Mining Policy

Business

Lithium Americas Shares Slide as U.S. Government, GM Restructure Thacker Pass Stake

Shares of Lithium Americas (TSX:LAC) fell sharply following the formalization of new funding agreements with the Department of Energy and General Motors for the Thacker Pass project. The deals grant the DOE discounted warrants and a stake in the venture, reshaping its capital structure and cementing federal involvement, while raising fresh questions about dilution and execution risks for the pre-revenue miner.

Feb 4, 2026

US

The Invisible Handcuffs: How Outdated Building Codes Stifle Affordable Housing

Beyond zoning, a labyrinth of construction rules and fire safety mandates treats apartments as commercial hazards, driving up costs and deepening the U.S. housing shortage. Reform advocates are pushing back against a century of bias embedded in policy.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

California Defies National Trend as Homebuyers Still Pay Above Asking in Key Markets

While most U.S. buyers now secure discounts, a new analysis reveals three major California metro areas remain outliers where premiums are the norm, underscoring the state's persistent affordability crisis.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Xi, Putin Reaffirm Strategic Partnership in Video Summit, Hail Alliance as Global 'Stabilizing Force'

Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin underscored the deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in a high-level video call, framing their alignment as a crucial anchor amid global turbulence. The talks focused on enhanced coordination, robust trade ties, and a shared commitment to a multipolar world order.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Goldman Sachs Study: 401(k) Participation Boosts Retirement Savings by Nearly 30%

A new survey from Goldman Sachs Asset Management reveals a stark retirement readiness gap, with workers enrolled in 401(k) plans accumulating significantly larger nest eggs than their non-participating peers.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Greenland's Record January Heat Reshapes Arctic Economy, Amplifying Geopolitical Stakes

Preliminary data reveals Greenland's warmest January on record, with temperatures far exceeding historical norms. The rapid warming, occurring at four times the global average rate, is forcing a recalibration of the island's economic pillars—from fishing to mineral extraction—while intensifying international interest in its strategic resources.

Feb 4, 2026

World

EU Commission Praises TikTok's Cooperation in Romanian Election Interference Probe

The European Commission has commended TikTok for its "extremely cooperative" stance in an ongoing investigation into potential foreign interference during Romania's 2024 presidential election, as formal proceedings against the platform continue.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Seeking Stability in a Bull Market: Three Dividend Stocks to Watch as 2026 Unfolds

With major indices climbing on renewed economic optimism, investors are increasingly turning to dividend-paying stocks for a blend of income and stability. We analyze three financial sector contenders offering reliable yields and solid fundamentals for consideration in February 2026.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

AstraZeneca's Oncology Ambitions Advance as Key Cancer Therapies Near Regulatory Finish Line

Regulatory milestones for two AstraZeneca cancer drugs—one in the U.S. and one in Europe—signal momentum for the pharma giant's targeted oncology pipeline, offering new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Select Water Solutions Announces Quarterly Dividend Amid Earnings Growth and Payout Concerns

Select Water Solutions (NYSE:WTTR) confirms a $0.07 per share dividend payment for February, yielding 2.3%. While the company demonstrates robust earnings growth, analysts flag its high payout ratio as a point of caution for income-focused investors.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 17 in Gaza, Military Cites Attack on Officer Amid Fragile Truce

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed 17 people and wounded dozens, according to local rescue services, after the military said gunfire wounded an officer. The violence underscores the fragility of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire as limited humanitarian crossings resume.

Feb 4, 2026

Bipartisan Senate Bill Seeks $70 Billion Boost for Export-Import Bank, Aligning with Trump's Critical Minerals Agenda

A bipartisan group of senators is set to introduce legislation that would reauthorize the U.S. Export-Import Bank for ten years and significantly expand its lending capacity by $70 billion, a move aimed at bolstering the nation's strategic position in the global race for critical minerals.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Mayville Engineering Company's Stock Surge: A Closer Look Beyond the ROE Numbers

Mayville Engineering Company's (MEC) stock has climbed 20% in three months, but its modest Return on Equity tells a more complex story. We examine the financial drivers behind the rally and what it signals for investors.

Feb 4, 2026

US

Fourth-Grader Released from ICE Custody in Minnesota Suburb, Three Students Remain Detained

Federal immigration authorities have released a fourth-grade student from Columbia Heights, Minnesota, the first of several detained children to be freed this week. The case highlights ongoing tensions in a community grappling with intensified enforcement actions.

Feb 4, 2026

World

U.S. Convenes Global Summit to Counter China's Dominance in Critical Minerals Supply

Washington hosts ministers from over 50 nations to forge a united front on securing vital mineral resources, aiming to reduce collective dependence on China for materials essential to modern technology and defense.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

The Hidden Clock: How Packaging Lead Times Make or Break Product Launches

In today's volatile market, the timeline for packaging design and delivery has emerged as a critical, yet often overlooked, factor determining operational agility, cost control, and market success.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Australia's Packaging Industry Calls for National Unity to Tackle Waste Crisis

Industry leaders are urging Australian governments to harmonize fragmented packaging regulations, arguing that a unified national approach is essential to boost recycling, support local reprocessing, and meet sustainability targets.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Copper's Rally Holds Firm as Strategic Stockpiling and Green Demand Fuel Optimism

Copper prices are consolidating near multi-year highs following a powerful surge, driven by China's call to bolster strategic reserves and resilient industrial demand. The rally underscores a broader commodities rebound and intensifying global competition for critical minerals.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Era of Nuclear Restraint Ends as New START Treaty Expires, Unleashing Uncharted Arms Race

The expiration of the last major U.S.-Russia nuclear arms control treaty ushers in a perilous new chapter, removing caps on the world's largest arsenals for the first time in over 50 years and raising fears of a destabilizing three-way arms race.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Human Rights Watch Warns of Systemic Collapse in 2026 Global Report

Human Rights Watch’s latest annual report issues a stark warning that the international human rights framework is facing unprecedented erosion, citing pressures from major powers and a retreat from multilateral commitments.

Feb 4, 2026