Axis of Evil

Business

Ripple Gains Full EU Electronic Money License in Luxembourg, Clearing Path for Pan-European Expansion

Ripple has secured a final Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg's financial watchdog, the CSSF, transitioning from preliminary approval. This key regulatory milestone enables the blockchain payments firm to scale its 'Ripple Payments' service across the European Union's single market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Qatar Joins Abu Dhabi's Shorooq in $200M Fund Targeting Gulf's Late-Stage Startup Gap

The Qatar Investment Authority has backed a new $200 million fund by Shorooq Partners, aiming to inject institutional capital into the region's mature startups and bridge a critical funding hurdle on the path to public listings.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Steady as She Builds: Installed Building Products Defies Housing Market Headwinds

Amid a sluggish housing sector, Installed Building Products (IBP) has demonstrated remarkable resilience, becoming a standout performer in Giverny Capital's portfolio. The insulation specialist's shares have surged over 50% in the past year, bucking broader market trends.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Giverny Capital Sees Schwab's Earnings Momentum Stretching Into 2026

Despite a challenging 2025, Giverny Capital's latest investor letter highlights Charles Schwab as a key portfolio contributor, projecting sustained growth for the financial giant as market dynamics evolve.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Berlin and Warsaw Forge Pact to Revitalize European Economy

Finance ministers from Germany and Poland have called for a joint leadership role in boosting Europe's competitiveness, citing a shifting global landscape and internal bureaucratic hurdles.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Arista Networks Soars as Cloud and AI Infrastructure Demand Fuels Growth

Giverny Capital's latest investor letter highlights Arista Networks as a standout performer, driven by strong earnings and strategic positioning in the high-speed networking sector crucial for AI and cloud expansion.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Navigating the Downturn: Three Asset Strategies Gaining Traction Amid Market Volatility

As markets face significant pressure, certain portfolios tied to strategic commodities, resilient tech, and innovative crypto infrastructure are showing notable resilience. Analysts point to long-term thematic bets that are weathering the current storm.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Napco Security Technologies (NSSC) Surpasses Q4 Estimates on Strong Recurring Revenue Growth

Napco Security Technologies reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results for CY2025, driven by robust growth in its high-margin recurring service revenue and sustained demand for its physical security products.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Target's New CEO Michael Fiddelke Charts Course: Balancing Heritage with Urgent Reinvention

Veteran executive Michael Fiddelke assumes the CEO role at Target, outlining a strategy focused on design, value, and experience while navigating market pressures and social challenges.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Navigating the Golden Years: A Strategic Guide to Managing Your Finances in Retirement

Retirement shifts the financial focus from accumulation to strategic decumulation. We explore key strategies—from bucket approaches to risk management—to help retirees sustain their lifestyle over a potentially decades-long horizon.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Trump-Linked Stablecoin USD1 Surges to $5 Billion Market Cap Amid Crypto Market Turbulence

The Trump family-affiliated stablecoin USD1 has rapidly ascended to become a top-five stablecoin by market capitalization, reaching $5 billion, even as speculative meme tokens falter. Its growth is shadowed by a previously unreported deal with a UAE-backed entity and mounting regulatory scrutiny in Washington.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ripple's Banking Ambitions Deepen as Tokenization Takes Hold, Yet XRP Price Lags Behind

Despite a bearish crypto market, Ripple is advancing its real-world banking integrations through tokenization trials. While on-chain metrics show institutional adoption growing, XRP's price continues to struggle, testing investor patience.

Feb 2, 2026

World

UK Labour MP Tulip Siddiq Hit with Additional Four-Year Sentence in Bangladesh Corruption Cases

A Bangladeshi court has convicted British MP Tulip Siddiq in absentia on two further corruption charges, adding four years to her prison term. The cases center on allegations she used her influence with her aunt, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to illegally secure land for family members.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Ukraine Reports Brief Respite in Energy Strikes, But Frontline Attacks Continue

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy notes a 24-hour pause in targeted Russian strikes on energy grids, yet civilian casualties mount in frontline regions. The reported lull follows a disputed, short-term truce brokered by the U.S., as both sides prepare for talks in Abu Dhabi.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Guinea-Bissau's Junta Signals Reconciliation, Releases Opposition Leader Amid Regional Pressure

The military leadership in Guinea-Bissau has freed a key opposition figure and pledged to form an inclusive government, in moves widely seen as an effort to appease regional bloc ECOWAS following November's coup.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Tragedy on the Slopes: Australian Snowboarder, 22, Killed in Rare Ski Lift Accident at Japanese Resort

Brooke Day died after her backpack became entangled in a gondola lift at Tsugaike Mountain Resort, leading to a fatal cardiac arrest, highlighting rare but critical safety concerns.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Government Shutdown Looms, Grammys Spotlight Immigration as Protests Sweep Nation

A partial government shutdown triggers furloughs, the Grammys become a platform for political statements, and nationwide protests over immigration policy unfold amid a severe winter storm's aftermath.

Feb 2, 2026

U.S. and Guatemala Ink Trade Deal to Bolster Western Hemisphere Textile Supply Chains

A new bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Guatemala aims to eliminate tariffs and streamline preferential treatment for textiles and apparel, a move hailed by U.S. industry leaders as a strategic step to reinforce regional manufacturing networks and counter Asian dominance.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Silent Thief: Why Inflation Poses a Unique Threat to Retirees and How to Fight Back

For those on a fixed income, inflation isn't just an economic indicator—it's a direct assault on financial security. Experts warn that failing to plan for rising costs can halve a retiree's purchasing power over decades. Here’s a strategic guide to building a resilient portfolio.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Qatar Bets Big on AI: $3 Billion Fund and Subsidized Compute Power to Fuel Startup Ambitions

Qatar has tripled its flagship venture capital fund to $3 billion, adding a strategic sweetener: subsidized access to AI computing power. The move aims to position Doha as a competitive hub for tech talent and deep-tech startups in the Gulf region.

Feb 2, 2026