Gold prices remained steady near $4,400 as traders assessed the conflicting influences of cooling US economic data and inflation pressures driven by energy costs on the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decisions.

A new report showing a jump in UK productivity has led to questions about whether previous data undermined Chancellor Reeves, emphasizing the urgent need for a national statistician.

Oil prices have rallied, while new data from the United States has reportedly reduced the likelihood of the Federal Reserve implementing a rate hike.

An article explores the possibilities and implications that arise when live data is continuously flowing, suggesting that 'continuous close' is not the ultimate goal.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly considering taking direct control of a contentious database that monitors trades across US equities and options markets, following a successful lawsuit challenging its funding last year.

The rapid expansion of data centers in the United States has emerged as an unexpected political front, uniting both right and left factions and influencing policy discussions around artificial intelligence.

A moratorium on data center development in Texas is jeopardizing approximately 20% of the U.S. pipeline for new data centers, potentially causing significant delays in the sector.

SBS News clarifies the privacy measures for the 2026 Census data, stating that collected information, including names and addresses, must be destroyed after processing.

A wildfire in Aigialeia has burned more than 7,000 acres of land, according to Copernicus data. The affected area has been significantly impacted by the blaze.

Greek police report that the killer of a Scottish woman used her phone to create the impression she was still alive. Interpol and US databases identified the victim, and detectives are examining flight records and phone data.

US data shows measles cases up to mid-July 2026 have surpassed all cases in 2025, with experts attributing the rise to declining vaccination rates and public 'amnesia' about the life-threatening nature of the disease.

The UNFPA has highlighted that over 30% of maternal deaths in Africa occur among adolescents and urged African nations to increase domestic health financing to end preventable maternal deaths. They also advocated for Africa to manufacture its own contraceptives to achieve health sovereignty.

Tickets for a popular house and techno music festival are selling out almost immediately after the dates are announced, attracting fans of the genres who travel to attend the event.

Republican governors have slammed CNBC's quality of life rankings as biased, pointing to Census data that shows significant domestic migration into their states.

The Polish Złoty is showing signs of recovery against the dollar, rebounding after weaker-than-expected data from the United States. The dollar is currently valued at 3.78 PLN.

Meta Platforms Inc.'s massive $13-billion-plus data centre north of Edmonton, Alberta, is expected to be online four years before the new natural gas-fired power plant intended to serve it begins operating.

SB1 Markets believes the development of gas-powered data centers in the US could open a new billion-dollar market for Hexagon Composites, leading the brokerage to maintain its 'buy' recommendation.

Experts are warning that serious data breaches are imminent as cybercriminals gain access to advanced AI technology, urging society to act on all levels.

Wedbush analysts suggest that SpaceX's move to rent out its computing power could indicate the development of another large-scale data center, potentially expanding its infrastructure capabilities.

Tech giants are increasingly depleting their cash reserves and raising debt to fund ambitious data center buildouts for AI infrastructure. This trend is forcing investors to closely monitor interest rates and their potential impact on the bond market.

KPMG has admitted to a breach of ethics, revealing that its staff leaked confidential Optus information and surveilled a whistleblower's laptop during a bid for a telco contract.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is in a political dispute with state lawmakers regarding the construction of data centers, which are seen as crucial for the AI boom but face local opposition.

Poland's economy began 2026 with solid growth, surpassing analyst predictions, despite a slight slowdown compared to the end of the previous year, with revised GUS data suggesting cautious optimism.

The history of cybercrime is marked by numerous data breaches that remain unexplained, with countless hackers and groups behind them never being identified, posing an ongoing cybersecurity enigma.

Census data reveals that Japan's population has dropped by a record 2.5% over the past five years, highlighting the country's ongoing demographic challenges.

Canadian billionaire Kevin O'Leary claims there is a China-backed campaign spreading false information against his data center project in Utah.

A historian highlights how Irish Republicans leveraged the 1926 Census data to attack the Cumann na nGaedheal government, with critics like William Butler Yeats pointing to housing shortages and poverty as causes of stagnation.

An analysis argues that the prevailing narrative surrounding rising interest rates does not align with current economic data, citing the 10-year Treasury yield reaching a one-year high.

A new report claims that foreign influence from China, dark money billionaires, and activist networks is fueling opposition to American AI data center projects.

Criminal complaints have been filed against Valentina Arsić Arsenijević, a professor at the Faculty of Medicine, and the director of Jovina Gymnasium. These complaints reportedly involve allegations of using fictitious data to achieve higher prices or financial benefits.

Census data reveals that midsized cities are experiencing steady population levels even as the overall national population growth rate slows down.

Residents in a US residential area reported unusually low water pressure, which was traced back to a data center that had illegally pumped 110 million liters of water. The center has since settled its debt without penalty.

Coupang anticipates a 9% to 10% constant currency revenue growth for Q2, as the impacts from a previous data incident begin to fade.

The 1926 Census data illustrates how the nature of work in Ireland has transformed over a century, contrasting historical professions like drovers and coopers with modern roles such as air travel assistants and environmental services managers.

A hacker known as "Hexdex," suspected of numerous data breaches including those targeting sports federations, has been arrested in Vendée, France.

Updated statistical information on the status of children from 2023 to 2025 has been made available in Iceland. This provides better insight for the government and the public into the welfare of children in the country.

LS Electric's subsidiary, LS Power Solution, has secured a $70.26 million contract with a US energy infrastructure company to supply extra-high-voltage transformers for data centers.

New Census Bureau data indicates that Ocala, Florida, experienced the highest percentage increase among US metros, with most of the 15 fastest-growing cities located in the South, while overall growth slowed in 2025.

The latest hacker attack on Telekom Srbija, which reportedly compromised data of over 600,000 users, has reignited concerns about citizen data security, with critics noting a lack of accountability for previous data thefts.

Digi Power X is reportedly expanding its business operations through a new venture focused on US Data Centers, according to its CEO.

A parliamentary panel in India has raised concerns that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) coverage, which is based on the 2011 Census data, may be excluding eligible households from receiving benefits.

Arctic sea ice is nearing one of its lowest winter peaks on record, according to a review of US data by Agence France-Presse, signaling accelerating global warming and reshaping geopolitical competition in the region.

US Census data reveals the fastest-growing small towns in each state from 2020 to 2024, with Harrisburg, South Dakota, seeing a 49% increase.

About a quarter of Albertans support the province leaving Canada, but the majority — nearly two-thirds — are against it, according to a new poll from Abacus Data.

A report highlights Spain's significant digital risk due to its high dependence on US-controlled data, with figures indicating up to 90% reliance.

Bengaluru introduces a community-driven map to track the city's pink Tabebuia bloom, utilizing census data and user contributions to guide residents.

