South Africa

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

US

Political Strategist James Carville Picks His Early Favorite for 2028 Democratic Nomination

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville has named Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as his top potential contender for the party's 2028 presidential ticket, citing fundraising prowess and grassroots appeal.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

P&G Deploys Disaster Relief in Mississippi, Aligns with Targeted Super Bowl Marketing Push

Procter & Gamble is providing essential services to Mississippi communities recovering from a severe winter storm while concurrently launching a regionally focused Super Bowl advertising campaign for its Zevo and Spruce brands, blending corporate social responsibility with strategic marketing.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Corn Futures Dip Amid Mixed Market Signals and Export Concerns

U.S. corn futures edged lower at Monday's midday, pressured by a stronger dollar, falling crude oil, and a weekly export inspections report that fell short of last year's pace. The market also digested trade developments with India and positioning data from speculators.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Soybean Prices Slip as Market Weighs Export Data, Brazil's Harvest Progress

Soybean futures traded lower midday Monday, pressured by mixed export figures and a growing Brazilian harvest. The market also digested news of a potential U.S.-India trade deal that could impact agricultural flows.

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

Business

North Carolina Crowned 'State of the Year' for Business, Marking Third Top Honor Since 2020

Business Facilities magazine has named North Carolina its 'State of the Year' for business climate and economic development, the state's third such win in six years, following a surge of multi-billion dollar investments from tech and manufacturing giants.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Amazon Axes 2,200 Seattle-Area Corporate Jobs, Deepening Tech Sector Uncertainty

Amazon's latest round of layoffs will eliminate over 2,200 corporate positions in the Seattle region, part of a broader 16,000-person global workforce reduction. The cuts, effective from late April, add to a wave of job losses hitting Washington's tech sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Metals Tumble, Energy Surges: A Volatile Start to 2026 for Commodities

January 2026 saw dramatic swings across commodity markets, with precious metals soaring to record highs before a sharp correction, while energy commodities rallied on strong winter demand. The month underscored the sector's inherent volatility amid shifting seasonal and macroeconomic forces.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Thai Military Uncovers Vast Fraud Evidence in Raided Cambodian Border Compound

Thai military officials have revealed a massive cache of evidence, including scam scripts and fake police setups, seized from a contested border compound in Cambodia, shedding light on the scale of transnational cyber fraud operations in the region.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Atlanta Emerges Among Top U.S. Buyer's Markets as Housing Inventory Swells

Atlanta ranks ninth nationally as a favorable market for homebuyers, driven by increased inventory and moderating prices, according to new Realtor.com data. The trend highlights a broader shift toward buyer leverage across Sun Belt metros.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

IDEAYA Biosciences: Market Jitters or Justified Correction? Analyzing the Valuation Divide

IDEAYA Biosciences shares have retreated from recent highs, sparking debate among investors. While a discounted cash flow model suggests deep undervaluation, price-to-sales metrics paint a contrasting picture of a premium stock. We examine the numbers behind the volatility and what it signals for the precision oncology company's future.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

A Ponzi in the Parts Aisle: How First Brands' Founders Allegedly Engineered a $9 Billion Collapse

Federal prosecutors have charged the founders of the once-dominant auto parts supplier First Brands Group with orchestrating a massive, years-long fraud, alleging a scheme that misled lenders and ultimately led to the company's catastrophic bankruptcy, sending shockwaves through the industry.

Feb 2, 2026

US

NAU Freshman's Death at Fraternity Rush Event Leads to Hazing Arrests, Chapter Suspension

The death of an 18-year-old Northern Arizona University student after an off-campus Delta Tau Delta rush event has resulted in the arrest of three fraternity members on hazing charges and a university investigation into the tragic incident.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Zipcar Shutters Boston Headquarters, Cuts Over 120 Jobs in Consolidation Move

The pioneering car-sharing firm Zipcar, founded in Cambridge in 1999, is closing its Boston corporate office and laying off dozens of local staff as parent company Avis Budget Group consolidates operations to New Jersey.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

A Warsh-Led Fed: Banking's Golden Promise or Political Mirage?

Regional banks like Fifth Third are betting on a historic profit surge if Kevin Warsh reshapes the Fed. But Wall Street warns his ambitious plan to slash rates and shrink the balance sheet faces fierce internal and political headwinds, threatening market stability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Swatch Group Eyes 2026 Rebound After Challenging Year, Points to Strong Second-Half Momentum

The Swiss watchmaker reported a dip in 2025 profits amid currency headwinds and strategic investments, but forecasts a return to broad-based growth next year, buoyed by robust second-half sales and strong performance in key markets like the Americas.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Amazon's Latest Workforce Reduction Hits Seattle Hard: Over 2,000 Local Jobs Cut

Amazon's ongoing corporate restructuring has resulted in significant layoffs across its Seattle-area headquarters, with software engineers among the most affected roles, as the tech giant continues to streamline operations and invest in AI.

Feb 2, 2026

The No-Income-Tax Illusion: Why Your Overall Tax Burden May Not Shrink

Moving to a state with no income tax might seem like a clear financial win, but the reality is more complex. Higher sales, property, and overall living costs in these states often offset the initial paycheck boost, creating a nuanced picture of who truly benefits.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Seeking Stability: Three Dividend Stocks Offering Yields Up to 3.5% in a Volatile Market

As major indexes climb and oil prices fluctuate, investors are turning to dividend payers for reliable income. We analyze three stocks with yields between 3% and 3.5%, examining their sustainability and growth prospects.

Feb 2, 2026