DC Air Crash Verdict, Amazon Pivots, and Why Memories Lie

 Need To Know 

DC Air Collision Verdict

The National Transportation Safety Board yesterday determined last year's deadly midair collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter was largely caused by the Federal Aviation Administration's placement of a helicopter route in the approach path of a Ronald Reagan National Airport runway.

Federal investigators detailed how the helicopters’ blades severed the jet’s wing, sending both aircraft into the Potomac River and killing 67 people. The aircrafts' routes reportedly allowed just 75 feet of vertical separation—below the 1,000 feet usually required. The FAA allegedly failed to vet the paths, despite years of pilot warnings, and ignored air traffic controllers’ calls to reduce Reagan’s air traffic. The airspace was congested seconds before the crash, with one controller directing five helicopters and six aircraft more than five hours into their shift. 

Since the crash—one year ago Thursday—the FAA has revised helicopter routes and reduced arrivals at Reagan. Meanwhile, a spending package with funding for 2,500 more controllers could stall this week over immigration enforcement provisions.

Amazon Retail Pivot

Amazon announced yesterday it will shutter all 72 Amazon Fresh supermarkets and Amazon Go convenience stores nationwide, reflecting a shift toward its grocery delivery business and Whole Foods expansion (see list of impacted stores). 

Analysts say the change underscores Amazon’s emphasis on shopping experiences that better align with customer preferences. Amazon's online grocery division is a $150B business, reaching more than 150 million shoppers. Same-day grocery delivery service is available in 2,300 US cities and towns, with longer-term delivery options available in 5,000 locations. The company says it will continue offering Fresh delivery online and open more than 100 Whole Foods stores in the coming years, but did not provide a timeline for the latter. Since Amazon acquired Whole Foods in 2017, the chain has grown to over 550 locations and seen over 40% sales growth.

Separately, Amazon is building a 229,000-square-foot megastore near Chicago that combines in-person and digital shopping. It is also planning to scale up Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, a mini-market in select cities.

EU-India Trade Deal

India and the EU announced a free-trade agreement yesterday, forming one of the largest deals by population that links nearly 2 billion consumers. The 27-member bloc and India concluded the deal after almost 20 years of negotiations.

The partnership represents about 25% of global GDP and one-third of global trade, and will cut tariffs on nearly 97% of EU exports to India. Tariffs on European cars will fall gradually from 110% to 10%, while premium wine duties will drop gradually from 150% to 20%. The EU will phase in similar cuts covering nearly 99% of India’s shipments by trade value. India will gain wider access for farm and textile exports, along with cooperation on defense, security, and job creation.

EU-India trade totaled $136.5B in 2024-25, with both sides targeting $200B by 2030. The deal follows US tariffs on Indian and European exports, and analysts say it could offset part of Europe’s export losses. For India, the agreement offers diversification from its largest trading partner, the US. A formal deal is expected later this year.

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> "One Battle After Another" leads with 14 British Academy Film Awards nominations, the most of any film this year; "Sinners" follows with 13, the highest for any film by a Black director in BAFTA history; ceremony set for Feb. 22 (More) 

> Duke University settles lawsuit against quarterback Darian Mensah, clearing the way for his expected transfer to Miami; financial details not disclosed (More) 

> ICE agents to join US security detail for Winter Olympics (More) | Philip Glass pulls symphony premiere from Kennedy Center, citing Trump rebrand (More) | Neil Young gifts Greenland residents access to his music catalog (More)

Science & Technology

> Google enables users to ask follow-up questions directly from AI Overviews produced during search queries, creating a more conversational experience (More) 

> Scientists connect heart attacks to the brain and the nervous and immune systems, upending the traditional view of the heart as an isolated organ and opening doors to new treatment options (More) 

> Male cuttlefish attract mates by creating patterns on their skin with polarized light waves—a spectacle invisible to the human eye (More) 

Business & Markets

> US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 +0.4%, Dow -0.8%, Nasdaq +1.0%); S&P 500 notches record high (More) | US consumer confidence in January falls to lowest reading since May 2014 amid concerns over job market, rising prices (More) 

> UPS to cut up to 30,000 operational jobs; latest round of cuts comes as the package deliverer expects to handle fewer Amazon shipments (More) | Pinterest to lay off up to roughly 15% of workforce, or about 700 jobs, as part of AI push (More) 

> Shares of UnitedHealth Group (-20%), Humana (-21%), and CVS Health (-14%) drop after Trump administration proposes keeping Medicare Advantage rates flat (More) 

Politics & World Affairs

> Two federal officers fired guns during the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti, who was resisting arrest, initial review finds (More) | Man sprays unknown substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D, MN-5) before being tackled at Minneapolis town hall (More) 

> Families of two men file first wrongful death suit against the US government over recent drug-smuggling strikes in the Caribbean Sea; the men were killed in an Oct. 14 strike while on a vessel traveling from Venezuela to Trinidad (More) 

> French lawmakers vote to approve bill banning social media for kids under age 15, aim to sign into law in time for next school year (More) | TikTok settles youth addiction lawsuit as jury selection begins (More)

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