Illinois Tool Works

Business

Chicago's Metropolitan Capital Bank Fails, Marking Second Consecutive Year of Early U.S. Banking Collapse

For the second year running, a Chicago financial institution has become the nation's first bank failure. Regulators shuttered Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust on Friday, citing unsafe practices and depleted capital. The FDIC facilitated a swift takeover by Detroit's First Independence Bank, ensuring depositors are protected.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Costa Rica's New Leader Seeks Bukele's Blueprint to Combat Surging Narco-Violence

President-elect Laura Fernandez turns to El Salvador's controversial leader Nayib Bukele for guidance, signaling a hardline shift in tackling Costa Rica's escalating drug trade violence, including plans for a Bukele-style mega-prison.

Feb 2, 2026

World

DHS Mandates Body Cameras for All Field Agents Nationwide, Starting with Minneapolis

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announces immediate rollout of body-worn cameras to all field officers, including ICE agents, with Minneapolis as the initial focus. The policy expands a federal transparency initiative amid heightened scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney Shares Tumble as Streaming Pivot Weighs on Profits

Disney's stock fell sharply Monday, reflecting investor unease over the financial toll of its transition from traditional cable to direct-to-consumer streaming, despite overall revenue growth.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Analysts Flag Potential 50% Undervaluation in Nine Entertainment Amid Media Sector Shake-up

A new discounted cash flow analysis suggests Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings' shares could be trading at half their intrinsic value, sparking debate among investors about the true worth of the Australian media giant in a challenging advertising landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

VEON's Meteoric Rise: Is the Telecom Stock Still a Bargain After Tripling in Three Years?

VEON's shares have surged over 340% in three years, dramatically outperforming the market. As the stock hovers around $54, analysts are divided: does this represent a classic value opportunity or a sign that the easy gains are over? We examine the valuation metrics behind the headline numbers.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gold's Wild Ride Leaves London's Historic Jewellery Quarter Reeling

The dramatic surge and sudden plunge in precious metal prices have thrown London's famed Hatton Garden into chaos, forcing jewellers, refiners, and families to navigate a volatile market with significant financial consequences.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Palantir Soars Past Forecasts, Projects Accelerated Growth for 2026

Palantir Technologies smashed Wall Street expectations for Q4 2025, reporting a 70% surge in revenue and issuing guidance that signals even stronger growth ahead. The data analytics giant's performance underscores its deepening traction in both government and commercial sectors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Uber's Earnings in Focus: Robotaxi Ambitions Collide with Regulatory Headwinds

As Uber Technologies prepares to report earnings, investors are weighing the long-term promise of its autonomous vehicle initiatives against immediate regulatory cost pressures in key markets like New York and France.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Netflix's All-Cash Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery: A High-Stakes Gamble on Content and Capital

Netflix's bold, all-cash offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for an estimated $72-83 billion is testing investor confidence and regulatory boundaries. The proposed mega-deal, which would dramatically reshape the streaming landscape, faces intense scrutiny over antitrust concerns and the strain it could place on Netflix's historically disciplined balance sheet.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Werner Enterprises Acquires FirstFleet, Cementing Its Position as a Top-Five Dedicated Carrier

Werner Enterprises' strategic acquisition of FirstFleet significantly expands its dedicated trucking footprint, adding key grocery and packaging clients. The deal, expected to be immediately earnings-accretive, arrives as investors scrutinize the company's valuation and growth trajectory amid a challenging freight market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Musk Eyes Unprecedented Merger: SpaceX and xAI in Advanced Talks to Combine Forces

Elon Musk is reportedly in advanced discussions to merge his space exploration giant, SpaceX, with his artificial intelligence venture, xAI, in a move that could reshape the frontiers of both industries and delay SpaceX's anticipated public offering.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Universal Pulls CFO Offer from ADM Executive Amid SEC Accounting Scandal

Universal has rescinded its employment offer to a former ADM finance executive just one day after the SEC filed suit against ADM's ex-CFO over alleged accounting misconduct in the nutrition segment, highlighting the widening fallout from the agribusiness giant's regulatory troubles.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Rare Alpine Lizard Pregnancy Sparks Hope for Critically Endangered Australian Species

A captive breeding program for the elusive Guthega skink in Victoria's high country yields a rare pregnancy, potentially boosting the known wild population from 11 to 13 individuals.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Judge Lifts Restraining Order, Allows DHS to Proceed with Evidence Disposal in ICE Shooting Case

A federal judge in Minnesota has rescinded an order that prevented the Department of Homeland Security from destroying evidence connected to the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti by ICE agents, allowing the controversial disposal process to move forward.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

OpenAI's AI Inference Shift Tests Nvidia's Dominance, Sparks Chip Industry Ripples

OpenAI is actively seeking alternatives to some of Nvidia's latest AI chips, focusing on specialized hardware for faster inference, according to sources. This strategic pivot introduces new tensions and competitive dynamics between the two AI titans, even as investment talks continue.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

German Chancellor Merz Urges Breakthrough for Unified EU Capital Market to Rival U.S.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for urgent action to dismantle barriers and create a truly integrated European capital market, arguing it is essential for the bloc's economic competitiveness and to keep innovative firms from listing abroad.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tax Season Headaches Ahead: IRS Staffing Cuts and New Laws Threaten Refund Delays

A perfect storm of deep personnel cuts, leadership instability, and sweeping tax code changes is set to challenge the IRS during the upcoming filing season, potentially slowing refunds for millions. Experts advise electronic filing and direct deposit to navigate the hurdles.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Beaver Nuggets: Inside Buc-ee's High-Wage Strategy and Its Workforce Impact

The Texas-born travel center giant Buc-ee's is renowned for massive stores and spotless restrooms. But its most disruptive industry practice might be its pay scale, which far exceeds typical convenience store wages and fuels intense competition for jobs.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Opera Stock Surges as MiniPay Wallet Embraces Tether's USDT, Signaling Deeper Crypto Push

Opera's shares soared nearly 18% after the browser company integrated Tether's dominant USDT stablecoin into its MiniPay wallet, highlighting investor optimism around its Web3 strategy despite unanswered questions on long-term monetization.

Feb 2, 2026