Archive for January, 2026

• Morning News: January 20, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 20th, 2026 at 7:04 am

  China Reports Robust Economic Growth, Thanks to Resilient Exports

  Oil Swings as Traders Weigh Greenland Crisis and Supply Outlook

  Chevron’s Dilemma in Venezuela: Support Trump’s Vision Without Losing Money

  An Alaska Town Is Now Key to Trump’s Global Ambitions

  Trump’s First Year Could Have Lasting Economic Consequences

  This Trade War Would Be Unlike Any Other

  Why ‘Anti-Coercion’ Tool Is the EU’s Trade Weapon of Last Resort

  Polish Central Bank Approves Plan to Buy 150 Tons of Gold

  What a Break With Europe Means for the American Economy

  Americans Are the Ones Paying for Tariffs, Study Finds

  At a Seattle Port Rocked by Tariffs, There Were 70 Jobs for 600 Workers

  Why Is Unemployment Down for Foreign-Born Workers?

  Trump’s Trade Negotiator Says Response to Court Loss Would Be Immediate

  Supreme Court Will Decide if Fed Independence Has Any Legal Teeth

  Sudden Japan Bond Crash Unleashes Turmoil Across Trading Floors

  Treasuries Join Global Bond Slide After Japan-Led Selloff

  Keynes Doesn’t Gain Legitimacy During Downturns

  When It’s Your Money, You Know When It’s Being Stolen

  The Rise of Venture Debt, and Its Meaning for Company Founders

  Trump Family’s $6.8 Billion Fortune Is Increasingly Tied to Crypto

  Crypto’s Future Will Be Sabotaged by Feeble Oversight

  A 1970s Babysitting Co-Op As a Metaphor for Crypto’s Future

  Republicans Have Ideas on Affordability — Just Not Conservative Ones

  To Make Homes Affordable Again, Someone Has to Lose Out

  Go Ahead and Resent Boomers but for the Right Reasons

  Warner Strikes New All-Cash Deal With Netflix

  Elliott Invests in Hypersonic-Flight Company Stratolaunch

  GSK to Acquire RAPT for $2.2 Billion to Bolster Food Allergy Treatments

  The Rise and Fall of the American Monoculture

  Can a $1,699 Espresso Machine Help Walmart Challenge Amazon?

  A Global Explosion of Absurdly Spicy Foods

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• Morning News: January 19, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 19th, 2026 at 7:12 am

  China Reports Robust Economic Growth, Thanks to Resilient Exports

  Xi’s Export Machine Gets Lift From US Move to Strongarm Allies

  China’s Birthrate Plunges to Lowest Level Since 1949

  Real Estate Crash Weighs on China’s Economic Growth

  Hong Kong Billionaire Puts Quarter of His Wealth in Gold

  Iran’s Real Oil Risk Is Labor Strikes, Not Bombs

  Germany Says Trump Reached Red Line With Greenland Threat

  Trump’s Realpolitik Takes Over Davos

  As Davos Convenes, Deference to Trump Has Replaced Everything

  Trump’s Tariffs Pose a Danger to Political and Economic Liberty

  The European Goods Set to Get Hit With Trump’s Latest Tariffs

  European Luxury Stocks Slump on Trump’s Tariff Threat

  Europe Has the Weapons for Trump’s Greenland Tariff War

  IMF Sees Stronger Growth, But Sounds Warning On Higher Tariffs And AI Correction

  Has Trump Delivered on His Economic Promises?

  Trump Said He’d Unleash the Economy in Year 1. Here’s How He Did.

  Why Is Donald Trump The Only Villain In Jerome Powell’s Investigation?

  Hohn Breaks Citadel’s Record With $18.9 Billion Trading Profit

  All Bets Are On: The Rise of Prediction Markets

  ‘Soak the Rich’ Battle Cry is Rising From London to California

  No One’s Buying? Maybe Consumers Are Just ‘Choiceful,’ Executives Say.

