Diplomatic Crisis

Business

Alliance Resource Partners Beats Profit Expectations Amid Coal Market Transition, Eyes Growth in Royalties

Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP) posted a significant jump in fourth-quarter profit, driven by cost controls and investment gains, even as coal revenue softened. The partnership issued 2026 guidance pointing to robust contract coverage and a growing oil & gas royalty segment, while navigating challenges at a key Appalachian mine.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Scotch Whisky Tourism Faces Headwinds as Rural Distilleries Scale Back Visitor Operations

Scotland's celebrated whisky tourism sector is showing signs of strain, with major players closing visitor centres and cutting hours amid staffing challenges and shifting demand, even as new investments open their doors.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Exclusive: Iran's Leadership Fears U.S. Military Action Could Spark Uncontrollable Uprising, Sources Reveal

Senior Iranian officials have privately warned Supreme Leader Khamenei that public fury over a recent bloody crackdown has eroded the 'wall of fear,' raising concerns that even a limited U.S. strike could embolden protesters and threaten the regime's stability, according to multiple sources familiar with high-level discussions.

Feb 2, 2026

World

IMF Sounds Alarm on Bahrain's Fiscal Trajectory, Urges Swift Action to Curb Soaring Debt

The International Monetary Fund has issued a stark warning to Bahrain, stating the kingdom must urgently implement further fiscal reforms as its budget deficit hits 11% of GDP and public debt climbs to 134% of economic output.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Incentive Gap: Why Most Companies' Sales Compensation Plans Are Failing to Deliver Growth

New research reveals a stark disconnect: while a majority of firms are ramping up investment in incentive pay to fuel growth, widespread execution errors are rendering these costly programs ineffective, leaving potential revenue on the table.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Russian Bitcoin Mining Giant BitRiver Placed Under Bankruptcy Supervision as CEO Faces House Arrest

Once a dominant force in Russia's crypto mining sector, BitRiver is now under court-ordered bankruptcy monitoring amid a cascade of financial and legal woes, including massive unpaid power bills and a criminal case against its founder.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Super Bowl Stock Market Superstition: Why Your Portfolio Shouldn't Bet on the Seahawks

The so-called 'Super Bowl Indicator' correctly predicted a market rise after last year's NFC win, but a deeper look at the data reveals it's little more than a coin toss—and a cautionary tale about spurious correlations in finance.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Syrian Army Enters Strategic Hasakah Under Ceasefire Deal, Marking Shift in Northeast

In a pivotal move, Syrian government forces have deployed in the northeastern city of Hasakah, following a U.S.-backed agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate their forces, signaling a major realignment in the war-torn region.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Search Intensifies for Missing Mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie in Arizona

Authorities in Arizona are conducting an urgent search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of 'Today' show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who vanished from her home near Tucson. The family and sheriff's office emphasize her need for daily medication and say her disappearance is out of character.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Harvard Sees Sharp Drop in Top Grades as Faculty Moves to Curb Decades of Inflation

In a significant shift, Harvard College reports a nearly 7-point decline in 'A' grades awarded last semester, marking the first tangible result of a faculty-led campaign to restore meaning to academic evaluations and combat rampant grade inflation.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Billionaire Investor Thomas Kaplan Sees Historic Metals Sell-Off as a Buying Opportunity, Predicts Gold in the 'Tens of Thousands'

Amid a sharp pullback in gold and silver prices, NovaGold Chairman Thomas Kaplan remains steadfastly bullish, telling Business Insider he views the volatility as a temporary setback on a path to record highs.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney Shares Tumble on Succession Speculation, Overshadowing Strong Quarterly Results

While Disney's latest earnings surpassed expectations, investor focus shifted sharply to reports of an accelerated CEO succession timeline, sending the stock lower despite robust performance in streaming and theme parks.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Oil Prices Retreat, Dragging ConocoPhillips Shares Lower as Geopolitical Tensions Ease

Despite OPEC+ maintaining production cuts, crude benchmarks fell sharply on Monday, pulling energy stocks like ConocoPhillips down with them as immediate fears of a supply disruption in the Persian Gulf subsided.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gold Rush or Rush to Regret? Navigating the Precious Metals Rollercoaster

As gold and silver prices swing wildly from record highs to sudden slumps, experts urge caution for individuals looking to cash in. We examine the market forces at play and the crucial considerations before selling your heirlooms or investments.

Feb 2, 2026

World

China Eases Dairy Tariffs on EU Imports, Industry Seeks Further Dialogue

Beijing has lowered punitive tariffs on key EU dairy products, offering some relief to exporters like Arla and Lactalis. While welcomed as a de-escalation, European trade bodies argue the remaining duties are unjustified and call for continued negotiations to resolve the trade dispute.

Feb 2, 2026

World

China Executes Four Leaders of Myanmar-Based Crime Syndicate Over Vast Scam Empire

Chinese courts have executed four senior members of a Myanmar-based criminal organization for murder, trafficking, and running a multi-billion dollar scam operation that exploited thousands, including Chinese citizens. The move is part of a broader crackdown on cross-border cyber fraud hubs.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Kyrgyzstan Seeks Dialogue with EU Amid Threat of First-Ever Sanctions Over Russia Trade

Bishkek moves to engage Brussels after reports emerge that the EU is preparing to deploy its new anti-circumvention tool, targeting Kyrgyzstan's role as a conduit for goods to sanctioned Russia.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Costa Rica Elects Laura Fernandez in First-Round Presidential Victory, Securing Continuity

Political scientist Laura Fernandez Delgado has won Costa Rica's presidency outright in the first round, becoming the nation's second female leader and pledging to deepen the economic policies of the outgoing administration amid challenges of crime and a divided legislature.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Teen's Four-Hour Swim Through Treacherous Seas Sparks Dramatic Family Rescue Off Western Australia

A 13-year-old boy's extraordinary four-hour swim to shore triggered a successful multi-agency rescue after his mother and two siblings were swept out to sea off Quindalup, with officials hailing the family's collective bravery.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Zelenskiy Expresses Optimism for 'Dignified Peace' Ahead of Abu Dhabi Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Monday that achieving a lasting and honorable peace is a realistic goal, as preparations finalize for a new round of negotiations involving Russian and U.S. officials set to begin this week in the UAE capital.

Feb 2, 2026