Global Markets

Business

Merck Bets on Precision Oncology with Strategic Eikon Investment and Guardant Health Alliance

Merck & Co. is laying the groundwork for its future in oncology beyond Keytruda, announcing a strategic investment in biotech Eikon Therapeutics and a major collaboration with diagnostic leader Guardant Health. The moves signal a targeted, partnership-driven strategy to bolster its pipeline and diagnostics capabilities in the competitive cancer therapy market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Precious Metals See Sharp Swings: What Jewelry Owners Need to Consider Before Selling

Gold and silver prices have soared over the past year, but recent volatility has many consumers and investors weighing whether to cash in on jewelry holdings or hold firm.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Venezuela's Oil Overhaul: A Historic Reversal Opens Doors, But Questions of Control and Corruption Linger

In a landmark shift, Venezuela's interim government has enacted a sweeping reform of its oil industry, dismantling core socialist-era controls to attract foreign investment. While promising a production boost, the new hybrid system raises concerns about transparency, U.S. oversight, and whether it truly marks a clean break from the past.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Iconic Outdoor Retailer Eddie Bauer to Shutter North American Stores, Enter Bankruptcy

The storied outdoor apparel brand Eddie Bauer is set to close all its physical stores across North America and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, marking a pivotal moment for a century-old retailer struggling to adapt in a rapidly changing market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Founder of Russia's Largest Bitcoin Miner Arrested as Firm Teeters on Bankruptcy

The arrest of BitRiver's founder on tax evasion charges coincides with an insolvency claim filed against the company, compounding pressures from sanctions, energy debts, and internal strife.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tech CEO Navigates AI Uncertainty: Why She's Still Backing Computer Science for the Next Generation

HubSpot CEO Yamini Rangan acknowledges the breakneck pace of change in tech roles but argues the core value of education—learning how to think and solve problems—remains timeless, even as she guides her own son into the field.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Mexico Defies U.S. Pressure, Vows Aid and Fuel for Cuba Amid Deepening Crisis

President Claudia Sheinbaum commits to humanitarian support and exploring fuel shipments to Cuba, directly challenging Trump administration efforts to isolate Havana. The move risks escalating tensions ahead of crucial U.S.-Mexico trade talks.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Palantir CEO Defends Surveillance Tech Amid Soaring Government Sales, ICE Scrutiny

As Palantir Technologies reports a massive surge in U.S. government revenue, CEO Alex Karp publicly defends the company's controversial surveillance platforms, insisting they contain safeguards against overreach. The defense comes amidst growing public and political scrutiny over its contracts with immigration enforcement agencies.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Strategic Congo City Airport Targeted in Drone Attack; M23 Rebels Blamed for Westernmost Strike

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo report a weekend drone attack on Kisangani's airport, marking a significant westward expansion of the conflict as M23 rebels are accused. No casualties were reported.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Venezuela, U.S. Envoys Hold High-Level Talks as Diplomatic Thaw Continues

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez met with U.S. Special Envoy Laura Dogu in Caracas, marking a significant step in the gradual restoration of bilateral ties severed four years ago.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

GameStop Signals Strategic Shift: Bitcoin Treasury Takes Backseat to 'Transformative' Acquisition Plans

GameStop has transferred its entire Bitcoin holdings to an institutional exchange, as CEO Ryan Cohen pivots the company's focus toward a major acquisition, suggesting its crypto strategy is being deprioritized.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ford and Xiaomi Deny Joint Venture Talks Amid CEO's Mixed Signals on Chinese EV Rivals

Ford Motor and Chinese tech giant Xiaomi have firmly denied a Financial Times report of preliminary talks to collaborate on electric vehicle production in the U.S., even as Ford's CEO publicly admires and studies Chinese EV technology while labeling it a major competitive threat.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Musk Merges SpaceX and xAI in Sweeping Empire Consolidation, Eyes Orbital Data Centers

Elon Musk has formally merged his rocket company SpaceX with artificial intelligence firm xAI, a strategic consolidation aimed at creating a vertically integrated powerhouse focused on AI and space infrastructure, according to an internal memo obtained by Business Insider.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Venezuela's Oil Sector Overhaul: A Pragmatic Pivot or a Sovereignty Surrender?

Venezuela enacts its most significant oil reform in nearly 50 years, dismantling core socialist tenets to attract foreign capital. While promising a production boost, the new hybrid system raises questions about transparency, U.S. influence, and whether it offers enough to lure back wary investors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ford's Decade-Long Road: Can the Auto Giant Navigate Political Whiplash and Find Its Footing?

Ford Motor Company's stock has dramatically underperformed the broader market over the past ten years. As political winds shift and its EV strategy reverses course, investors are left wondering if the iconic automaker can chart a stable path to growth or remain trapped in a cycle of reactionary moves.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Palantir Soars on AI-Driven Earnings Beat, Defying Skeptics with "Remarkable" Growth

Palantir Technologies' stock surged after hours as its Q4 earnings and bullish 2026 guidance surpassed analyst forecasts, signaling a powerful acceleration in its AI software business and vindicating CEO Alex Karp's long-term strategy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AST SpaceMobile Soars 53% in January on Defense Deal, Satellite Launch Momentum

Shares of the satellite broadband company surged last month, fueled by a key U.S. Missile Defense Agency contract and progress on its satellite constellation launch schedule, despite emerging competition.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Musk Consolidates Empire: SpaceX Acquires xAI Ahead of Blockbuster IPO

Elon Musk merges his space and AI ambitions under one roof as SpaceX finalizes the acquisition of xAI. The strategic move, combining Starlink, social platform X, and chatbot Grok, sets the stage for a landmark public offering and accelerates Musk's vision for off-planet data infrastructure.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Kalshi Bets Big on NYC: Prediction Market to Foot $50 Grocery Bills in East Village Pop-Up

In a bold marketing play ahead of the Super Bowl, prediction market platform Kalshi is temporarily rebranding a WestSide Market and covering $50 of groceries per customer, sparking a social media frenzy and questions about its regulatory future.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

NXP Beats Forecasts, Sees Industrial Rebound as Automotive Demand Accelerates

NXP Semiconductors projects first-quarter revenue above analyst expectations, fueled by resilient automotive chip sales and signs of stabilization in the industrial sector, despite ongoing softness in communications infrastructure.

Feb 2, 2026