India's census operations will deploy approximately 3.2 million field functionaries, with officials monitoring data collection in real time and utilizing satellite imagery for precise identification of habitations and settlements.

Consumer confidence has reportedly rebounded in February, recovering from an eight-month low in January, despite significant revisions to previous data.

E-commerce giant Coupang has hired a top-tier US law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, to represent it in a US lawsuit stemming from a massive data breach, bolstering its legal defense against potential liability.

Google executives meet with officials at a Google data center in Midlothian, Texas. Fortune via Reuters Connect Northern Virginia is home to the world's largest data center market. That could soon change, as Big Tech ramps up data center construction across the US. West Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Ohio are emerging as key markets. The old saying "Everything is bigger in Texas" now applies to data centers. The Lone Star State is on track to unseat Virginia as the world's largest data center market by 2030, new research from Jones Lang LaSalle shows. The shift indicates how drastically the data center development boom has reshaped the US's digital infrastructure map and the landscape as a whole. Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta plan to spend more than $600 billion on AI infrastructure expansion in 2026 — a number so dizzyingly high that Wall Street is on high alert for signs of an AI bubble. More than half of all data center construction in the US now happens outside the industry's traditional hubs, according to JLL's North America Data Center Report — Year-End 2025. Tennessee, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas are now considered the top emerging markets for data centers. Texas alone has 6.5 gigawatts of data center capacity under construction. That amount of power is roughly equivalent to more than three Hoover Dams or over 17,000 Tesla Model 3s when using the US Department of Energy's standard, and it accounts for about one-fifth of the 35 gigawatts of data center capacity the US added to its pipeline. That 35 gigawatts is roughly equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of the UK or Italy, and adding it would nearly double the existing data center capacity in the US, according to JLL. Part of Texas's appeal is its sprawl. The state houses some of the most ambitious data center projects in the country. Oracle and OpenAI's flagship Stargate data center is in Abilene, Google is planning a $40 billion expansion in West Texas, and Meta is building a massive new site in El Paso, just to name a few. Texas also has abundant energy resources, which is good news for data center developers. The AI boom has driven electricity demand to new heights and strained the nation's power grid. In Texas, several data centers — including Stargate — are being built alongside on-site power plants. Northern Virginia has been the data center industry's central hub for more than 15 years, going back to the early days of cloud computing. That has changed rapidly as Big Tech spreads out across the country in search of available power, cheap land, and the best tax incentive packages for the coming wave of AI data centers. Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at [email protected] or on Signal at 929-524-6964. Read the original article on Business Insider

