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Groundhog Day puts Punxsutawney Phil's forecast about winter's length in the spotlight
© NPR News
NPR News

Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil's Winter Forecast

On Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual winter forecast. This tradition is a media spectacle and a major economic boost for the small PA town.

  • PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – All eyes turn to a small town in rural Pennsylvania this week, as a decades-long tradition collides with modern meteorology and significant economic interests. Punxsutawney Phil, the world's most famous groundhog, is set to deliver his annual forecast on the duration of winter, an event that has evolved from local folklore into a media spectacle with a tangible financial impact.
  • The Ritual: The Inner Circle claims to interpret Phil's forecast from "Groundhogese," a series of chatters and gestures, which they then announce to the massive, pre-dawn crowd. The event is a cornerstone of the town's identity and its largest annual event.
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Tony Pulis column: Why I loved a deadline day deal
© BBC News
BBC News

Deadline Day Deals: The High-Stakes of Football Finance

Discover the financial pressure of transfer deadline day. Learn how a single deal can save a club from relegation and a £100m loss, securing millions.

  • Scott Dann (Permanent)
  • Wayne Hennessey (Permanent)
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Gold and silver plunge deepens after Friday's losses
© BBC News
BBC News

Gold & Silver Prices Plunge on Hawkish Fed Speculation

Gold and silver prices are plunging, extending last week's losses. See why speculation of a hawkish new Fed chair is driving the sell-off and a stronger dollar.

  • LONDON – A sharp sell-off in precious metals accelerated on Monday, extending significant losses from the end of last week as markets priced in a more aggressive U.S. monetary policy stance. The plunge was triggered by reports that President Donald Trump has identified Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor with a reputation as a policy hawk, as his leading candidate to lead the central bank.
  • Gold's Decline: Gold futures for December delivery fell by more than 2.5% in early trading, breaking below key technical support levels. The move compounds a 1.5% drop on Friday, marking the worst two-day performance for the metal in over a year.
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Transfer deadline day 2026: How does January transfer window compare and what deals could still be done?
© BBC News
BBC News

Transfer Deadline Day 2026: Latest Deals & Spending News

Get live updates on Transfer Deadline Day 2026. Premier League spending hits £325m, led by Man City's moves. What last-minute deals will happen?

  • By a Senior Financial Correspondent, BBC News
  • Manchester City: The champions have committed a total of £84m to secure the services of forward Antoine Semenyo (£63m) from Bournemouth and defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. This makes them the biggest spenders for the second consecutive January, following a £188m outlay 12 months ago. Their total expenditure over the last 12-month cycle is now approaching an eye-watering £450m.
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Business

Financial news and market updates

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Men covertly filming women at night and profiting from footage, BBC finds
© BBC News
BBC News

BBC Uncovers Network of Men Filming Women for Profit

A BBC investigation exposes a shadow economy where men covertly film women on nights out and sell the non-consensual footage online for profit.

  • LONDON – An undercover investigation by BBC News has exposed a disturbing and profitable shadow economy where men covertly film women on nights out and monetise the footage online. The operation identified a network of prolific operators, including international participants, who are turning non-consensual recordings into a source of income, raising significant legal and ethical questions for lawmakers and technology platforms.
  • Key Individuals Identified: The investigation successfully identified several perpetrators. This included a local taxi driver, whose profession potentially provides unique access and opportunity, and two men who had travelled from Sweden specifically to film in the UK, highlighting the international dimension of this activity.
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US futures, Asian shares slip, tracking Wall Street's retreat, while oil falls more than $2
© Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance

US Futures, Asian Shares Slip as Global Markets Retreat

Global markets see a broad sell-off amid risk aversion. US futures and Asian shares retreat, led by a tech slump over AI bubble fears, while oil prices fall.

  • **NEW YORK (Financial Correspondent Desk) — A wave of risk aversion swept through global markets on Monday, as investors grappled with concerns over stretched technology valuations, shifting geopolitical landscapes, and uncertainty at the helm of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Asian stock markets saw a broad and deep retreat, U.S. equity futures signaled a weak open for Wall Street, and crude oil prices tumbled more than $2 a barrel on signs of easing tensions with Iran.
  • The AI Factor: After weeks of piggybacking on the global AI craze, South Korean tech giants faced a sharp reckoning. The sell-off reflects mounting anxiety that a speculative bubble has formed around AI-related stocks, whose valuations have soared on promises of future growth. Investors are now questioning the sustainability of this rally and locking in profits.
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Long Covid and ME patients 'hopeful' about Rosetta Stone study
© BBC News
BBC News

Long Covid & ME/CFS Genetic Study Offers Economic Hope

A landmark "Rosetta Stone" study on Long Covid and ME/CFS aims to find a breakthrough, potentially unlocking billions in lost productivity for the economy.

