
Between Blockchain Currents and Wall Street’s Stillness: A Market Opens Again
Intercontinental Exchange, parent of the NYSE, plans a blockchain platform for 24/7 trading and instant settlement of tokenized securities, pending regulatory approval.

Intercontinental Exchange, parent of the NYSE, plans a blockchain platform for 24/7 trading and instant settlement of tokenized securities, pending regulatory approval.

The Supreme Court is weighing a case on whether a president can remove a Federal Reserve governor, with Chair Jerome Powell attending the arguments in a rare signal of institutional concern.

China’s economy has entered a quieter phase, marked by weak consumer confidence, property stress, and slower growth, as policymakers cautiously navigate a transition beyond rapid expansion.

China’s AU $210 billion stimulus aimed at growth has supported some ASX miner gains, but China’s uneven economic recovery and debt concerns leave demand for commodities uncertain.

The Rec in Waroona apologised after a family fun day fell short of advertised activities and left families disappointed, citing operational issues and pledging improvements.

Independent restaurants say major chains are listing disguised brands on delivery apps, making them appear local and crowding genuine local eateries, while platforms say virtual brands benefit all partners.

Canada’s headline inflation rose modestly in December, but core price measures continued easing. Economists say this surprise uptick is unlikely to shift the Bank of Canada from holding interest rates.

WestJet will launch non-stop flights between Calgary and São Paulo in November 2026, marking the airline’s 100th non-stop destination from Calgary and the first direct link between Western Canada and South America. ([turn0search1])

Fed Chair Powell will attend Supreme Court arguments in a case over Trump’s bid to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook — a pivotal moment for central bank independence.

China met its 2025 GDP growth target of 5% through strong export performance despite domestic demand weakness, highlighting structural shifts in its economic landscape.

A warming fire at a homeless camp spread to the exterior of a Portland Red Robin restaurant, but firefighters quickly contained the blaze and prevented major damage.

The energy minister announced that MOL and Gazprom have finalized an agreement regarding the ownership of NIS, allowing Serbia to increase its stake by 5%. This development signals a strengthening of Serbia's position in the energy sector.

A property offer from a Sarajevo-based firm in Dubai, which claims "no paperwork required," has raised significant red flags for potential investors. Experts warn it may indicate illegal or unethical practices in real estate transactions.

Global markets softened as tariff tension over Greenland unsettled equities, sending investors toward safe-haven assets like gold and silver amid cautious market sentiment.

Trump’s opposition to offshore wind energy projects has faced significant losses, with key state and federal policies continuing to advance renewable energy, diminishing his influence on the issue.

FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam says global trade patterns are shifting toward an era of re-globalization, where supply chains, policies and regional dynamics are reshaping how goods and ideas move across the world.

Kevin Hassett, a top economic adviser, said President Trump may be right to keep him in his current White House role rather than nominate him as Federal Reserve chair, reshaping the selection for Jerome Powell’s successor.

IMF warns that rising tariffs and geopolitical tensions are key risks to financial markets and could soften global growth, even as forecasts remain resilient around 3.3% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027.

Euro zone finance ministers meet to nominate a successor to ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos, choosing among six candidates before wider EU consultations and a March summit.

Spotify will raise U.S. Premium subscription prices from $11.99 to $12.99 next month, marking another adjustment to support platform growth and investment.

Emergency services responded early Monday to an incident at Rockstar North’s Edinburgh offices after reports of a possible boiler explosion; firefighters secured structural damage, and no injuries were reported.

IBM launches Enterprise Advantage, a service blending expert consulting and AI tools to help companies build and scale custom agentic AI platforms across cloud systems.

Costco is introducing a notable update to its bakery, with fresher preparation and new or improved baked goods—an understated change that has longtime shoppers eagerly watching the ovens.

Micron says surging AI demand has created an unprecedented shortage of advanced memory chips, tightening supply as data centers and AI systems consume capacity faster than expected.