Futures, Global Markets Rise With US Markets Closed For President's Day Stocks gained, bitcoin tumbled and bonds steadied after Friday's cool CPI data reinforced expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates on multiple occasions this year. With US markets closed for the Presidents’ Day holiday and mainland China’s markets closed for Lunar New Year holidays, trading was muted on Monday. As of 9:00am ET, futures on the S&P 500 added 0.4% and Europe’s Stoxx 600 index rose 0.4% as banking shares rebounded from a sharp decline last week. German bunds and Treasury futures were steady after US yields touched the lowest since December on Friday. The path of US interest rates remains in focus following Friday’s slower-than-expected US inflation print as traders fully price a Fed cut in July and the strong chance of a move in June.   “The backdrop for equities is positive post CPI,” said Andrea Gabellone, head of global equities at KBC Securities. At the same time, there could be “more dispersion ahead as sentiment around key AI-exposed sectors is still very critical,” he added.  That sentiment was echoed by other strategists seeking to distinguish between AI losers and winners. A JPMorgan Chase & Co. team led by Mislav Matejka urged caution on stocks at risk of AI-driven “cannibalization,” including software, business services and media companies. Meanwhile, banks are developing baskets to capitalize on the divergence: as we first reported last Thursday, Goldman launched a new basket of software stocks that goes long firms that will benefit from AI adoption, while shorting the companies whose workflows could be replaced. With AI disruption rippling through markets, a lot will come down to earnings resilience, in particular in the US.  “When you look at the current earnings season, the companies are showing 13% of growth,” Nataliia Lipikhina, head of EMEA equity strategy at JPMorgan, told Bloomberg TV. “Overall, this is the reason why we continue to be positive on the S&P.” Later this week, traders will be watching for ADP private payrolls numbers on Tuesday and the minutes from the Fed’s January meeting on Wednesday for a fresh read on the economy. European stocks gained with bank shares rebounding, after posting their biggest weekly decline since April on worries about disruption from artificial intelligence. The basic resources sector lags, with Norsk Hydro among Europe’s worst performers as both Goldman Sachs and RBC downgrade the stock. Stoxx 600 rises 0.4% to 620.26 with 253 members down, 336 up, and 11 unchanged. Here are some of the biggest movers on Monday:  NatWest shares rise as much as 4%, the most since October, as Citi analyst Andrew Coombs raises his price target on the UK bank to a Street-high. Seraphim Space shares rise as much as 9.2%, briefly hitting a new all-time high, after the space tech investment firm said the valuations of its four largest holdings increased over the final months of 2025. AECI shares rally as much as 6.1%, the most since July, after the South African commercial-explosives maker shared improved 2025 headline earnings per share guidance. Orsted shares rise as much as 3.8% after analysts at Kepler raise the recommendation to buy from hold over the Danish renewable energy firm’s outlook, despite ongoing uncertainty for the industry in the US. Norsk Hydro shares fall as much as 4.4%, extending Friday’s 5.9% earnings-triggered drop, after being downgraded at Goldman Sachs and RBC over disappointments and pricing pressures in the Norwegian aluminum company’s downstream business. Galderma shares slip as much as 2.2% after naming Luigi La Corte as its new chief financial officer following the news back in July that Thomas Dittrich was departing. Pinewood Technologies shares tumble as much as 32%, the most since April 2024, after Apax Partners said on Friday it will not proceed with a possible cash offer for the car dealership software provider. FlatexDEGIRO shares drop as much as 7.2% after BNP Paribas downgraded the online brokerage firm to neutral from outperform, saying the price reflects too much optimism about its market position in Germany. Maurel & Prom shares slump as much as 12%, pulling back after ending last week at a 2015-high, after announcing it is not currently authorized to resume oil and gas operations in Venezuela. Barratt Redrow shares fall as much as 3.7%, leading a drop in British homebuilders after Rightmove said house prices are stalling. Asian stocks slipped for a second day, led by declines in Japan as traders booked profits after last week’s post-election rally. Several markets were closed or held shortened trading sessions for the Lunar New Year holiday. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was down 0.1%. Japan’s Topix Index fell 0.8%, with Mizuho Financial Group Inc. and Toyota Motor Corp. among the companies contributing to the index’s losses.In Hong Kong, AI model developer Minimax Group Inc. surged as much as 30% to more than four times its original listing price, while competitor Knowledge Atlas JSC Ltd. ended 4.7% higher. The market will be closed until Thursday. As investors across the region begin to reevaluate their bets on its artificial-intelligence-driven rally, traders in Japan cashed in gains driven by expectations of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s proactive spending policies last week.Trading in Singapore ended early Monday and will be shut until Wednesday. Equity markets in mainland China, South Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam were closed.  In FX, the yen is the notable mover in currencies, weakening 0.5% against the dollar and pushing USD/JPY back above 153. The offshore yuan is one of the better performers against the greenback. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rises 0.1%. There is no cash trading in Treasuries due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. European government bonds are little changed In commdities, gold dipped below $5,000 an ounce, as traders booked profits from a gain in the previous session. Bitcoin tried anf ailed to stage a modest rebound; it last traded around $68,275 after posting its fourth consecutive weekly loss, with the cryptocurrency struggling to find clear direction as a weekend rally fizzled once the momentum ignition algos emerged.  WTI crude futures tread water near $62.90 a barrel.  Top Headlines President Trump said there will be voter ID rules in the mid-term elections this year, whether Congress approves it or not, and they will present a legal argument in an Executive Order. Furthermore, Trump said he has searched the depths of legal arguments not yet articulated nor vetted on this subject, and they will be presenting an irrefutable one in the very near future. Iran says potential energy, mining and aircraft deals on table in talks with US: RTRS Pentagon threatened to cut its ties with Anthropic over the company’s insistence that some limitations are kept on how the military uses its AI models: RTRS UK eyes rapid ban on social media for under 16s, curbs to AI chatbots: RTRS Rampant AI Demand for Memory Is Fueling a Growing Chip Crisis: BBG Warner Bros. Weighs Reopening Sale Negotiations With Paramount: BBG Companies Are Replacing CEOs in Record Numbers—and They’re Getting Younger: WSJ Europe aims to rely less on US defence after Trump's Greenland push: RTRS DOJ Tells Lawmakers Epstein File Redactions Complied With LawL BBG For College Applicants, Pressure to Make Summers Count Has Gotten Even Worse: WSJ Fed's Goolsbee (2027 voter) said on Friday that they are still seeing pretty high services inflation, and he hopes they have seen the peak impact of tariffs, while he added that the job market has been steady, with only modest cooling.  The Break Is Over. Companies Are Jacking Up Prices Again: WSJ Trade/Tariffs USTR Greer said the US and Ecuador expect to sign a trade agreement in the coming weeks. China will waive import value-added taxes on selected seeds, genetic resources, and police dogs through to 2030 to increase agricultural competitiveness and breeding capacity. It was also reported that China will grant zero-tariff access to 53 African nations from May 1st, according to Bloomberg. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his French and German counterparts that China and the EU are partners, not rivals, while he added that China and the EU should manage differences, deepen practical cooperation and work together on global challenges. A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk APAC stocks began the week in the green but with gains limited following a lack of major fresh catalysts from over the weekend and amid thinned conditions owing to holiday closures in the region and North America. ASX 200 traded marginally higher with upside led by tech, although gains are capped by underperformance in the utilities, mining, materials and resources sectors, while participants also digested a slew of earnings releases. Nikkei 225 traded indecisively with the index constrained by disappointing Japanese preliminary Q4 GDP data, which showed the economy returned to growth but failed to meet expectations with GDP Q/Q at 0.1% (exp. 0.4%), and annualised GDP at 0.2% (exp. 1.6%). Hang Seng finished higher in a shortened trading session on Chinese New Year's Eve but with upside limited by tech weakness amid some confusion after the Pentagon added several companies including Baidu, Cosco, BYD, Huawei, Nio, SMIC, Tencent, and more to a list of Chinese firms aiding the military on Friday, but then withdrew the updated list shortly after it was posted. Furthermore, price action was also restricted by the closure of mainland markets and the absence of stock connect flows, which will remain shut for more than a week. US equity futures kept afloat in quiet trade amid the absence of drivers and participants. European equity futures indicate a mildly positive cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.1% after the cash market closed with losses of 0.4% on Friday. Asian Headlines Chinese President Xi called for the anchoring of economic growth around domestic demand as its main driver, in a speech during a key policy meeting late last year that was released on Sunday. China is to establish a permanent financial support framework to promote rural revitalisation and prevent a slide back into poverty, which represents a shift from transitional aid to long-term support. China’s market regulator summoned major online platform companies on Friday, including Alibaba, Douyin and Meituan, while it directed them to comply with laws and regulations, and rein in promotional practices, according to Bloomberg. US Secretary of State Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral ties. Disney (DIS) sent a ‘cease and desist’ letter to ByteDance over Seedance 2.0 and alleged that ByteDance has been infringing on its IP to train and develop an AI video generation model without compensation, according to Axios. It was later reported that ByteDance said it would curb its AI video app following Disney's legal threats, according to the BBC. RBI tightened rules for loans provided to brokers and proprietary firms in an effort to reduce market speculation FX DXY eked slight gains in rangebound trade after a lack of major catalysts and with US participants away on Monday. EUR/USD was little changed amid the absence of any major macro catalysts and with light newsflow from the bloc, while comments from ECB President Lagarde and news that the ECB is to make its repo backstop available to other central banks across the world, did little to spur price action. GBP/USD held on to most of Friday's spoils but with price action contained by resistance around 1.3650 and following comments from BoE's Mann that the UK economy is sluggish and tepid, with consumers spending less due to being scarred by high inflation. USD/JPY edged higher and returned to above the 153.00 level in the aftermath of the weaker-than-expected preliminary Q4 GDP data for Japan. Antipodeans were mixed with little fresh macro drivers and a lack of tier-1 data from either side of the Tasman. Fixed Income 10yr UST futures traded little changed and held on to last week's spoils after returning above the 113.00 level in the aftermath of the softer US inflation data, while price action was contained to start the week by the closure of US cash markets for Washington's Birthday. Bund futures lacked demand in the absence of any major catalysts and with light newsflow from the bloc. 10yr JGB futures were marginally higher following disappointing preliminary GDP data for Q4, but with gains limited after failing to sustain a brief reclaim of the 132.00 level. Commodities Crude futures were rangebound amid light energy-specific newsflow from over the weekend and after last Friday's indecisive performance, where attention was on a