AI Investment

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Hong Kong Set to Issue First Stablecoin Licenses in March, Marking Watershed Moment for Crypto Hub Ambitions

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is poised to grant its inaugural stablecoin issuer licenses next month, a key step in the city's comprehensive push to establish a regulated digital asset ecosystem. The move follows a rigorous application process and signals a new era of oversight for the burgeoning sector.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Giuliani Casts Doubt on Official Epstein Suicide Narrative, Calls for Deeper Probe

In a recent podcast appearance, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani questioned the official conclusion that Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in federal custody, advocating for a more thorough investigation despite recent FBI affirmations.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Trump's Housing Conundrum: Pledging to Keep Prices High While Promising Easier Access for Buyers

President Trump's latest push to improve housing affordability centers on lowering borrowing costs, not home values. But with a severe shortage of homes and prices near record highs, economists warn his proposals may simply reignite price surges rather than create lasting relief for aspiring homeowners.

Feb 2, 2026

Government Shutdown Disrupts Economic Calendar: Key Jobs Report Delayed

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has postponed the release of January's highly anticipated employment data due to a partial federal funding lapse, marking the latest economic disruption from Washington's budget impasse.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney Q1 2026 Earnings: Iger Touts Record Parks Revenue, Streaming Stability, and a Quiet CEO Search

Disney's first-quarter earnings call highlighted a landmark $10 billion in Parks revenue and strong film performance, while the looming CEO succession question lingered in the background.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Markets Shrug Off Metals Rout, Focus on Strong Data and Trade Deals

Wall Street and the dollar advanced as robust economic indicators and a U.S.-India trade pact overshadowed a continued historic selloff in precious metals. Investors recalibrate around growth optimism and shifting geopolitical winds.

Feb 2, 2026

World

German Chancellor Merz Calls for Urgent European Sovereignty Amid Global 'Epochal Break'

In a stark New Year's address, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that Europe faces an 'epochal break' in global order and must urgently strengthen its strategic autonomy, economic competitiveness, and defense capabilities to navigate rising geopolitical tensions.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Costa Rica's New Leader Seeks Bukele's Blueprint to Combat Surging Narco-Violence

President-elect Laura Fernandez turns to El Salvador's controversial leader Nayib Bukele for guidance, signaling a hardline shift in tackling Costa Rica's escalating drug trade violence, including plans for a Bukele-style mega-prison.

Feb 2, 2026

World

DHS Mandates Body Cameras for All Field Agents Nationwide, Starting with Minneapolis

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announces immediate rollout of body-worn cameras to all field officers, including ICE agents, with Minneapolis as the initial focus. The policy expands a federal transparency initiative amid heightened scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney Shares Tumble as Streaming Pivot Weighs on Profits

Disney's stock fell sharply Monday, reflecting investor unease over the financial toll of its transition from traditional cable to direct-to-consumer streaming, despite overall revenue growth.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Foreclosed 432 Park Avenue Penthouse Finds Buyer at $50 Million Amid Tower's Legal Woes

A full-floor residence at the troubled supertall 432 Park Avenue, previously owned by developer Harry Macklowe, has sold for over $50 million following a foreclosure, as the building grapples with lawsuits over alleged structural defects.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Texas Primary Rival Backs Crockett's Statewide Prospects, Citing Electability Debate

In a notable show of party unity, Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico affirmed on 'The View' that Democratic primary opponent Rep. Jasmine Crockett could win a statewide race, addressing underlying questions about her electability as a Black woman in Texas.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Tumbles Below $80,000: Geopolitical Tensions and Forced Liquidations Fuel Sharp Weekend Sell-Off

Bitcoin's sharp decline over the weekend, breaching the key $80,000 level, highlights its heightened sensitivity to macro risks and challenges its 'digital gold' narrative as investors scramble for safe havens.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Columbia Financial Surpasses Revenue Forecasts with Stellar Q4 Performance

Columbia Financial (NASDAQ: CLBK) reported fourth-quarter revenue that significantly exceeded Wall Street expectations, driven by a 247% year-over-year surge. The community bank's performance highlights strengthening net interest income and an accelerating tangible book value.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Kforce Beats Q4 Revenue Forecasts but Shares Tumble on Profit Miss

The professional staffing firm Kforce (NYSE:KFRC) reported fourth-quarter sales that edged past analyst expectations, yet its stock plunged 11.7% as earnings per share fell sharply short of estimates, highlighting ongoing challenges in a tightening labor market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

GE Vernova's Meteoric Rise: After Doubling in a Year, Is the Energy Spin-Off Still a Buy?

Shares of GE Vernova (GEV) have surged over 100% in the past year, closing near $726. As the energy transition play captivates the market, analysts are divided on whether its valuation still offers room to run or signals a peak.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gold's Wild Ride Leaves London's Historic Jewellery Quarter Reeling

The dramatic surge and sudden plunge in precious metal prices have thrown London's famed Hatton Garden into chaos, forcing jewellers, refiners, and families to navigate a volatile market with significant financial consequences.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Unseen Danger: How Banking Risks Thrive in the Gaps Between Committees

As financial institutions grow more complex, a new report warns that their greatest vulnerabilities often lie not in unknown threats, but in systemic blind spots where accountability is diffused across multiple committees and functions.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Rocket Lab Secures $816M Defense Satellite Deal, Signaling Strategic Shift

The U.S. Space Development Agency's major contract award to Rocket Lab marks a pivotal expansion for the launch provider into the lucrative defense sector, with analysts forecasting accelerated revenue growth and a path to profitability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Werner Enterprises Acquires FirstFleet, Cementing Its Position as a Top-Five Dedicated Carrier

Werner Enterprises' strategic acquisition of FirstFleet significantly expands its dedicated trucking footprint, adding key grocery and packaging clients. The deal, expected to be immediately earnings-accretive, arrives as investors scrutinize the company's valuation and growth trajectory amid a challenging freight market.

Feb 2, 2026