Austin Economy

World

A New Axis Emerges: Meloni and Merz Forge Conservative Alliance, Diminishing Macron's Role in EU Leadership

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have signed a landmark partnership pact in Rome, signaling a potential shift in the European Union's traditional Franco-German power center. The accord, focusing on defense, migration, and trade, comes as France grapples with political instability and a weakened presidency.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Russian Crypto Mining Mogul Igor Runets Placed Under House Arrest in Major Tax Evasion Case

Igor Runets, founder and CEO of Russia's largest Bitcoin mining operator BitRiver, has been detained and placed under house arrest on charges of large-scale tax evasion. The case unfolds against a backdrop of Western sanctions and operational challenges for the once-dominant firm.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Small-Cap Surge: London's Overlooked Stocks Spark Investor Frenzy

As the FTSE 100 hits record highs, a broader rally in UK mid and small-cap indices is prompting a strategic rethink. Analysts debate whether these long-neglected shares, now showing historic undervaluation, are poised for a major comeback.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

India's Budget Bets on Self-Reliance Amid Global Trade Tensions

Facing rising US tariffs and global supply chain pressures, India's latest budget prioritizes strategic sectors and export support while maintaining fiscal discipline, signaling a cautious pivot toward economic resilience.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Fact Check: Viral 'Epstein Bitcoin Email' Debunked, But Documents Show Satoshi References

A fabricated email alleging Jeffrey Epstein discussed Bitcoin's launch with Ghislaine Maxwell has spread online. While the viral message is false, newly released court documents contain genuine references to the cryptocurrency's pseudonymous founder.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Global Elections 2024: From Tokyo to Brasília, Political Shifts Set to Ripple Through Financial Markets

As voters from Japan to Brazil head to the polls in a packed electoral calendar, investors brace for potential market volatility. The outcomes could redefine fiscal policies, international alliances, and economic trajectories in a world already navigating U.S. monetary uncertainty and geopolitical strife.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Virgin Galactic's Rocky Ascent: Can the Space Tourism Pioneer Overcome Losses and Regain Investor Trust?

As Virgin Galactic's stock hovers near historic lows, the market is grappling with a critical question: Is the pioneering space tourism company a deeply undervalued opportunity, or a speculative bet burdened by persistent losses and ambitious, yet unproven, timelines?

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Western Digital Charts AI Storage Future at Innovation Day Amid Surging Demand

Western Digital leverages strong quarterly results and new customer deals to outline its long-term AI storage strategy at its Innovation Day event, as investors weigh its positioning in the booming data infrastructure market.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Latin America's Trade Dilemma: Balancing Consumer Demand and Industry Survival Amid Chinese Export Surge

As Chinese exports, from electric vehicles to e-commerce parcels, flood Latin American markets, governments are walking a tightrope between protecting domestic industries and satisfying consumer demand for affordable goods, all while navigating deepening economic ties with Beijing.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Cross-Chain Protocol CrossCurve Loses $3 Million in Latest Bridge Exploit, Highlighting Persistent DeFi Security Crisis

The CrossCurve decentralized finance protocol has suffered a $3 million exploit through a vulnerability in its cross-chain bridge, contributing to a devastating start to 2026 that has seen nearly $400 million stolen from the crypto sector.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Explainer: The Baloch Liberation Army – Pakistan's Persistent Separatist Challenge

A recent wave of deadly attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan province, claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), has spotlighted the escalating capabilities and ambitions of a group that threatens regional stability and critical Chinese investments.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Iran Denies Reports of Planned Live-Fire Drills in Strategic Strait of Hormuz

A senior Iranian official has refuted earlier media claims that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy would conduct live-fire military exercises in the vital Strait of Hormuz this week, calling the reports inaccurate.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

M&A Market Roars Back to Life: 2026 Poised for Major Deal Surge as Confidence Returns

Fueled by a wave of blockbuster transactions and renewed executive optimism, the global mergers and acquisitions landscape is heating up for a robust 2026. Major consulting firms report a significant shift in sentiment, with U.S. CEOs leading the charge in pursuing strategic deals despite lingering market uncertainties.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Middle Eastern Penny Stocks Drawing Investor Scrutiny Amid Shifting Markets

As regional markets navigate post-oil volatility and geopolitical shifts, a closer look reveals three penny stocks—from Turkish media to Saudi healthcare—that combine resilient balance sheets with high-risk, high-reward potential for the discerning investor.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Utah Banker Who Built a Wall: Marriner Eccles and the Battle for Fed Independence

As political pressure on the Federal Reserve intensifies, the legacy of Marriner Eccles—the Utah banker who architected its modern independence—offers a crucial lesson. A BYU expert explains why shielding monetary policy from politics remains vital for economic stability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Xi's Financial Vision Resurfaces: China Eyes Yuan's Global Role Amid Dollar Uncertainty

A renewed emphasis by President Xi Jinping on building a 'strong financial nation' with a globally powerful currency is being interpreted as a signal for accelerated yuan internationalization, as global confidence in the dollar shows signs of strain.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Singapore's Green Flight Ambition Takes Off: Google, Airlines Join Landmark SAF Procurement Trial

A consortium of nine major corporations, including Google and Singapore Airlines, is launching a voluntary trial for centralized sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) procurement. This pilot, led by the newly formed SAFCo, is a critical step ahead of Singapore's pioneering green levy on departing flights set for October, aiming to refine systems for a 1% SAF usage target.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Trump's Tariff Threat on Cuba Oil Puts Mexico in Diplomatic Bind

Mexico faces a delicate balancing act as U.S. tariff threats targeting nations supplying oil to Cuba pressure a key trading partner to choose between economic interests and regional solidarity.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Amid Market Volatility, Middle Eastern Dividend Stocks Offer Yields Up to 6.3%

As regional stock markets face headwinds from easing oil prices and shifting geopolitics, income-focused investors are turning to dividend-paying companies for stability and yield. We examine three high-yield opportunities across the textile, banking, and financial sectors.

Feb 2, 2026

World

House Speaker Confident of Tuesday Vote to End Government Shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that Republicans have the votes to pass a stopgap funding bill by Tuesday, aiming to end a partial government shutdown triggered over the weekend amid ongoing immigration policy disputes.

Feb 2, 2026