source report that noted OPEC+ is leaning towards resuming oil output hikes from April, but with no decision made. Slovak PM Fico said he has information that the Druzhba pipeline has been fixed after damage in Ukraine, although he believes that supplies to Hungary and Slovakia have become a part of political blackmail. Spot gold took a breather after edging higher in the aftermath of the recent softer-than-expected US inflation data, with price action also contained by the holiday closures across Asia and North America. Copper futures were subdued, with their largest buyer away for more than a week due to the Chinese New Year/Spring Festival holiday. Texas venture-backed startup Hertha Metal vowed mass production of steel with 25% cost savings, which could reduce US reliance on imports. Geopolitics: Middle East US military is preparing for potential operations against Iran that could last for weeks if US President Trump orders an attack and the US fully expects Iran to retaliate, according to sources cited by Reuters. US President Trump told Israeli PM Netanyahu during a meeting in December that he would support Israel striking Iran’s ballistic missile program if the US and Iran are not able to reach a deal, according to CBS. Iran confirmed that indirect talks between the US and Iran will resume in Geneva on Tuesday under the mediation of Oman, while Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi left for Geneva on Sunday. Iranian diplomat said Iran is open to nuclear deal compromises if the US discusses lifting sanctions, while it was also reported that Iran said potential energy, mining and aircraft deals are on the table in talks with the US. Israel’s cabinet approved the proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’, while Palestinians condemned the ‘de facto annexation’ which Peace Now said likely amounts to a ‘mega land grab’. Geopolitics: Ukraine US President Trump said on Friday that Ukrainian President Zelensky is going to have to get moving and that Russia wants to get a deal. US Secretary of State Rubio said they don’t know if Russia is serious about finding an end to the war in Ukraine and will continue to test it, while it was reported that he met with Ukrainian President Zelensky on security and deepening defence and economic partnerships. Ukrainian drones targeted Russia’s Taman seaport and fuel tanks in the Black Sea region. UK and European allies were reported on Friday to be weighing seizing Russian shadow fleet ships and tightening curbs on Russia's economy. French Foreign Minister Barrot said some G7 nations have expressed a willingness to proceed with a maritime services ban on Russian oil, which they hope to include in the 20th sanctions package that they are actively preparing. Geopolitics: Other European Commission President von der Leyen said that they face the very distinct threat of outside forces trying to weaken their union, while she added that mutual defence is not an optional task for the European Union; it is an obligation within their own treaty, and it is their collective commitment to stand by each other in case of aggression. Pentagon said the US military struck an alleged drug cartel boat in the Caribbean, which killed three people. DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnigt wrap I hope you all had a good weekend. To stay in Winter Olympics mood the family watched "Cool Runnings" last night. I haven't seen it for 32 years. Please don't tell anyone but I had a few tears in my eyes at the end. I blamed it on the hay fever that has now started. There will be a lot of tears out there in markets for other reasons at the moment. Just two weeks ago, the idea of AI-driven disruption still felt like an abstract, almost academic thought experiment—something we could safely revisit once we had clearer evidence of how AI would be deployed and integrated across the economy. Fast forward 14 days, and markets have wiped out well over a trillion dollars of global equity value on the fear that AI could fundamentally reshape business models and compress profitability across a wide range of industries, including software, legal services, IT consulting, wealth management, logistics, insurance, real estate brokerage and commercial real estate. Some of the sell off in “old economy” sectors feels overdone to me. But as I argued in our 2026 World Outlook back in November, the real challenge is that even by the end of this year we still won’t have enough evidence to identify the structural winners and losers with confidence. That leaves plenty of room for investors’ imaginations—both optimistic and pessimistic—to run wild. As such big sentiment swings will continue to be the order of the day. My instinct is that the reaction in things like commercial real estate, for example, has been particularly exaggerated. Markets seem to be extrapolating a scenario in which vast numbers of white collar workers are made redundant almost overnight, leading to a dramatic collapse in office demand. If that view turns out to be correct, we’ll be facing societal challenges far larger than anything currently being priced into equities. While trying to catch a falling knife may be too risky for many, beginning to cushion the descent could be sensible in many old economy sectors. Markets can’t sustain a disruption narrative across multiple sectors for months or quarters without concrete evidence — and that evidence is likely to take much longer to emerge. Fascinating times. As for this week, today is a US holiday but inflation will remain in the spotlight at a global level after Friday's slightly softer US CPI which helped contribute to a decent rates rally to end the week. Prints are due in the US (PCE - Friday), the UK (Wednesday), Canada (Tuesday) and Japan (Friday). Other economic highlights will include the FOMC minutes (Wednesday), Q4 GDP in the US (Friday), as well as the global flash PMIs (Friday). Earnings reports will feature Walmart (Thursday), Nestlé (Thursday) and BHP (today). It's the earnings calm before next week's Nvidia storm. In the US, this holiday shortened week (President's Day today) features a data calendar dominated by releases that were pushed back by last year’s government shutdown. The most consequential updates will land on Friday, when the advance estimate of Q4 GDP arrives alongside December’s personal income and consumption figures—key inputs for shaping expectations for the early part of this year. For markets assessing the underlying pulse of demand heading into 2026, private final sales to domestic purchasers (PFDP) will carry more weight than the headline GDP print. This indicator—closely monitored by Fed Chair Powell—is expected by our economists to slow to 2.0% from 2.9% in Q3, though risks appear tilted upward. One swing factor: Wednesday’s durable goods report, where modest gains outside of transportation could soften the deceleration. On the consumer front, real PCE growth is expected to cool to 2.5% after two quarters of outsized strength but should still signal ample momentum heading into the new year. Friday’s income and spending report will also offer the latest reading on core PCE, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. Our economists expect another 0.4% monthly increase for December, lifting the year over year rate to 2.9%. Updated seasonal factors from last week’s CPI release suggest some mild downward pressure on inflation trends in the second half of 2025. Still, January’s CPI data, although softer than we anticipated, do not translate into equivalent relief for core PCE—in fact, our team currently sees another 0.4% gain for January's release (delayed until March 13th). Depending on the strength of medical services, airfare, and portfolio management components in the upcoming PPI report, a 0.5% monthly rise cannot be ruled out, which would push the year over year rate toward 3.1%. So don't get too excited about the softer CPI last week and the huge rates rally. Additional releases this week will help clarify whether recent severe winter weather has disrupted factory sector activity. January industrial production, due Wednesday, should benefit from a jump in utility output, while weather effects may weigh on the Empire State Survey tomorrow and the Philadelphia Fed survey on Thursday. Labor market data will also be in focus, particularly Thursday’s jobless claims, which line up with the survey week for the February employment report. As our economists have pointed out, private nonfarm job gains have averaged 103k over the past three months, slightly above the pace at this point in 2025 and matching the start of 2024. See their latest US employment chartbook here. This week will also feature a dense lineup of Federal Reserve speakers which you can see alongside all the key global data in the day-by-day week ahead calendar at the end as usual. Moving away from the US, inflation will also be in focus in Japan (Friday) and Canada (tomorrow). For the former, our Chief Japan Economist sees the January nationwide CPI showing a slowdown in both core CPI inflation ex. fresh food to 2.1% YoY (+2.4% in December) and core-core CPI inflation ex. fresh food and energy to 2.7% (+2.9%). Also important will be the global flash PMIs due on Friday as a health check on global growth. In Europe, the spotlight will be on UK inflation (Wednesday), with labour market data due tomorrow and retail sales on Friday. Our UK economist expects headline CPI inflation to drop to 3.0% YoY (3.4% in December) and core CPI also landing at 3.0% YoY (3.2% YoY). See more in his full preview here. In terms of key rate decisions, the RBNZ are expected to remain on hold on Wednesday. Finally, the Munich Security Conference wrapped up over the weekend, where key topics included Ukraine, Russia, and the fate of Greenland. And while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s speech was nothing like Vice President JD Vance’s at last year’s conference, which triggered a “wake-up” call for European leaders, Rubio reiterated the administration’s view that Europe needed to leave behind its focus on energy policies, trade and mass migration. Recapping last week now, the tech volatility that has dogged markets since the start of the month broadened into a far more indiscriminate sell-off. The trough came on Thursday, marked by a sharp drop in software stocks, but the weakness extended well beyond tech. Companies across wealth management, real estate and financials suffered double digit declines, underscoring how widespread the pullback has become. Market breadth confirmed this shift as the equal weighted S&P 500 fell -1.37% on Thursday, though it managed to finish the week up +0.29% (+1.04% on Friday). Ultimately, the sell-off left the major US indices on the back foot: the S&P 500 slipped -1.39% (+0.05% on Friday), the Nasdaq lost -2.10% (-0.22% on Friday), and the Magnificent 7 slid -3.24% (-1.11% on Friday). Although the AI scare dominated sentiment, a heavy slate of US data also shaped the market narrative. Early in the week, softer prints—including flat December retail sales, a dovish Q4 Employment Cost Index, and slower Q4 growth expectations from the Atlanta Fed—pushed Treasury yields lower across the curve. That picture shifted midweek after a stronger than expected January jobs report, which delivered the largest gain in nonfarm payrolls (+130k vs. +65k expected) since December 2024 and reinforced confidence that the US economy carried solid momentum into 2026. Then on Friday, January CPI came in below expectations, adding another dovish note. Although the data offered mixed signals at times, the overall takeaway was sufficiently dovish for traders to increase the number of expected rate cuts by December 2026 to 63.4bps (+7.7bps on the week). This helped drive the largest weekly drop in the 10 year Treasury yield since August 2025, down -15.8bps (-5.0bps on Friday) to 4.05%. The 2 year yield also moved sharply lower, falling -8.9bps to 3.41% (-4.8bps on Friday), its lowest level since 2022. European markets, meanwhile, delivered a comparatively resilient performance. The STOXX 600 (+0.09%, -0.13% Friday), DAX (+0.78%, +0.25% Friday) and FTSE 100 (+0.74%, +0.42% Friday) all posted modest gains for the week. European sovereign bonds rallied as well, with the 10 year bund yield dropping -8.7bps—its steepest weekly decline since April 2025. That move was outpaced by gilts, which fell -9.8bps (-3.6bps on Friday) despite a sharp early week sell-off triggered by renewed questions surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s position. Elsewhere, performance was mixed. Brent crude edged down -0.44% (+0.34% on Friday), while gold extended its upward run, rising +1.56% (+2.43% on Friday). Will London’s half term week finally give us a quiet week in 2026? You’d probably have to guess at ‘unlikely’. Tyler Durden Mon, 02/16/2026 - 09:40

