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Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of 4.27% and 4.57%, respectively, for the quarter ended January 2025. The company's quarterly earnings per share of $1.22 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.17 per share, with revenues of $6.47 billion surpassing expectations by 4.57%. These figures represent an improvement from the previous quarter, where Bank of Nova Scotia posted a surprise loss of -0.86%.

Home Depot's fourth-quarter revenue topped Wall Street's low expectations, driven by a 14.1% year-over-year increase in revenue to $39.7 billion. The company's adjusted earnings per share grew to $3.13, beating estimates of $3.04. However, same-store sales growth rose only 0.8%, and sales were boosted by higher foot traffic and an uptick in average ticket size.

Apple's Trail Loop strap stands out for its supreme comfort, custom and flexible fit, lightweight, and price, making it the best overall band for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The trail loop is also durable and adjustable to accommodate daily changes in body shape, providing an excellent user experience. While the official band has limited color options, Nomad's customizable sport bands offer a stylish alternative with a range of colors.

The Steam Deck has dominated the handheld PC gaming market, with estimated shipments of under 6 million units in three years, according to market research firm IDC. This number is significantly higher than that of its competitors, including Windows-based options like Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. The market's slow growth rate may be attributed to it being an early stage industry.

The Samsung HW-QS730D is a mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbar featuring a 3.1.2-channel configuration and a powerful 8-inch subwoofer, now available at an incredible 53% discount from its regular $800 price. This sale brings the soundbar down to just $388, undercutting both Best Buy and Samsung.com, making it a great option for those looking for a premium Dolby Atmos experience without breaking the bank. The HW-QS730D is part of Samsung's mid-range soundbar lineup, offering a range of features and connectivity options that make it an attractive alternative to the company's more expensive models.

Perfect's $23 million funding highlights the growing importance of "agentic AI," which enables developers to build apps that leverage generative AI in specific contexts. The platform uses proprietary data sets and has built its own vector data set, training it on third-party providers' data, allowing for more accurate results. Perfect claims to save recruiters up to 25 hours per week of work.

A spate of abductions has sent crypto executives and wealthy investors in search of ways to protect themselves. The kidnappers had targeted individuals with the goal of winning a ransom, but some were instead subjected to violent intimidation. In response, the crypto community is taking steps to increase its security measures.

The Samsung HW-QS730D is a mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbar featuring a 3.1.2-channel configuration and a powerful 8-inch subwoofer. Thanks to an ongoing sale at Woot, you can grab it for just $388! Samsung offers a wide selection of premium soundbars catering to different budgets and needs. If you don’t want to go all-out on an expensive sound system but still want something that sounds great and has Dolby Atmos support, the HW-QS730D is an excellent choice. And right now, it’s an even better deal.

Apple has disabled its Advanced Data Protection feature for UK users following a government request for access to encrypted data, raising significant concerns about user privacy and security on a global scale. This move reflects the increasing pressure on tech companies to comply with government demands, potentially setting a precedent that could influence similar actions in other countries. Privacy advocates warn that the implications of this decision extend far beyond the UK, threatening the integrity of encryption practices worldwide.

Employees at Singapore's biggest bank are set to lose their jobs to the AI revolution — and that wor, as thousands of DBS roles are expected to be replaced by artificial intelligence. Job cuts at DBS will take the form of "natural attrition" over the next few years, with temporary and contract workers not being rehired. Permanent staff will not lose their roles, but a significant reduction in workforce is anticipated. The bank expects to create around 1,000 new jobs built around working with AI.

One of the best budget robot vacuum cleaners can take a lot of time and effort out of keeping your house clean, without taking a huge chunk out of your bank balance. While you can easily end up paying a small fortune for one of the best robot vacuums with all the most advanced features, it's not hard to find a cheaper model that'll do good job without too many compromises. Most budget robot vacuum cleaners fall within the $500/£400 price bracket, offering reliable navigation, self-emptying docking stations, and good suction power.

Google Messages is rolling out a new camera and gallery layout, making it easier to send photos and videos in their original high quality size. The redesigned gallery allows users to show more photos at once, and a new "HD" icon provides an easy way to select between sending optimized or original-quality images. This update aims to improve the overall user experience, providing clearer options for those who want higher-quality image transmission.

