KEY POINTS Patrick James, founder of First Brands Group, and his brother Edward James, a former executive, were indicted Thursday in Manhattan federal court for allegedly defrauding lenders of billions of dollars before the auto parts company collapsed into bankruptcy last year. The indictment, filed by federal prosecutors in New York, alleges a series of … Read more
KEY POINTS Bitcoin hovered near $88,000 at the end of January, risking its first four-month losing streak since the 2018-2019 bear market, as ongoing price declines, institutional activity and US policy ambiguity weigh on market sentiment. The cryptocurrency has declined roughly 36 percent from recent peaks, with October through December 2025 already showing negative returns. … Read more
KEY POINTS US stocks fell sharply Thursday as a steep post earnings drop in Microsoft sent technology shares lower, pulling the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 into the red amid heightened geopolitical tensions and cautious Federal Reserve policy signals. The stock market today reflected a decisive shift away from risk as investors reassessed the outlook … Read more
KEY POINTS WASHINGTON — A government shutdown appeared increasingly likely Thursday as Congress remained deadlocked a day before a funding deadline. With negotiations strained by demands for immigration oversight following the killing of an intensive care nurse by Border Patrol agents, according to lawmakers and administration officials. The looming government shutdown has sharpened uncertainty across … Read more
KEY POINTS NEW YORK — Spot gold surged roughly 4 percent on Wednesday, approaching $5,400 an ounce as investors sought refuge amid geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility. The rally extended into late January, drawing renewed interest in silver, platinum, and palladium, while traders weighed the Federal Reserve’s steady interest rate stance against the prospects for … Read more
KEY POINTS Austin, Texas — Tesla Inc. said Wednesday it plans to invest approximately $2 billion in Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI, signaling a strategic pivot toward autonomy and robotics as traditional vehicle sales face growing pressure. The announcement accompanies the discontinuation of Tesla’s long running Model S and Model X sedans, which Musk … Read more
KEY POINTS Microsoft reported stronger than expected quarterly earnings late Wednesday while revealing record spending on artificial intelligence hardware. Underscoring the scale and cost of its global AI expansion as investors question how quickly those investments will translate into sustained profit growth. The results, released Jan. 29, showed Microsoft continuing to outpace much of Big … Read more
KEY POINTS Meta Platforms Inc. reported stronger than expected fourth quarter earnings Wednesday and unveiled plans to spend as much as $135 billion on artificial intelligence infrastructure in 2026, sending Meta stock sharply higher in after hours trading. The earnings report marked one of Meta’s most consequential financial updates in years, signaling both confidence in … Read more
KEY POINTS HUNTSVILLE, Ala., — Breeze Airways is expanding its US domestic network with new nonstop flights from Huntsville International Airport to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and multiple routes from Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey. The airline said the Huntsville service will begin June 12, offering travelers direct access to South Florida. The Huntsville … Read more
KEY POINTS CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns agreed to hire Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their new head coach, a league source told UPI on Wednesday, marking a strategic shift for a franchise that struggled offensively over the past two seasons. Monken’s hiring is Cleveland’s latest effort to stabilize a franchise that posted … Read more
