Iran-US Relations

World

Iran Escalates Diplomatic Row, Summons EU Envoys Over Revolutionary Guard's Terror Listing

Iran has summoned the ambassadors of all European Union member states in Tehran in a sharp diplomatic protest against the bloc's recent decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The move, triggered by the IRGC's alleged role in suppressing protests, deepens Iran's isolation amid heightened regional tensions.

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

World

Germany Grinds to a Halt: Nationwide Transport Strike Paralyzes Cities Amid Deep Freeze

A massive strike by public transport workers has brought buses and trams to a standstill across Germany, leaving commuters stranded in sub-zero temperatures as a bitter dispute over pay and conditions escalates.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Oracle Bets Big on AI Boom, Plans $50 Billion Cloud Infrastructure Push

Oracle Corporation announced a massive $45-50 billion fundraising plan for 2026, aiming to aggressively expand its cloud infrastructure to meet surging demand from leading AI and tech giants.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Analysts Revise Econocom Group Price Target, Signaling Shift in Market Sentiment

A fresh price target for Euronext Brussels-listed IT services firm Econocom Group has analysts and investors reassessing the company's trajectory. The update reflects evolving views on the company's strategic positioning and market conditions.

Feb 2, 2026

World

A New Axis Emerges: Meloni and Merz Forge Conservative Alliance, Diminishing Macron's Role in EU Leadership

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have signed a landmark partnership pact in Rome, signaling a potential shift in the European Union's traditional Franco-German power center. The accord, focusing on defense, migration, and trade, comes as France grapples with political instability and a weakened presidency.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Medvedev Warns of Global Alarm as New START Expiry Looms, Threatening First Unchecked Nuclear Era in Decades

Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev cautions that the potential lapse of the last major U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty without a successor could plunge the world into an unprecedented era of strategic instability unseen since the Cold War.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Thai Heartland Reckoning: Rural Voters Rethink Loyalties, Threatening Pheu Thai's Populist Dominance

In Thailand's crucial northeast, a profound political realignment is underway. Farmers, disillusioned by unmet promises and economic hardship, are abandoning decades of party loyalty to back individual candidates, testing the foundations of the Shinawatra family's political machine ahead of pivotal elections.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Capgemini Divests U.S. Unit Amid Scrutiny Over ICE Software Contract

French IT giant Capgemini moves to sell its U.S. government solutions subsidiary following political and internal pressure over its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as public debate intensifies around tech's role in immigration enforcement.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Peace Talks Delayed, Then Drone Strike: Russian Attack Kills Ukrainian Miners Returning From Shift

A Russian drone strike targeted a bus carrying coal miners in central Ukraine, killing at least a dozen workers hours after Kyiv announced a postponement of diplomatic negotiations. The attack, condemned as a deliberate strike on civilians, marks one of the deadliest single incidents for Ukraine's energy sector since the invasion began.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Latin America's Trade Dilemma: Chinese EVs and E-commerce Goods Reshape Markets, Prompting Protectionist Pushback

A surge of competitively priced Chinese electric vehicles and consumer goods is rapidly transforming Latin American markets, forcing governments from Mexico to Brazil to enact new tariffs and trade defenses to shield domestic industries from the influx.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Global Elections 2024: From Tokyo to Brasília, Political Shifts Set to Ripple Through Financial Markets

As voters from Japan to Brazil head to the polls in a packed electoral calendar, investors brace for potential market volatility. The outcomes could redefine fiscal policies, international alliances, and economic trajectories in a world already navigating U.S. monetary uncertainty and geopolitical strife.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

JPMorgan Faces Dual Fronts: Trump Lawsuit and Crypto Clash Amplify Regulatory Scrutiny

JPMorgan Chase confronts heightened regulatory and political pressure as a lawsuit from former President Donald Trump alleges biased account closures, while CEO Jamie Dimon's public spat with Coinbase underscores the intensifying battle between traditional banks and crypto platforms for customer funds.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Latin America's Trade Dilemma: Balancing Consumer Demand and Industry Survival Amid Chinese Export Surge

As Chinese exports, from electric vehicles to e-commerce parcels, flood Latin American markets, governments are walking a tightrope between protecting domestic industries and satisfying consumer demand for affordable goods, all while navigating deepening economic ties with Beijing.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Columbia Financial Shakes Up C-Suite: Is the Stock a Buy After Leadership Reshuffle?

Columbia Financial (CLBK) announces a major executive reshuffle, promoting its long-time CFO to Chief Banking Officer and appointing a new finance chief. The move comes as the stock shows recent gains but longer-term weakness, raising questions about its current valuation and future trajectory.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

HSBC Doubles Down on Hong Kong Investment Banking Amid Strategic Pivot

HSBC Holdings is aggressively rebuilding its investment banking operations in Hong Kong and key Asian hubs, reallocating senior talent and capital to capture growth in IPOs and capital markets, as its strategic focus shifts decisively eastward.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Explainer: The Baloch Liberation Army – Pakistan's Persistent Separatist Challenge

A recent wave of deadly attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan province, claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), has spotlighted the escalating capabilities and ambitions of a group that threatens regional stability and critical Chinese investments.

Feb 2, 2026

World

SpaceX Claims Success in Blocking Russian Use of Starlink, Kyiv Develops New Safeguards

Elon Musk stated that SpaceX's measures to prevent Russia's unauthorized use of Starlink appear effective. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are developing a system to restrict terminal access on its territory, highlighting the ongoing tech dimension of the conflict.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Swiss New Year's Bar Fire Death Toll Climbs to 41 as Teenager Succumbs to Injuries

The death toll from a devastating fire at a New Year's Eve bar in the Swiss Alps resort of Crans-Montana has risen to 41 after an 18-year-old victim died from his injuries, marking one of the nation's worst peacetime tragedies.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Syrian Security Forces Uncover Cell Behind Damascus Airport Strikes; Weapons Linked to Hezbollah

Syrian authorities announced the arrest of a militant group responsible for rocket attacks on the Mezzeh military airport, alleging the weapons were supplied by Iran-backed Hezbollah—a claim the Lebanese group denies.

Feb 2, 2026