Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Business

Singapore's Green Flight Ambition Takes Off: Google, Airlines Join Landmark SAF Procurement Trial

A consortium of nine major corporations, including Google and Singapore Airlines, is launching a voluntary trial for centralized sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) procurement. This pilot, led by the newly formed SAFCo, is a critical step ahead of Singapore's pioneering green levy on departing flights set for October, aiming to refine systems for a 1% SAF usage target.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing to Reopen Monday, Offering Lifeline to Gaza's Sick and Wounded

After nearly two years of near-total closure, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is set to reopen under a coordinated pilot operation. The move, a key element of international ceasefire efforts, will initially allow hundreds of critically ill patients and their families to seek medical care abroad.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Czech Capital Sees Mass Rally in Support of President Amidst Government Standoff

Tens of thousands gathered in Prague's Wenceslas Square on Sunday, voicing support for President Petr Pavel in his escalating constitutional dispute with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's coalition government. The protest, organized by pro-democracy activists, highlights deep divisions over Ukraine policy and a controversial ministerial appointment.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Judge Orders Release of 5-Year-Old and Father from ICE Custody Amid Heated Asylum Dispute

A federal judge has ordered the release of a five-year-old boy and his father from immigration detention, sparking a public clash between Trump administration officials and Democratic lawmakers over the family's asylum status and the treatment of migrant children.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Illinois Mother of Six Fatally Stabbed in Oswego Home; Ex-Husband Charged with Murder

Ashley Stewart, 41, was killed in an alleged attack by her ex-husband inside her Oswego residence. The suspect, Ryan Dodd, faces multiple felony charges as friends remember Stewart as a 'beacon of light' and a community rallies to support her grieving family.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Houston Mother of Five Found Deceased in Freezing Conditions, Highlighting Gaps in Homelessness and Mental Health Support

The death of Alicia Harnishfeger, discovered under a downtown bridge during a severe cold snap, has sparked conversations about systemic failures in addressing homelessness intertwined with mental health and substance abuse crises.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Napa's Changing Landscape: Hall of Fame Coach Dick Vermeil Closes Tasting Room Amid Industry Downturn

As the U.S. wine industry grapples with a multi-year slump, iconic tasting rooms are shuttering. The latest casualty is Hall of Fame NFL coach Dick Vermeil's Napa venue, a move reflecting broader shifts in consumer habits and market pressures.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Northern Ireland Puts Brakes on Hotel Tax Hike, Offering Relief to Struggling Hospitality Sector

The Northern Ireland Executive has suspended a planned revaluation of hotel business rates, averting significant tax increases for accommodation providers slated for 2026 and providing temporary stability for the region's tourism industry.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Avery Dennison's Valuation in Focus as Smart Label Demand Offsets Market Volatility

Shares of materials and labeling giant Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) have shown resilience amid broader market swings, reigniting debate over its intrinsic value. With a significant gap between its current price and analyst targets, investors are weighing its growth in digital identification technologies against persistent sector headwinds.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Starbucks Brews a Comeback: How AI and a Return to 'Third Place' Roots Aim to Revive the Coffee Giant

After years of sluggish sales and brand challenges, Starbucks is betting on a dual strategy: deploying AI to streamline operations while reinvesting in the in-store experience. CEO Brian Niccol outlines the plan he believes will restore growth and community connection.

Feb 2, 2026

World

After Six Years of Devotion, Iraqi Calligrapher Completes Monumental Handwritten Quran in Istanbul

In a quiet corner of an Istanbul mosque, Iraqi master calligrapher Ali Zaman has concluded a six-year spiritual and artistic journey: the creation of what is believed to be the world's largest handwritten Quran. The monumental work highlights the enduring legacy of Islamic calligraphy, an art form that flourished under Ottoman patronage and continues to find a vibrant center in modern Turkey.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Subsea 7 Lands Major Shell Contract in Gulf of Mexico, Bolstering Deepwater Backlog Through 2027

Subsea 7 secures a significant contract from Shell for the Kaikias Waterflood project, reinforcing its position in complex deepwater engineering and extending its project visibility in the US Gulf of Mexico.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Tether Posts Record $10B+ Profit in 2025, Bolstered by Massive Gold and Treasury Holdings

The stablecoin issuer finished 2025 with over $10 billion in net profit, backed by a $17.4 billion gold reserve and a U.S. Treasury portfolio that rivals major nations, as demand for its USDT token continues to surge globally.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Columbia Distributing's Acquisition of Point Blank to Affect 177 Jobs in Oregon, Facilities in Bend and Eugene to Close

The planned acquisition of craft beverage distributor Point Blank by industry giant Columbia Distributing will result in the closure of two Oregon facilities and impact 177 workers, despite assurances of a 'seamless' transition for partners.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

The High Cost of Plastic: How Credit Card Rates Hit Record Highs and the Political Battle to Cap Them

As average credit card APRs soar past 20%, a proposed 10% rate cap ignites a fierce debate between consumer advocates and the banking industry over access to credit and the future of rewards.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Alaska Air Group Charts New Course with Unified Training Hub and Hawaiian Merger Completion

Alaska Air Group unveils a major operational overhaul, opening a new $200 million Global Training Center while finalizing the integration of Hawaiian Airlines. The moves signal a strategic push to streamline operations and bolster competitiveness against larger rivals.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

OpenAI in Advanced Talks for Massive Funding Round, Eyeing Up to $40 Billion from Tech Titans Nvidia, Amazon, and Microsoft

OpenAI is reportedly in late-stage discussions to secure a colossal funding package, potentially nearing $40 billion, from its key partners and suppliers Nvidia, Amazon, and Microsoft, as the AI leader seeks capital for an ambitious global expansion.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Federated Hermes Caps 2025 with Record $903B AUM, Charts Course in Tokenization and Alternatives

The global investment manager reported robust growth in money market and equity strategies during its Q4 2025 earnings call, while detailing expansion into digital assets and the pending acquisition of real estate specialist FCP.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Chevron Caps 'Year of Execution' with Record Output, Dividend Hike, and Strategic Gains

Chevron reported robust fourth-quarter results, emphasizing record global production, major project startups, and increased shareholder returns. Executives detailed progress in the Permian Basin, Gulf of Mexico, and international ventures while outlining a confident outlook for 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

T-Mobile's Balancing Act: Can Network Strength Outweigh Mounting Price War and Softer 2026 Outlook?

T-Mobile US faces a pivotal moment as aggressive industry pricing and a tempered 2026 financial forecast clash with its robust operational performance and network leadership, prompting a major investor exit and forcing a reevaluation of its growth narrative.

Jan 30, 2026