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China Looks to Lunar New Year Festivities to Jumpstart Consumer Economy
Beijing, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
As the Lunar New Year commences on February 17, 2026, Beijing is leveraging the “Year of the Fire Horse” to revitalize domestic consumption amidst mixed economic signals. While authorities have deployed over 360 million yuan in consumer vouchers and project a record 9.5 billion passenger trips, early 2026 data suggests lingering caution. Notably, retail sales for New Energy Vehicles fell 20% in January—the first year-over-year decline since 2024—while Tesla saw a dramatic 45% sales crash as local competitors like Xiaomi gain ground. Markets are now watching to see if the holiday’s traditional surge in mobility can overcome these structural headwinds and catalyze the sustained recovery policymakers envision for the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan.
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Nasdaq Extends Slide as Investors Question AI Profitability and Returns
New York, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
As US markets reopen post-holiday, the Nasdaq Composite is extending its longest weekly decline since 2022. Wall Street is undergoing a pivotal ‘reality check’ regarding the artificial intelligence sector, driven by startling data that only 14% of CFOs saw measurable returns on AI investments last year. This skepticism over valuation and monetization is triggering a rotation into defensive assets, as doubts linger despite massive capital spending projections from tech giants.
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Civil Rights Titan and Two-Time Presidential Candidate Jesse Jackson Dies at 84
Chicago, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
The civil rights icon who transformed American politics died Tuesday at 84. A protégé of King, his groundbreaking presidential campaigns crucially paved the way for Barack Obama’s historic victory.
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Oil Markets Remain Steady as Iran Temporarily Closes Strait of Hormuz During Nuclear Talks
Tehran, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
On Tuesday, February 17, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated live-fire naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the temporary closure of this vital global oil artery. This strategic military posturing occurs precisely as indirect nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran resume in Geneva, highlighting a tense interplay between diplomacy and military brinkmanship. Despite the disruption to a waterway responsible for one-third of seaborne crude exports, global oil markets have exhibited surprising stability, with prices fluctuating only slightly. This measured market response suggests investors currently interpret the drills as a calculated negotiation tactic rather than an immediate precursor to conflict. However, with the IRGC testing weapons described as distinct from their wartime arsenal, the geopolitical risk premium remains a critical factor for energy investors to monitor closely.
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MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark to Resign Amid Federal Inquiry and Looming Labor Deadline
New York, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Facing a federal investigation into financial conduct, Clark is stepping down, leaving the players’ union leaderless just months before critical collective bargaining negotiations begin.