A tracker indicates that a potential 'Trump 2.0' administration has deleted or altered nearly 400 US government datasets, with health data being most affected, potentially endangering public health and education.

Most US stocks saw gains as new economic data alleviated fears of further interest rate hikes, though it also raised some concerns about the broader economic outlook.

Kevin O’Leary's ambitious data center project in Utah has reportedly encountered significant challenges, hindering its progress.

More than two-thirds of the power sought for US data centers will reportedly never materialize, indicating a significant power shortfall for the AI supercycle, a problem first identified in November 2025.

The US dollar has seen a slight increase, influenced by rising tensions with Iran and market focus on upcoming US economic data.

The remains of a pregnant woman and her fetus, dating back to the Stone Age, have been discovered in a cave on an islet off the Swedish island of Gotland.

Dan Scott, CIO of Vontobel Asset Management, discussed the outlook for equity markets and US economic data, suggesting that recent figures reveal underlying weaknesses in the equities market.

The Census is highlighted as crucial for multicultural communities, as its data informs funding for essential services like interpreting, schools, public transport, and libraries.

Connor Riley Moucka of Kitchener, Ontario, has pleaded guilty to computer fraud, wire fraud, use of stolen credentials, and aggravated identity theft in a multi-million-dollar data theft and ransom scheme in the U.S., facing up to 32 years in prison.

American data centers are consuming an astonishing amount of water, up to 1 million liters per hour, a problem that is expected to worsen with the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence, according to a US study.

South Korea's population saw a slight increase in 2025, driven by a rise in immigration, despite low birth rates, according to new census data. The share of foreigners reached a record high.

A growing movement of local jurisdictions imposing bans or moratoriums on data centers in the U.S. is raising concerns about potential negative impacts on the economy and national security, possibly benefiting China.

The Portuguese government has corrected previously erroneous data on sick leave, now indicating an 8.4% increase for 2025 instead of the initially reported 44% surge.

The boom in US AI data centers is encountering an unexpected challenge: a severe shortage of skilled workers, including electricians and HVAC technicians, leading to significant contractor backlogs across states like Texas and Arizona.

Oceans of Data has achieved significant success in collecting and utilizing various data related to fishing and aquaculture to develop predictive models that provide buy and sell signals.

A personnel decision by US President Trump could have serious implications for transatlantic data traffic, potentially jeopardizing the EU-US data protection framework.

Ireland's numerous data centers are drawing criticism for their significant water usage, especially in light of a recent hosepipe ban, raising questions about their environmental impact.

Henrico County, Virginia, is experiencing a nearly 25% increase in electricity costs, forcing public services like schools to reduce power usage, as the county grapples with the energy demands of its numerous data centers.

The Registrar General of India (RGI) has issued new rules for securing Census 2027 records from 19 states and 5 Union Territories, emphasizing confidentiality and the first-time use of digital tools for data collection.

