EXTR

Business

Cocoa Futures Bounce from Multi-Year Lows as Oversold Market Triggers Short Covering

Cocoa prices staged a modest technical rebound on Friday, halting a month-long slide that had pushed contracts to their lowest levels in over two years. The move higher, driven by short-covering in an oversold market, comes amid a complex backdrop of abundant near-term supplies, weakening demand, and a tightening longer-term outlook.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Poland Points Finger at Russian Spy Agency Over Destructive Year-End Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure

Polish cybersecurity authorities have attributed a wave of disruptive cyberattacks in late December to a hacking group linked to Russia's FSB, marking a potential escalation in tactics against energy and heating infrastructure during a severe winter storm.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Value Traps: Three 'Bargain' Stocks That May Not Be Worth the Risk

While the allure of finding the next undervalued gem is strong, some stocks trading at low multiples may be cheap for a reason. We examine three companies where fundamental challenges could outweigh their seemingly attractive valuations.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SLB Secures Major Five-Year PDO Contracts for Oman's Block-6, Bolstering Local Manufacturing and Long-Term Services

SLB has won significant five-year contracts from Petroleum Development Oman for the giant Block-6 field. The deals mandate local wellhead manufacturing and deploy advanced recovery technologies, anchoring SLB's long-term service role and supporting Omani job creation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Metaplanet Doubles Down on Bitcoin Strategy with Major Capital Raise and U.S. Expansion

Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has approved a significant capital raise to bolster its Bitcoin treasury and reduce debt, marking a decisive shift toward a digital asset-focused corporate strategy while expanding its operational footprint in the United States.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Starbucks Bets $500 Million on Tech and Training to Ease Barista Burden, Amid Union Tensions

Facing ongoing labor disputes, Starbucks unveils a massive investment in new espresso machines, AI-assisted POS systems, and a store rating program aimed at streamlining operations and improving the partner experience.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Precious Metals Plunge: Gold Sees Worst Day in Decades, Silver Crashes 20% as Rally Unravels

A historic rally in gold and silver reversed violently on Friday, with gold futures plummeting over 10% in their sharpest decline since the 1980s and silver recording its largest single-day drop ever, amid a broader market sell-off.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Missouri Sports Betting Blasts Past Projections, Rakes in $543 Million in Debut Month

Missouri's sports betting launch exceeded all expectations, generating over half a billion dollars in wagers and securing its place among the nation's top markets in its first month of operation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Precious Metals Plunge as Warsh Fed Nomination Calms Markets

Gold and silver prices retreated sharply from record highs as President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve eased concerns over central bank independence, triggering a broad profit-taking sell-off.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

UK Court Greenlights $900 Million Class Action Against Valve, as Epic Games CEO Slams Steam's "30% Junk Fee"

A UK tribunal has allowed a massive lawsuit accusing Valve of anti-competitive practices to proceed, drawing vocal support from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, who calls Steam the last major platform clinging to restrictive payment rules.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond Nvidia: How Broadcom is Quietly Powering the AI Infrastructure Boom

As hyperscalers seek alternatives to expensive GPUs, Broadcom's custom chip design expertise positions it to capture a massive share of the projected $1.4 trillion data center capex market by 2030.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Rise of 'Soft Switching': Why Savvy Consumers Are Opening Multiple Bank Accounts

A growing financial strategy known as 'soft switching'—opening new bank accounts without closing old ones—is gaining traction. Experts say it can unlock higher yields, better features, and greater flexibility, but requires careful management to avoid pitfalls.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump's 'Great' Dollar Remark Fuels Historic Slide, Ignites Precious Metals Frenzy

President Trump's dismissal of concerns over the dollar's decline has accelerated a sell-off, sending the greenback to multi-year lows and triggering record-breaking rallies in gold and silver as markets question U.S. currency policy.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Robert Half Stock Soars 26% as Recruitment Giant Signals Long-Awaited Turnaround

Shares of the staffing leader surged after its Q4 earnings hinted at a potential end to a multi-year slump, with management pointing to positive sequential growth for the first time since 2021.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh for Top Central Bank Job

President Trump nominates Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor with Wall Street ties, to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair. His confirmation faces scrutiny amid questions over monetary policy direction and the central bank's political independence.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

MicroStrategy Shares Hit 17-Month Low Amid Bitcoin Volatility and Analyst Concerns

Despite a major new Bitcoin purchase, MicroStrategy's stock has plunged to its lowest level since September 2024, as market turbulence and mixed analyst sentiment pressure the crypto-focused software firm ahead of its earnings report.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

February 2026 Social Security Checks: Payment Dates and What Recipients Need to Know

Millions of Social Security beneficiaries will see their February payments arrive on schedule, with amounts reflecting this year's cost-of-living adjustment. Here is the complete calendar and key details.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

BlackRock's Strategic Bet: Why the World's Largest Asset Manager Is Doubling Down on Sibanye-Stillwater

BlackRock has increased its stake in the diversified precious metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater beyond 5%, signaling strong institutional confidence amid a historic rally in gold and platinum group metals. We examine the drivers behind the surge and what it means for investors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Electricity Bills Set to Keep Climbing Through 2026, Experts Warn Relief Is Not on the Horizon

With rising demand, grid investments, and volatile fuel costs, electricity prices are outpacing wage growth, squeezing not just low-income but now middle-class households. Policy interventions face long lead times, leaving little hope for near-term bill relief.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Federal Judge Halts Plan to End Deportation Protections for Thousands of Ethiopians in U.S.

A Boston federal judge has temporarily blocked the Biden administration's move to terminate Temporary Protected Status for over 5,000 Ethiopians, granting more time for a legal challenge against the decision.

Jan 30, 2026