First State Bank

Business

Slovenia Taps Planet Labs for Satellite Data, as Market Weighs High-Flying Valuation

Planet Labs secures a strategic enterprise agreement with the Slovenian government, expanding its public sector footprint with applications in agriculture, urban development, and disaster preparedness. The deal comes as investors scrutinize the company's premium market valuation amidst growing competition in the Earth observation sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Realty Income Diversifies: Enters Mexican Industrial Market and Launches Asset Management Arm

Realty Income, the renowned monthly dividend payer, is making a strategic pivot by acquiring industrial assets in Mexico and establishing a new fee-based asset management business for institutional investors, signaling a significant expansion beyond its core U.S. retail net-lease portfolio.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

TSMC's Arizona Megafab Signals AI Boom, But Investors Question Valuation Amid Massive Expansion

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's planned Arizona gigafab cluster, backed by a US$250 billion U.S.-Taiwan initiative, underscores its pivotal role in powering the AI revolution while raising questions about capital intensity and long-term returns in the reshoring era.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Graco Bolsters Industrial Tech Stature with Strategic Acquisition and Record Quarterly Sales

Industrial equipment maker Graco (NYSE: GGG) is expanding its powder technology footprint through the acquisition of Color Service, a specialist in gravimetric dosing. The move coincides with the company reporting record quarterly sales, fueled by organic growth and strategic integrations, signaling a period of focused expansion for the Minnesota-based firm.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

South African Startup Lift Airlines Gains IATA Membership, Paving Way for International Expansion

South African low-cost carrier Lift has secured membership in the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a key milestone that validates its business model and facilitates its planned regional expansion into Mauritius and Reunion.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Houthi Seizure of UN Telecom Gear Cripples Aid Operations in Yemen, UN Warns

The United Nations has condemned the seizure of critical telecommunications equipment from its offices in Sanaa by Houthi forces, warning the move severely hampers humanitarian efforts for millions of Yemenis amid a worsening crisis.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Justice Department Releases Massive New Batch of Epstein Documents, Fueling Political Firestorm

The U.S. Justice Department has begun releasing over three million pages from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, including photos and videos. The long-awaited document dump intensifies scrutiny on the financier's powerful associates, including former Presidents Trump and Clinton, amid accusations of a high-level cover-up.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Brazil's President Lula Discharged Following Routine Cataract Surgery, Expected to Resume Duties Next Week

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, was discharged from a Brasília eye hospital on Friday after a successful cataract operation. The veteran leftist leader is recovering at a presidential retreat and is scheduled to return to work on Monday, amid a busy domestic and international agenda.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Verizon Charts Aggressive Turnaround After Strong Q4, Unveils $25 Billion Buyback and Dividend Hike

Under new leadership, Verizon posts its best subscriber growth in years, outlines a massive cost-cutting plan, and signals a strategic pivot towards customer retention and convergence, backed by the completed Frontier acquisition.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Tesla's Pivot to Autonomy Divides Wall Street: Analysts Weigh 'End of an Era' Against Bullish Tech Bets

Tesla's latest earnings call, emphasizing a strategic shift towards autonomous vehicles and robotics, has drawn a spectrum of reactions from prominent investors. While some see it as a necessary evolution, others warn of significant costs and transitional risks, creating a clear divide in analyst sentiment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AI's Double-Edged Sword: Software Stocks Slump as Innovation Fuels Investor Anxiety

A wave of selling has hit enterprise software giants, with sector leaders like SAP and Salesforce shedding billions in market value. The trigger? Microsoft's latest earnings revealed a slowdown in its cloud growth, but the deeper unease stems from AI's potential to disrupt the very foundations of the SaaS business model.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

7 Leaves Cafe Brews Up a Tech Upgrade: Partners with Square to Streamline Operations Across All 44 U.S. Stores

The popular Vietnamese-American beverage chain is implementing Square's commerce platform to unify in-store and drive-thru experiences, enhance loyalty programs, and scale its growing national footprint.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Business Touts Record Capital Recycling, Nears Corporate Reorganization Milestone

Brookfield Business Partners reported a robust 2025, generating over $2 billion from asset sales, reducing debt, and making strategic acquisitions. The firm is on the cusp of a major corporate restructuring into a single listed entity, aiming to boost liquidity and investor appeal in a shifting global landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Analysis: U.S. Military Threats Against Iran Risk Triggering a Global Nuclear Domino Effect

As the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Tehran, experts warn that military action aimed at halting Iran's nuclear program could backfire, potentially accelerating proliferation worldwide and unraveling the non-proliferation regime.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Corcept Therapeutics Stock Plummets as FDA Reveals It Warned Company Against Drug Submission

Shares of Corcept Therapeutics plunged 16% after a corrected FDA letter disclosed the agency had repeatedly cautioned the company against filing its application for a Cushing's syndrome drug, which was later rejected over efficacy and safety concerns.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Institutional Investors Hold Sway Over BrightSpire Capital With 61% Stake

BrightSpire Capital, Inc. (BRSP) finds itself predominantly in the hands of institutional investors, a vote of confidence that brings both stability and potential volatility. As major funds like Vanguard and BlackRock hold significant shares, the stock's trajectory is closely tied to their moves.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Virginia Sees Uptick in Jobless Claims Amid Mixed National Picture

Initial unemployment filings in Virginia rose by over 27% last week, contrasting with a slight national decline and highlighting regional economic disparities.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Iranian Hospitals Under Siege: Wounded Protesters and Medics Targeted in Crackdown

Rights groups document a disturbing pattern of Iranian security forces raiding hospitals to arrest injured protesters and the medical personnel treating them, transforming sanctuaries of care into sites of fear and reprisal.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Burkina Faso's Military Government Dissolves All Political Parties, Deepening Democratic Crisis

In a sweeping decree, Burkina Faso's junta has formally dissolved the nation's political parties and seized their assets, a move analysts warn consolidates authoritarian rule and extinguishes a key pillar of democratic life amid an escalating security crisis.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

American Express Caps Strong 2025 with Record Revenues, Eyes Sustained Premium Growth in 2026

American Express reported record full-year revenues of $72 billion for 2025, driven by robust card member spending and a strategic shift towards premium products. The company forecasts continued momentum for 2026, targeting 9-10% revenue growth and a significant dividend hike, while navigating a competitive landscape and macroeconomic uncertainties.

Jan 30, 2026