Following this year's revaluation, the number of individuals receiving very low pension benefits has increased, with a new ZUS report highlighting growing disparities in payment rates.

Investor Kevin O'Leary has cautioned that China is gaining an advantage in the artificial intelligence race, attributing it to the slowdown in data center production across various U.S. states.

Newly analyzed Census data indicates that in over half of couples with children under 18, both parents are employed full-time. This trend highlights evolving family structures and economic pressures.

A unit of NTT is reportedly seeking $1 billion to develop data centers in the United States, while Anthropic is pursuing data center leases and financial backing from Google. These moves highlight significant investment in expanding data infrastructure.

OpenAI claims that accounts linked to China are actively working to fuel opposition and pushback against US data center initiatives.

Panasonic has announced plans to commence the production of batteries for data centers in the United States by fiscal year 2028, with production expected to start by that time.

Aer Lingus has updated its warnings regarding mobile phone power banks on board planes, citing US data that shows frequent issues with overheating batteries on flights.

Johnson Matthey announced its acquisition of Cormetech, a catalyst maker that has been expanding in the US power generation market, for up to £343 million.

TeraWulf's shares have risen following the company's announcement of securing a project for a 1GW-plus data campus in Kentucky.

Retail sales in Poland grew by 1.3 percent year-on-year in April, according to the Central Statistical Office (GUS), falling short of economists' average forecasts.

ShinyHunters, an elusive hacking network originating in France, continues to claim numerous data breaches despite multiple arrests, establishing itself as a prominent cybercriminal brand.

LS Electric announced it has won a $70 million contract to supply power distribution equipment for a data center operated by a US-based tech company. The equipment is essential for data center operations.

Gold prices are set for a weekly loss as robust US economic data strengthens the dollar and increases expectations for interest rate hikes.

America’s data centers are consuming vast amounts of water, leading to issues for rural towns ranging from tanked water pressure to stolen desert groundwater.

Google has reported that hackers are utilizing artificial intelligence to develop dangerous data attacks, suggesting these incidents are a preview of future cyberthreats.

Nscale has successfully secured $790 million in financing to fund its ambitious data center development plans in Narvik, Norway.

AI company Anthropic has announced an agreement to rent the entire artificial intelligence capacity available at SpaceX's Colossus data center.

Mental health is becoming an increasingly significant concern for Poles, resulting in a rise in sick leave taken due to stress, burnout, and mental overload, according to ZUS data.

Polish tax authorities have updated their interpretation regarding invoice corrections within the KSeF (National e-Invoicing System), now allowing simple corrections for erroneous data instead of requiring a full void.

According to new research, China is quietly benefiting from America's trillion-dollar artificial intelligence spending spree, as the US data center boom creates ripples through Asian technology supply chains, despite Washington's efforts to curb Chinese technology ties.

New census data reveals a significant trend in 'gentrified' suburbs, where the number of households not owning their homes has decreased over the past decade, indicating a shift in housing demographics.

Digital banking has transitioned from an optional service to a fundamental tool for managing finances in Cyprus, with Bank of Cyprus data for 2025 showing a significant increase in its use.

Nearly half of the US data centers planned for 2026 are experiencing delays, highlighting challenges in the ambitious AI boom, particularly concerning electrical component supply and reliance on China.

A report highlights six significant takeaways from Kentucky's most recent county-by-county census data.

New census data reveals that US population growth has faltered due to a decline in immigration, impacting major urban counties and leading to slowed or negative growth in three-quarters of US counties.

New data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) indicates that Poles' expectations for inflation have significantly risen, with the index increasing to 33.3 points in March from 19.8 in February.

Hungary's strategic oil reserves have reportedly fallen to a decades-low level, potentially setting a negative long-term record, though previous data is unavailable for full comparison.

Singapore is challenging US trade surplus data as new tariffs loom, highlighting potential trade tensions and disagreements over economic figures.

Nityanand Rai said enumerators shall undertake house-to-house field visits in the entire enumeration area for the collection of Census data to avoid any exclusion on any ground

Facts 4 Future is a new platform in Switzerland dedicated to improving political debates with accurate information and meticulous data research, aiming to strengthen democracy.

Equipment makers eye US data centers  China Daily - Global Edition

Sylvester Stallone, Amanda Seyfried, and Matthew McConaughey have all moved out of Los Angeles. Getty More than 817,000 people moved out of California from 2021 to 2022, per most recent census data.

The data protection authority in Cyprus has formally requested the immediate suspension of Fidias Panayiotou's 'agora' application, citing non-compliance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

US datacenters are encountering various challenges, including grassroots protests, as the demand for AI infrastructure grows, highlighting community concerns about the industry's expansion.

An investigation attempts to determine the accurate number of Hungarian women killed annually due to intimate partner violence, noting previous data may be inaccurate.

New Census data show how people are leaving high-tax states.

The Danish political party Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) is advocating for a ban on the US data analytics company Palantir operating within Denmark.

A study by the Financial Times reveals that 60 data centers currently under construction in the United States, primarily by major tech companies, are projected to produce emissions equivalent to 27 coal-fired power plants.

Thirty-five years after German reunification, a significant economic gap between the western and eastern regions of the country continues to persist, as illustrated by various data and graphics.

South Korean shares opened significantly higher, led by gains in major chipmakers, tracking an overnight rally in US shares as recent US data alleviated concerns about accelerating inflation.

The Lithuanian Centre of Registers has reinstated a popular service allowing residents to check who has accessed their data, following a previous data leak. The service is reportedly being actively used.

The Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has urged the Nigerian Federal Government to include religious affiliation data in the upcoming national census. This request aims to establish credible statistics on the country's religious population.

GS Engineering & Construction and LS Electric have announced a partnership to enhance the power infrastructure for artificial intelligence data center projects through a memorandum of understanding.

The UN's World Food Programme is reportedly finalizing a five-year renewal of its contract with US data software firm Palantir, despite an internal audit raising 'key privacy concerns' about the deal.

Data center construction is encountering increasing opposition across the US and UK, with local communities raising concerns about electricity demand, environmental impact, water usage, and noise pollution.

Researchers are making progress in whole-brain emulation by combining neuroscience, AI, and rigorous data to scientifically explore consciousness.

In May 2026, 9,000 teachers received compensatory benefits averaging 4,435.90 PLN, a decrease from previous years, according to ZUS data.

Residents in Michigan have endured years of unbearable noise from a data center, leading the facility to cease cryptocurrency mining operations and transition to artificial intelligence in response to complaints.

Recent GUS data on migration sparked an online storm, but a closer look at Polish municipalities where foreigners make up a significant portion of residents reveals a more prosaic reality than expected.

