State Department

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

Election Integrity in Focus: Watchdog Warns of Foreign Funding, Noncitizen Voting Ahead of Midterms

As states finalize legislation before the 2026 elections, a conservative-leaning watchdog group highlights vulnerabilities in the voting system, pushing for reforms to curb foreign influence and clarify citizenship requirements for voters.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Amnesty Hopes Rise Among IS-Linked Foreign Women in Syrian Camp as Government Offensive Shifts Power

Foreign women detained in Syria's Roj camp, linked to the Islamic State group, see a potential path to freedom following a government offensive that weakened their Kurdish guards. As political dynamics shift, their hopes for amnesty or repatriation collide with international reluctance and an uncertain future for the camps.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Drone Warfare Escalates: ISWAP Militants Strike Nigerian Army Base in Borno, Casualties Reported

In a significant tactical shift, Islamist militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) utilized armed drones in a pre-dawn assault on a Nigerian military base in Borno state, resulting in multiple casualties. The attack underscores the growing sophistication of insurgent groups in the region's long-running conflict.

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

Retirement Tax Trap: How Frozen Allowances and Rising Pensions Are Forcing More Retirees into Self-Assessment

A growing number of pensioners are being drawn into the self-assessment tax system as frozen thresholds clash with rising state pension payments. This guide explains who needs to file, key deadlines, and strategies to protect your retirement income.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

U.S. Antimony Shares Tumble as Policy Shift Clouds Expansion Ambitions

United States Antimony (UAMY) faces a volatile market reaction following Washington's reported reversal on critical mineral price supports, casting uncertainty over its strategic expansion into Bolivia.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Five Point Holdings Posts Record Annual Profit, Bolsters Land Bank Through Strategic Moves

Defying a challenging real estate market, Five Point Holdings LLC (FPH) reported a record annual net income for 2025, driven by strategic land transactions and growth in its management business. The company also provided a bullish outlook for 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

L3Harris Declares "Best Year Ever," Charts Course with Missile Unit IPO and Strategic Portfolio Shift

Defense contractor L3Harris Technologies capped off a record 2025 with surging orders and a strategic pivot, announcing plans to take its high-growth Missile Solutions unit public in 2026 while securing a novel $1 billion investment from the Department of War to accelerate production.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Petronas Charts Ambitious Path: Doubling Down on Oil, Gas and Green Tech Through 2028

Malaysia's state energy giant Petronas unveils a sweeping three-year plan to sustain domestic oil and gas output, expand its global LNG footprint, and position itself as a regional leader in carbon capture, navigating the complex transition toward a lower-carbon future.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Blackstone in Advanced Talks for Major Stake in Hong Kong's New World Development

Shares and bonds of New World Development surged after reports that Blackstone is in advanced talks to become its largest shareholder, a potential lifeline for the embattled Hong Kong property giant and a signal of shifting sentiment in the city's real estate market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cameco's Westinghouse Venture Secures Key U.S. Agreement, Anchoring $80 Billion Nuclear Reactor Pipeline

A landmark agreement between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Cameco-Westinghouse joint venture aims to catalyze over $80 billion in new nuclear reactor construction by 2030, bolstering Western energy security and reducing reliance on Russian nuclear fuel.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Nevada Auto Insurance: Relief in Sight After Years of Soaring Premiums?

A new analysis reveals auto insurance rate hikes in Nevada are slowing dramatically for 2026, though the state remains the nation's most expensive market. Experts point to stabilizing claim costs and urge drivers to shop around for significant savings.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Analysts Revise Zillow Outlook: What's Driving the New Price Target?

Wall Street analysts have issued a revised price target for Zillow Group, signaling a recalibration of expectations around the online real estate giant's business model and competitive standing in a shifting market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Axis REIT: A Steady Performer in a Volatile Market

While speculative 'story stocks' capture headlines, Axis Real Estate Investment Trust (KLSE:AXREIT) presents a compelling case for investors seeking stability through consistent earnings growth and strong insider alignment.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Zulu Monarch Calls for Foreigners to Depart Amid Rising Tensions Over School Clashes

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has urged migrants to leave South Africa, echoing his late father's stance, following violent protests at a Durban primary school where immigration was blamed for admissions shortages.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Tragedy on the Slopes: Australian Snowboarder Dies After Backpack Snags on Japanese Ski Lift

A young Australian woman has died following a horrific incident where her backpack became entangled in a ski lift at a popular Japanese resort, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.

Feb 2, 2026

World

U.S. Deploys 'Glowing' Sterile Flies as Buffer Against Flesh-Eating Screwworm Threat at Mexican Border

Amid a growing outbreak in northern Mexico, U.S. agricultural officials are escalating a biowarfare campaign, releasing millions of sterile, fluorescent flies near the Texas border to create a defensive barrier against the parasitic screwworm, a move impacting already strained livestock trade and beef prices.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Murder Suspect Dies in Apparent Suicide Following Dramatic High-Speed Chase Across LA Freeways

A man wanted for a fatal shooting in Camarillo led authorities on a dangerous pursuit reaching speeds over 100 mph before being found deceased in his vehicle, officials confirm.

Feb 2, 2026

US

DHS Mandates Body Cameras for Minneapolis Immigration Agents Amid Scrutiny, With National Rollout Planned

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the immediate deployment of body cameras to all federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, a policy prompted by recent fatal shootings and set to expand nationwide as funding allows.

Feb 2, 2026