AI Competition

World

Drone Warfare Escalates: ISWAP Militants Strike Nigerian Army Base in Borno, Casualties Reported

In a significant tactical shift, Islamist militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) utilized armed drones in a pre-dawn assault on a Nigerian military base in Borno state, resulting in multiple casualties. The attack underscores the growing sophistication of insurgent groups in the region's long-running conflict.

Jan 30, 2026

World

EU Brands Iran's Revolutionary Guards a Terrorist Organization, Prompting Fierce Condemnation from Tehran

The European Union has taken the unprecedented step of designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, triggering a sharp diplomatic crisis. Iran has denounced the move as illegal and politically motivated, vowing to respond.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Deutsche Bank Eyes Return to Life Insurance with Potential Stake in Frankfurter Leben

Deutsche Bank and its asset manager DWS are in preliminary talks to acquire a significant minority stake in Fosun-owned Frankfurter Leben, signaling a strategic reversal a decade after exiting the sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Hype: XRP and Sui Emerge as High-Potential Crypto Plays for 2026

While the crypto market navigates volatility, two assets priced under $2—XRP and Sui—are drawing institutional interest and possess specific catalysts that could drive significant growth in the coming year.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Marsh Caps 2025 with Strong Q4, Unveils Brand Restructuring as Profits Climb

Marsh & McLennan's insurance brokerage giant Marsh reported a 4.2% rise in Q4 net income to $821 million, capping a year of robust growth and strategic brand realignment under the new 'Marsh Risk' banner.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Newcastle's Castle Leazes Secures £274m Revamp, Doubling Student Capacity

A major redevelopment of Newcastle University's Castle Leazes student village is moving forward, with contractor Bowmer + Kirkland appointed to deliver over 2,000 new affordable rooms, replacing 1960s-era facilities.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond HCAHPS: How Real-Time Patient Feedback is Shaping Hospital Performance and Revenue

New analysis from NRC Health reveals that integrating real-time patient sentiment tools like Net Promoter Score with traditional HCAHPS surveys can accelerate improvements in care quality and directly impact Medicare reimbursements under value-based programs.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Slide Tied to $300 Billion Liquidity Squeeze, Says Arthur Hayes

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes argues that Bitcoin's recent downturn is a symptom of a broader $300 billion contraction in U.S. dollar liquidity, driven by Treasury cash management and tighter financial conditions, rather than crypto-specific weakness.

Jan 30, 2026

World

ICAS Expands Rising Stars Awards, Adding Social Impact Category to Spotlight Next-Gen Accountants

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland launches its 2026 CA Rising Stars search, introducing a new 'Community and Social Value' award to recognize young professionals driving ethical and technological change in the field.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Swatch Group Sees Sharp Profit Drop Amid Sluggish Sales and Rising Costs

Swiss watch and jewelry giant Swatch Group reported a steep decline in full-year profit and revenue, with pre-tax earnings nearly halved as consumer demand softened and operational costs climbed.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Binance Bets Big on Bitcoin: Converts $1 Billion User Safety Net Amid Mounting Scrutiny

In a bold strategic pivot, cryptocurrency giant Binance announced it will convert its entire $1 billion SAFU emergency reserve from stablecoins to Bitcoin over the next month, a move seen as both a vote of confidence in BTC and a potential gamble on user protection funds.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

MarineMax Navigates Choppy Waters: Premium Sales Buoy Q4 Revenue as Margins Face Squeeze

MarineMax's Q4 2025 results surpassed revenue forecasts, driven by robust premium boat sales, but profitability was hampered by industry-wide discounting and cautious consumer spending, leading to a wider-than-expected loss per share.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

HSBC UK and Sage Partner to Launch Integrated Tax Tool as Digital Reporting Deadline Looms

HSBC UK and Sage have unveiled 'My Business Finances', a new digital tool embedded within the bank's platform to help sole traders and landlords comply with upcoming Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax rules, streamlining invoicing, bookkeeping, and tax filing in one place.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

J.P. Morgan Downgrades Enbridge, Spotlighting Growth-Dividend Dilemma in Shifting Energy Landscape

A recent downgrade of Enbridge Inc. by J.P. Morgan analysts has intensified the debate over the pipeline giant's ability to balance future growth with its prized dividend stability, as macroeconomic headwinds pressure its core crude oil segment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Levi's Beats Earnings Forecasts, But Is Its DTC Push Enough to Justify a Higher Valuation?

Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI) posted stronger-than-expected full-year 2025 results, driven by organic growth and a strategic shift towards direct-to-consumer sales. Yet, with a muted stock performance year-to-date, investors are questioning if the iconic denim maker's transformation story is fully priced in.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Leadership Crisis at Prudential Japan Tests Governance Amid Employee Misconduct Scandal

The resignation of Prudential Financial's Japan life insurance CEO following a widespread employee misconduct scandal has triggered governance reviews and shaken investor confidence in one of the insurer's key international markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Intuitive Machines Bolsters Space Ambitions with $800M Lanteris Acquisition and NASA Artemis II Role

Intuitive Machines (LUNR) is set to acquire Lanteris Space Systems in an $800 million deal, expanding its capabilities into vertically integrated space infrastructure. Concurrently, NASA has selected the company to provide critical tracking support for the upcoming Artemis II crewed lunar mission, signaling growing trust in its technical prowess.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

H&M Rewards Shareholders with Higher Dividend and Buybacks Amid Profitability Push

H&M Group announces a proposed dividend hike for 2026 and the completion of a major share buyback, signaling confidence in its ongoing profitability turnaround even as sales face headwinds from rivals like Zara and Shein.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UK-China Relations Thaw as Starmer Seeks Economic Reset Amid Global Trade Shifts

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's landmark visit to Beijing marks a cautious pivot in UK-China relations, yielding agreements on tariffs, visas, and green energy. But can British businesses navigate the opportunities and challenges of re-engagement?

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Hubbell's Rally Tests Valuation Ceiling: Is the Electrical Giant Still a Buy?

Hubbell Incorporated's stock has surged over 11% in the past month, closing near $498 and prompting a fresh debate among analysts over whether its current price fully reflects future growth potential amidst industry headwinds.

Jan 30, 2026