Middle East Conflict

World

Pakistan Launches Major Counter-Insurgency Operation After Coordinated Balochistan Attacks Leave Dozens Dead

Pakistani security forces have killed 145 militants in a large-scale, two-day military operation across Balochistan, officials said Sunday. The offensive was launched in response to a wave of coordinated assaults by separatist fighters that killed nearly 50 people, marking one of the deadliest escalations in the restive province in recent years.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Ukraine, U.S., and Russia Set for Crucial Talks in Abu Dhabi Amid Escalating Winter Assaults

As winter deepens and Russian strikes intensify, President Zelenskyy announces a new diplomatic push for peace, with talks scheduled this week in the UAE. The negotiations unfold against a backdrop of skepticism and a humanitarian crisis fueled by attacks on critical infrastructure.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Ukraine Peace Talks Postponed Amid Surprise US-Russia Meeting

A second round of trilateral talks on a US-backed peace plan for Ukraine has been delayed to Wednesday, President Zelensky announced. The postponement follows undisclosed discussions between senior Russian and US officials in Florida, raising questions about diplomatic coordination and the path forward.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Coordinated Assaults Rock Balochistan: Pakistan Hunts Separatists After Deadly Two-Day Siege

Pakistan launches a sweeping manhunt for Baloch separatist militants following a devastating wave of coordinated attacks across the volatile province. With over 190 dead, the government vows retaliation as the region reels from assaults on security installations, banks, and prisons.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Weekend Rout Wipes Billions: Geopolitical Jitters and Leverage Unwind Expose Crypto's Fragile Foundation

A perfect storm of geopolitical tension, a surging dollar, and cascading liquidations triggered a brutal selloff across crypto and traditional 'safe havens' over the weekend, raising fresh questions about market maturity and resilience.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Ukraine Peace Talks to Resume in Abu Dhabi Amid Ongoing Russian Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms a new round of trilateral negotiations with Russia and the U.S. is scheduled for early February, even as drone attacks continue to target civilian infrastructure.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens for Limited Traffic After Two-Year Shutdown, Marking Fragile Ceasefire Milestone

The vital Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has partially reopened for a trial period, allowing a restricted number of Palestinian civilians to cross. This move implements a key provision of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire, though severe limitations and high costs cast doubt on its immediate humanitarian impact.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens: Gaza's Lifeline to the World Cautiously Restarts After Two-Year Closure

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened for pedestrian traffic Monday, ending a near two-year shutdown. The vital gateway, crucial for aid and movement, resumes under a complex new security framework involving Israeli oversight and international monitors.

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

U.S. Accuses Cuba of Harassment After Protesters Confront Top Diplomat

Washington has formally accused Havana of orchestrating intimidation tactics against its chief envoy, following a series of heated public confrontations that underscore escalating bilateral tensions.

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

The Weight of a Word: How 'Axis' Became a Geopolitical Weapon

From Mussolini's Rome-Berlin Axis to Bush's 'Axis of Evil,' the term has evolved from a descriptive label to a powerful political tool, framing global rivalries and shaping diplomatic realities.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Markets Reel as Geopolitical Thaw and Fed Pick Reshape Landscape

Oil prices plunged and precious metals extended their historic sell-off as easing US-Iran tensions and President Trump's hawkish nominee for Federal Reserve Chair triggered a dramatic dollar rally, sending shockwaves through global markets.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Lawsuit Alleges Elite Brooklyn School Ignored Warnings About Predatory Teacher

Two teens have filed a federal lawsuit against Saint Ann's School, claiming administrators failed to act on multiple red flags about a former teacher who coerced nude photos from them and later threatened to distribute the images.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gold and Silver Extend Slide as Fed Speculation Rattles Markets

Precious metals extended losses in Asian trading Monday, following a sharp sell-off triggered by speculation over a more hawkish Federal Reserve leadership. Despite the pullback, both gold and silver remain significantly higher for the year, supported by enduring central bank demand and geopolitical uncertainty.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Smurfit Westrock's Valuation Puzzle: Integration Progress Meets Market Skepticism

As Smurfit Westrock navigates the complex post-merger landscape, its share price tells a conflicted story. While recent gains hint at optimism, a deeper look reveals a stock trading at a significant discount to some intrinsic value models, even as its P/E ratio suggests a premium. The market appears to be weighing integration execution risks against long-term synergy potential.

Feb 2, 2026

World

From Sheds to Battlefields: How Europe's $920 Billion Defense Push Is Opening Doors for Startups

Faced with the realities of modern warfare in Ukraine, NATO is fast-tracking innovation, creating an unprecedented opportunity for agile tech founders to access a once-closed defense market.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Surviving the Siege: A Doctor's Flight from Darfur's Fallen Stronghold

In a rare firsthand account, Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim details his three-day escape from el-Fasher as paramilitary forces overran the city. His testimony paints a harrowing picture of urban warfare, civilian slaughter, and the systematic collapse of Sudan's last army bastion in Darfur.

Jan 31, 2026

World

Through Hell in Darfur: A Doctor's Harrowing Escape from Besieged el-Fasher Reveals Scale of Atrocities

Exclusive testimony from Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, who fled the last hospital in Sudan's strategic el-Fasher, details a three-day ordeal of hiding from paramilitary forces, witnessing mass casualties, and surviving a kidnapping and ransom demand—shedding light on a siege the U.N. calls a 'massive crime scene.'

Jan 31, 2026

World

Rescued Hikers Leave Unsettled Hotel Bill, Prompting Outcry from Lake District Rescue Volunteers

A mountain rescue team in England's Lake District has publicly appealed for two hikers to settle a hotel bill after a costly winter rescue on Scafell Pike, highlighting the financial and ethical pressures faced by volunteer-led emergency services.

Jan 31, 2026