Municipal Governance

Business

Adobe and Cognizant Forge Deeper Alliance to Power Enterprise Content with AI

Adobe and Cognizant are expanding their strategic partnership to help major corporations integrate generative AI into content creation and customer experience workflows. The move targets regulated, high-growth industries grappling with soaring demand for personalized content, positioning Adobe's tools as enterprise-ready solutions amid investor scrutiny over its stock performance.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chicago's Downtown Core Faces Unprecedented Office Vacancy Crisis, Raising Economic Alarm

Chicago's downtown office vacancy rate soared to a historic 28.2% at the close of 2025, more than double pre-pandemic levels, as remote work trends and business climate concerns drive a 14th consecutive quarter of record vacancies. Analysts warn of a deepening economic spiral with implications for city services and residents.

Feb 2, 2026

World

UK's Retreat from Contractual Certainty Threatens Its Investment Appeal

The British government's move to retroactively alter leasehold ground rent contracts is undermining a foundational pillar of its investment landscape: trust in the rule of law. This erosion of contractual certainty risks deterring the long-term capital essential for growth, from energy to AI infrastructure.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Syrian Army Enters Strategic Hasakah Under Ceasefire Deal, Marking Shift in Northeast

In a pivotal move, Syrian government forces have deployed in the northeastern city of Hasakah, following a U.S.-backed agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate their forces, signaling a major realignment in the war-torn region.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

MicroStrategy's Massive Bitcoin Bet Briefly Turns Red as It Continues $56 Billion Accumulation

The enterprise software firm's unprecedented Bitcoin treasury position fell below its average cost basis over the weekend, marking a rare paper loss event, even as the company continues its aggressive acquisition strategy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Hyperliquid's HYPE Token Jumps 10% on Plans to Expand into Prediction Markets and Options

The decentralized exchange's native token rallied following the announcement of a new proposal to introduce outcome-based contracts, a move seen as a direct challenge to established prediction market platforms.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Voters Back Abortion Rights, But Legislative and Legal Hurdles Persist

Despite successful ballot initiatives in several states, the path to securing abortion access remains fraught with legal challenges and legislative pushback, as seen in ongoing battles from Missouri to Arizona.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Newly Unsealed Emails Show Coinbase Leadership Was Aware of Jeffrey Epstein's 2014 Investment

Internal correspondence reveals Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam was personally briefed on and facilitated a multi-million dollar investment from the convicted sex offender, arranged by Tether's Brock Pierce.

Feb 2, 2026

World

EU's Green Transition at Risk as Critical Raw Materials Strategy Falters, Auditors Warn

A damning report from the EU's financial watchdog reveals the bloc's struggle to secure the minerals essential for its climate goals, highlighting failed trade deals, stalled recycling, and persistent over-reliance on external suppliers.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Shopify Clamps Down on Data Use and Revamps Partner Billing in AI Commerce Push

Shopify has introduced stricter controls on how partners can use merchant data for AI training and overhauled its billing framework, moves aimed at balancing innovation with data privacy as it advances its 'agentic commerce' vision.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Fact Check: Trump's Tariff Triumph Narrative Collides With Economic Data

An analysis of President Trump's recent op-ed claims reveals significant discrepancies between his portrayal of tariff success and official trade figures, price impact studies, and the nuanced reality of their implementation.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

New Leadership Era Begins at Target and Walmart as Industry Giants Navigate Shifting Retail Landscape

Target's Michael Fiddelke and Walmart's John Furner step into the CEO role, outlining priorities to reinvigorate growth and customer loyalty amid operational and social challenges.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Snowflake Inks Major $200M AI Pact with OpenAI, Embedding Models Directly Into Data Cloud

Snowflake announces a strategic $200 million partnership with OpenAI to integrate its AI models natively into the data cloud platform. The move aims to let enterprises query and analyze proprietary data using natural language, intensifying competition in the AI-infused data management sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

SEC Overhauls PCAOB Leadership, Appoints Demetrios Logothetis as New Chair

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has ushered in a new era for the accounting watchdog, naming a fresh chair and three board members tasked with refocusing the PCAOB on its core mission of investor protection.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Pass-Through Voting Gains Traction as Banks Navigate ESG Backlash and Regulatory Scrutiny

Facing pressure from both investors and regulators, banks and wealth managers are turning to pass-through voting mechanisms to reclaim shareholder influence and align stewardship with client values, even within passively managed funds.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ethereum's 2026: The Year of Convergence?

After a period of Bitcoin dominance, a confluence of technological maturity, shifting institutional narratives, and regulatory clarity could propel Ethereum back into the spotlight. Analysts point to its foundational role in decentralized finance and a series of upcoming catalysts as reasons for a potential breakout year.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

IBM Bolsters Enterprise AI Strategy with New Platform, Key Partnership, and PepsiCo CEO Joining Board

IBM intensifies its focus on the enterprise AI market with the launch of its governed deployment platform, a strategic collaboration with e& for regulated sectors, and the appointment of PepsiCo's Ramon Laguarta to its board of directors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the FTSE Slump: Three UK Penny Stocks Showing Resilience Amid Market Uncertainty

While broader UK indices face headwinds, a closer look reveals potential in smaller-cap companies. We examine three penny stocks—Alumasc Group, Mercia Asset Management, and Roebuck Food Group—that are navigating economic challenges with distinct strategies and financial profiles.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Former Peruvian Foreign Minister Dies in Brazilian Prison Hospital While Awaiting Extradition

Augusto Blacker Miller, a controversial figure from Peru's Fujimori era, has died in a Rio de Janeiro prison hospital. The 80-year-old, arrested in Brazil last December on an Interpol warrant, succumbed to cardiorespiratory arrest, reigniting debates about justice, aging detainees, and cross-border legal accountability.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Shutdown Showdown: House Gears Up for Monday Vote as Funding Impasse Drags On

With a partial government shutdown entering its third day, the House prepares to vote on a Senate-crafted funding deal. While Speaker Johnson eyes a Tuesday resolution, deep partisan divisions over Homeland Security funding and procedural hurdles threaten to prolong the stalemate, leaving thousands of federal employees working without pay.

Feb 2, 2026