  Economists Are Studying the Slowing Job Market—and Feeling It Themselves

  We Can’t Subsidize Every Rx While Leading the World In Innovation

  Extreme Volatility Returns to Europe’s Natural Gas Markets

  Kidnapping and $12 Billion Battle Hang Over Conoco Return to Venezuela

  Rare-Earth Magnet Maker Raises $215 Million to Amp Up U.S. Supply

  Jeremy Grantham Says AI Is Indeed a Classic Market Bubble

  Andreessen Horowitz Makes a $3 Billion Bet Against the AI Bubble

  Micron to Buy Taiwan Plant for $1.8 Billion

  Elliott Reiterates Opposition to Revised Offer for Toyota Industries

  We’re in an Era of ‘Re-Globalization,’ FedEx C.E.O. Says

  National Anger Spills Into Target Stores, Again

  ‘Heated Rivalry’ Has Given the NHL a Test

  College Coaches Making $20 Million Are Football Teams’ Trophy Assets

  Miami-Indiana Championship Game Has Fans Paying $30,000 a Seat

  ‘Masquerade’ Reimagined ‘Phantom,’ and the Fans Are Flocking

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• Morning News: January 16, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 16th, 2026 at 7:03 am

  Canada Inks Trade Truce With China in Break From Trump’s Agenda

  China Clamps Down on High-Speed Traders, Removing Servers

  China’s $1.2 Trillion Windfall Quietly Seeps Into Global Markets

  The New Mayor of Davos

  How to Approach the Nastiest Problem in Finance

  US Economic Data Resilience Is Masking Underlying Stagflation

  Fixing Inflation Policy Starts With Fixing Measurement

  Powell Investigation Upends Final Stretch of Fed Chair Contest

  The Turbulent Forces Reshaping The Fed This Year

  Philly Fed’s Paulson Says Rate Cuts Can Wait, Shows Support for Powell

  The Fed Is Flawed, Politicization Makes It Worse

  Stock Investors’ Strategy for 2026: ‘Don’t Fight the White House’

  Hottest Credit Markets Since ‘07 Spur Warning on Complacency

  Big Plan for Fannie and Freddie I.P.O. in Flux as Trump Pushes Affordability

  Saks Bonds Worth Just 1 Cent Hand Hedge Funds a Painful Lesson

  Solomon Partners Taps David Shiffman to Lead Investment Banking

  Why the Supreme Court Should Side With the SEC Fraudster

  Stablecoin Rewards and Their Quiet Threat to Community Banking

  Climate Change Exposes a Major Home Insurance Gap

  State and Federal Lawmakers Want Data Centers to Pay More for Energy

  Trump to Push Plan for Tech Companies to Fund New Power Plants

  As Tech Giants Get More Hands-On With Energy, Their Risks Rise

  Data Center Potential Will Reveal Itself Unexpectedly Over Many Decades

  The 40% of US Oil Jobs Lost Over the Last Decade Aren’t Coming Back

  Halliburton and Its Rivals Can’t Wait to Get Back Into Venezuela

  Norway Stunned After Machado Gifts Nobel Peace Prize Medal to Trump

  Inside the Fight to Keep Iran Online

  Taiwan Reaches Trade Deal with Trump, Pledges More U.S. Chip Factories

  NASA’s New Moon Mission Is Riskier Than It Should Be

  Boston Scientific to Buy Penumbra for $15 Billion in Cash, Stock

  Uber’s Quest to Crack Japan Leads Through a Rural Hot-Springs Town

  Ted Sarandos Says Critics Just Misunderstand Netflix

  Star Wars Gets New Leader for Franchise’s Next Era

  Dos Equis Brings Back the Most Interesting Man in the World

  We Went Shopping for the $3 Dinner—and Actually Found It

  The Business of College Football Has Never Been More Exciting or More of a Mess

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• Morning News: January 15, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 15th, 2026 at 7:03 am

  The Pope and the President Offer Competing Americanisms

  Leading Prediction Firms Share a Commonality: Donald Trump Jr.

  Here’s the List of 75 Countries Affected by US Visa Crackdown

  Welcome to Greenland, an Economy Reliant on Subsidies and Shrimp

  Trump Vows to Make Venezuela Rich. It Will Take More Than U.S. Cash.

  Trump Imposes Limited Tariffs on Foreign Semiconductors

  Forget Trump’s Tariffs. The Real Danger Lies in China’s Trade Surplus.

