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Economists expect inflation measures to have picked up as data collection distortions tied to the prior government shutdown unwind, keeping markets focused on whether the Federal Reserve holds rates steady.
U.S. markets are grappling with heightened volatility following renewed tariff threats tied to U.S. foreign-policy disputes, underscoring how trade policy shocks can quickly spill into equities, commodities and planning assumptions for companies. Investors are watching for clearer policy signals as businesses weigh costs, supply chains and pricing power.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department announced completion of the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization, describing the move as a response to COVID-19-era grievances and concerns about governance. The decision reshapes funding, contracting, and coordination for global health programs with implications for public-private partnerships.
A New York Fed consumer expectations survey found households became more pessimistic about the labor market in December, with job-finding expectations falling to a series low. At the same time, short-term inflation expectations rose, adding to concerns about near-term economic conditions.
AP’s look at the US economy in 2025 highlights a paradox: strong growth alongside weak hiring and rising unemployment, with tariffs, uncertainty, and AI adoption shaping decisions as 2026 begins.
State and local health departments reported confusion and operational disruption after an unexpected pause of a multibillion-dollar CDC-administered public health infrastructure grant was announced and then reversed within hours. Officials say the episode deepened uncertainty for public health systems already under strain.
Thomson Reuters says it has convened a new industry group focused on building shared guardrails for increasingly autonomous ‘agentic’ AI, bringing together major AI and cloud players to define what trustworthy systems should look like in high-stakes work.
Nvidia stock rose after reporting that China would permit orders for the H200 AI chip, a sign of shifting policy amid U.S. tariffs and Commerce Department restrictions shaping cross-border AI hardware trade.