U.S. Faces Record Winter Temperatures and Snowfall
The U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented winter marked by extreme temperatures and record snowfall, leading to increased energy consumption across the country. AccuWeather forecasts indicate a significant warmup is approaching, with temperatures in the mid-Atlantic expected to reach record levels, providing relief after weeks of cold. However, this shift may also bring potential hazards, including enhanced fire danger as warmer air spreads from the Plains to the north and east.
Senate Democrats Criticize Ousting of Antitrust Chief
Senator Amy Klobuchar, leading a group of six Senate Democrats, criticized the recent ousting of Gail Slater, the Justice Department's antitrust chief, which they argue signals a shift towards a more lenient approach to corporate regulation under the Trump administration. The senators have requested records related to Slater's firing and communications between the DOJ and Live Nation, whose pending antitrust case is seen as potentially favoring corporate interests over consumer protection. This development raises concerns about the DOJ's commitment to enforcing antitrust laws objectively.
US economy shows resilience with retail traffic rebound
The U.S. economy displayed resilience in the fourth quarter of 2026, with retail traffic rebounding by early February after a decline due to severe winter weather. Despite flat December retail sales, Bank of America reported a 2.6% year-over-year increase in January card spending per household, the strongest growth in nearly two years, although concerns remain about a widening gap in consumer spending between higher-income and lower-income households.
Spain's Top Banks Report Record Profits in 2025
Spain's four largest banks—CaixaBank, Banco Santander, BBVA, and Banco Sabadell—reported record profits totaling 32.278 billion euros for 2025, driven by strong net interest margins and increased fee income. The total volume of mortgages granted reached 82.752 billion euros, a nearly 22% increase from the previous year, with December alone seeing €8.392 billion lent, levels not seen since 2010. Despite the current competitive mortgage market, banks are predicting rising costs for loans as they begin to retreat from aggressive lending strategies.