Eli Lilly has cut the price for vials of its weight-loss drug Zepbound sold online, expanded the range of doses, and is looking to attract more customers with the cheaper option as it faces stiff competition from compounding pharmacies and rival Novo Nordisk. The launch of these vials on the LillyDirect website expands options for patients who choose to pay cash directly from the company, which could sway more customers away from compounded copies of the drug. By offering a lower-cost alternative, Lilly aims to increase demand for Zepbound this year and better compete with Novo Nordisk's popular Wegovy.

The Philips Hue Sync app is now available for LG TVs, enabling users to synchronize their smart lights with content displayed on the screen without the need for an HDMI Sync Box. This app works with various HDMI devices as well as native streaming apps, allowing for an immersive viewing experience where lights dynamically react to the on-screen action. LG TVs that run on webOS 24 or later are compatible, making it easier for consumers to enhance their home entertainment setups.

Google's release of Android System SafetyCore has sparked widespread concern among users due to its unexplained installation, lack of transparency, and potential impact on user privacy. Despite Google's assurances that SafetyCore is a private and locally performed service, many are skeptical about its true intentions. The lack of explicit consent and the absence of an icon or notification have left users feeling uneasy.

Alibaba's decision to release an open-source version of its video and image-generating artificial intelligence model, Wan 2.1, signals a strategic shift towards transparency and collaboration in the development of AI technology. This move could potentially disrupt the competitive landscape of China's AI market, where companies like OpenAI have shifted towards closed-source offerings. By making its AI models more accessible, Alibaba aims to accelerate innovation and progress in the field.

U.S. stock index futures slipped on Tuesday as investors digested fresh tariff comments from President Donald Trump and Nvidia dropped 1.5% ahead of its results, weighing down chip companies and megacaps. The report that the U.S. was planning to further restrict Nvidia's exports to China without a license added to the concerns, with other semiconductor stocks also falling. Investors are now questioning the industry's hefty spending on AI as low-cost competition from China's DeepSeek rattled markets in January.

The Australia vs South Africa live stream, a crucial match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, has been delayed due to rain in Rawalpindi. The two top teams in Group B are currently tied for first place, with this match potentially determining who advances to the semi-finals. If the match is not completed by 7:30pm local time (2:30pm GMT/1:30am AEDT), both teams will take a point.

The latest data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has shown that Tesla saw a sharp drop in sales in Europe last month, with new car registrations declining 45% year-on-year to 9,945 units. The decline comes after CEO Elon Musk made several high-profile interventions into European politics, which may hint at his waning popularity with the region's consumers. Despite this, analyst Dan Ives remains bullish about Tesla, citing a $500+ price target.

Japan's automobile industry association is urging the government to shield Japanese automakers from potential U.S. tariffs on imports of autos and parts, which could damage both countries' economies. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association is particularly concerned about the impact of a 25% tariff on auto imports, which could lead to higher costs for Japanese companies and affect their competitiveness in the global market. To address these concerns, the government may need to explore alternative trade agreements or provide support to mitigate the effects of potential tariffs.

Bitcoin is facing its biggest one-day drop since August, driven by concerns over U.S. tariffs and a recent hack that saw $1.5 billion worth of ether stolen from the Bybit exchange, further eroding investor confidence in the cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin's value has fallen below $90,000, its lowest level since November, as investors become increasingly jittery about the outlook for the global economy. The situation is exacerbated by a lack of new bullish catalysts to drive prices higher.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is expected to employ advanced cooling technology, including a vapor chamber, to mitigate overheating issues given its ultra-slim design. The phone's compact size poses significant thermal challenges, and a reliable cooling system will be crucial for maintaining performance. With multiple leaks pointing to a release date in April, anticipation builds around this highly anticipated smartphone.

An alleged job scam posing as “OpenAI” exploited unsuspecting international workers, particularly from Bangladesh, luring them with promises of stable income and cryptocurrency investment opportunities. The scam operated through Telegram, where victims were misled into believing they were completing legitimate tasks for the company, only to find that their recruiter, “Aiden,” vanished without a trace. This incident highlights the vulnerability of remote workers in the digital economy and raises alarms about the effectiveness of current protections against online fraud.

Nvidia has admitted that its new Blackwell graphics cards, including the RTX 5080, are affected by a chip-level fault that hampers performance in PC gaming. The issue was previously identified in the RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti GPUs, causing slower rendering pipelines and reduced gaming performance. Nvidia has promised to replace affected cards with customers who contact the manufacturer.

