Resource Independence

Business

Hong Kong Set to Issue First Stablecoin Licenses in March, Regulator Confirms Limited Initial Approvals

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is poised to grant its inaugural stablecoin issuer licenses in March, with approvals expected for only a select few firms. The move transitions the city's digital asset framework from sandbox testing to a formally regulated market, focusing on stringent risk controls and credible use cases.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Trump's Dollar Gambit: A Calculated Weakening Strategy and Its Global Ripple Effects

President Trump's apparent endorsement of a weaker dollar is not mere rhetoric but a strategic pillar of his economic agenda, aimed at boosting US competitiveness and narrowing the trade deficit, with significant implications for global central banks and currency markets.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Bangladesh Court Sentences Ex-PM Hasina to Decade in Prison, UK MP Niece Also Convicted in Land Scandal

A special anti-corruption court in Dhaka has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years imprisonment and her British lawmaker niece to four years over illicit land allocations in a flagship housing project. The ruling intensifies the political turbulence ahead of crucial elections.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney's Leadership Crossroads: As Iger's Exit Looms, Board Weighs Future in Streaming and Parks

With Bob Iger's anticipated departure, Disney's board prepares to select a new CEO amid investor scrutiny over the company's strategic direction and recent stock performance. The decision is poised to shape priorities for its streaming services, theme parks, and content slate.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Russia Reaffirms Backing for China's Taiwan Stance in High-Level Security Talks

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Moscow, reiterated Russia's firm support for Beijing's position on Taiwan, calling it an 'inseparable part' of China. The talks underscore deepening strategic coordination between the two powers amid global tensions.

Feb 2, 2026

World

From Solidarity to Scrutiny: How Ukraine's View on Palestine Is Evolving Amid War and Shifting Alliances

As the war in Ukraine grinds on and U.S. support appears to waver, a nuanced public debate over Gaza is emerging in Kyiv, challenging earlier unequivocal backing for Israel and revealing complex parallels in perceived injustice.

Feb 2, 2026

Financial Planner Kevin Lum's Retirement Reset: Eight Habits to Leave Behind After 60

Certified financial planner and popular financial educator Kevin Lum outlines a crucial mindset shift for those nearing or in retirement, urging them to move beyond accumulation and toward purposeful living.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the FTSE: Three UK Small-Caps With Market Caps Above £90M Worth a Closer Look

While the FTSE 100 grapples with global headwinds, a segment of smaller UK-listed companies presents distinct opportunities. We examine three firms, each with a market capitalisation over £90 million, that combine financial resilience with specific growth catalysts.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Russian Crypto Mining Mogul Igor Runets Placed Under House Arrest in Major Tax Evasion Case

Igor Runets, founder and CEO of Russia's largest Bitcoin mining operator BitRiver, has been detained and placed under house arrest on charges of large-scale tax evasion. The case unfolds against a backdrop of Western sanctions and operational challenges for the once-dominant firm.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Kuya Silver's Record Output at Bethania Fuels Expansion Hopes, But Valuation Questions Loom

Kuya Silver reports a record quarterly production haul from its Bethania silver mine alongside accelerated underground development, drawing investor focus. However, a premium valuation against a backdrop of ongoing losses presents a complex picture for the junior miner.

Feb 2, 2026

Sanofi's Genetic Disorder Drug Shows Promise in Gaucher Trial, Stumbles in Fabry Study

Sanofi's experimental oral drug venglustat demonstrated significant neurological benefits for patients with Type 3 Gaucher disease in a late-stage trial, but failed to meet its primary endpoint in a separate study for Fabry disease, casting uncertainty on its regulatory path.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Germany's Gold Dilemma: Should Berlin Repatriate Its $100 Billion Reserves from the U.S.?

As transatlantic tensions simmer, a renewed push to bring home Germany's gold stored in New York vaults sparks debate over financial security, political symbolism, and Cold War-era trust.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Pakistan Launches Major Counter-Operation in Balochistan After Deadly Coordinated Assaults

Following a series of brazen, coordinated attacks claimed by a separatist group that killed dozens, Pakistani security forces report a sweeping response resulting in over 140 militant casualties, as tensions with neighboring India and Afghanistan flare.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

India's Budget Bets on Self-Reliance Amid Global Trade Tensions

Facing rising US tariffs and global supply chain pressures, India's latest budget prioritizes strategic sectors and export support while maintaining fiscal discipline, signaling a cautious pivot toward economic resilience.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Philippine VP Sara Duterte Hit with Fresh Impeachment Complaints Amid 2028 Election Speculation

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, a leading contender for the 2028 presidency, faces renewed impeachment efforts filed by civil society groups. The complaints allege corruption and abuse of public trust, deepening the political rift with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AltynGold's Soaring Returns Signal Robust Growth Trajectory

The London-listed gold miner AltynGold is turning heads with a remarkable 43% return on capital employed, significantly outpacing industry averages and fueling investor optimism about its expansion potential.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Latin America's Trade Dilemma: Chinese EVs and E-commerce Goods Reshape Markets, Prompting Protectionist Pushback

A surge of competitively priced Chinese electric vehicles and consumer goods is rapidly transforming Latin American markets, forcing governments from Mexico to Brazil to enact new tariffs and trade defenses to shield domestic industries from the influx.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Latin America's Trade Dilemma: Balancing Consumer Demand and Industry Survival Amid Chinese Export Surge

As Chinese exports, from electric vehicles to e-commerce parcels, flood Latin American markets, governments are walking a tightrope between protecting domestic industries and satisfying consumer demand for affordable goods, all while navigating deepening economic ties with Beijing.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Seeking Stability in Asian Markets: Three Dividend Stocks for February 2026

Amidst a backdrop of steady interest rates and cautious global growth, Asian dividend-paying companies offer investors a potential harbor. We examine three firms from across the region balancing yield with operational resilience.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chalco and Rio Tinto Forge Brazilian Alliance, Securing Pivotal Stake in Major Aluminum Producer

In a landmark deal set to reshape global aluminum supply chains, Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) and mining giant Rio Tinto have jointly acquired a controlling interest in Brazil's Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA). This strategic move marks Chalco's largest overseas investment to date, significantly expanding its international footprint and influence.

Feb 2, 2026