Affordability Crisis

Business

Wall Street Braces for Warsh Era: Rate Cut Forecasts Hold Steady Amid Fed Leadership Speculation

Major financial institutions Barclays and Morgan Stanley maintain projections for two interest rate cuts in 2024, despite President Trump's nomination of inflation hawk Kevin Warsh to chair the Federal Reserve. Analysts suggest policy continuity in the near term, though Senate confirmation faces political hurdles.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Pressure Mounts on Lord Mandelson to Resign from House of Lords Amid Deepening Epstein Scandal Fallout

Former UK ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, faces intensifying political and public pressure to relinquish his lifetime seat in the House of Lords following new revelations about his financial and personal ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for his resignation, as documents suggest payments and close correspondence between the two.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Appeals Court Rejects DOJ Misconduct Complaint Against Federal Judge, Citing Lack of Evidence

A federal appeals court has dismissed a Justice Department misconduct complaint against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, ruling the government failed to substantiate its allegations regarding the judge's public comments.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Ohio Mother's Final Act of Love: Family of Three Lost in Devastating Cincinnati Blaze

A 68-year-old Cincinnati woman and her two adult children perished in a fast-moving house fire last month, with officials describing the conditions as 'not survivable.'

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Sanctions and Legal Woes Push Russia's Crypto Mining Giant BitRiver to the Brink

Russia's premier cryptocurrency miner, BitRiver, faces insolvency proceedings as its CEO is placed under house arrest, marking a dramatic fall for a firm already crippled by international sanctions and mounting legal disputes.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

LGI Homes Bets on Solar and Upgrades with New California Community Launch

Homebuilder LGI Homes is testing a higher-specification housing model with the launch of its Monte Vista community in Modesto, California. The new single-story homes come with significant included upgrades and integrated solar energy systems, signaling a strategic shift towards energy efficiency and long-term cost-conscious buyers.

Feb 2, 2026

World

UK's Gridworks Inks $400M Ethiopia Power Deals as Foreign Minister Visits to Address Migration Pressures

During UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper's visit to Addis Ababa, British investor Gridworks signed landmark agreements to develop two major transmission projects. The deals, part of a broader UK strategy linking economic development with migration management, mark Ethiopia's first public-private partnerships in its power transmission sector.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Israeli Authorities Arrest Local Leaders in Multi-Million Dollar Wartime Aid Fraud Probe

Israeli police have detained municipal officials and business figures suspected of embezzling millions in international donations intended for communities devastated by the October 7 Hamas attacks, launching a major fraud investigation.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Trust in Federal Response "Shattered" After Minneapolis Border Patrol Shooting, Says Sen. Rand Paul

In a candid '60 Minutes' interview, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) sharply criticized the Trump administration's handling of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, stating public trust has been irreparably damaged and questioning the impartiality of a federal investigation.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Shutdown Showdown: House Gears Up for Monday Vote as Funding Impasse Drags On

With a partial government shutdown entering its third day, the House prepares to vote on a Senate-crafted funding deal. While Speaker Johnson eyes a Tuesday resolution, deep partisan divisions over Homeland Security funding and procedural hurdles threaten to prolong the stalemate, leaving thousands of federal employees working without pay.

Feb 2, 2026

World

From Across the Border: Iranian Exiles in Turkey Watch Homeland's Turmoil with Fear and Hope

In a cafe in eastern Turkey, Iranian exiles gather, their eyes fixed on news from home. As a new wave of protests meets a severe crackdown, those who fled earlier unrest watch, wait, and voice a desperate mix of anguish, anger, and fragile hope.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Boston Woman's Plea on The Ramsey Show Exposes Marital Strain Over Risky Real Estate Gambles

A Boston woman's call to a popular finance show reveals a marriage buckling under the weight of multi-million dollar real estate debt and conflicting risk appetites, highlighting how financial discord can threaten relationships.

Feb 2, 2026

World

France's 2026 Budget Clears Final Hurdle, Offering Fragile Truce for Macron's Government

After a protracted political standoff, France's long-delayed 2026 budget is set for adoption, granting Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu a hard-won victory but leaving President Macron's domestic reform agenda in limbo ahead of the 2027 election.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beneath the Calm: The 2026 Logistics Landscape Demands New Strategies as Hidden Costs Rise

While carrier capacity and reliability show signs of recovery, a new FreightWaves white paper reveals a more complex and unforgiving cost environment emerging for 2026. Shippers must navigate a labyrinth of rules, fees, and contract nuances that are quietly driving up expenses.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

FMC Imposes Landmark $22.7 Million Penalty on MSC for Systemic Billing Abuses

The Federal Maritime Commission has levied one of its largest fines against Mediterranean Shipping Company, citing a pattern of wrongful late-fee charges, tariff publication failures, and repeated overcharges on thousands of container shipments.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Goldman Sachs Leads $75M Bet on AI Audit Platform Fieldguide, Valued at $700M

Fieldguide, an AI-native platform for accounting and audit, secures major funding as it aims to tackle the profession's deepening talent shortage by automating routine work and reshaping traditional firm operations.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Six More Weeks of Winter: Punxsutawney Phil Sees Shadow in 139th Groundhog Day Forecast

Punxsutawney Phil emerged to see his shadow at Gobbler's Knob this morning, predicting an extended winter season as the annual tradition draws crowds and online viewers amidst modern forecasting debates.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Sanofi's Pipeline Gains Momentum with Key Phase 3 Successes in Rare Disease and Immunology

Sanofi reports a pivotal Phase 3 win for its investigational therapy venglustat in a rare neurological disorder, alongside positive EU regulatory news for Rezurock and progress for amlitelimab, signaling a strategic shift toward high-value specialty medicines.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Income Shift: Three Vanguard Dividend ETFs Gaining Favor as Retirement Portfolios Rotate

As market leadership broadens beyond tech, income-focused investors are turning to high-yield dividend ETFs. Vanguard's suite offers diversified, cost-effective options for building retirement income streams in a changing landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Norwegian PM Joins Crown Princess in Condemning Epstein Ties as Royal Family Faces Mounting Scrutiny

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere has publicly agreed with Crown Princess Mette-Marit's own assessment that she showed "poor judgement" in maintaining contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The comments come as newly released court documents reveal extensive email correspondence, adding pressure on the Norwegian monarchy during a period of significant personal and institutional challenges.

Feb 2, 2026