  • LONDON – A silent economic crisis, driven by the debilitating effects of Long Covid and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), has sidelined millions from the global workforce, creating significant headwinds for economic recovery. Now, a landmark genetic study, hailed by patients and researchers as a potential "Rosetta Stone," is providing a glimmer of hope for not only a medical breakthrough but a crucial economic one.
  • Lost Productivity: A Brookings Institution report estimated that as of early 2023, up to 4 million people in the U.S. alone were out of work due to Long Covid, translating to over $200 billion in lost annual wages and a significant hit to GDP.
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Syria’s only woman minister Hind Kabawat on challenges of rebuilding
© BBC News
BBC News

Hind Kabawat on Syria's Challenge of Reconstruction

Syria's only woman minister, Hind Kabawat, details the staggering challenges of reconstruction, including a collapsed economy, widespread poverty, and lack of f

  • GDP Collapse: The Syrian economy has contracted by an estimated 60% since 2010.
  • Poverty Crisis: The United Nations estimates that over 90% of the population now lives below the poverty line.
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Watch: the best looks of the 2026 Grammy Awards
© BBC News
BBC News

The Red Carpet Economy of the 2026 Grammy Awards

Go beyond the best looks of the 2026 Grammy Awards. Discover the high-stakes red carpet economy where brands and stylists generate millions in value.

  • By a Senior Financial Correspondent, BBC News
  • The Brands: Luxury houses like LVMH, Kering, and Richemont, along with independent designers, lend or gift custom creations. Their goal is to secure Media Impact Value (MIV)—a metric that quantifies the monetary value of media placements. A viral red carpet moment can generate tens of millions in MIV, drive online searches, and solidify a brand's position in the cultural zeitgeist, ultimately supporting long-term sales and shareholder value.
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Politics

Political news and analysis

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Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have turned to Russia. Now the US wants to engage
© BBC News
BBC News

US Eyes Sahel Re-engagement Amid Russia's Influence

Washington seeks to re-engage with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger after their pivot to Russia, fearing the region will become a safe haven for terrorists.

  • WASHINGTON D.C. – A strategic recalibration is underway in Washington as the United States grapples with a rapidly deteriorating security landscape in Africa's Sahel region. Following a series of military coups that saw Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger pivot sharply towards Russia, the U.S. is now exploring avenues for re-engagement, driven by the urgent fear that vast, ungoverned territories are becoming fertile ground for global jihadist organizations.
  • Humanitarian Toll: While the geopolitical maneuvering dominates headlines, the human cost is catastrophic. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions, with local populations bearing the brunt of the violence from all sides.
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Newspaper headlines: 'Mandelson under fire' and 'Bring justice for Epstein victims'
© BBC News
BBC News

Lord Mandelson Denies $75k Payment in New Epstein Files

Lord Peter Mandelson denies receiving $75,000 after newly released court documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case appear to link him to the payments.

  • LONDON – Lord Peter Mandelson, a towering figure in British politics and an architect of the New Labour era, has been thrust into the centre of the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal following new revelations from the US Department of Justice. Financial documents released as part of the legal fallout from the late sex offender's crimes appear to show three payments totalling $75,000 (£54,800) sent from Epstein’s JP Morgan accounts with a reference to the former UK Business Secretary.
  • The Payments: The records reportedly detail three separate wire transfers of $25,000 each, sent from an account belonging to Jeffrey Epstein.
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Kennedy Center to close for 2 years for renovations in July, Trump says
© NPR Politics
NPR Politics

Kennedy Center to Close for 2-Year Renovation, Trump Says

President Trump announced the Kennedy Center will close for a two-year renovation starting in July, a move with major economic and cultural impacts on D.C.

