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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

World

From Barcelona to Phoenix: The Global Tourism Boom's Hidden Cost in Neighborhoods and Housing

As global travel surges past pre-pandemic records, the influx of visitors is straining infrastructure and reshaping communities worldwide. From European protests to quiet American suburbs, the quest for authentic experiences is colliding with local life, fueling a housing crisis and raising a critical question: can cities belong to both residents and tourists?

Jan 30, 2026

Business

1-800-FLOWERS Posts Mixed Q4: Revenue Slips but Profitability Soars on Cost-Cutting Drive

The floral and gift e-commerce giant 1-800-FLOWERS reported a 9.5% year-over-year revenue decline to $702.2 million for its fiscal fourth quarter, aligning with Wall Street's subdued expectations. However, disciplined cost management fueled a significant earnings beat, with non-GAAP EPS of $1.20 surging 39.5% above estimates.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Northland Cuts Bitdeer Price Target to $25 After December Update, Maintains Bullish Stance

Northland Capital has revised its price target for Bitdeer Technologies (BTDR) downward to $25, citing a more conservative valuation approach following the company's latest operational update. The firm, however, reaffirmed its Outperform rating, signaling continued confidence in the blockchain and high-performance computing firm's long-term strategy.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Carnival Stock Surges 9.3% on Record Earnings, Dividend Return, and NYSE Unification Plan

Carnival Corporation & plc sees its shares rally after posting a record $4.5 billion in operating income for fiscal 2025, reinstating a quarterly dividend, and announcing plans to consolidate its dual-listed structure into a single NYSE entity, signaling a renewed focus on shareholder returns and corporate simplicity.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Presidential Endorsement Sends French Eyewear Maker Soaring, But Can It Revive a Fading Industry?

A pair of aviator sunglasses worn by French President Emmanuel Macron during a high-profile moment at Davos has triggered a global sales frenzy for the historic brand Henry Jullien. While the Italian-owned company sees its stock and orders surge, industry veterans question whether the presidential spotlight can stem the long-term decline of French eyewear manufacturing.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cyclic Materials Breaks Ground on $82 Million Rare Earth Recycling Hub in South Carolina

The new campus in McBee, SC, aims to bolster North American supply chains for critical minerals, starting with a 2,000-ton annual processing capacity for magnet scrap.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Seeking Shelter in Dividends: Three European Stocks Offering Yields Up to 13.6%

Amidst market turbulence, European investors are turning to high-yield dividend stocks for income stability. We examine three companies offering compelling payouts, weighing their potential rewards against inherent risks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bizarre Jailbreak Plot Foiled: Minnesota Man Posed as FBI Agent to Free Accused CEO Killer

A Minnesota pizza worker's audacious and poorly executed scheme to impersonate a federal officer and secure the release of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating a healthcare CEO, has resulted in his own arrest at a Brooklyn detention center.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Algoma Steel's $250M Defense Deal: A Watershed Moment or Distant Prospect for Investors?

Algoma Steel Group's binding agreement with Hanwha Ocean for Canada's submarine project could funnel up to $250 million into a new beam mill, bolstering national defense capacity. While promising, analysts urge investors to weigh this long-term potential against the company's immediate financial and operational challenges.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Russia-Ukraine Talks to Resume in Abu Dhabi Amid Ongoing Strikes

A new round of U.S.-mediated negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is scheduled for this week in Abu Dhabi, officials confirm, as battlefield violence and long-range attacks continue to shape the diplomatic landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Incentive Gap: Why Most Companies' Sales Compensation Plans Are Failing to Deliver Growth

New research reveals a stark disconnect: while a majority of firms are ramping up investment in incentive pay to fuel growth, widespread execution errors are rendering these costly programs ineffective, leaving potential revenue on the table.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

UAE's Non-Oil Trade Surpasses $1 Trillion, Narrows Gap with Saudi Arabia in Economic Diversification Race

The United Arab Emirates has achieved a milestone in its economic transformation, with non-oil trade exceeding $1 trillion for the first time in 2025. This rapid growth is closing the export gap with regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia, as both Gulf states accelerate their push beyond hydrocarbons.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Sea Limited's Stock Plunge: A Buying Opportunity or a Value Trap?

Sea Limited's shares have tumbled over 11% year-to-date, sparking debate among investors. While a discounted cash flow model suggests the stock is deeply undervalued, its lofty P/E ratio tells a more cautious tale. We examine the conflicting signals and what they mean for the Southeast Asian tech giant's future.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Russian Bitcoin Mining Giant BitRiver Placed Under Bankruptcy Supervision as CEO Faces House Arrest

Once a dominant force in Russia's crypto mining sector, BitRiver is now under court-ordered bankruptcy monitoring amid a cascade of financial and legal woes, including massive unpaid power bills and a criminal case against its founder.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Micron Bets $24 Billion on Singapore Hub in Strategic Pivot to AI Memory Dominance

Micron Technology is making a decisive shift from volatile consumer memory markets, channeling a massive $24 billion investment into Singapore to build advanced fabrication and packaging facilities aimed squarely at the booming AI data center sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Super Bowl Stock Market Superstition: Why Your Portfolio Shouldn't Bet on the Seahawks

The so-called 'Super Bowl Indicator' correctly predicted a market rise after last year's NFC win, but a deeper look at the data reveals it's little more than a coin toss—and a cautionary tale about spurious correlations in finance.

Feb 2, 2026

World

MSF Chief Warns of 'Catastrophic' Fallout as Israel Bans Aid Group from Gaza

The head of Médecins Sans Frontières warns that Israel's decision to terminate the group's operations in Gaza and the West Bank will deepen the humanitarian crisis, calling it a pretext to restrict vital aid.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Sistine Chapel's Iconic 'Last Judgment' to Be Veiled During Major Restoration

As Michelangelo's monumental fresco undergoes its first restoration in three decades, visitors to the Vatican will view a high-definition reproduction while conservators work to revive the masterpiece's original brilliance.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AI Tokens Tumble in Market Rout, But Development Pipeline Shows Resilience

A broad crypto market sell-off has dragged AI-linked tokens to one of their steepest weekly declines in recent memory, erasing billions in value. Despite the price pain, key infrastructure projects in the decentralized AI and agent ecosystem continue to advance.

Feb 2, 2026