Middle East Policy

World

Drone Warfare Escalates: ISWAP Militants Strike Nigerian Army Base in Borno, Casualties Reported

In a significant tactical shift, Islamist militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) utilized armed drones in a pre-dawn assault on a Nigerian military base in Borno state, resulting in multiple casualties. The attack underscores the growing sophistication of insurgent groups in the region's long-running conflict.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Deutsche Bank Eyes Return to Life Insurance with Potential Stake in Frankfurter Leben

Deutsche Bank and its asset manager DWS are in preliminary talks to acquire a significant minority stake in Fosun-owned Frankfurter Leben, signaling a strategic reversal a decade after exiting the sector.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Newcastle's Castle Leazes Secures £274m Revamp, Doubling Student Capacity

A major redevelopment of Newcastle University's Castle Leazes student village is moving forward, with contractor Bowmer + Kirkland appointed to deliver over 2,000 new affordable rooms, replacing 1960s-era facilities.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Taiwan's Economy Soars to 15-Year High, Fueled by AI Exports and U.S. Trade Pact

Taiwan's economy surged 8.6% in 2025, its fastest growth since 2010, driven by a global AI boom and a landmark trade agreement with the United States. While analysts project a moderation in 2026, the island's pivotal role in the tech supply chain has delivered record profits for its leading firms.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond HCAHPS: How Real-Time Patient Feedback is Shaping Hospital Performance and Revenue

New analysis from NRC Health reveals that integrating real-time patient sentiment tools like Net Promoter Score with traditional HCAHPS surveys can accelerate improvements in care quality and directly impact Medicare reimbursements under value-based programs.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Slide Tied to $300 Billion Liquidity Squeeze, Says Arthur Hayes

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes argues that Bitcoin's recent downturn is a symptom of a broader $300 billion contraction in U.S. dollar liquidity, driven by Treasury cash management and tighter financial conditions, rather than crypto-specific weakness.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Pennsylvania Sees Dip in New Jobless Claims as National Labor Market Holds Steady

Initial unemployment filings in Pennsylvania fell last week, contributing to a stable national picture, though sharp swings in other states highlight ongoing regional volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

France Blocks Eutelsat's Antenna Sale, Citing Sovereignty and Security Against Starlink Rivalry

The French government has intervened to halt the sale of Eutelsat's ground antenna network, labeling the satellite operator a strategic national asset crucial for both civilian and military communications in the face of growing competition from SpaceX's Starlink.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Oil Rally Stalls as Geopolitical Tensions with Iran Keep Traders on Edge

Oil prices pulled back from multi-month highs on Friday amid broad market risk aversion, yet President Trump's intensified focus on Iran continues to inject a significant risk premium into the market, setting Brent crude for its strongest monthly gain in years.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Leadership Crisis at Prudential Japan Tests Governance Amid Employee Misconduct Scandal

The resignation of Prudential Financial's Japan life insurance CEO following a widespread employee misconduct scandal has triggered governance reviews and shaken investor confidence in one of the insurer's key international markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Intuitive Machines Bolsters Space Ambitions with $800M Lanteris Acquisition and NASA Artemis II Role

Intuitive Machines (LUNR) is set to acquire Lanteris Space Systems in an $800 million deal, expanding its capabilities into vertically integrated space infrastructure. Concurrently, NASA has selected the company to provide critical tracking support for the upcoming Artemis II crewed lunar mission, signaling growing trust in its technical prowess.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Voyager Breaks Ground on Major Pueblo Defense Complex, Signaling U.S. Industrial Base Push

Voyager Technologies has commenced a significant expansion of its defense manufacturing facility in Pueblo, Colorado, marking one of the region's largest military-industrial investments in recent years. The project aims to bolster domestic production for missile defense and munitions, integrating advanced automation and AI-driven logistics.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Threatens 50% Tariff, Decertification of Canadian Aircraft in Escalating Trade Dispute

In a late-night social media post, former President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on all Canadian aircraft sold in the U.S. and decertify new planes, citing Canada's alleged refusal to certify Gulfstream jets. The move, targeting Bombardier, risks disrupting U.S. regional aviation and corporate travel.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Dollar, Yields Climb as Trump Nears Fed Chair Pick, With Warsh Seen as Front-Runner

The U.S. dollar and Treasury yields advanced amid reports President Trump is set to nominate former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as the next central bank chief, a choice markets interpret as leaning hawkish and likely to slow the pace of interest rate cuts.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UK-China Relations Thaw as Starmer Seeks Economic Reset Amid Global Trade Shifts

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's landmark visit to Beijing marks a cautious pivot in UK-China relations, yielding agreements on tariffs, visas, and green energy. But can British businesses navigate the opportunities and challenges of re-engagement?

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Midwest Gas Prices Climb for Second Straight Week, Nearing $2.70 per Gallon

Drivers across the Midwest are feeling the pinch as average gasoline prices rose for a second consecutive week, with regional costs now sitting significantly below the national average.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Korro Bio Unveils RNA-Editing Therapy KRRO-121, Aiming to Redefine Ammonia Control for Rare Metabolic and Liver Disorders

At its Analyst Day, Korro Bio detailed its lead candidate KRRO-121, an RNA-editing therapeutic designed to tackle hyperammonemia in urea cycle disorders and hepatic encephalopathy by stabilizing a key liver enzyme, positioning it as a potential paradigm shift from current burdensome treatments.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Whirlpool Navigates a 'Difficult Year,' Eyes Margin Recovery in 2026

Facing headwinds from tariffs, a soft housing market, and intense promotions, Whirlpool reported flat organic revenue for 2025. Executives outlined a plan to improve margins and cash flow in the coming year, banking on pricing normalization and new product launches.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Public Sector Pension Bill Soars to £39bn, Placing Growing Burden on Taxpayers

Official figures reveal a sharp 26% increase in the annual cost of public sector pensions, now reaching £39bn, with taxpayers covering the bulk of the expense as employer contribution rates rise.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

A £25m Question: Why Is the UK Government Investing in Octopus's 'Powerhouse' Tech Firm?

The UK government's £25m investment in Octopus Energy's Kraken Technologies through the British Business Bank raises critical questions about the use of taxpayer funds to back an already scaled, global, and recently loss-making platform.

Jan 30, 2026