English-language Prague and Czech political, civic and cultural news.
Chronological file / page 02
Microsoft and Meta are set to open a pivotal week of Big Tech earnings as investors demand proof that huge AI investments will translate into durable growth. Analysts expect the largest cloud and internet platforms to increase AI outlays sharply, intensifying scrutiny of margins, capacity buildouts, and whether the spending spree is sustainable.
↗Tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated after President Donald Trump said a large US naval force was heading toward Iran and urged Tehran to negotiate a nuclear deal. Iran’s UN mission responded that it is open to dialogue on mutual respect but would defend itself if pushed, raising fears that the standoff could slide into open conflict.
↗Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with a strong-smelling liquid during a Minneapolis town hall, where she had been criticizing immigration enforcement and calling for the DHS secretary’s resignation. A suspect was tackled and arrested, and police said forensics were called to the scene as Omar continued the event after the incident.
↗The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a new set of 15 high-cost drugs selected for Medicare price negotiations, including Botox and the diabetes drug Trulicity. Negotiations will take place in 2026, and negotiated prices will take effect January 1, 2028. CMS said the selections include, for the first time, drugs payable under Medicare Part B as well as Part D, and also identified Tradjenta for renegotiation.
↗The UN Security Council convened a high-level open debate on January 28 focused on the Middle East and the Palestinian question. Briefers and diplomats emphasized that the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan is critical, while warning that humanitarian needs remain immense and access must be improved. Speakers also highlighted the urgency of accountability, recovery, and a political horizon that can deliver stability for both Palestinians and Israelis.
↗Nike is investigating claims that an extortion group stole roughly 1.4 terabytes of internal data and published samples online. The alleged cache appears to involve product design and manufacturing workflows rather than consumer databases, raising concerns about intellectual property exposure, counterfeit risk, and supply chain disruption. The incident reflects a broader shift in cybercrime toward steal-and-leak extortion tactics.
↗The FBI executed a search warrant at the Fulton County, Georgia election office on January 28, with county officials saying the warrant seeks records related to the 2020 election. Federal authorities confirmed only that a warrant was being carried out and said the investigation is ongoing. The search renews attention on a jurisdiction that was central to false fraud claims after Donald Trump lost Georgia in 2020.
↗Local officials say ICE agents are expected to conduct immigration enforcement operations during Super Bowl LX on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. While federal agencies say they do not discuss future operations, community leaders warn the planned presence could heighten fear and tension, especially amid broader criticism of immigration enforcement tactics. DHS has long had a security role at major sporting events, but immigration operations would be unusual.
↗U.S. stocks edged higher on January 28 as the S&P 500 briefly crossed 7,000 for the first time, powered by continued enthusiasm around artificial intelligence, expectations for major tech earnings, and bets that monetary policy will keep easing over time. The milestone highlights how quickly the index has advanced in the past few years, with technology-heavy leadership and broad investor confidence doing much of the lifting.
↗SpaceX is considering a mid-June 2026 initial public offering that could seek to raise as much as $50 billion at an estimated valuation of about $1.5 trillion, according to a report cited by Reuters. The timing and scale, if confirmed, would put the listing among the largest in history. The report follows a recent secondary share sale that valued the company far lower, underscoring how fast expectations around space-sector growth have changed.
↗U.S. stocks climbed with the S&P 500 crossing 7,000 amid optimism around artificial intelligence and expectations for major tech earnings, while markets awaited the Federal Reserve’s latest policy statement.
↗David Pastrnak ended the game quickly in overtime, lifting Boston past Nashville after the Predators erased a 2–0 deficit to force extra time.
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