West Africa

Business

Beyond the Hype: Wall Street Eyes Crypto's Infrastructure Winners as Analyst Picks MSTR, COIN, and HOOD

While fintech has streamlined user interfaces, the backbone of finance remains slow. Cryptocurrency's native digital settlement presents a structural shift. Amid regulatory uncertainty, Cantor Fitzgerald identifies three public companies positioned to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the blockchain ecosystem.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

RGC Resources Shareholders Endorse Leadership, Approve Key Measures at Annual Meeting

At its virtual annual meeting, RGC Resources (NASDAQ: RGCO) shareholders voted to re-elect directors, retain Deloitte & Touche as auditors, and approve an expansion of the stock bonus plan, signaling strong support for the company's governance and strategic direction.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Putin Agrees to Trump's Request for Temporary Halt on Kyiv Strikes, Kremlin Confirms

The Kremlin stated President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a personal appeal from former U.S. President Donald Trump to pause strikes on Kyiv until February 1, aiming to foster conditions for potential talks, though the scope and durability of the pause remain unclear.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Myanmar's Military-Backed Party Secures Decisive Election Victory Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), backed by Myanmar's military, has secured a commanding majority in the country's protracted general election, a result widely anticipated but condemned by critics as a sham designed to cement junta control.

Jan 30, 2026

World

U.S. Gaza Mission Leadership Shifts Amid Strategic Uncertainty

The U.S. military and civilian leaders of Washington's flagship Gaza mission are departing, with successors unannounced, as European allies reassess their participation and questions mount over the initiative's future direction.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

German American Bancorp Boosts Dividend Payout, Signaling Financial Strength

German American Bancorp (NASDAQ:GABC) announces a dividend increase to $0.31 per share, reflecting confidence in its earnings trajectory and commitment to shareholder returns amidst a stable banking outlook.

Jan 30, 2026

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

Baker Hughes Doubles Down on Energy Transition with Major Storage and Clean Ammonia Deals

Baker Hughes (BKR) is accelerating its pivot beyond traditional oil and gas, securing key roles in a landmark U.S. clean ammonia plant and expanding its stake in long-duration energy storage technology through a deepened partnership with Hydrostor.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Dallas Bridge Shooting Spree Leads to Arrests, Exposes Broader Gun Violence Pattern

Three men face felony charges following a viral New Year's shooting from a Dallas overpass, with investigators linking suspects to a separate road-rage attack and uncovering a cache of firearms.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Facebook Marketplace Sale Turns Deadly: Pregnant Illinois Mother Stabbed 70 Times in Suburban Apartment

A routine online marketplace transaction ended in tragedy when a 19-year-old man allegedly stabbed a pregnant mother dozens of times during a vehicle sale, prosecutors revealed. The victim's family describes the attack as 'pure evil' as they mourn a life built on kindness.

Jan 30, 2026

World

A Village Hollowed Out: Mass Kidnapping Forces Exodus in Nigeria's Kaduna State

The abduction of nearly 200 residents from Kurmin Wali has shattered community life, triggering a wave of departures as survivors lose faith in state protection and face an uncertain future.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Russian Forces Advance in Eastern Ukraine, Seize Three Villages in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia

Russian troops have taken control of three villages across Ukraine's Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, according to a Defense Ministry statement reported by state media. The latest gains come amid intensified fighting along the front lines.

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

Business

Beyond HCAHPS: How Real-Time Patient Feedback is Shaping Hospital Performance and Revenue

New analysis from NRC Health reveals that integrating real-time patient sentiment tools like Net Promoter Score with traditional HCAHPS surveys can accelerate improvements in care quality and directly impact Medicare reimbursements under value-based programs.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Chipmakers: The Power Giant Quietly Energizing America's AI Boom

As data center demand surges, NextEra Energy emerges as a critical, and often overlooked, infrastructure player. Its partnerships with tech titans like Meta and Google highlight a strategic pivot in the energy sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Oil Rally Stalls as Geopolitical Tensions with Iran Keep Traders on Edge

Oil prices pulled back from multi-month highs on Friday amid broad market risk aversion, yet President Trump's intensified focus on Iran continues to inject a significant risk premium into the market, setting Brent crude for its strongest monthly gain in years.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Williams-Sonoma Stock: Fairly Valued or Riding Too High After a Stellar Run?

Williams-Sonoma's shares have delivered impressive multi-year gains, but recent valuation metrics present a mixed picture. As the stock hovers around $205, we analyze whether the home goods retailer's price truly reflects its fundamentals or if investors are paying a premium for past performance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Threatens 50% Tariff, Decertification of Canadian Aircraft in Escalating Trade Dispute

In a late-night social media post, former President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on all Canadian aircraft sold in the U.S. and decertify new planes, citing Canada's alleged refusal to certify Gulfstream jets. The move, targeting Bombardier, risks disrupting U.S. regional aviation and corporate travel.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UK-China Relations Thaw as Starmer Seeks Economic Reset Amid Global Trade Shifts

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's landmark visit to Beijing marks a cautious pivot in UK-China relations, yielding agreements on tariffs, visas, and green energy. But can British businesses navigate the opportunities and challenges of re-engagement?

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Hubbell's Rally Tests Valuation Ceiling: Is the Electrical Giant Still a Buy?

Hubbell Incorporated's stock has surged over 11% in the past month, closing near $498 and prompting a fresh debate among analysts over whether its current price fully reflects future growth potential amidst industry headwinds.

Jan 30, 2026