Diplomatic Fallout

World

UK's Gridworks Inks $400M Ethiopia Power Deals as Foreign Minister Visits to Address Migration Pressures

During UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper's visit to Addis Ababa, British investor Gridworks signed landmark agreements to develop two major transmission projects. The deals, part of a broader UK strategy linking economic development with migration management, mark Ethiopia's first public-private partnerships in its power transmission sector.

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

Bangladesh's Pivotal Vote: A Strategic Reckoning for India, China, and Pakistan

As Bangladesh heads to the polls on February 12 under an interim government, its geopolitical alignments are shifting. The outcome will test the influence of regional powers India, China, and Pakistan in a nation navigating a post-Hasina political landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

World

U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff Heads to Israel for High-Stakes Talks on Iran, Gaza

Senior U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is set to arrive in Jerusalem for meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and military leaders, as Washington seeks to navigate escalating regional tensions with Iran and advance efforts to end the Gaza conflict.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Syrian Government Troops Advance on Kurdish-Held Hasakah Under Fragile U.S.-Brokered Truce

A convoy of Syrian government forces was observed moving toward the strategic northeastern city of Hasakah on Monday, implementing a ceasefire agreement that aims to reintegrate Kurdish-administered territories with Damascus.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens: A Lifeline for Gaza's Civilians Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Rafah border crossing, Gaza's sole gateway to Egypt, has partially reopened for pedestrian traffic after a prolonged Israeli closure, offering a fragile hope for medical evacuations and family reunifications.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Markets Edge Lower Ahead of Key Labor Data, Earnings Deluge

U.S. stock futures pointed to a lower open Monday as investors braced for a flood of corporate earnings and crucial labor market reports that could sway Federal Reserve policy expectations.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Civilian Bus Targeted in Double-Tap Drone Strike, Killing 15 Miners in Eastern Ukraine

A bus carrying Ukrainian miners home from their shift was struck by Russian drones in a coordinated attack, leaving at least 15 dead and 7 wounded. The assault, condemned as an act of terrorism, marks one of the deadliest single incidents for the energy company DTEK since the invasion began.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens Under EU Management After Two-Year Closure, Allowing Limited Movement

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt partially reopened Monday under European Union operation, permitting restricted passage for Palestinians after a near two-year Israeli closure. The move is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, though high costs and tight quotas severely limit access.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

TSMC Founder Morris Chang Breaks Year-Long Public Silence at Taipei Dinner with Nvidia's Jensen Huang

Morris Chang, the 94-year-old founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., made his first public appearance in over a year at a private dinner in Taipei with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The meeting, which ended months of speculation about Chang's health and public role, also served as a platform to reaffirm TSMC's central position in the global chip supply chain.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Exclusive: India in Talks to Integrate Alipay+ with UPI for Cross-Border Payments

India is negotiating with Ant International to link its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the Alipay+ network, a move that could simplify overseas transactions for Indian travelers and signal a thaw in economic relations with China, according to government sources.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens with Severe Restrictions, Offering Flicker of Hope to Besieged Gaza

The vital Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt partially reopened Monday, allowing severely limited civilian movement for the first time since its capture by Israeli forces in 2024. The cautious resumption follows intense international pressure but falls far short of addressing Gaza's overwhelming humanitarian crisis.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Binance's Resilience Tested: Trust in the World's Largest Exchange Faces Scrutiny After Historic 2025 Market Crash

In the aftermath of the devastating '10/10' market crash of 2025, Binance finds its dominance and trust metrics under a microscope. While the exchange compensated users and maintains its user base, questions about systemic risk and centralization linger, shaping the post-crash narrative.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens Under Fragile Truce, Offering Cautious Hope for Gaza

The vital Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has partially reopened after a prolonged closure, a key provision of the US-mediated ceasefire. The move allows for limited humanitarian movement under stringent security oversight by Israel and Egypt.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Cuba Rejects U.S. Security Threat Label, Calls for Dialogue Amid Energy Stranglehold

Havana denies White House accusations of being a security threat while appealing for constructive talks, as U.S. pressure cuts off vital Venezuelan oil supplies and risks a humanitarian crisis.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Starmer Warns Against UK Isolationism on China Amid Trump's Transatlantic Pressure

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer urges sustained engagement with Beijing, countering Donald Trump's call for Western disengagement and highlighting deepening geopolitical divides.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens Under Fragile Gaza Ceasefire, Allowing Limited Movement

The vital Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened Monday for strictly limited passenger traffic, marking a tentative step in the implementation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The move, described as largely symbolic for now, offers a glimmer of hope for thousands of Palestinians seeking medical care or a return home.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Silver's Wild Ride: How Chinese Speculation Fueled a Historic Rally and a Brutal Crash

Silver prices have erased most of their historic 2025-2026 gains in a dramatic reversal, highlighting the profound and volatile impact of Chinese retail speculation on global commodity markets.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens Under Fragile Truce, Allowing First Limited Movement in Gaza

The vital Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has resumed operations for restricted humanitarian and civilian traffic, marking a critical, though tentative, development in the ongoing ceasefire agreement.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Russia Reaffirms Backing for China's Taiwan Stance in High-Level Security Talks

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Moscow, reiterated Russia's firm support for Beijing's position on Taiwan, calling it an 'inseparable part' of China. The talks underscore deepening strategic coordination between the two powers amid global tensions.

Feb 2, 2026