Regional Diplomacy

World

Inside the Abandoned Scam Fortress: Thai Military Reveals Sophisticated Operation at Cambodian Border

Thai troops now occupy a shell-damaged compound in O'Smach, Cambodia, which officials identify as a former hub for international scam operations. A military-led tour revealed a labyrinth of soundproofed call centers, fake police stations, and meticulous scripts, shedding light on a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Envestnet Bets on Dual Leadership Strategy, Taps Morningstar Veteran as Chief Growth Officer

Wealthtech giant Envestnet unveils a new executive structure, appointing Jonathan Linstra to spearhead growth initiatives alongside relationship management, backed by a $1 billion product investment plan.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

KKR-Led Consortium Nears $10 Billion Takeover of Singapore's STT GDC in Major Asia Data Infrastructure Play

A KKR-led group is finalizing a deal to acquire Singapore-based data centre operator STT GDC, a move that underscores the intense global competition for digital infrastructure assets as AI-driven demand surges across Asia.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Alliance Resource Partners Posts Strong Q4, Sees Coal Demand Surge Amid Grid Reliability Concerns

Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP) reported robust fourth-quarter earnings, driven by cost discipline and a resilient coal market. The company provided optimistic 2026 guidance, citing strengthening demand from data centers, industrial growth, and recent winter storms that underscored coal's critical role in grid reliability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Colgate-Palmolive Bets on Global Talent Rotations to Forge Its Next Generation of Leaders

With one in twelve salaried employees having worked in multiple countries, Colgate-Palmolive is leveraging international assignments as a core strategy to build agile, globally-minded leadership.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

From Hurricanes to Sentiment: Wintermute Predicts Crypto Prediction Markets Will Upend Insurance by 2026

A new report from crypto market maker Wintermute Ventures forecasts a seismic shift, arguing that blockchain-based prediction markets will begin displacing traditional insurance by making hyper-specific risks tradable. The firm outlines a future where decentralized infrastructure becomes the new clearing layer for a programmable global economy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Fifth Third Wraps Up $10.9B Comerica Takeover in Record Time, Reshaping U.S. Banking Landscape

Fifth Third Bancorp has finalized its acquisition of Comerica in under four months, a swift consolidation that underscores a new era of accelerated bank mergers driven by regulatory shifts and the relentless pursuit of scale.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Craft Spirits Consolidation: Kentucky's Casey Jones Distillery Acquired by Multi-State Beverage Group B3

Amidst a turbulent period for craft distilling, the founders of Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, KY, have sold their bourbon and moonshine operation to Pennsylvania-based B3 Beverage Company, securing the legacy of a family-run business while joining a growing portfolio of craft breweries and distilleries.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Reges Elektrik Acquires Tuşpa Enerji, Kicks Off 70MW Wind Farm in Türkiye

Turkish energy firm Reges Elektrik has completed its acquisition of Tuşpa Enerji, unlocking the start of operations at the 70MW Demirli Wind Power Project in Kırşehir and marking its strategic shift into large-scale power generation.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Investment Outlook 2026: Four Sectors Facing Headwinds Amid Shifting Monetary Policy

As the Federal Reserve prepares for a potential policy shift in 2026, analysts flag real estate, financials, energy, and consumer discretionary as vulnerable sectors. Structural challenges and changing macroeconomic conditions could pressure performance despite broader market gains.

Feb 2, 2026

World

The Weight of a Word: How the 'Axis' Metaphor Reshapes Global Alliances and Rivalries

From Mussolini's Rome-Berlin Axis to Bush's 'Axis of Evil,' the term has evolved into a potent geopolitical label. Its revival to describe groupings like the 'Axis of Upheaval' reveals how language frames modern conflicts and defines the boundaries of legitimacy in international politics.

Feb 2, 2026

US

The Reykjavik Promise: How a 1986 Summit Nearly Banished Nukes—And Why That Dream Is Fading

Forty years after Reagan and Gorbachev's historic meeting in Iceland envisioned a world free of nuclear weapons, expired treaties, rising stockpiles, and new global players are fueling a dangerous relapse.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Swift's 2027 Mandate: The Ticking Clock for Banking's Last Manual Frontier

As the 2027 deadline for Swift's Case Management standard approaches, banks face a strategic inflection point. Early adopters of native processing are poised to unlock operational resilience and revenue growth, while laggards risk entrenched inefficiency and competitive decline.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Coastal Financial's Stock Slide Sparks Debate: Is the Pullback a Buying Opportunity or a Warning Sign?

Shares of Coastal Financial (CCB) have retreated sharply from recent highs, reigniting the debate over the fintech-focused bank's premium valuation. While long-term performance remains strong, current momentum is fading, leaving investors to weigh high growth expectations against traditional valuation metrics.

Feb 2, 2026

From Coffee to Cookies: How New Tariffs Are Driving Up Prices on Imported Grocery Staples

Shoppers are bracing for another wave of price increases as new import taxes take effect, targeting a range of everyday items from spirits to seafood. Experts warn the hikes will squeeze household budgets and force tough choices at the supermarket.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cal-Maine Foods Weathers Price Normalization, Bets on Specialty Eggs with Strategic Acquisition

Stephens lowers price target on Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) citing near-term oversupply pressures, but the egg producer's long-term strategy remains focused on expanding its cage-free capacity through acquisition.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Sanctions and Legal Woes Push Russia's Crypto Mining Giant BitRiver to the Brink

Russia's premier cryptocurrency miner, BitRiver, faces insolvency proceedings as its CEO is placed under house arrest, marking a dramatic fall for a firm already crippled by international sanctions and mounting legal disputes.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond Survival: Eight Trends Redefining Small Business Success in 2026

A new report highlights how small and medium-sized businesses are leveraging AI, hyper-personalization, and sustainable practices not just to adapt, but to lead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Iran's Digital Blackout: A Three-Week Internet Shutdown Exacts a Heavy Economic and Social Toll

A prolonged, nationwide internet blackout in Iran, imposed during recent unrest, has crippled businesses and severed global connections for millions, revealing the deep fragility of an economy already under strain.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Pakistan Withdraws from High-Stakes India World Cup Clash, Citing Security and Political Tensions

Pakistan has announced it will not play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India, a decision linked by officials to recent deadly attacks in Balochistan and broader geopolitical disputes involving Bangladesh's tournament exclusion.

Feb 2, 2026