Weather Impact

Business

Amazon in Talks for Massive $50 Billion OpenAI Stake Amid AI-Driven Restructuring

Amazon is reportedly negotiating a landmark investment of up to $50 billion in OpenAI, a move that would cement its position as a dominant AI investor. The talks coincide with a wave of layoffs—reportedly around 30,000 since October—that management has linked to efficiency gains from automation, raising questions about the balance between AI ambition and workforce impact.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cocoa Prices Rebound as Ivory Coast Shipments Dip, Signaling Tightening Supply

Cocoa futures gained ground on Monday, reversing recent losses, as data showing reduced deliveries to ports in top-producer Ivory Coast triggered short-covering. The uptick comes despite a backdrop of ample global stocks and persistent demand weakness in key markets.

Feb 2, 2026

World

France's 2026 Budget Clears Parliament After Government Survives No-Confidence Votes

The French government has secured parliamentary approval for its 2026 budget, ending a months-long impasse after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu weathered a series of no-confidence motions. The passage followed strategic concessions to the Socialist party, a key swing bloc.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Coupang Faces Legal Storm and Leadership Crisis After Massive Data Breach

South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang is confronting a multi-front crisis, including class-action lawsuits and regulatory probes, following a data breach impacting millions. The fallout has led to the CEO's resignation and intensified scrutiny of corporate governance and cybersecurity protocols.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Government Shutdown Halts Key Jobs Data Release, Leaving Economists in the Dark

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has suspended data collection and delayed the January employment report as a partial government shutdown cuts off its funding, echoing disruptions from last year's historic closure.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ovintiv's NuVista Acquisition Clears Final Hurdle, Setting Stage for Canadian Expansion

The Canadian government has granted final approval for Ovintiv's takeover of NuVista Energy, completing all regulatory and shareholder requirements. The deal, expected to close shortly, significantly bolsters Ovintiv's position in the Canadian oil and gas sector, though analysts debate its long-term value and impact on shareholder returns.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Pennsylvania Unites in Defense of Punxsutawney Phil as PETA's Hologram Proposal Meets Bipartisan Backlash

In a rare show of unity, Pennsylvania's political leaders from both parties are rallying behind the state's famed weather-predicting groundhog, pushing back against an animal rights group's call to replace the living animal with a digital projection.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tyson Foods Navigates Shifting Protein Landscape: Prepared Foods, Chicken Drive Q1 Growth Amid Beef Sector Headwinds

Tyson Foods reported mixed Q1 FY2026 results, with strong momentum in Prepared Foods and Chicken segments offset by significant challenges in Beef due to constrained cattle supplies. The company also unveiled a new segment reporting structure aimed at enhancing transparency for investors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

IDEXX Laboratories Posts Strong Q4 Growth, Unveils Ambitious 2026 Outlook on Diagnostic Innovation

IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX) reported robust double-digit growth for Q4 2025, driven by record placements of its premium diagnostic instruments and expanding test utilization. While acknowledging persistent softness in U.S. veterinary visit volumes, the company outlined a confident initial 2026 forecast, banking on its innovation pipeline and the transformative impact of its inVue Dx system.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

From Main Street to Silicon Valley: The 50 Brands That Built America

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY examines the enduring legacy of the companies that shaped the nation's culture, economy, and global identity.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Southern States Pioneers SF6-Free Grid Future with Natural Gas Switchgear

Amid tightening climate regulations, Southern States LLC launches a new line of high-voltage switching products that replace the potent greenhouse gas SF6 with a readily available blend of carbon dioxide and oxygen, promising a dramatic reduction in environmental impact without compromising grid reliability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Market Jitters: Three Altcoins on Liquidation Watch as February Trading Kicks Off

Heightened volatility and extreme fear grip the crypto market, setting the stage for potential mass liquidations in SOL, HYPE, and TRX. Traders on both sides of the fence are bracing for impact.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Snow Plow Driver's Alleged Cocaine-Fueled Rampage Damages Homes on First Day of Job

A Connecticut man faces charges after police say he operated a snow plow under the influence of cocaine, leading to a destructive path through residential properties on his very first shift.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tax Refund 2026: Tracking Your Money, Understanding Delays, and What the New Tax Law Means for You

With the 2025 tax filing season now open, millions of Americans are looking ahead to their 2026 refunds. We break down how to track your payment, expected wait times, and the potential impact of recent legislation on your bottom line.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Outdoor Retail Icon Eddie Bauer Nears Third Bankruptcy, 200 Stores at Risk of Closure

The century-old outdoor apparel brand, owned by Catalyst Brands, is preparing a Chapter 11 filing that could shutter its North American store network, while its e-commerce and wholesale operations are set for a transfer to new licensee Outdoor 5.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Alliance Resource Partners Posts Strong Q4, Sees Coal Demand Surge Amid Grid Reliability Concerns

Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP) reported robust fourth-quarter earnings, driven by cost discipline and a resilient coal market. The company provided optimistic 2026 guidance, citing strengthening demand from data centers, industrial growth, and recent winter storms that underscored coal's critical role in grid reliability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Union Pacific Revives $85 Billion Norfolk Southern Bid, Aims to Forge First Transcontinental Railroad

Union Pacific is preparing a revised application for its proposed $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern after regulators rejected the initial filing over competition and information concerns. The deal, which would create the first coast-to-coast freight railroad in the U.S., faces intense scrutiny over its potential impact on shipping costs, labor, and market competition.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

San Antonio's Housing Market Stalls as Sellers Retreat, Listings Plunge 20%

New home listings in the San Antonio metro area fell sharply in December, the steepest decline among major U.S. cities, as a growing imbalance between sellers and buyers prompts homeowners to stay put.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

American Airlines to Compensate Crews After Winter Storm Strandings, Amid Union Pressure

American Airlines begins compensating flight attendants left without accommodations during Winter Storm Fern, as the union accuses management of contract violations and calls for accountability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Navigating the Downturn: Three Asset Strategies Gaining Traction Amid Market Volatility

As markets face significant pressure, certain portfolios tied to strategic commodities, resilient tech, and innovative crypto infrastructure are showing notable resilience. Analysts point to long-term thematic bets that are weathering the current storm.

Feb 2, 2026