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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

Iran Denies Reports of Planned Live-Fire Drills in Strategic Strait of Hormuz

A senior Iranian official has refuted earlier media claims that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy would conduct live-fire military exercises in the vital Strait of Hormuz this week, calling the reports inaccurate.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

M&A Market Roars Back to Life: 2026 Poised for Major Deal Surge as Confidence Returns

Fueled by a wave of blockbuster transactions and renewed executive optimism, the global mergers and acquisitions landscape is heating up for a robust 2026. Major consulting firms report a significant shift in sentiment, with U.S. CEOs leading the charge in pursuing strategic deals despite lingering market uncertainties.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Middle Eastern Penny Stocks Drawing Investor Scrutiny Amid Shifting Markets

As regional markets navigate post-oil volatility and geopolitical shifts, a closer look reveals three penny stocks—from Turkish media to Saudi healthcare—that combine resilient balance sheets with high-risk, high-reward potential for the discerning investor.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Zehnder Group's Rising Efficiency: A Deep Dive into Its Improving Capital Returns

Swiss ventilation specialist Zehnder Group shows compelling operational improvements, with its Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) climbing significantly despite stable investment levels. This trend suggests a more efficient business model, potentially underpinning future growth.

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

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

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

Markets on Edge: Bitcoin Retreats, Metals in Turmoil as Asia Trading Week Begins

Asian markets opened cautiously Monday as a historic metals sell-off reverberated across asset classes. Bitcoin slipped toward $75,000, while regional equities mostly fell. Investors brace for a critical week packed with corporate earnings, central bank decisions, and key economic data.

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

Moscow Hails Trump's Diplomatic Push as Ukraine Peace Talks Set to Resume in Abu Dhabi

A senior Kremlin official has publicly endorsed President Trump's efforts to broker an end to the Ukraine conflict, calling renewed U.S.-Russia dialogue "productive" as a new round of trilateral talks is announced.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens After Two-Year Closure, Easing Gaza-Egypt Movement Under Strict Scrutiny

The vital Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip reopened Sunday for limited passenger traffic, marking a significant shift after more than two years of closure. The move, part of a ceasefire deal, initiates a tightly controlled process allowing medical evacuations and returns, though humanitarian aid flow remains uncertain.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Judge Orders Release of Five-Year-Old Detained by ICE, Condemns 'Cruel' Pursuit of Deportation Quotas

A five-year-old boy and his father have been released from immigration detention after a federal judge sharply criticized ICE's tactics, accusing the agency of a 'perfidious lust for unbridled power' in a case that has ignited national outrage.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Trump's Tariff Threat on Cuba Oil Puts Mexico in Diplomatic Bind

Mexico faces a delicate balancing act as U.S. tariff threats targeting nations supplying oil to Cuba pressure a key trading partner to choose between economic interests and regional solidarity.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Undervalued Small-Caps Shine in a Shifting Middle Eastern Market

As regional markets adjust to easing geopolitical pressures, a closer look reveals resilient performers. We analyze three small-cap stocks—R.A.K. Ceramics, TALCO Industrial, and Emilia Development—that are navigating the current volatility with strong fundamentals and potential for growth.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Amid Market Volatility, Middle Eastern Dividend Stocks Offer Yields Up to 6.3%

As regional stock markets face headwinds from easing oil prices and shifting geopolitics, income-focused investors are turning to dividend-paying companies for stability and yield. We examine three high-yield opportunities across the textile, banking, and financial sectors.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing to Reopen Monday, Offering Lifeline to Gaza's Sick and Wounded

After nearly two years of near-total closure, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is set to reopen under a coordinated pilot operation. The move, a key element of international ceasefire efforts, will initially allow hundreds of critically ill patients and their families to seek medical care abroad.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Khartoum Airport Reopens for Scheduled Flights After Two-Year War Hiatus

A Sudan Airways flight from Port Sudan touched down in the capital, marking a tentative step toward reconnecting a nation fractured by conflict.

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