Business
US stocks drift to a mixed finish after discouraging report on US shoppers Coca-Cola demand rises in fourth quarter but shares slide on tepid outlook Paramount sweetens offer for Warner Bros. shareholders in hostile takeover Target CEO reshapes leadership team in first big move since taking over Google, Meta, push back on addiction claims in landmark social media trial
Saks Global to close 8 Saks Fifth Avenue stores and 1 Neiman Marcus store
Honda reports declining profit as Trump's tariffs hurt results
Moderna says FDA refuses its application for new mRNA flu vaccine
Oil exports have been a cash cow for Russia. But revenues are dwindling
Opposition grows in Congo over US mineral deal
Opposition to a deal that would allow U.S. companies access to critical minerals in Congo is growing after Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi returned from the U.S. minerals summit last week – with praises from U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. lawmakers.
In China, consumerism trumps nationalism despite tensions with U.S.

HONG KONG (AP) – In China, consumerism appears to outweigh nationalism regardless of how testy relations have become in recent diplomatic spats with countries like Japan and the United States. It has been common practice for the ruling Communist Party to whip up nationalist sentiment and deploy propaganda condemning countries deemed to be violating China’s stances.

Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children begins

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The world’s biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening statements for the first, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, begin this week.

Kroger names former Walmart executive as its new CEO

Kroger named former Walmart executive Greg Foran as its chief executive officer on Monday, 11 months after the abrupt resignation of its previous CEO. Foran has a reputation as a tech-savvy and detail-oriented leader. He led Walmart’s U.S. division from 2014 to 2019, where he focused on cleaning up stores, ensuring items were in stock and improving the fresh produce selection.

Editorials from New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Sportswear pioneer Eddie Bauer files for bankruptcy

NEW YORK (AP) – The operator of roughly 180 Eddie Bauer stores across the U.S. and Canada has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, blaming declining sales and a litany of other industry headwinds.

Air Canada suspends flights to Cuba because of aviation fuel shortage

TORONTO (AP) – Air Canada said Monday it is suspending service to Cuba because of a shortage of aviation fuel on the island.

Hong Kong ex-media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years

HONG KONG (AP) - Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy former Hong Kong media tycoon and a fierce critic of Beijing, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in one of the most prominent cases under a China-imposed national security law that has virtually silenced the city's dissent. Lai was convicted in December of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces.

Nikkei jumps 5% after PM Takaichi's ruling party wins a super majority

BANGKOK (AP) – Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 share index jumped as much as 5% to a record on Monday after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s governing party secured a two-thirds supermajority in a parliamentary election.

Trial against Meta in New Mexico focuses on child sexual exploitation

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – A trial focused on the dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media and whether Meta misrepresented the safety of its platforms is set to start in New Mexico with opening statements Monday.

Apps to boycott US goods gained traction in crisis over Greenland
Washington Post publisher Will Lewis says he's stepping down, days after layoffs
Super Bowl ads try to overcome tough times with the usual laughs