  If We Don’t Want the Chinese To ‘Lap’ Us, Let Them Sell To Us

  Trump Picks the Wrong Time to Lie to the Public About Grocery Prices

  The Poverty of Vanceonomics

  Why Banks Are So Worried About a 10% Credit Card Rate Cap

  Credit Card Rate Caps Will Lead To a Shortage of Credit Cards

  Private Credit Drops Safeguard to Win Deals on Wall Street Terms

  Trump Tells Reuters No Plans to Remove Powell Despite Probe

  Let Powell and the Fed Do Their Jobs

  Morgan Stanley Beats Investment-Banking Estimates on Debt Haul

  Goldman Sachs’ Profit Beats Estimates on Dealmaking, Trading Strength

  BlackRock Total Assets Hit Record $14 Trillion as ETFs Surge

  Citi CEO Warns of More Job Cuts, Calls Time on ‘Old, Bad Habits’

  2026 May Be the Year of the Mega I.P.O.

  Silver Tumbles After Trump Holds Off on Critical Mineral Tariffs

  Trump’s Rare Earth Push Extends Lifeline to Green Tech

  TSMC’s Strong Outlook Fires Up Hopes of Sustained AI Boom

  ASML Soars Above $500 Billion Value on TSMC’s Upbeat Outlook

  Antitrust Law Is a Poor Substitute for Netflix Warner Brothers

  How Larry Ellison Can Get Warner to Play Ball

  Spotify Increases Price of Premium Subscriptions

  Tesla’s Greatest Threat Is Being Boring

  Generic Ozempic Makers Are Coming to Upend the Obesity Market

  Humble Hershey’s Gets a Marketing Makeover

  Alcohol Use May Be Declining, But We Still Want That Buzz

  Amazon Blasts Saks Funding Deal, Says Equity Is ‘Worthless’

  Inside the Mad Dash to Save Saks, America’s Last Luxury Retailer

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• Morning News: January 14, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 14th, 2026 at 7:07 am

  The World Is in the Midst of an ‘Extreme’ Temperature Spike

  A Stealth Heat Tax Has Already Cost Americans $1 Trillion

  U.S. Refiners to Profit as Trump Asserts Control Over Venezuelan Oil

  Greenland Says It Chooses Denmark and Rules Out Joining US

  Greenland Is Too Important to Invade

  Caught Between Superpowers, Canada Seeks a New Path in Beijing

  China Announces Record Trade Surplus as Its Exports Flood World Markets

  Trump Credits ‘Mister Tariff’ for the Country’s Strength. Economists Beg to Differ.

  Keep Calm If Trump Loses Tariff Case, Trade Expert Urges Nations

  Here Are Trump’s Options If the Supreme Court Says His Tariffs Are Illegal

  Blowback Builds Over Criminal Investigation of Powell

  Trump Says Dimon ‘Wrong’ to Criticize DOJ Probe of Fed’s Powell

  Trump Wants to Run the Economy Hot. There’s a Good Chance He’ll Succeed.

  Blistering Metals Rally Sends Gold, Silver and Copper to Records

  We Need More Stock Trading by Nancy Pelosi and Colleagues, Not Less

  Credit Card Rate Caps Are Bad News for Individuals and Businesses

  Banks Ready Battle Plans to Save Their Credit Card Businesses

  US Mortgage Rates Slide to One of Lowest Levels Since 2022

  As Trump Pushes Housing Affordability, His Mortgage Chief Undermines It

  In a Risky Gambit, Trump Tries Brute Force to Lower Prices

  Wall Street Is Suddenly on the Defensive With the President

  BofA Tops Estimates as Trading Beats and Lending Revenue Rises

  Citi’s M&A Fee Haul Surges 84% to Cap Record Dealmaking Year

  Wells Fargo Profit Hit by Severance as Staff Cut by 5,600

  Banks Go Silent on Trump Plan to Weaken Racism-in-Lending Rules

  The New Year’s Resolutions That the Boss Has Kept

  The CEO Playbook to Navigating Trump

  ICE Shooting Should Be Mourned — and Investigated

  This ICE Crackdown Is Making the Case for Real Immigration Reform

  Where Did All the American-Born Roofers Go?

