Latin America Finance

Business

Rio Tinto and China's Chalco Forge Joint Venture to Seize Control of Brazil's CBA in $900M Deal

Mining giant Rio Tinto and state-owned Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) have entered a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling 68.6% stake in Brazil's Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) from Votorantim, valuing the deal at approximately $902.6 million. The move signals a major consolidation in the global low-carbon aluminum sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Uber's Autonomous Ambitions Face Reality Check as New Jersey Ruling Reclassifies Drivers

Uber Technologies is aggressively expanding its autonomous vehicle ecosystem through new partnerships and its AV Labs division, even as a landmark New Jersey court decision threatens to upend its core gig-economy labor model, setting the stage for a pivotal clash between its future vision and present-day regulatory challenges.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Nomura's Rally Pauses: Is Japan's Financial Giant Still Undervalued?

Nomura Holdings (TSE:9716) has surged 33% in three months, briefly pausing last week. As shares hover around ¥1,367, analysts debate whether the market has fully priced in the brokerage's recovery or if a significant valuation gap remains.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Baker Hughes Doubles Down on Energy Transition with Major Storage and Clean Ammonia Deals

Baker Hughes (BKR) is accelerating its pivot beyond traditional oil and gas, securing key roles in a landmark U.S. clean ammonia plant and expanding its stake in long-duration energy storage technology through a deepened partnership with Hydrostor.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Canada Grants Conditional Lifeline for Marineland's Stranded Belugas, Paving Way for U.S. Transfer

Federal officials have issued provisional approval to relocate 30 beluga whales and four dolphins from the shuttered Ontario park to accredited U.S. aquariums, averting an immediate euthanasia threat pending final health and care plans.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

CBO Report: Domestic Troop Deployments in 2025 Nearing $500 Million, With Ongoing Costs Looming

A new Congressional Budget Office analysis reveals the substantial financial burden of deploying National Guard and active-duty troops to several U.S. cities last year, with monthly costs for continued operations running into the tens of millions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Federal Narrative Shifts in Minneapolis Protester Shooting: From 'Violent Riot' to 'Yelling and Whistles'

The Department of Homeland Security has significantly softened its initial characterization of the events leading to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by border agents, now describing the scene as involving 'several civilians' rather than a riot, raising questions about the justification for the use of deadly force.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Minneapolis Mayor Urges National Coalition Against Federal Immigration Tactics, Warns of Civil Rights Erosion

In a fiery address to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called on local leaders nationwide to resist what he described as aggressive federal immigration enforcement, arguing such operations undermine public safety and constitutional rights.

Jan 30, 2026

World

A Village Hollowed Out: Mass Kidnapping Forces Exodus in Nigeria's Kaduna State

The abduction of nearly 200 residents from Kurmin Wali has shattered community life, triggering a wave of departures as survivors lose faith in state protection and face an uncertain future.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Hype: XRP and Sui Emerge as High-Potential Crypto Plays for 2026

While the crypto market navigates volatility, two assets priced under $2—XRP and Sui—are drawing institutional interest and possess specific catalysts that could drive significant growth in the coming year.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Taiwan's Economy Soars to 15-Year High, Fueled by AI Exports and U.S. Trade Pact

Taiwan's economy surged 8.6% in 2025, its fastest growth since 2010, driven by a global AI boom and a landmark trade agreement with the United States. While analysts project a moderation in 2026, the island's pivotal role in the tech supply chain has delivered record profits for its leading firms.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond HCAHPS: How Real-Time Patient Feedback is Shaping Hospital Performance and Revenue

New analysis from NRC Health reveals that integrating real-time patient sentiment tools like Net Promoter Score with traditional HCAHPS surveys can accelerate improvements in care quality and directly impact Medicare reimbursements under value-based programs.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Ethereum at a Crossroads: Can February 2026 Reverse a Rocky Start?

Ethereum enters February 2026 under pressure, testing key support near $2,690 after a historically weak January. Analysts are divided on whether seasonal trends or shifting on-chain dynamics will dictate the month's direction.

Jan 30, 2026

World

ICAS Expands Rising Stars Awards, Adding Social Impact Category to Spotlight Next-Gen Accountants

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland launches its 2026 CA Rising Stars search, introducing a new 'Community and Social Value' award to recognize young professionals driving ethical and technological change in the field.

Jan 30, 2026

World

England's Hidden Waste Scandal: Investigation Uncovers 517 Illegal Dumps, Exposing Systemic Failures

A nationwide investigation has revealed 517 illegal waste sites across England, some containing over 20,000 tonnes of material, raising urgent questions about the integrity of packaging waste management and corporate accountability.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Oil Rally Stalls as Geopolitical Tensions with Iran Keep Traders on Edge

Oil prices pulled back from multi-month highs on Friday amid broad market risk aversion, yet President Trump's intensified focus on Iran continues to inject a significant risk premium into the market, setting Brent crude for its strongest monthly gain in years.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

J.P. Morgan Downgrades Enbridge, Spotlighting Growth-Dividend Dilemma in Shifting Energy Landscape

A recent downgrade of Enbridge Inc. by J.P. Morgan analysts has intensified the debate over the pipeline giant's ability to balance future growth with its prized dividend stability, as macroeconomic headwinds pressure its core crude oil segment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Voyager Breaks Ground on Major Pueblo Defense Complex, Signaling U.S. Industrial Base Push

Voyager Technologies has commenced a significant expansion of its defense manufacturing facility in Pueblo, Colorado, marking one of the region's largest military-industrial investments in recent years. The project aims to bolster domestic production for missile defense and munitions, integrating advanced automation and AI-driven logistics.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UK-China Relations Thaw as Starmer Seeks Economic Reset Amid Global Trade Shifts

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's landmark visit to Beijing marks a cautious pivot in UK-China relations, yielding agreements on tariffs, visas, and green energy. But can British businesses navigate the opportunities and challenges of re-engagement?

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SAP Caps 2025 with Strong Cloud Surge, AI Integration Fuels Record Growth

The enterprise software giant reported a 19% jump in Q4 cloud revenue, with full-year net income more than doubling. CEO Christian Klein credits AI adoption and the 'RISE with SAP' program as key growth drivers for the coming years.

Jan 30, 2026