Sanctions Policy

World

ASEAN Holds Firm on Myanmar Peace Plan Despite Stalemate, Eyes Post-Election Engagement

As Southeast Asian foreign ministers gather in Cebu, ASEAN reaffirms its commitment to a stalled five-point peace consensus for Myanmar. While acknowledging the plan's failure to halt the civil war, Thai diplomats suggest recent elections—though widely criticized—could offer a new avenue for dialogue and humanitarian access.

Jan 30, 2026

World

TotalEnergies to Resume $20 Billion Mozambique LNG Project as Security Improves

After a three-year suspension due to insurgent violence, TotalEnergies and Mozambique have agreed to restart one of Africa's largest natural gas developments, raising hopes for economic transformation amid lingering risks.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Syrians Protest 'Impossible' Power Bills as Tariffs Soar Amid Economic Collapse

Damascus residents face electricity bills exceeding their monthly incomes after a massive government price hike, sparking rare public protests and deepening the crisis for a war-weary population.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Intel's Foundry Ambitions Gain Momentum as Nvidia, Apple Eye 2028 Production Deals

Intel's contract chipmaking division is reportedly in advanced discussions with tech giants Nvidia and Apple to manufacture key components starting in 2028, a potential game-changer for the semiconductor industry's supply chain.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Adyen Doubles Down on Strategic Partnerships Amid Stock Slump, Expanding U.S. Benefit Access and Asia-Pacific Footprint

Dutch payments giant Adyen is forging ahead with two key partnerships—enabling SNAP EBT payments in the U.S. with Forage and launching embedded solutions in Asia-Pacific with Raptor—as it seeks to reignite growth while its shares languish well below historic highs.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Medtronic Doubles Down on Heart Rhythm and Outpatient Care with European Approval and Expanded Partnership

Medtronic secures a key European regulatory nod for its latest pulsed field ablation catheter while deepening its collaboration with Mindray, signaling a strategic push into high-growth areas of cardiac care and ambulatory surgery.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Strategic Shift: Australian Laser Weapons Pioneer EOS Poised for European Relocation Amid Defence Spending Surge

Electro Optic Systems (EOS), the Australian firm behind a landmark high-energy laser contract, is planning a strategic move of its headquarters and listing to Europe within the year, its CEO reveals, aiming to embed itself at the heart of the continent's urgent defence modernisation drive.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UK-China Trade Breakthrough: Scotch Whisky Tariffs Halved as New Deal Takes Effect

A landmark trade agreement secured during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing will see Chinese import duties on Scotch whisky cut from 10% to 5%, effective immediately. The move, hailed by industry leaders, is projected to inject £250 million into the UK economy and boost competitiveness in a key growth market.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Iran Threatens to Label EU Armed Forces as Terrorists in Retaliatory Move

Iran has announced plans to designate the armed forces of European Union member states as terrorist organizations, a direct response to the EU's blacklisting of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The escalation marks a new low in diplomatic relations and raises fears of further regional instability.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Israel Acknowledges Gaza Death Toll Nears 70,000, Marking Shift After Years of Dispute

In a significant departure from its longstanding position, an Israeli military official has acknowledged a death toll in Gaza close to 70,000, aligning with figures long maintained by Palestinian health authorities. This admission follows over two years of war and persistent international scrutiny over casualty counts.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump's Proposed 10% Credit Card Rate Cap: Short-Term Relief or Long-Term Risk?

A campaign-trail proposal to temporarily cap credit card interest at 10% could offer significant savings for millions of borrowers, but experts warn of potential unintended consequences for credit access and long-term financial health.

Jan 30, 2026

World

South Africa Expels Israeli Diplomat in Sharp Rebuke Over Gaza Conflict

South Africa has ordered Israel's deputy ambassador to leave the country, declaring him persona non grata in a significant diplomatic escalation reflecting Pretoria's strong stance on the war in Gaza.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Ceasefire Under Strain: Israeli Strikes Claim Five Lives in Gaza Amid Ongoing Tensions

Fresh Israeli military actions in central and southern Gaza have resulted in multiple casualties, testing the durability of a months-long, U.S.-brokered truce and hindering critical aid flows.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

UK Industry Faces Compliance Cliff Edge as EU Digital Product Passport Looms

New research reveals a stark preparedness gap among UK manufacturers and wholesalers for the impending EU Digital Product Passport (DPP), with nearly half unaware of the regulation that could bar non-compliant goods from the single market.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Iran's Unrest: A Nation's Cry for Dignity Meets a Brutal Crackdown

From economic despair to demands for fundamental rights, Iran's recent wave of protests revealed a rare, broad-based defiance. Through the eyes of those who were there, a story emerges of fleeting hope shattered by a security response activists call the deadliest in decades.

Jan 30, 2026

World

France and Chad Chart New Course, Pivoting from Military Ties to Economic Partnership

Following a rupture in their longstanding security alliance, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno have agreed to reset bilateral relations, placing future cooperation squarely in the economic and developmental sphere.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Geopolitics vs. Economics: Why Oil Giants Are Betting on Libya Over Venezuela

Despite political instability, Libya's low production costs and proximity to key markets are drawing major investment, while Venezuela's vast reserves remain hamstrung by economic and geopolitical hurdles.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Envision Energy Lands Landmark Turbine Deal for Vietnam's First Large-Rotor Offshore Wind Projects

Envision Energy will supply its high-capacity EN-226 turbines for a 128MW nearshore wind cluster in Vietnam, marking a significant step in the country's Power Development Plan VIII and setting a potential benchmark for regional offshore development.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Silent Retirement Thief: How Inflation Can Drain $200K From Your Nest Egg

While rising prices are felt at the checkout line, their long-term erosion of retirement savings is often overlooked. Experts warn that cumulative inflation across essential categories could create a six-figure shortfall for unprepared retirees.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Iberian Outperformers: How Spain and Portugal Are Outpacing Europe's Economic Pack

Preliminary Eurostat data reveals Spain and Portugal grew at more than double the eurozone average in Q4 2025, driven by resilient domestic demand and strategic advantages, while the broader bloc's recovery remains uneven.

Jan 30, 2026