Latin America Economy

World

Costa Rica's Populist Wave Secures Presidency and Congress, But Falls Short of Sweeping Reform Mandate

Laura Fernandez and her Sovereign People's Party (PPSO) have made history by winning control of both the executive and legislative branches, a feat unseen in over three decades. However, their failure to secure a supermajority sets the stage for a contentious political landscape where negotiation, not unilateral action, will be required.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Venezuela Rewrites Its Oil Playbook: A Historic Reversal Seeks to Lure Back Foreign Capital

In a landmark shift, Venezuela's interim government has enacted a sweeping reform of its oil industry, dismantling decades of state control. The move aims to revive production but faces deep-seated risks and questions over who will truly benefit.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cracking the Cost: A Century of Egg Prices and Why Your Breakfast Is Getting Pricier

From under a dollar to over three, the price of a dozen eggs tells a story of inflation, disease, and changing agriculture. We break down the real cost by decade and explore what's driving your grocery bill higher.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Opera Shares Surge 17% on Expanded Crypto Wallet Support, Fueling Growth Outlook

Opera Limited's stock soared nearly 17% following its announcement of deeper integration of Tether's USDT and gold-backed tokens into its MiniPay wallet, targeting underbanked regions. The rally was further bolstered by stronger-than-expected preliminary Q4 2025 revenue figures.

Feb 2, 2026

Government Shutdown Disrupts Economic Calendar: Key Jobs Report Delayed

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has postponed the release of January's highly anticipated employment data due to a partial federal funding lapse, marking the latest economic disruption from Washington's budget impasse.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Tumbles Below $80,000: Geopolitical Tensions and Forced Liquidations Fuel Sharp Weekend Sell-Off

Bitcoin's sharp decline over the weekend, breaching the key $80,000 level, highlights its heightened sensitivity to macro risks and challenges its 'digital gold' narrative as investors scramble for safe havens.

Feb 2, 2026

World

U.S. and India Forge Trade Truce, Slashing Tariffs in Deal Tied to Energy and Ukraine

The United States and India have announced a significant trade agreement, dramatically reducing tariffs after months of tension. The deal, linked to India halting Russian oil purchases, aims to boost bilateral trade and supply chain diversification.

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

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

Trump Pressures House GOP to Back His Shutdown Deal Amid Conservative Revolt

President Trump urges immediate House passage of a bipartisan spending deal to end the government shutdown, facing resistance from both progressive Democrats and his own party's right flank over immigration enforcement terms.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Energy Sector Outperforms: Two Dividend Powerhouses for Steady Income in 2026

As the energy sector leads the market in early 2026, ConocoPhillips and Kinder Morgan emerge as compelling picks for investors seeking reliable, growing dividends backed by strong fundamentals and strategic positioning.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Navigating Market Uncertainty: Two Vanguard ETFs Poised for Resilience in a Potential 2026 Downturn

As economic anxieties mount, strategic diversification remains paramount. We examine two Vanguard ETFs that could offer stability and long-term growth opportunities should market conditions deteriorate.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Winter Storm Fern Exposes Grid Fragility: A Million Outages Reignite Infrastructure Debate

The severe winter storm Fern, leaving nearly a million customers without power, has starkly highlighted the U.S. electrical grid's persistent vulnerabilities. This comes despite repeated warnings from reliability monitors about the system's growing strain.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Opera Shares Soar 15% as Crypto Wallet Expands Tether Support, Targeting Emerging Markets

Opera's stock surged following the announcement of expanded Tether (USDT and XAUT) integration in its MiniPay wallet, which processed over $153M in stablecoin transactions in December and aims to simplify crypto access for its 12.6 million users in emerging economies.

Feb 2, 2026

Beyond Coupons and Coffee: The Calculated Spending Habits of Frugal Baby Boomers

As inflation persists, Baby Boomers are leveraging decades of financial experience to cut costs strategically. We examine the key spending categories they avoid and the generational mindset behind their money choices.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Wealthy Dissent: Prominent Millionaires Call for Higher Taxes on Themselves

As global leaders gather in Davos, a coalition of over 400 affluent individuals from 24 nations issues a stark demand: governments must impose higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy to tackle inequality.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Trump Legacy: How U.S. Trade Policy Ignited a Global Economic Realignment

Morgan Stanley's top strategist argues that recent U.S. trade shifts have prompted nations worldwide to reassess and leverage their own economic strengths, creating a multi-year investment opportunity in a more multipolar global order.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Capital Without Borders: How Private Equity and Gulf States Are Reshaping Sanctioned Energy Markets

The quiet maneuvering between Carlyle Group, Russia's Lukoil, and the UAE reveals a fundamental shift in global energy finance. As Western sanctions redraw the map, a new playbook is emerging—one where assets are restructured, risks are repackaged, and geopolitical neutrality becomes a tradable commodity.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Canadian Miners Kidnapped in Mexico's Sinaloa; Cartel Link Suspected

Ten employees of Vancouver-based Vizla Silver Corp. were abducted from a project site in Concordia, Sinaloa, on January 24, prompting a massive security operation and raising fears of cartel involvement in the region's mining sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Senate Showdown Looms Over Warsh Fed Nomination as Tillis Vows to Block Vote

A pledge by Senator Thom Tillis to halt Kevin Warsh's confirmation until an investigation into current Chair Jerome Powell concludes threatens to trigger a protracted and messy political standoff in the Senate, with implications for Federal Reserve leadership and market stability.

Feb 2, 2026