Top News - CNBC

1. Average IRS tax refund is up 10.9% so far this season, early filing data shows

2. OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger joining OpenAI, Altman says

3. Epstein files fallout: The high-profile people burned by past dealings with a predator

4. ByteDance says it will add safeguards to Seedance 2.0 following Hollywood backlash

5. Here’s how much athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics get for winning medals

6. China's tech shock threatens the U.S. AI monopoly and is 'just getting started'

7. Altman and Pichai among tech CEOs heading to India for major AI summit in a key market

8. Trump trade adviser Navarro says administration may force data center builders like Meta to 'internalize' costs

9. Cuba suspends annual cigar festival as U.S. oil blockade deepens energy crisis

10. Software maker Dassault Systèmes falls 7% as AI fears persist; Europe markets edge higher

11. Home sellers start getting lower prices at 70, research shows — and the gap widens with age

12. Some European policymakers welcome U.S. Secretary of State Rubio's warm words, others remain cautious

13. Much ado about nothing? TikTok's U.S. usership steadies after turbulent start

14. Warner Bros. may reopen sale talks with Paramount following new deal terms, Bloomberg reports

15. Crypto is playing a growing role in human trafficking networks, report shows

16. Japan's economy avoids technical recession, but fourth-quarter rebound misses expectations

17. One year after DOGE cuts, former federal workers find new roles

18. The AI trade has entered a puzzling phase. Do we know who the winners are anymore?

19. Lunar New Year gives luxury brands a chance to win back big spenders in China

20. Australia’s Qube Holdings’ shares jump to record high on Macquarie-led $8.3 billion takeover deal