BUSINESS

Breaking Retail News Update – January 18, 2026 After more than 25 years as a staple in American shopping malls, Houston-based Francesca’s — the popular women’s boutique known for trendy apparel, jewelry, accessories, and unique gifts — is preparing to close all stores nationwide and shut down operations completely. Multiple authoritative reports published between January 15–17, 2026 (including Women’s Wear…

In the latest escalation of the global AI race, Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA | HKEX: 9988) has reportedly expressed private interest in placing a massive Nvidia mega order for more than 200,000 units of the powerful Nvidia H200 Hopper AI GPU. According to Bloomberg reporting published January 8–9, 2026, and followed by widespread coverage across financial and tech media, this…

Executive Summary The silver rate is a dynamic economic indicator that reflects a complex interplay between industrial utility and monetary value. Unlike gold, which is primarily a store of value, silver functions as a hybrid asset. It serves as a critical component in modern technology while simultaneously acting as a hedge against currency debasement. This report analyzes the current silver…

Jan 2026 Update: Institutional RWA tokenization has surged past $30B, with BlackRock's BUIDL leading the charge. Discover how AI Agents and Chainlink CCIP are revolutionizing the $16T asset management shift.

Executive Summary The global designer toy market has witnessed a seismic shift in 2024, driven largely by a serrated-toothed elf named Labubu. Originally created by artist Kasing Lung as part of “The Monsters” series, this character has transcended the niche boundaries of blind box collecting to become a mainstream cultural and economic asset. This report analyzes the trajectory of the…

Tokyo continues to strengthen its position as one of Asia’s premier aviation hubs with exciting new flights to Tokyo 2026 announcements from major carriers. Both Tokyo Narita and Haneda airports are welcoming expanded services, offering travelers more direct options, increased frequencies, and premium experiences. These new routes Tokyo 2026 reflect rising demand for travel to Japan across Europe, Asia, the…

In a groundbreaking move for the creator economy, video platform Rumble has officially launched the Rumble Wallet, a non-custodial crypto wallet developed in partnership with Tether. Announced on January 7, 2026, this Rumble crypto wallet allows users to tip creators directly in Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and Tether Gold (XAUT), bypassing traditional banks, ad networks, and payment processors. The Tether…

In a significant development for credit card users and the financial services industry, JPMorgan Chase has agreed to become the new Apple Card issuer, succeeding Goldman Sachs. The deal, announced on January 7, 2026, ends Goldman’s challenging consumer banking venture and positions Chase—already the largest U.S. credit card issuer—as the backbone for one of the most popular co-branded cards. This…

In a significant development shaking up the athletic apparel industry, Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings has acquired approximately 22% of Under Armour’s (NYSE: UAA) Class A shares, signaling strong investor confidence in the company’s ongoing restructuring. This strategic investment, revealed in early January 2026, aligns with Under Armour’s efforts to rebound from recent challenges like declining sales and fierce competition from…