advertisers and heavier Peacock spend. The milestone underscores live sports pricing power in a tight ad market.
FTC ticket-resale case: Ticketmaster seeks dismissal
In the FTC ticket-resale case, Ticketmaster and Live Nation asked a U.S. judge to dismiss claims that they enabled brokers to bypass ticket limits and profited from resale fees. The fight could reset platform liability for ticketing.
Netflix deal favored as WBD rejects Paramount bid again
The Netflix deal stayed Warner Bros. Discovery’s preferred path after its board rejected Paramount Skydance’s revised $108.4B offer as too leveraged. The decision raises stakes for a Jan. 21 shareholder deadline and reshapes streaming consolidation math.
AI Cloud Gigafactory: Lenovo and Nvidia unveil at CES
AI Cloud Gigafactory is Lenovo and Nvidia’s new CES 2026 program to help AI cloud providers deploy data centers in weeks, using liquid-cooled infrastructure and Nvidia platforms. Lenovo also introduced Qira, a cross-device personal AI system.
AMD AI chip debuts at CES with MI455, MI440X
AMD AI chip updates at CES 2026 spotlight MI455 for rack-scale systems and MI440X for enterprise deployments, plus new Ryzen AI 400 PC processors. The launch sharpens AMD’s bid to close gaps with Nvidia in data center AI.
Arm Physical AI unit debuts at CES 2026
Arm Physical AI is a new Arm unit unveiled at CES 2026 that merges robotics and automotive focus. Arm says the move supports real-world machines and signals where chip IP demand is heading next.
PBoC rate cuts signaled for 2026, with RRR easing
PBoC rate cuts are on the table for 2026, alongside reserve requirement ratio (RRR) cuts to keep liquidity ample and support growth. The signal follows months of steady benchmark lending rates and renewed focus on domestic demand.
Eurozone inflation hits ECB target in Dec 2025
Eurozone inflation eased to 2.0% in December 2025, matching the ECB’s target as energy prices fell. Services inflation stayed elevated, shaping expectations for a cautious rate path in 2026.
Marubeni Jacobson acquisition: Gola owner bought
Marubeni Jacobson acquisition puts UK footwear group Jacobson (Gola, Lotus, Ravel, Frank Wright) into Marubeni’s US consumer platform. Terms were not disclosed, but the move targets retro sneaker demand and global distribution scale.
Vistra Cogentrix acquisition: $4.7B bet on gas power
The Vistra Cogentrix acquisition adds 10 gas plants (~5.5GW) across key U.S. power markets for a deal valued around $4.7B. It shows utilities leaning into dispatchable capacity as demand jumps.
Exxon Q4 upstream earnings set to drop on oil slide
Exxon Q4 upstream earnings are poised to take an $0.8B–$1.2B hit from weaker crude prices, even as refining could add $0.3B–$0.7B. The update sets expectations for energy earnings season.
Bangladesh sets Feb 12 election with reform referendum
Bangladesh’s Election Commission set Feb 12, 2026 for parliamentary elections—the first since the 2024 uprising—alongside a referendum on the “July Charter” reform agenda. The fixed date reduces uncertainty but raises near-term security and legitimacy stakes.