English-language Prague and Czech political, civic and cultural news.
Chronological file / page 04
Microsoft and Meta start a high-stakes earnings week as markets demand proof that massive AI investments can keep growth strong, with analysts projecting the largest players will lift AI spending by about 30% this year to more than $500 billion.
↗Researchers found that 46% of CDC surveillance databases that had been updated at least monthly stopped or delayed updates in 2025—many involving vaccination and respiratory illness—raising concerns that health officials could miss early outbreak signals.
↗With AI capital spending projected to top $500 billion this year, tech giants are being forced to explain—quarter by quarter—how infrastructure buildouts translate into products, pricing power, and sustainable growth.
↗The Australian Open twice activated its Extreme Heat Protocol during the 2026 tournament, using a Heat Stress Scale to decide when to suspend outside play and close stadium roofs—steps aimed at preventing heat-related illness and ensuring consistent conditions.
↗Eleanor Holmes Norton, 88, announced she will not seek another term, ending a 33-year run as Washington, D.C.’s non-voting delegate and a central figure in the city’s statehood and representation campaign.
↗U.S. political pressure escalated after the killing of Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti during an immigration enforcement operation triggered renewed scrutiny of the administration’s crackdown and its oversight. Lawmakers and state leaders demanded accountability while federal officials began shifting personnel and reducing the presence of agents in Minnesota.
↗Micron said it has broken ground on an advanced wafer fabrication facility in Singapore, part of a roughly $24 billion investment over a decade. The project is aimed at expanding NAND manufacturing capacity and strengthening supply resilience as AI workloads increase demand for memory and storage across data centers and devices.
↗Health insurance shares dropped after the federal government proposed a small net payment increase for Medicare Advantage in 2027, far below what analysts had expected. The move highlights mounting pressure to rein in costs and improve payment accuracy, with insurers warning it could translate into tighter benefits or higher premiums for seniors.
↗Boeing reported a sharp fourth-quarter rebound on January 27, 2026, driven by a surge in commercial jet deliveries and a major gain from selling digital aviation assets. The results mark a milestone in the manufacturer’s broader recovery effort as it works to stabilize production, restore confidence with regulators and customers, and generate consistent cash flow.
↗Donovan Mitchell scored 45 points as Cleveland beat Orlando 114-98, extending the Cavaliers’ winning streak to four games. Cleveland overcame an early sloppy stretch and took control with a dominant second quarter, while Orlando leaned on a big night from Paolo Banchero that ultimately wasn’t enough.
↗UPS said it will cut about 30,000 jobs in 2026 and close 24 buildings in the first half of the year, aiming to reduce costs and focus on higher-margin business. The moves come as the carrier continues to rebalance after stepping back from Amazon volumes and as investors watch whether restructuring can stabilize growth and protect dividends.
↗Israel said it has recovered and identified the remains of the final hostage from the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, a moment that carried huge emotional weight for a country that has tracked captives for years. The development comes amid a fragile ceasefire and continued debate over Gaza’s future security and reconstruction.
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