  Tesla’s Full Self-Driving System Will Only Be Available Via Subscription, Musk Says

  Saks Files Bankruptcy After Luxury Retailer’s Turnaround Fails

  Saks’ Downfall Is a Make-or-Break Moment for Macy’s

  What Does the Saks Bankruptcy Mean for Shoppers?

  Delta Is on the Right Path Even If Investors Don’t See It

  How Grocery Aisles Are Changing in the Age of MAHA and Ozempic

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• CWS Market Review – January 13, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 13th, 2026 at 7:50 pm

  (This is the free version of CWS Market Review. If you like what you see, then please sign up for the premium newsletter for $20 per month or $200 for the whole year. If you sign up today, you can see our two reports, “Your Handy Guide to Stock Orders” and “How Not to Get Screwed on Your Mortgage.”)

  The Fed War: Trump vs. Powell

  On Sunday evening, Jerome Powell released a remarkable video message. In it, he said that the Justice Department has served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas related to Powell’s testimony before the Senate regarding renovation efforts for the Fed’s office buildings.

  Powell made it clear that the issue wasn’t really about the office buildings. Instead, this was to put pressure on the Fed to lower interest rates. Powell said he would fight to maintain the Fed’s independence. President Trump said he wasn’t aware of the subpoena. On Monday, gold soared to a new all-time high.

  Let me add some explanation. For several years, the Fed has planned to renovate its office budlings. The buildings are close to 100 years old. Like with many things the government does, the project has run far over budget. It was originally supposed to cost $1.9 billion but that’s risen to $2.5 billion.

  Last year, Powell explained that there are many reasons for the higher costs. Ironically, inflation is one issue and tariffs are another. The buildings also need to get up to modern standards regarding things like asbestos and lead, plus replacing antiquated mechanical systems.

  Some of the plans called for rather opulent features like a roof garden, VIP dining rooms, excess marble and private elevators. Powell went before the Senate and said those features were either misrepresented or are no longer part of the building’s plans. The problem is that the plans Powell referenced deviate from the plans approved by the National Capital Planning Commission. As such, that would require an immediate halt to all construction.

  

  I think DOJ’s plan is to trap Powell in either direction. Did he lie before Congress, or did he violate what was approved by the NCPC?

  I’m certainly no lawyer, but that doesn’t sound like criminal behavior. Going by yesterday’s activity on social media, there seems to be a belief that Powell has been arrested for criminal fraud. That’s not the issue. Nor is it the buildings. It’s about his testimony.

  Bear in mind that Powell’s term at the Fed ends in May. Technically, I’m referring to Powell’s term as Fed chair. He has a separate term as a Fed board member that goes on until 2028, but Fed chairs rarely stick around after their chairmanship ends. I’ve seen some speculation that Powell will stay on, but I doubt it.

  In his video message, Powell said, “This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.”

  Many are taking Powell’s side. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, who also sits on the Senate Banking Committee, said he will oppose any nominee until this matter “is fully resolved.” Tillis could bottle up any nominee in committee.

  The last few Fed chairs released a statement condemning the DOJ’s action. The statement said that the move “has no place in the United States whose greatest strength is the rule of law, which is at the foundation of our economic success.” The statement was signed by former Fed Chairs Ben Bernanke, Janet Yellen and Alan Greenspan, and by previous Treasury Secretaries Henry Paulson, Timothy Geithner, Robert Rubin and Jacob Lew.

  What to make of this? Frankly, I don’t see this issue going anywhere, although I think there’s a good case for lowering interest rates. The Fed may cut rates a few more times this year. Battles between presidents and the Fed are nothing new. Lyndon Johnson heavily pressured William McChesney Martin to keep rates low during the Vietnam War. Andrew Jackson hated the Second Bank of the United States and did everything he could to get rid of it. (He won.) The Trump versus Powell standoff will make some headlines, but I don’t expect anything to happen.

  The Economy Created 50,000 Jobs Last Month

  On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that the U.S. economy created 50,000 net new jobs last month. That was below Wall Street’s forecast for a gain of 73,000. The figure for November was revised downward to 56,000.

  

  The unemployment rate fell to 4.4% which was 0.1% less than expected. The broader U-6 rate fell to 8.4%. The labor force participation rate fell to 62.4%. The government now says that the economy lost 173,000 jobs in October. The previous report said it was a loss of 105,000.

