Government Aid

Business

CLEAR Secure Expands Government Footprint: CEO Joins NY Fed Board, Lands Major Medicare Identity Verification Contract

CLEAR Secure, the biometric identity company known for its airport expedited lanes, is deepening its ties to core government systems. CEO Caryn Seidman Becker's appointment to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's board and a new contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services signal a strategic push into financial and public health infrastructure.

Jan 30, 2026

US

Congress Returns to Washington in Race Against Clock to Avert Government Shutdown

Lawmakers reconvene Monday as House GOP leadership pushes for rapid passage of a stopgap funding bill to prevent a prolonged partial government shutdown, with tensions high over border security provisions.

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

Business

Capgemini Sells U.S. Government Arm, Citing Regulatory Hurdles and Strategic Misalignment

French IT giant Capgemini initiates the sale of its U.S. federal subsidiary, Capgemini Government Solutions, attributing the move to restrictive oversight rules for classified contracts and a desire for strategic focus.

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

World

Rafah Crossing Partially Reopens After Months of Pressure, But Aid Flow Remains Uncertain

Israel has reopened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt for limited pedestrian movement, a move long demanded by aid agencies. However, the crucial flow of humanitarian supplies remains restricted, and the reopening follows deadly violence in the area.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Czech Capital Sees Mass Rally in Support of President Amidst Government Standoff

Tens of thousands gathered in Prague's Wenceslas Square on Sunday, voicing support for President Petr Pavel in his escalating constitutional dispute with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's coalition government. The protest, organized by pro-democracy activists, highlights deep divisions over Ukraine policy and a controversial ministerial appointment.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing to Partially Reopen Monday Amid Lingering Fears and Unmet Aid Needs

Israel announces a limited, security-heavy reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt, allowing some medical evacuations while concerns mount over aid access and the safety of returnees.

Feb 2, 2026

US

ICE Funding Dispute Sparks Government Shutdown Showdown, Khanna Urges Democratic Resistance

As a partial government shutdown enters its third day, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is rallying House Democrats to reject a reopening bill, arguing it would endorse controversial ICE tactics. The standoff centers on separating Homeland Security funding from other agencies.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Crypto Whale Bets Millions on U.S. Government Shutdown Volatility

As Washington braces for a potential partial government shutdown, on-chain data reveals a mysterious trader has placed an $82 million leveraged short on Ethereum, echoing patterns of large bets ahead of past political crises.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Historic Tunisian Village of Sidi Bou Said Faces Existential Threat Following Catastrophic Floods

The iconic blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said, a jewel of Tunisia's cultural heritage, is grappling with severe landslide risks after unprecedented rainfall. Experts warn that urgent conservation measures are needed to prevent irreversible damage to its historic slopes, as climate change and urban pressure compound the crisis.

Jan 30, 2026

World

New Dutch Coalition Commits to Sustained Ukraine Aid and Higher Defense Spending

The incoming Dutch government, led by Prime Minister-designate Rob Jetten, has unveiled its policy agenda, pledging continued military and financial support for Ukraine and a commitment to enshrine higher NATO defense spending targets into law.

Jan 30, 2026

World

U.S. Diplomatic Missions Ordered to Scrutinize Global Aid for Compliance with Expanded Social Policy Restrictions

Exclusive: A newly revealed State Department cable directs embassies worldwide to audit all assistance programs against stringent new rules prohibiting funding for groups involved in abortion services, diversity initiatives, and gender identity advocacy, expanding a long-contested policy to nearly $30 billion in foreign aid.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Pakistan Military Strikes Kill 41 Militants in Balochistan Raids

Pakistani security forces conducted coordinated raids on two militant hideouts in southwestern Balochistan province, killing 41 insurgents in intense firefights, the military announced Friday. The operations targeted groups accused of attacks on security forces and civilian infrastructure.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Pakistan Intensifies Counter-Terror Ops, 41 Militants Neutralized in Southwest Raids

Pakistani security forces conducted targeted military operations in the restive southwestern Balochistan province, resulting in the deaths of 41 militants. The raids signal an escalation in ongoing efforts to curb insurgent activities in the region.

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

Business

SkyWest Navigates Government Shutdown Turbulence to Post Strong 2025, Eyes Continued Growth with Fleet Renewal

SkyWest Airlines reported robust full-year earnings for 2025, overcoming a disruptive government shutdown in Q4. The regional carrier highlighted significant debt reduction, key contract extensions with major partners, and a bullish outlook for 2026 driven by new aircraft deliveries and improved operational leverage.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Baidu's Stock Surge: A 75% Annual Gain Defies Earnings Slump, Spotlighting AI Ambitions

While passive index funds track the broader market, selective stock picks can deliver outsized returns. Baidu's (NASDAQ: BIDU) shares have soared 75% in the past year, dramatically outpacing the market. This rally comes despite a significant drop in earnings, shifting investor focus towards the company's long-term strategic bets in artificial intelligence and autonomous driving.

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

World

Aid Groups Draw 'Red Line' at Israeli Data Demands, Vow to Stay in Gaza Despite MSF Ban

A coalition of major international NGOs is refusing to comply with Israeli orders to hand over detailed staff information, calling it a safety risk and an obstruction of aid, as tensions escalate following the expulsion of Médecins Sans Frontières.

Feb 2, 2026