Midjourney is a powerful AI image generator that allows users to create accurate and artistic visuals based on simple text prompts. The tool has gained significant popularity among artists and designers due to its ability to rapidly generate images and run multiple jobs simultaneously.

An incredible saving. While the new Garmin Instinct 3 might be the best Garmin watch for the great outdoors in 2025, these stunning deals on its predecessor is enough to make picking the old one a viable option. Right now at Amazon, you can score the Instinct 2 for just £147 in the UK, or $189 in the US.

Two people have been arrested in relation to the arson attack on the Russian consulate in Marseille on Monday, said the Marseille prosecutor. The attack occurred when a fire was set at the consulate's administrative building early on Monday morning, causing significant damage and prompting an evacuation of staff. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the blaze.

Gold eased as investors took profits after another record-breaking session, with prices bolstered by growing optimism over the timing of the next Federal Reserve rate cut and increasing haven demand. Bullion traded less than $20 shy of Monday’s fresh all-time high of $2,956.19 an ounce. Amid mounting concerns over the US economy, swap markets now price in a quarter-point cut by the Fed in July.

Kaspersky products have been banned on Australian government devices due to national security concerns. The company has repeatedly denied ties to the Russian government and has invited independent assessments of its data services. Australia's ban follows recent decisions by the US government to also restrict sales of Kaspersky security software.

Nvidia is set to release its fiscal fourth quarter earnings results on Wednesday, with analysts predicting revenue of $38.1 billion and net income of $19.6 billion for the quarter ended in January. The chipmaker's stock has rebounded 90% from its record loss of nearly $600 billion after Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek spooked investors in January. Nvidia's leadership in advanced AI chips is seen as a key factor in its recovery, with analysts predicting strong demand for higher-performance graphics processing units.

Goldman Sachs continues to favour Microsoft, affirming a "Buy" rating and a $500 price target despite reports of possible AI data center lease cancellations or delays. This stance stands in contrast to the potential impact on Microsoft's AI efforts, which some commentators interpret as a sign of evolving priorities rather than a reduction in its AI focus. The bank analysts behind Goldman's briefing emphasize Microsoft's stable revenue, strong balance sheet, and ongoing cloud and AI investments.

The S&P500 has lost its 6,000 handle for the first time in three weeks as investors are increasingly wary of a slowing U.S. economy, which is driving concerns about the direction of overall activity. The market's anxiety over the U.S. economic slowdown is being fueled by disappointing retail sales, business surveys showing the dominant U.S. service sector contracting, and growing fears that any shakeout in stocks could compound a consumer confidence retreat. Investors are also taking notice of the widening trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

There's growing skepticism among investors about the scope for more S&P 500 gains at a time when European and Chinese stocks are outperforming, according to Bank of America Corp. strategist Michael Hartnett. Most investors expect the S&P 500 to continue its slow march higher, but doubts grow as valuations reach lofty levels and spending on artificial intelligence becomes increasingly dominant. As global markets rally, US stocks trail behind, leaving investors questioning the sustainability of the current bull market.

Balatro: Friends of Jimbo has released a new collaboration update adding card skins themed after various popular games, including Assassin's Creed, Civilization 7, and Fallout. The game is also now available on Xbox Game Pass, providing players with access to the award-winning poker roguelike. Balatro has become a hit among gamers, thanks to its unique blend of gameplay mechanics.

Baidu has acquired JOYY's China live-streaming business, YY Live, for approximately $2.1 billion, reviving a deal that fell through in 2020 due to regulatory issues. The acquisition is part of Baidu's strategy to diversify its revenue and compete in the fast-growing digital video market. By acquiring this business, Baidu aims to expand its presence in AI and cloud computing.

Baidu has acquired JOYY's China live-streaming business, known as YY Live, for approximately $2.1 billion, ending a deal that had stalled four years ago. The acquisition marks Baidu's renewed focus on the rapidly growing digital video market, where it aims to compete with rivals such as Douyin and TikTok-parent ByteDance. By diversifying its revenue streams, Baidu seeks to strengthen its position in the industry.

Home Depot broke a two-year slump in same-store sales during the fourth quarter as customer demand improved in a housing market that has been buffeted by soaring mortgage rates and a scarcity of homes up for sale. Revenue for the Atlanta company climbed to $39.7 billion from $34.79 billion, with sales at stores open at least a year edging up 0.8%. The company reported customer transactions rose 7.6% and shoppers spent slightly more per average ticket.