  Restaurant and bar jobs led the month, rising 27,000, while health care added 21,000 and social assistance increased by 17,000. Retail reported a decline of 25,000. Government added just 2,000 jobs for the month.

  Average hourly earnings increased by 0.3%. That matched Wall Street’s forecast. Over the last year, average hourly earnings rose by 3.8%. Last year’s jobs gain of 584,000 was the worst year outside of a recession since 2003.

  On January 22, we’ll get our first report on Q4 GDP. Some folks on Wall Street expect a very strong report. The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model sees Q4 GDP growth of 5.1% which would be very good.

  Inflation Was Calm Last Month

  On Thursday, the BLS said that inflation in December was slightly less than expected. For the month, headline inflation increased by 0.3%. That put the annual rate at 2.7%.

  Core inflation, which doesn’t count food or energy prices, increased by 0.1% last month. That was 0.1% better than expected. Over the last year, core inflation increased by 2.6%. Shelter costs make up one-third of the CPI. Last month, shelter costs rose by 0.4%.

  Food prices jumped 0.7% for the month, though egg prices tumbled 8.2% and fell nearly 21% from a year ago after soaring previously. Other areas seeing increases included recreation, airfares and medical care.

  Energy prices rose 0.3% on the month and were up 2.3% from a year ago, though gasoline declined 0.5% and 3.4%, respectively.

  Recreation prices increased by 1.2%. That’s the largest monthly increase for that category in over 30 years.

  The Federal Reserve meets again in two weeks, and it looks like the Fed won’t make any changes to interest rates. In fact, the odds are against the Fed making any move at the meetings in March or April. Traders don’t see the Fed cutting rates until the June meeting, after Mr. Powell has left.

  It’s still very early but I’m pleased to see some of our Buy List perform well in 2026. Of the eight trading days so far this year, the Buy List has outperformed the S&P 500 seven times.

  Comfort Systems USA (FIX) is already a 15% winner for us this year. The shares just hit another new all-time high. SAIC (SAIC) is up more than 12% so far.

  

  That’s all for now. This week is the start of earnings season but things won’t really get going until next week. I’ll have more for you in the next issue of CWS Market Review.

  – Eddy

• Morning News: January 13, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 13th, 2026 at 7:04 am

  Why China Is Suddenly Obsessed With American Poverty

  Takaichi’s Early Japan Election Plans Jolt Yen, Bonds and Stocks

  Milei Still Props Up Argentina’s Peso Despite Looser Trading Rules

  Citi Says Europe Could Also Face Central Bank Independence Risk

  Global Central Bankers Show ‘Full Solidarity’ With Fed’s Powell

  A Top Fed Official Conveys Little Urgency for Immediate Rate Cuts

  Fed That Fights Back Is a Threat to Trump’s Takeover Plan

  When All the King’s Men Are Too Eager to Please

  The Economic Toll of Trump’s Policies Will Soon Be Visible

  JPMorgan Investment-Banking Fees Drop on Underwriting Miss

  JPMorgan Profit Beats Estimates on Trading Boom, Takes Hit on Apple Card

  Hedge Funds Turn Chaos Into Cash for Best Gains in 16 Years

  Pimco Sees US Mortgage Bond Purchases Boosting Returns

  Banks Warn Consumers Will Be Hurt by Trump’s 10% Cap on Credit Card Interest Rates

  This Is Who Companies Call When They Want to Become a Bank

  End Debanking by Removing Government From Reputation Regulation

  Europe’s Gas and Power Hedge Funds Are Set to Cash In

  America Doesn’t Need Greenland. It Needs a Reality Check

  The Dubious Art of Explaining What Trump ‘Really Means’

  The Ignominious Death of Drill, Baby, Drill

  Venezuela’s Oil Riches Are Years Off, but Winners and Losers Will Emerge

  Exxon’s Truth-Telling on Venezuela Shows Risk of Crossing Trump

  Here in Midland, Texas, the Last Thing Anyone Wants Is Cheap Venezuelan Oil

  The Battle Over Who Runs the Panama Canal Ports Is About to Be Decided

  Canadians Back Ban on US Booze as Trump Keeps Up Trade Pressure

  Facing Political Pressure, Trump Seeks Answer to Rising Housing Costs

  Ackman Pitches Prepayment Penalties as Way to Cut Mortgage Rates

  Tax Increases Will Not Solve the Affordability Challenge

  Delta Seals Boeing Order as Earnings Support Travel Boom

  America’s Biggest Power Grid Operator Has an AI Problem—Too Many Data Centers

  The ‘Tech Left’ Is Different This Time

  Netflix Wanted to Reinvent Live TV. It Hasn’t Been Easy.