  • Byline: A Senior Financial Correspondent
  • Dateline: WASHINGTON
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Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party over Epstein links
© BBC Politics
BBC Politics

Lord Mandelson Resigns From Labour Over Epstein Links

Labour titan Lord Mandelson resigns from the party amid renewed scrutiny of his historical links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

  • SOURCE: BBC Politics
  • Renewed Scrutiny: Recent document releases in the US related to Epstein's network have brought the issue back into the public consciousness, leading to fresh questions from journalists and political opponents about the extent of Mandelson's association.
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Venezuela releases human rights advocate Javier Tarazona
© BBC News
BBC News

Venezuela Frees Activist Javier Tarazona Amid US Talks

Venezuela grants a conditional release to rights advocate Javier Tarazona, a key move aimed at securing continued U.S. sanctions relief ahead of a deadline.

  • Caracas, Venezuela – In a move resonating from the halls of power in Caracas to the trading floors of Wall Street, the Venezuelan government has granted a conditional release to prominent human rights advocate Javier Tarazona. The decision is being widely interpreted by international observers and financial analysts not as a simple judicial matter, but as a calculated maneuver in the high-stakes diplomatic chess game with the United States, where the ultimate prize is the continued easing of crippling economic sanctions.
  • Government Commitment: The Maduro government pledged to work towards conditions for the 2024 presidential election, including promoting human rights and releasing individuals deemed political prisoners by the opposition and international bodies.
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Finance

Banking and investment news

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Olivia Dean is crowned pop's most exciting new artist at the Grammys
© BBC News
BBC News

Olivia Dean's Grammy Win: Financial Impact & Career Boost

Following her Best New Artist Grammy win, Olivia Dean is set for massive revenue growth. We break down the 'Grammy Bump' and its effect on streaming and tours.

  • By A Senior Financial Correspondent
  • BBC News
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Grammy Awards 2026: All the winners and nominees
© BBC News
BBC News

Grammy Awards 2026: The Financial Impact for Winners

Explore the "Grammy Bump" from the 2026 awards. Learn how a win impacts sales and streams, focusing on Seraphina's Album of the Year victory.

  • LOS ANGELES – While the music world celebrated Seraphina's monumental Album of the Year win for "Chromatic Soul," Wall Street and the broader business community were tracking a different metric: the formidable "Grammy Bump." The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, beyond the televised accolades, functioned as a powerful market catalyst, poised to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the music economy and dramatically alter the financial trajectory of its key winners.
  • Immediate Impact: Analysts project Chromatic Soul will see a streaming surge of 350-400% this week. The album, which had previously peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200, is now expected to re-enter the Top 5.
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Dow Jones Futures: Silver Rebounds After Crash; Google, AMD, Amazon, Palantir Due
© Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance

Dow Jones Futures Eye Google, Amazon Earnings; Silver Reboun

Dow Jones futures are mixed as silver rebounds and crypto wavers. Investors await key earnings from Google, Amazon, and AMD to test market support levels.

  • NEW YORK – Investors are navigating a complex and tense pre-market session, with futures contracts for the major U.S. indices indicating a mixed open. The market is caught between the volatile crosscurrents of a sharp rebound in silver prices, persistent weakness in the cryptocurrency market, and the looming shadow of a blockbuster week for corporate earnings, headlined by technology titans Alphabet, Amazon, and AMD.
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Futures suggest a slightly positive open, as investors weigh the prospects of cyclical stocks tied to economic reopening.
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Stock Futures Are Falling Along With Oil. Gold, Silver Drift Higher.
© Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance

Stock Futures, Oil Fall as Gold & Silver Prices Rise

U.S. stock futures and crude oil fall amid risk-off sentiment, pushing investors to safe havens like gold and silver ahead of a major corporate earnings week.

  • By a Senior Financial Correspondent
  • October 23, 2023
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Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures sag ahead of week defined by Trump's Fed pick, jobs data
© Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance

Stock Futures Fall on Trump Fed Pick, Jobs Data Jitters

Wall Street braces for volatility as Trump's Fed pick and key jobs data loom. Stock futures point to a lower open, with tech stocks leading the decline.

  • NEW YORK – Wall Street is bracing for a pivotal week as a confluence of market-moving catalysts—a surprise nominee for Federal Reserve Chair, a crucial report on the U.S. labor market, and a deluge of Big Tech earnings—threatens to inject significant volatility into a market already showing signs of fatigue.
  • The Warsh Effect: The nomination has created a complex dynamic. While a hawkish chair would typically lead markets to price in rate hikes, fed funds futures are paradoxically still pricing in two rate cuts by the end of 2026. Some analysts suggest this reflects a bet that a hawkish policy shift could inadvertently slow the economy too quickly, forcing a policy reversal later in the year. This divergence underscores the deep uncertainty now facing investors.
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