DeepSeek is accelerating the launch of its next-generation R2 model, which promises to improve coding efficiency and language capabilities beyond English. The company's founder, Liang Wenfeng, has shunned traditional hierarchical management practices in favor of a flat organization that encourages collaboration among employees. DeepSeek's new model has already triggered concerns about its potential impact on the global AI industry.

Tesla's sales in Europe and the United Kingdom declined by 45.2% year-over-year in January, with new vehicle registrations dropping to 9,945 units, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. The company's market share in the area dropped from 1.8% a year before, while battery electric car sales surged 34% to 124,341 units despite Tesla's fall. The decline in sales is the first yearly dip in deliveries for Tesla since its founding.

Google Cloud has introduced quantum-safe digital signatures, a move aimed at securing its platform from the threat posed by quantum computing to public-key cryptography. The feature is now available in preview and will utilize PQC algorithms to secure data against potential threats. By implementing these new measures, Google Cloud aims to build a more resilient infrastructure.

Russia's embassy in London stated that Britain's new package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine was "illegitimate" and many of those targeted had no connection to the conflict. The Russian government condemned the measures as "futile," citing that they would only serve to further isolate Russia at a critical moment in the peace process. This move has sparked tensions between the two nations, highlighting the ongoing struggle for influence in international relations.

Musk's defiant threat to federal employees has sparked confusion across the U.S. government, with some agencies urging employees to respond to his email while others have discouraged it. The White House did not comment on Musk's remarks, fueling further speculation about the limits of his authority. As a result, many federal workers remain uncertain about their jobs and future prospects.

The US government has granted Trinidad and Tobago a license to develop a key gas project in Venezuela, the Dragon field, under an exemption from Washington's sanctions on the oil and gas industry. Shell is planning to green-light its offshore project this year, despite facing challenges in securing supplies of parts from Spirit AeroSystems. The U.S. license was first granted in early 2023 as an exemption to Washington's sanctions on Venezuela.

Money market account interest rates today remain well above historical norms, with some accounts offering up to 4.51% APY. These accounts can be a great place to store cash while earning relatively high returns, along with liquidity and flexibility. However, the national average interest rate for money market accounts is just 0.64%, and many require large minimum balances or have fees.

Mortgage rates are experiencing a significant decline, with the 30-year fixed rate dipping below 6.50% for the first time since mid-December. The current mortgage landscape presents an opportunity for homebuyers to secure favorable terms before interest rates rise again. Locking in a mortgage rate today may provide a better chance at securing a home without facing intense competition from other buyers.

Tariff uncertainty has dominated investor minds, but its impact may be overstated as the real concern is the US economy's slowdown. The consumer is softening as income growth falls, housing is weak, and government spending is slowing, raising concerns about the economic outlook. A slowdown in rate cuts by the Fed has created a "passive tightening of monetary policy" that has important implications for financial market investors.

Google has made its Gemini Code Assist AI coding assistant free for everyone to use, integrating it into popular development environments like phpStorm and VS Code. This move could revolutionize how developers write and review code with its 180,000 completions per month. As a result, more people will be able to access the tool, leading to an increase in bug reports and fixes.

A free version of Gemini Code Assist, a cutting-edge AI coding tool developed by Google, is now available globally for solo developers. The new version offers more generous code completion limits compared to its competitors, aiming to make coding assistants with the latest AI capabilities more accessible for students, hobbyists, freelancers, and startups. By providing up to 180,000 code completions per month, Gemini Code Assist for individuals is poised to disrupt the coding industry.

Google's new free version of its Code Assist AI programming assistant, Gemini Code Assist for Individuals, offers 180,000 code completions a month and 240 chat requests a day, significantly outpacing the competition. The tool uses a variant of the company's Gemini 2.0 AI model fine-tuned for coding applications and can integrate with popular coding environments via plugins. Developers can sign up for the free public preview beginning Tuesday.

The Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has clarified the rules around interoperability requirements on Big Tech, specifically Google's Android Auto platform. The ruling affirms that a refusal of interoperability by a company holding a dominant market position can be abusive and may constitute antitrust abuse. However, the court also sets out exceptions where refusals may be justified, such as due to technical impossibility or the need to maintain security and integrity.