  Taking a Cue From Labubus, Retailers Are Embracing Mystery Shopping

  ’Shrooms Lead the Pack in Psychedelic Medicine, but Rollout Is Bumpy

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• Morning News: January 12, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 12th, 2026 at 7:09 am

  For Years, Powell Avoided Fighting Trump. That’s Over.

  Fed Served With DOJ Subpoenas; Powell Vows to Stand Firm

  Trump Faces Fed Roadblock as Key Republican Blasts Justice Probe

  Bill Pulte Seen as Key Instigator Behind Powell Subpoena

  Trump’s Investigation of Powell Is Also a Warning to the Next Fed Chair

  ‘Sell America’ Trade Is Revived by Trump’s Latest Fed Attack

  Copper Pushes Toward Record on Supply Concerns and Weaker Dollar

  Gold and Silver Storm to Records as Fed Hit With Subpoenas

  What’s at Stake for the Oil Market If Iran Crisis Escalates

  Trump Says He’s Inclined to Exclude Exxon From Venezuela

  The Speed-Obsessed Texas Wildcatter in Pole Position for Venezuela’s Energy Riches

  China Has Been Gorging on Black-Market Oil. That’s Now Getting Harder.

  Greenland Faces Crunch Week as Europe Seeks to Defuse Trump

  I’ve Studied How Democracies Fail. Here’s My Unified Theory of Trump

  Two Ways the Donroe Doctrine Will Get Tangled in a Shifting Global Economy

  US and China Flip the Global Script as Capital Flows Reverse

  As the US Lures Investment Home, China is Splashing Cash Globally

  Financials Fall As Trump’s Credit Card Rate Cap Plan Rattles Investors

  How Trump’s Proposed Cap on Credit Card Rates Could Reshape Consumer Lending

  Trump’s Credit-Card Cap Would Feed the Weakest to the Sharks

  How a Puzzling 401(k) Plan Changed One Woman’s Life

  Americans Are Right to Be Worried About the Labor Market

  Trump’s New Housing Strategy Is All About Boosting Buyers Now

  President Trump Is Targeting Mortgage Rates Where They’re Set

  What a New Betting Market for Housing Prices Means for Home Buyers and Sellers

  The Next Dust Bowl Is Becoming More Likely

  Thiel Gives $3 Million to Group Seeking to Block California Wealth Tax

  What I Learned Playing Liar’s Poker Against AI

  DeepSeek Founder Liang’s Funds Surge 57% as China Quants Boom

  China’s Top Paid App Is a Tool to Help Grandma Check In

  The Lawyer Suing Media Outlets for Trump Has a ‘Trumpinator’ Doll Behind His Desk

  Young Men Are Lost. A New Book Can Guide the Way

  Why This Billionaire Holds a Family Meeting About Money Once a Quarter

  Malaysia and Indonesia Block Access to Grok Because of Sexually Explicit Content

  Allegiant to Buy Sun Country Airlines in $1.5 Billion Deal

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• Morning News: January 9, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 9th, 2026 at 7:04 am

  Iran Shuts Down Internet in Crackdown on Escalating Protests

  India Needs Logistics Overhaul to Seize on Trade Shifts, Port Operator Says

  Trump’s Rivalry With China Plays Out in a Sleepy Greek Port

  A Shadow Fleet Smuggles Illicit Oil Across the High Seas. This Is How It Works.

