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Costa Rica Votes Amid Security Crisis, With Conservative Favorite Poised for Victory

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.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

End of an Era: Eddie Bauer Files for Bankruptcy, Shuttering 200 North American Stores

The iconic outdoor retailer Eddie Bauer is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a move that will close its entire fleet of roughly 200 physical stores across the U.S. and Canada. While its e-commerce and wholesale operations will live on, the decision marks a dramatic retreat from the mall landscape it helped define for decades.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

IonQ Bets $1.8 Billion on Vertical Integration with SkyWater Acquisition, Aims to Accelerate U.S. Quantum Chip Development

In a major consolidation move within the quantum computing sector, IonQ has announced a definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based semiconductor foundry SkyWater Technology for $1.8 billion. The deal aims to create a domestically controlled, vertically integrated platform to speed up the development and production of advanced quantum processors, citing both technological and national security imperatives.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

First Bank Corp. Bolsters Arkansas Footprint Through Merger with First State Bank of Russellville

First Bank Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Russellville-based First State Bank, a strategic move set to deepen the holding company's roots in the Arkansas River Valley region while preserving the community bank's local identity.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Silver's Surge: Why This 130-Year-Old U.S. Miner Could Outshine the Metal Itself

As silver prices breach $100 amid a structural supply deficit, analysts spotlight Hecla Mining's low-cost operations and North American focus as a strategic hedge against market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Honeywell Accelerates Aerospace Spin-Off to Q3 2026 Amid Record Orders, Reshaping Investor Outlook

Honeywell International posts a robust Q4 with record orders and backlog, while announcing an accelerated timeline to spin off its core Aerospace business as a standalone public company by late 2026, a move set to redefine its investment profile.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AI's Relentless Pace: Tech Giants Forced to Choose Between Evolution and Obsolescence

As artificial intelligence reshapes the competitive landscape, tech leaders face a stark choice: disrupt their own profitable core businesses or risk being left behind. New financial results from Microsoft, Meta, and Tesla reveal the high-stakes strategies—and market reactions—defining this pivotal moment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

OpenAI's Reported 2026 IPO: A High-Stakes Test for the AI Investment Frenzy

Sources indicate OpenAI is accelerating plans for a late-2026 public listing, a move that would place its massive cash burn and long road to profitability under intense investor scrutiny, potentially defining the next phase of the AI boom.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Business Partners Charts Course as a New Corporation After 'Excellent' Year

Brookfield Business Partners (BBU) reports a strong 2025 defined by strategic capital moves and operational gains across its portfolio. The company is on the cusp of a major corporate reorganization into a single listed entity, aiming to boost liquidity and attract a wider investor base.

Jan 30, 2026

World

MSF Refuses Israeli Demand for Staff Data, Citing Safety Risks in Gaza

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has definitively rejected an Israeli order to hand over sensitive staff information, following months of failed negotiations. The move comes amid a wider crackdown on aid groups and a devastating toll on healthcare workers in the conflict.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

BigBear.ai Forges Strategic Alliance with Abu Dhabi's Maqta to Reshape Global Port Security with AI

In a move set to redefine border and cargo operations, U.S. AI specialist BigBear.ai has partnered with Abu Dhabi's Maqta Technologies. The collaboration, unveiled at a major industry forum, aims to develop next-generation AI solutions for government agencies and port operators worldwide, focusing on efficiency and security.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to Succeed Powell, Signaling Major Shift for Central Bank

President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor and longtime critic of current policy, as the next Fed chair. The move, seen as an effort to align the central bank more closely with White House priorities, could redefine its historic independence and monetary policy direction.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Rio Tinto and China's Chalco Forge Joint Venture to Seize Control of Brazil's CBA in $900M Deal

Mining giant Rio Tinto and state-owned Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) have entered a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling 68.6% stake in Brazil's Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) from Votorantim, valuing the deal at approximately $902.6 million. The move signals a major consolidation in the global low-carbon aluminum sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Thai Beverage's Five-Year Slump: Shareholders Grapple with 29% Loss Amid Market Outperformance

Despite modest earnings growth, Thai Beverage (SGX:Y92) has seen its share price tumble 40% over five years, leaving long-term investors with a significant total return deficit. We examine the disconnect between fundamentals and market sentiment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AI and Academia Reshape San Francisco's Showplace Square, Signaling a New Chapter for Office Market

Once a symbol of tech retrenchment, San Francisco's Showplace Square is undergoing a profound transformation. Major leases by AI firms Together AI and Physical Intelligence, coupled with Vanderbilt University's planned campus, are redefining the neighborhood as a nexus for technology, education, and innovation, offering a significant boost to the city's office recovery narrative.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

U.S. Bets Big on Homegrown Rare Earths, Challenging Lynas Amid Leadership Shift

Major U.S. federal investment to build a domestic rare earth supply chain emerges as a direct competitive threat to Lynas Rare Earths, coinciding with the planned retirement of its long-serving CEO Amanda Lacaze. The developments test the Australian miner's strategic position in a market defined by geopolitical tensions and supply security concerns.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Milano Cortina 2026: The Last Winter Games Under Patchwork Transgender Athlete Rules

As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, the event is set to be the final one governed by a fragmented system of regulations for transgender athletes' participation. With the IOC poised to introduce universal guidelines, the Games in Italy spotlight a global debate balancing inclusion, fairness, and the future of women's sport.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Baidu's Self-Driving Bet Gains Traction, Fueling Investor Debate on Future Value

As Baidu pivots from its search engine roots, its heavy investments in autonomous vehicle technology are beginning to yield operational results, reshaping analyst views and sparking fresh valuation discussions amidst fierce AI competition.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Union Pacific Revives $85 Billion Norfolk Southern Bid, Aims to Forge First Transcontinental Railroad

Union Pacific is preparing a revised application for its proposed $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern after regulators rejected the initial filing over competition and information concerns. The deal, which would create the first coast-to-coast freight railroad in the U.S., faces intense scrutiny over its potential impact on shipping costs, labor, and market competition.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Hims & Hers Bets Big on Super Bowl Ad to Bridge Healthcare Gap and Investor Confidence

In a bold marketing move, telehealth company Hims & Hers is leveraging the Super Bowl's massive audience to spotlight healthcare inequality with its 'Rich People Live Longer' campaign. The push comes as the company expands into advanced diagnostics and treatments, while its stock navigates a significant valuation gap after recent volatility.

Feb 2, 2026