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A 2025 Gallup poll found 54% of U.S. adults identify as drinkers, down from 62% in 2023, and younger generations are increasingly described as 'sober curious'.

Iran cut internet access during nationwide protests that rights groups said have led to at least 62 deaths, and the article notes a new warning from former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Defense contractors are consulting lawyers after President Trump signed an executive order tying buybacks, dividends and executive pay to weapons delivery schedules. The order prompted market moves and raised questions about enforceability.

An anonymous large wager on President Nicolás Maduro's ouster reportedly paid out after a recent U.S. military operation, and the episode has renewed debate over whether prediction markets need clearer rules and stronger enforcement.

Police said a man in his 50s was found dead inside a caravan after a tree fell during Storm Goretti; the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Reza Pahlavi called for a two-day nationwide strike in a video posted on X as Iran faces more than ten days of anti-government protests and a government-imposed internet blackout.

LG Electronics says it expects a fourth-quarter operating loss of 109.40 billion won, its first quarterly loss since late 2016. The company also expects quarter revenue to rise and will publish full results later this month.

Heritage of London Trust announced plans to restore David Bowie's childhood home in Bromley to its early 1960s appearance and open it to visitors in late 2027; a £500,000 grant from the Jones Day Foundation has been secured and a public fundraising campaign will launch.

Lego unveiled Smart Bricks at CES that light up, make sounds and react to motion; the company previously discontinued its Mindstorms robotics line in 2022 and has not announced programmable versions.

Nestlé has recalled infant formula after tests detected the toxin cereulide in an ingredient, and the company says no babies have been reported ill and affected factories have been cleaned and restarted.

Amber Glenn won her third consecutive U.S. figure skating championship in St. Louis and invited Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito into the kiss-and-cry to celebrate together.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan told RTHK that higher stamp duty receipts from a buoyant Hong Kong stock market could bring the government's operating account back to surplus in 2026/27, and he is preparing the 2026/27 budget address, which Sing Tao reported will be on Feb. 25.

The Washington National Opera announced it will end its affiliation with the Kennedy Center, reduce part of its spring season, and relocate performances; the Kennedy Center said the split reflects a financially challenging relationship after the venue was renamed to include President Trump’s name.

State auditors found Maryland overpaid $807.4 million in unemployment benefits tied to the COVID-19 period and concluded up to $760.7 million was not timely pursued for recovery as of May 2025.

Stellantis said it will phase out plug-in hybrid versions of the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Pacifica in North America beginning with the 2026 model year, citing weaker demand, quality issues and changes to fuel-economy requirements.

The article reviews QQQ, SCHG, and SCHD and reports their 2025 results and costs: QQQ returned 20.8% in 2025 with a 0.20% expense ratio; SCHG returned 17.5% with a 0.04% expense ratio; SCHD returned 4.3% with a 0.06% expense ratio and a 3.8% dividend yield.

Johnson & Johnson announced a voluntary agreement with the U.S. government to expand access to medicines and secure a tariff exemption for its pharmaceutical products; the company also outlined new U.S. manufacturing facilities as part of a broader investment to support domestic production.

Apple's board waived its guideline barring re-election after age 75 so Chair Art Levinson, 75, and audit committee chair Ron Sugar, 77, may stand for re-election, the company said in a filing; the board cited their expertise and experience and noted both are long-serving directors.

The Minnesota Timberwolves observed a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Good before a home game; officials say she was shot during an encounter with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, and local leaders dispute that account.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has asked Instacart for documents and details about its price-testing experiments after reports that identical items sometimes showed different prices; Instacart said it will end price tests, denied using dynamic or personalized pricing, and expects to respond to the inquiry.

Authorities say Arlene Lillis, 56, of Minnesota died after a reported shark attack at Dorsch Beach on St. Croix; responders rendered aid and the investigation is ongoing.

Connor Bedard returned after 12 games, but the Blackhawks, missing several players and both goalies due to a stomach bug, lost 5-1 to the Capitals.

The WNBA Players Association said the league used delaying tactics as the 2020 collective bargaining agreement expired, and the union says it has not received a counteroffer to a proposal sent more than two weeks earlier.

ExxonMobil said it is exploring a return to Venezuela nearly 20 years after its assets were seized and that security guarantees and a technical assessment would be needed; the report also says Chevron plans an immediate production increase.

An arrest warrant was issued in New Mexico alleging Timothy Busfield engaged in sexual contact with a minor; he faces two counts of sexual contact with a minor and child abuse. The investigation began in November 2024 after hospital staff and a doctor raised concerns, and it is unclear whether he has been booked.

President Trump met U.S. oil executives on Jan. 9 and urged them to invest at least $100 billion to rebuild Venezuela's oil infrastructure; some company leaders warned they need legal, financial and security guarantees before returning.

A Minnesota Star Tribune report named the ICE agent involved in a Minneapolis shooting as Jonathan Ross; federal agencies have not publicly confirmed the identity.

A New Year's Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans‑Montana killed 40 young people, and prosecutors have remanded co‑owner Jacques Moretti in custody while investigating possible negligence.

MOSH announced Jan. 8 that CEO Alistair Dove resigned, and the museum remains tens of millions short of funding for its planned Northbank facility.

A study published in Earth's Future outlines several worst‑case climate scenarios that could affect the U.K., and researchers say decision‑makers lack the tools to test those outcomes.