A discussion on how Europe can achieve digital independence, emphasizing that merely having servers in Europe is not enough; control over these servers is the decisive factor, particularly concerning US data centers.

Residents of one of the hottest places on Earth report that extreme temperatures, now regularly exceeding 48°C, are increasingly making daily life, work, and health difficult, according to N1 and Copernicus data.

A recent hack has revealed that Suno's AI music generator, which previously acknowledged scraping millions of songs, specifically utilized data from streaming services like YouTube Music and Deezer, as well as websites such as Genius.

A CNBC survey that ranked all red states among the top 10 'worst places to live' has been mocked, with critics pointing to Census data showing population growth in some of these states.

The growth of US data center construction is being challenged by a significant labor crunch. This shortage of skilled workers is testing the limits of expansion for builders in the sector.

A US Supreme Court ruling has declared a key US authority, which guarantees the security of European data transferred to the US, is not independent but subject to the president. This decision could undermine the EU-US data agreement.

SpaceX is reportedly exploring plans to construct another large-scale data center, a move that could have significant implications for its stock performance.

The move of BioCompute founder Anagha Rajesh to San Francisco has reignited discussions about India's deep-tech ecosystem and the issue of brain drain, despite her pioneering DNA data storage startup in Bengaluru.

Kevin O'Leary asserts that China is gaining an advantage in the AI race because U.S. states are slowing down data center production, highlighting the importance of advanced cooling technology and national security.

The 2027 Census data for Delhi shows 54.9 lakh households have been listed, with the highest concentrations recorded in the South West and North East districts.

Meta has ceased data sharing with Manus, a move to unwind their deal after China ordered the buyout to be unwound. This decision follows a report on the halted data access.

LSM.lv, the unified news portal of Latvian Public Media, climbed to third place among the most visited internet sites in May, attracting 741,200 unique users, according to Gemius data.

The US dollar is trading within a narrow range as currency traders monitor developments in the Middle East and anticipate upcoming economic data from the United States.

Following the release of preliminary census data, a government council in Japan will begin reviewing the House of Representatives' single-seat electoral districts to correct the "one vote disparity." The House of Councillors will also discuss "combined districts."

Japan is experiencing the most severe demographic contraction in its modern history, with its population shrinking by 2.5% over five years, according to preliminary census data.

The estimated population of Kitakyushu City has fallen below 900,000 for the first time since its founding, based on preliminary census data as of April 1.

Traffic census data reveals that a 'missing' southern highway is desperately needed in the Czech Republic, with daily vehicle counts on the D1 near Prague exceeding 107,000. The existing highway network is at breaking point, and construction on the new southern route is expected to begin soon.

The data protection commissioner in Cyprus is reviewing complaints regarding SMS messages sent to voters on election day, to determine if campaign outreach complied with data protection regulations.

The healthcare sector in the UAE is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and preventive technologies to address various data management challenges. This shift aims to improve patient care and operational efficiency.

A new study reveals that data centers in the UK and US now consume 6% of the total electricity supply. Growing demands from artificial intelligence are fueling community resistance and environmental concerns over resource consumption and emissions.

A serious data leak concerning the publication of Reykjavík City's annual financial statements has been reported to the city council and is now under investigation by financial authorities.

Indian cities are projected to show a decrease in crime rates in 2027, attributed to a mathematical error in the National Crime Records Bureau's calculations that use outdated Census population figures.

Census data reveals that people aged 65 and older, primarily baby boomers, own 34.1% of US homes. The article identifies 15 metro areas where this demographic has a particularly high share of homeownership, with warmer regions like Florida showing higher concentrations.

Census data reveals that San Antonio continues to grapple with a high poverty rate, even as the city experiences rapid expansion, new job creation, and increased investment.

Newly released census data from 1926 reveals that nearly 9,000 individuals were confined to mental institutions, a figure that excludes those in Mother and Baby Homes.

A Prime Minister is expected to announce additional financial aid measures as the country anticipates the release of new surplus data.

Wärtsilä, a Finnish corporation, has secured a contract to supply 412 megawatts of engine power for a data centre located in the United States.

The preliminary investigation concerning a serious data breach and attempted aggravated extortion against the system provider Miljödata has been closed.

Across Republican and Democratic states, skepticism and hostility are growing towards the unregulated construction boom of datacenters, fueled by AI demand, leading to bipartisan protests.

Banks are reportedly selling $3 billion in debt to finance Meta's new Prometheus data center, indicating significant investment in its infrastructure.

New Census data indicates varying demographic trends across Oklahoma, with some counties experiencing significant population growth while others face decline.

Half of planned data center construction projects in the US have been delayed or canceled, with growth hampered by shortages of power infrastructure and parts from China, driven by the demands of the AI build-out.

New Census Bureau data indicates the top places in the United States where people are moving, with all counties in Maine and New Hampshire showing positive net domestic migration. This data provides insights into current population shifts across the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly proposed a deal to the US, offering to withhold Russian targeting data from Iran in exchange for the US not providing data to Ukraine. The report comes as Ukrainian negotiators head to the US for peace talks, and Hungary's Orbán continues to block funds for Ukraine.

Experts are raising concerns about the potential dangers of 'AI data poisoning,' where malicious data can corrupt AI models and lead to biased or incorrect outputs.

The rapid expansion of data centers in the US is reportedly slowing down, primarily due to constraints imposed by the existing power grid infrastructure, according to WoodMac.

The use of AI to facilitate attacks in Iran has ushered in a new era of tactics. Palantir, the US data analytics company has taken on a major role in war technology.

Gold prices saw an increase on Wednesday as investor concerns over inflation eased, with markets now awaiting key U.S. economic data to assess the Federal Reserve's future policy direction.

An Abacus Data poll suggests the Conservatives boast a 51-per-cent share of the intended vote in the province. That is down 13 percentage points from their share of results in the 2025 federal election. Meanwhile, Liberal support is up eight percentage points.

Chinese equipment manufacturers are increasingly looking to expand their presence in the US data center market.

US data center giant Equinix and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board have acquired Icelandic data center company atNorth for 485 billion Icelandic krónur, with atNorth's CEO not expecting changes to its operations.

Construction of data centers in the United States experienced a decline, attributed to various delays in obtaining permits and securing power supply.

Hiring for the manufacturing facility has already commenced for engineers and technicians.

New constructions delayed or cancelled, raising questions about US’s ability to expand infrastructure to support boom Cancellations and delays of new US datacenters have increased as the artificial intelligence boom runs up against a slate of issues, including supply chain snags, energy shortages and tariff-induced restraints. Grassroots opposition from local communities has also derailed some plans, and some investors have grown wary of datacenters amid fears of an AI bubble. Continue readi...