  The Venezuela Raid Is a Lesson in Intellectual Regression

  Trump’s Team Orders Big Oil Into Venezuela: ‘Do It for Our Country’

  Trump’s $50 Oil Price Goal Is Doable, but Painful

  Wary of Investing in Venezuela, Big Oil Heads to the White House

  Forget the Naysayers, Venezuela Offers Quick Oil Wins

  DOGE’s Damage Lingers in Crucial Data Agencies It Gutted

  Inside the White House, Stephen Miller Is Making His Vision of America Real

  Auditing the IRS: The Future of Government’s Most Critical Agency

  Fed Keeps Close Eye on Labor Market as It Assesses Further Cuts

  Trump Orders Fannie and Freddie to Buy $200 Billion in Mortgage Bonds

  Congress Must Close GENIUS Act’s Stablecoin Loophole

  Gold Price Surge Boosts Swiss National Bank’s Profit

  He Runs the World’s Biggest Sovereign Wealth Fund, but His Podcast Made Him Famous

  An Antidote To Isolation In the Executive Suite

  Rio Tinto and Glencore in Talks to Form World’s Biggest Miner

  Cocoa Prices Swing as Exporter Hedges Offset Index Buying

  Organ Meat Is All the Rage Thanks to MAHA and the Natural Food Fad

  Pharma Deals on the Rise as Industry Shakes Off Trump Anxiety

  China’s EV Dominance at Home Is Squeezing Out Foreign Carmakers

  GM’s EV Charges Balloon to $7.6 Billion as US Demand Craters

  Nvidia’s Go-To Chipmaker TSMC Sees Revenue Top Estimates

  Gargantuan ‘Big Tech’ Investment Discredits ‘Monopoly’ Alarmism

  Meta Signs Multi-Gigawatt Nuclear Deals for AI Data Centers

  Meta’s Manus Deal Is a Win for the US

  The Tech That Will Invade Our Lives in 2026

  The Startup Making Human Embryos With AI-Assisted Robots

  The Man Who Could Be Apple’s Next C.E.O.

  Grok’s Image Generator Turns X Into a Deepfake Nudity Factory

  Jaylen Brown Calls for Player Equity as NBA Team Values Soar

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• Morning News: January 8, 2026
  Eddy Elfenbein, January 8th, 2026 at 7:02 am

  Greenlanders Are Stuck Between Trump and an Uncomfortable Present

  Trump Team Works Up Sweeping Plan to Control Venezuelan Oil for Years to Come

  Consumers Love Cheap Gas, but the Oil Patch Will Pay the Price

  Trump Opens New Front Against China With Brazen Arrest of Maduro

  If Xi Jinping Is All-Powerful, Then Why Do We Fear China?

  China to Approve Nvidia H200 Buying as Soon as This Quarter

  US Success in Venezuela Won’t Be Judged By Oil

  Lucrative Bets on Venezuela Trigger Insider Trading Scrutiny

  It’s Not Just Oil: How Else Wall Street Might Benefit From Trump’s Venezuela Actions

  Trump Orders Crackdown on Defense Industry Stock Buybacks

  Emerging Stocks, Currencies Drop as Geopolitical Risks Mount

  More Than 1,000 Companies Are Suing Trump Over His Tariffs

  The Return of the IPO Could Spell Trouble for Private Equity

  Push to Audit Private Equity and Venture Capital Falters Under Trump

  US Layoff Plans Dropped at Year End With More Hiring to Come

  Cash-for-Visa Allegations Complicate Canada’s Race for Global Talent

  Minimum Wage Rises in Some States as Workers Struggle With Basic Costs

  Billionaires Are Ramping Up Their California Exits on Threat of Wealth Tax

  Trump Moves to Ban Big Investors From Buying Single-Family Homes

  This Is Not the Way to Make Housing More Affordable

  A Letter Won’t Always Be Postmarked the Same Day You Drop It in the Mail

  U.S. Shipyard Key to Trump’s American Revival Is Already Too Busy

  BMW to Roll Out Three New EV Models in Push for More India Sales

  JPMorgan, Apple and Goldman Score a Rare Win-Win-Win

  China Is Investigating Meta’s Latest A.I. Acquisition

  TikTok Saga Moves Quietly Toward Understated Ending

  The Disastrous CBS Evening News Debut Was at Least an Apt Metaphor for America Right Now

  Tune Out the Panicked Voices of the Movie-Industry Luddites

  L Catterton Strikes Deal for Cottage Cheese Maker Good Culture

  As Food Costs Rise, Chefs Turn to Trash for $160 Tasting Menus

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