Laura Fernandez, a close ally of outgoing populist President Rodrigo Chaves, has been elected Costa Rica's next leader. She pledges to continue his transformative agenda, including constitutional reforms and emergency measures to combat drug violence, signaling a profound shift for the nation.
Voters head to the polls in Costa Rica, with the ruling right-wing populist party aiming to secure a decisive mandate and a legislative supermajority to tackle record violence and political gridlock.
As Costa Ricans cast their ballots this Sunday, the election is defined by unprecedented security fears, economic inequality, and widespread political disenchantment, challenging the country's long-held identity as a peaceful and stable democracy.
Costa Ricans cast ballots Sunday in an election defined by soaring narco-violence, with ruling party candidate Laura Fernandez, promising a Bukele-style crackdown, favored to win. The vote signals a potential rightward shift and constitutional showdown in a nation struggling with its transformation into a major drug trafficking hub.
Laura Fernández, former chief of staff to President Rodrigo Chaves, holds a commanding lead and could secure an outright victory, promising to double down on the incumbent's hardline security agenda.
With over half the early vote counted, governing party candidate Laura Fernandez appears poised to secure a first-round victory, potentially avoiding a runoff.
As Chinese exports, from electric vehicles to e-commerce goods, reshape Latin American markets, governments and industries grapple with the dual pressures of affordable consumer goods and strained local manufacturing, forcing a delicate recalibration of trade policies and regional alliances.
Fifth Third Bancorp has finalized its acquisition of Comerica in under four months, a swift consolidation that underscores a new era of accelerated bank mergers driven by regulatory shifts and the relentless pursuit of scale.
The International Monetary Fund projects average growth in sub-Saharan Africa at 4.6% for the year, edging ahead of Asia's 4.1%, signaling a potential turning point driven by demographics but tempered by significant investment challenges.
Africa's used vehicle market is on track to expand at nearly 7% annually, approaching a $200 billion valuation by 2033, as demand for affordable personal transport surges across the continent.
The finalized merger between Cincinnati-based Fifth Third and Dallas's Comerica creates a banking giant with nearly $300 billion in assets, dramatically expanding its footprint in the nation's fastest-growing markets.
American Airlines begins compensating flight attendants left without accommodations during Winter Storm Fern, as the union accuses management of contract violations and calls for accountability.
A last-minute, short-term extension of the cornerstone US-Africa trade program AGOA has been passed, averting immediate expiration but leaving businesses and governments on both continents anxious about the partnership's long-term trajectory.
As Chinese exports, from electric vehicles to e-commerce parcels, flood Latin American markets, nations across the region are grappling with the dual pressures of protecting domestic industries and maintaining vital economic ties with Beijing.
New Gold Inc. shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the planned acquisition by Coeur Mining, a move set to create a leading, diversified precious metals producer focused entirely in North America. The deal, valued through a share swap, is anticipated to close in mid-2026.
The S&P 500's 1.4% rise in January 2026 aligns with a decades-old market indicator, the 'January Barometer,' which historically signals strong full-year performance. Analysis of the past 40 years shows an 80% probability of gains through December following a positive January.
A surge of competitively priced Chinese electric vehicles and consumer goods is rapidly transforming Latin American markets, forcing governments from Mexico to Brazil to enact new tariffs and trade defenses to shield domestic industries from the influx.
As a federal judge advances a lawsuit tying Bank of America to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking network, the financial giant simultaneously positions itself at the forefront of stablecoin regulation discussions with Coinbase and the White House, creating a complex risk-and-opportunity landscape for investors.
As Chinese exports, from electric vehicles to e-commerce parcels, flood Latin American markets, governments are walking a tightrope between protecting domestic industries and satisfying consumer demand for affordable goods, all while navigating deepening economic ties with Beijing.
Atkore International is set to report its quarterly earnings Tuesday morning. Investors will be watching closely to see if the company can overcome recent headwinds in the electrical systems sector and meet Wall Street's forecasts.
