Blockchain Policy

Business

Federal Narrative Shifts in Minneapolis Protester Shooting: From 'Violent Riot' to 'Yelling and Whistles'

The Department of Homeland Security has significantly softened its initial characterization of the events leading to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by border agents, now describing the scene as involving 'several civilians' rather than a riot, raising questions about the justification for the use of deadly force.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Washington Scrambles to Avert Shutdown as Minneapolis Tensions Influence DHS Funding Fight

Lawmakers are negotiating a short-term deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, aiming to avoid a partial government shutdown this weekend. The talks occur against the backdrop of heightened political pressure following recent violence in Minneapolis and a shift in the administration's enforcement rhetoric.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Minneapolis Mayor Urges National Coalition Against Federal Immigration Tactics, Warns of Civil Rights Erosion

In a fiery address to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called on local leaders nationwide to resist what he described as aggressive federal immigration enforcement, arguing such operations undermine public safety and constitutional rights.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Protesters Mistake TSA Officers for ICE Agents in Tense LA Restaurant Confrontation

A group of protesters in Lynwood, California, surrounded and harassed federal air marshals, incorrectly identifying them as immigration enforcement officers. The incident highlights the volatile climate surrounding immigration debates and the risks of misdirected activism.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fox News Poll: Democrats Hold Early 6-Point Lead in 2026 Generic Ballot, Fueled by Cost-of-Living Concerns

A new Fox News survey reveals Democrats leading Republicans 52% to 46% in a generic congressional ballot for the 2026 midterms, the highest level of support recorded for either party in this poll series. Voter priorities and sharp partisan divides on key issues shape the early political landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Rheinmetall Secures Multi-Year Hand Grenade Contract with Dutch Military, Expanding European Ammunition Partnership

German defense giant Rheinmetall has inked a significant, multi-year framework agreement to supply the Dutch armed forces with a range of hand grenades, deepening a strategic partnership that now spans artillery shells to infantry ordnance amid heightened European security concerns.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Amnesty Hopes Rise Among IS-Linked Foreign Women in Syrian Camp as Government Offensive Shifts Power

Foreign women detained in Syria's Roj camp, linked to the Islamic State group, see a potential path to freedom following a government offensive that weakened their Kurdish guards. As political dynamics shift, their hopes for amnesty or repatriation collide with international reluctance and an uncertain future for the camps.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Daylight Prayer at Joseph's Tomb Marks Shift in West Bank Access, Settler Leader Hails 'Significant Step'

In a departure from long-standing restrictions, approximately 1,500 Israeli Jews held morning prayers at the contested Joseph's Tomb in Nablus. A senior settler official called the event a move toward cementing Israeli sovereignty over the site, which lies in an area under Palestinian administrative control.

Jan 30, 2026

World

EU Brands Iran's Revolutionary Guards a Terrorist Organization, Prompting Fierce Condemnation from Tehran

The European Union has taken the unprecedented step of designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, triggering a sharp diplomatic crisis. Iran has denounced the move as illegal and politically motivated, vowing to respond.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Deutsche Bank Eyes Return to Life Insurance with Potential Stake in Frankfurter Leben

Deutsche Bank and its asset manager DWS are in preliminary talks to acquire a significant minority stake in Fosun-owned Frankfurter Leben, signaling a strategic reversal a decade after exiting the sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Hype: XRP and Sui Emerge as High-Potential Crypto Plays for 2026

While the crypto market navigates volatility, two assets priced under $2—XRP and Sui—are drawing institutional interest and possess specific catalysts that could drive significant growth in the coming year.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Taiwan's Economy Soars to 15-Year High, Fueled by AI Exports and U.S. Trade Pact

Taiwan's economy surged 8.6% in 2025, its fastest growth since 2010, driven by a global AI boom and a landmark trade agreement with the United States. While analysts project a moderation in 2026, the island's pivotal role in the tech supply chain has delivered record profits for its leading firms.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond HCAHPS: How Real-Time Patient Feedback is Shaping Hospital Performance and Revenue

New analysis from NRC Health reveals that integrating real-time patient sentiment tools like Net Promoter Score with traditional HCAHPS surveys can accelerate improvements in care quality and directly impact Medicare reimbursements under value-based programs.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Ethereum at a Crossroads: Can February 2026 Reverse a Rocky Start?

Ethereum enters February 2026 under pressure, testing key support near $2,690 after a historically weak January. Analysts are divided on whether seasonal trends or shifting on-chain dynamics will dictate the month's direction.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Slide Tied to $300 Billion Liquidity Squeeze, Says Arthur Hayes

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes argues that Bitcoin's recent downturn is a symptom of a broader $300 billion contraction in U.S. dollar liquidity, driven by Treasury cash management and tighter financial conditions, rather than crypto-specific weakness.

Jan 30, 2026

World

England's Hidden Waste Scandal: Investigation Uncovers 517 Illegal Dumps, Exposing Systemic Failures

A nationwide investigation has revealed 517 illegal waste sites across England, some containing over 20,000 tonnes of material, raising urgent questions about the integrity of packaging waste management and corporate accountability.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Pennsylvania Sees Dip in New Jobless Claims as National Labor Market Holds Steady

Initial unemployment filings in Pennsylvania fell last week, contributing to a stable national picture, though sharp swings in other states highlight ongoing regional volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

France Blocks Eutelsat's Antenna Sale, Citing Sovereignty and Security Against Starlink Rivalry

The French government has intervened to halt the sale of Eutelsat's ground antenna network, labeling the satellite operator a strategic national asset crucial for both civilian and military communications in the face of growing competition from SpaceX's Starlink.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Oil Rally Stalls as Geopolitical Tensions with Iran Keep Traders on Edge

Oil prices pulled back from multi-month highs on Friday amid broad market risk aversion, yet President Trump's intensified focus on Iran continues to inject a significant risk premium into the market, setting Brent crude for its strongest monthly gain in years.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Leadership Crisis at Prudential Japan Tests Governance Amid Employee Misconduct Scandal

The resignation of Prudential Financial's Japan life insurance CEO following a widespread employee misconduct scandal has triggered governance reviews and shaken investor confidence in one of the insurer's key international markets.

Jan 30, 2026