Insufficient details about the US data intelligence company’s recent contract have been made public

In Defense Of Sir Jim Ratcliffe Authored by Charles Johnson via TheCritic.co.uk, Far more energy has gone into condemning his phrasing than confronting the questions he raised... Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s statement that Britain has been “colonised by immigrants” has sparked a fierce reaction. From Starmer to Bluesky, to the Athletic and all the football social media pundits in between, the co-owner of  Manchester United has been bombarded with the same attack lines repeatedly. He has been called a tax dodging, racist immigrant hypocrite. Such an uproar has flared up in such a short space of time because Ratcliffe is radically different from those who have issued similar statements before. Ratcliffe is not a political figure: you do not see billionaires nor football club owners voicing discontent like this. The pushback has been fierce because Ratcliffe has no political incentive to say any of this. He isn’t running for office, seeking favour, or chasing votes — which makes his intervention harder to dismiss. Part of the backlash, too, reflects an unease that his diagnosis may be accurate. The remarks came from an initial conversation regarding the economic challenges Britain faces in general, not solely on immigration. The snippet that has been so widely shared is merely part of a wider statement of the economic problems Britain faces; Ratcliffe refers to the issues of “immigration” and “nine million people” on benefits simultaneously. Manchester United part-owner has told @EdConwaySky the UK has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, as he warns of the country facing profound political, social and economic challenges. 🔗 https://t.co/bie6uFZ1Tp pic.twitter.com/qFpiO0HkfO February 11, 2026 Colonised is a strong opening salvo for a figure such as Ratcliffe, who is not known for any previous anti-migration stance. This generated responses of tone policing from his critics – cries that his choice of words were “disgraceful and deeply divisive” and that “this language and leadership has no place in English football” from Kick It Out, a notable “Anti Racism” football pressure group. There was no attempt to argue or debate: this was no more than tone policing, of “mate mate mate, you can’t say that mate”. It did not engage with the substantive point. It was not an argument. The Prime Minister has pushed for Ratcliffe to apologise. Less than a year ago, Starmer was referring to Britain as an ”Island of Strangers”; he has little argument here. Sir Ed Davey has stated that Ratcliffe is “totally wrong” and is “out of step with British Values”. Once again this is weak tone policing, not an argument. Regardless, which British values are being violated in particular? What are British values precisely meant to mean here? The fact is that Ratcliffe’s vocabulary choice is nowhere near as divisive as the impacts of mass migration in the last quarter century. Mass migration is the most important issue in British political debate. It has bought sectarianism, Bengali and Palestinian politics swinging both local council and Parliamentary elections, a deepening of housing crisis, the rape and murder of British women from taxpayer funded hotels and programs which bloat the welfare state even further. It is undeniable mass migration has defined British politics of the 2010s onwards. It has been much more harmful and divisive than any comment made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. His words are nothing compared to the actions of Deng Chol Majek, or Hedash Kebatu, to name a couple of examples. Critics have also cried that Ratcliffe is “an immigrant himself, dodging tax in Monaco”. The difference between Ratcliffe and migration into Britain is so different they are almost incomparable. In the 2017/18 tax year Ratcliffe was the fifth highest taxpayer in the country, footing a bill of £110.5 million. With such an extraordinarily high bill, it is no wonder that he has since moved to Monaco. Meanwhile, the average salary of of a migrant entering Britain in 2023 (which has fallen by £10,000 since 2021) was £32,946, according to a report by the Centre for Migration Control. From this we can estimate a migrant would pay about £5,000 in income tax. That means it would take over 22,000 (statistically average) migrants to foot the tax bill that Ratcliffe paid in one year alone. Ratcliffe has been an exceptional cash cow to the British state. He has been taxed incredible amounts and contributed more to this country than almost anyone currently living; to call him hypocritical since he dared to criticise migration and its impact on the welfare state is simply not fair. Census data from the ONS in 2021 shows that migrants from four nations – Somalia, Nigeria, Jamaica and Bangladesh – head over 104,000 social homes in London alone. With such incredible numbers of subsidised housing going to foreign born nationals, it is absolutely correct to state that mass migration is costing the British economy a fortune. The same census states that over 70% of Somali born households are in social housing in England and Wales, whilst also being of lowest contributors to income tax in the nation – paying well under the £5,000 stated per head previously. The increase and sheer scale of benefit reliance for many immigrants in Britain is not sustainable, and it is a problem that is right to be addressed. Perhaps the most nonsensical argument presented by some is that as co-owner of Manchester United he employs a significant number of immigrant players. Bruno Fernandes is not living in social housing in Wythenshawe. Benjamin Sesko is not in a single bed council flat in Hulme. When he arrived in Manchester last year, the first thing Senne Lammens did was not register for Universal Credit. Not a single foreign player is a drain on the state. They are, as elite athletes in the most lucrative league in the world, very clearly exceptions to the norm of British migration. The difference between Bruno Fernandes, who earns a reported £300,000 a week, and the over 40% of Bangladeshi immigrants who are economically inactive should really not need spelling out. We are referring to just 17 foreign senior team players who all earn more in a week than the average migrant – or Brit – will earn in a year. It is ludicrous  to even attempt to compare the two. Regardless, employing or working with immigrants does not mean you waive your right to criticise the state of affairs in Britain. As an Englishman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a given and inalienable right to comment on the affairs of his country. Ratcliffe’s critics have entirely focused on his choice of the word “colonised”, and how they consider it inflammatory. This choice of phrase was not entirely accurate or intentional by Ratcliffe – proved by the fact he issued an apology over his “choice of language”, rather than the substance and argument behind his critique of the broader economic challenge of Britain. The bottom line is, Ratcliffe was right to raise a perfectly reasonable concern. He is directionally correct, and close enough to the truth that the obsessive focus around his phrasing is both absurd and clearly no more than a tactic to dodge the substance of his argument entirely. His critics have been intentionally evasive around the underlying subject: it is a harsh, necessary truth they have no reply too. They avoid the debate because, despite his wording being wrong, Ratcliffe is right. Tyler Durden Tue, 02/17/2026 - 06:30

NAACP alleges artificial intelligence firm is violating Clean Air Act and polluting Black communities in Mississippi Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI is facing a second lawsuit alleging it is illegally emitting toxic pollutants from its enormous datacenters, which house its supercomputers and run the chatbot Grok. The new pending suit alleges xAI is violating the Clean Air Act and was filed Friday by the storied civil rights group the NAACP. The group’s 40-page notice of intent to sue alleges xAI has been polluting Black communities near its facility in Southaven, Mississippi. The pollution comes from more than a dozen portable methane gas generators that xAI set up without permits, the notice alleges. Continue reading...