Liberal Democratic Party

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

Costa Rica Elects Laura Fernandez, Vowing Constitutional Overhaul and Crime Crackdown

Laura Fernandez, a close ally of outgoing populist President Rodrigo Chaves, has been elected Costa Rica's next leader. She pledges to continue his transformative agenda, including constitutional reforms and emergency measures to combat drug violence, signaling a profound shift for the nation.

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

US

Weekend Rundown: Boy, 5, Released from Immigration Custody as Broader Policy Battle Rages On

A five-year-old boy, whose detention made him a symbol of U.S. immigration enforcement, has been released with his father. Their case highlights the ongoing political stalemate over border policy and government funding, with a partial shutdown looming.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Stephanopoulos Grills DOJ's Blanche Over WSJ Report on Trump-Linked Crypto Firm's $500M Deal With UAE Adviser

In a tense Sunday interview, ABC's George Stephanopoulos confronted Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche about a Wall Street Journal investigation revealing a major investment by a UAE security official into a cryptocurrency company founded by Donald Trump.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Pope Leo XIV Urges Dialogue as Tensions Rise Between U.S. and Cuba

The American-born pontiff has issued a public plea for peace amid reports of a covert U.S. plan to destabilize Cuba's government, marking his latest critique of Trump-era foreign policy.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Marjorie Taylor Greene Breaks with Trump, Calls MAGA Movement a 'Big Lie' in Explosive Interview

In a striking departure from her once-fervent loyalty, former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has launched a scathing critique of Donald Trump and his MAGA movement, accusing him of abandoning his base for wealthy donors and foreign interests, particularly Israel.

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

World

From Doubt to Data: How Western Narratives Initially Undermined Gaza's Death Toll

As Israel now acknowledges over 70,000 killed in Gaza, rights advocates argue that early Western political and media skepticism dehumanized Palestinians and delayed a full reckoning with the war's human cost.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Costa Ricans Head to the Polls Amid Security Crisis, Chaves's Protégé Leads Race

Laura Fernández, former chief of staff to President Rodrigo Chaves, holds a commanding lead and could secure an outright victory, promising to double down on the incumbent's hardline security agenda.

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

Business

The Utah Banker Who Built a Wall: Marriner Eccles and the Battle for Fed Independence

As political pressure on the Federal Reserve intensifies, the legacy of Marriner Eccles—the Utah banker who architected its modern independence—offers a crucial lesson. A BYU expert explains why shielding monetary policy from politics remains vital for economic stability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Xi's Financial Vision Resurfaces: China Eyes Yuan's Global Role Amid Dollar Uncertainty

A renewed emphasis by President Xi Jinping on building a 'strong financial nation' with a globally powerful currency is being interpreted as a signal for accelerated yuan internationalization, as global confidence in the dollar shows signs of strain.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Speaker Johnson Expresses Confidence in Securing Votes to Avert Partial Shutdown by Tuesday

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Sunday that he believes he has secured enough Republican support to pass a stopgap funding bill and end the partial government shutdown by Tuesday at the latest, citing logistical hurdles due to severe weather.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Israel Moves to Expel Doctors Without Borders from Gaza Over Staff Data Dispute

The Israeli government has ordered Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to cease operations in Gaza by the end of February, citing the aid group's refusal to hand over details of its Palestinian staff—a move critics decry as a dangerous politicization of humanitarian aid.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Minnesota Boy, 5, Returns Home After ICE Detention Sparks Legal and Political Firestorm

A five-year-old boy and his father are back in Minnesota following their release from a Texas immigration detention facility, a case a federal judge called the result of an 'ill-conceived' pursuit of deportation quotas that traumatizes children.

Feb 2, 2026

World

DOJ Official Signals End of Road for New Epstein Charges Despite Document Flood

A senior Justice Department official has indicated that the recent massive release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents is unlikely to lead to new federal prosecutions, stating that the trove of 'horrible photographs' and emails does not itself constitute prosecutable evidence, even as the revelations trigger political fallout abroad.

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

World

Costa Rica Votes Amidst Rising Crime and Disillusionment: A Nation's Social Fabric at a Crossroads

As Costa Ricans cast their ballots this Sunday, the election is defined by unprecedented security fears, economic inequality, and widespread political disenchantment, challenging the country's long-held identity as a peaceful and stable democracy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Metals Market Reels as Speculative Frenzy Cools: Chinese Investors at Center of Historic Gold, Silver Plunge

Precious metals markets experienced one of their most volatile weeks on record, with silver plummeting 26% and gold dropping 9% in a dramatic reversal. The sell-off, triggered by shifting U.S. policy expectations, laid bare the market's recent dependence on speculative flows from China, raising questions about stability ahead of the Lunar New Year.

Feb 2, 2026