Middle East Diplomacy

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

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

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

World

Khartoum Airport Welcomes Second Commercial Flight Amid Lingering Conflict

A Sudan Airways domestic flight touched down in the war-scarred capital Sunday, marking only the second commercial arrival since conflict erupted nearly three years ago, as the government pushes to restore a semblance of normalcy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gen X's Retirement Reality Check: Average 401(k) Balance Falls Short of Comfort

New data reveals the average 401(k) balance for Generation X, painting a concerning picture for those nearing retirement. Experts weigh in on the gap and potential strategies to bridge it.

Feb 2, 2026

California's Billionaire Tax Debate: A New Front in the Battle Over Wealth and Power

A proposed wealth tax on California's ultra-rich has ignited a fierce debate, pitting tech billionaires against a coalition of millionaires who argue it's time for the wealthy to pay more. The fight echoes past battles over Silicon Valley's influence and raises questions about the state's economic future.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Singapore's Green Flight Ambition Takes Off: Google, Airlines Join Landmark SAF Procurement Trial

A consortium of nine major corporations, including Google and Singapore Airlines, is launching a voluntary trial for centralized sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) procurement. This pilot, led by the newly formed SAFCo, is a critical step ahead of Singapore's pioneering green levy on departing flights set for October, aiming to refine systems for a 1% SAF usage target.

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

Portugal Unveils €2.5 Billion Lifeline for Storm-Battered Communities

The Portuguese government has launched a massive financial aid package, combining loans and direct support, to accelerate recovery from the deadly Storm Kristin which left a trail of destruction across the country last week.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Fernandez Holds Commanding Lead in Costa Rica Presidential Vote, Early Results Show

With over half the early vote counted, governing party candidate Laura Fernandez appears poised to secure a first-round victory, potentially avoiding a runoff.

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

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

West Bank Tensions Escalate as Israeli Forces Order Bedouin Expulsion, Settlers Target Schools

Israeli authorities have issued expulsion orders to a Bedouin community near Ramallah, while settler attacks on schools and homes intensify across the occupied West Bank, further constricting Palestinian living space.

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

Newly Unsealed Email Reveals Epstein Associate's Plan to Tap Into Libya's Frozen Billions Amid 2011 Turmoil

A 2011 email to Jeffrey Epstein detailed a bold proposal to identify and recover billions in frozen Libyan state assets, with claimed backing from former intelligence operatives, as the country descended into civil war.

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

Business

BCS Wealth Management Bolsters Income Ladder with $8.3 Million Bet on 2027 Corporate Bond ETF

A significant purchase of the Invesco BulletShares 2027 Corporate Bond ETF by BCS Wealth Management highlights a strategic move to build predictable cash flows within a multi-year portfolio, emphasizing capital preservation over speculative yield chasing.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

O'Donnell Financial Bets $6.8 Million on AAA CLO ETF, Signaling Confidence in Income Strategy

A major stake increase by O'Donnell Financial in the iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) highlights institutional interest in high-grade, actively managed securitized credit as a source of yield in a complex rate environment.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Navigating Market Volatility: Three ASX Penny Stocks With Potential for February 2026

As the ASX braces for a turbulent week amid rate hike fears, investors are scouring the market for resilient opportunities. We delve into three penny stocks—spanning energy, retail, and healthcare—that combine financial stability with distinct growth narratives for the discerning investor.

Feb 2, 2026