Sports Geopolitics

Business

TSMC Founder Morris Chang Breaks Year-Long Public Silence at Taipei Dinner with Nvidia's Jensen Huang

Morris Chang, the 94-year-old founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., made his first public appearance in over a year at a private dinner in Taipei with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The meeting, which ended months of speculation about Chang's health and public role, also served as a platform to reaffirm TSMC's central position in the global chip supply chain.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Aid Groups Draw 'Red Line' at Israeli Data Demands, Vow to Stay in Gaza Despite MSF Ban

A coalition of major international NGOs is refusing to comply with Israeli orders to hand over detailed staff information, calling it a safety risk and an obstruction of aid, as tensions escalate following the expulsion of Médecins Sans Frontières.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cash Flow Kings and Question Marks: One Stock to Watch, Two to Approach with Caution

While robust cash generation signals financial health, it doesn't guarantee stock outperformance. We analyze three cash-rich firms, highlighting one standout and two where strong cash flow masks underlying risks.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Starmer Warns Against UK Isolationism on China Amid Trump's Transatlantic Pressure

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer urges sustained engagement with Beijing, countering Donald Trump's call for Western disengagement and highlighting deepening geopolitical divides.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

IonQ's Quantum Leap: Can the High-Flying Stock Justify Its Lofty Valuation?

IonQ, a pioneer in trapped-ion quantum computing, has seen its stock soar on the back of significant technical breakthroughs. Yet, with a valuation eclipsing established giants and a long road to commercial viability, investors face a high-stakes gamble between revolutionary potential and financial reality.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Nevada Judge Halts Polymarket's Event Contracts in State, Citing Regulatory Gaps

A Nevada court has issued a temporary restraining order against prediction market platform Polymarket, blocking it from offering event contracts to state residents. The ruling marks a significant early victory for state gaming regulators amid a national debate over who should oversee these fast-growing markets.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Nevada Court Halts Polymarket Operations, Casting Shadow Over Prediction Markets

A Nevada court has temporarily blocked the prediction market platform Polymarket, siding with state regulators who argue its event contracts constitute illegal gambling. The ruling intensifies a global regulatory crackdown that threatens the core business model of an emerging financial sector.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Venezuela Frees Rights Activist Javier Tarazona in Sweeping Prisoner Release Initiative

Prominent Venezuelan human rights defender Javier Tarazona has been released after over four years in detention on charges widely condemned as politically motivated, as the government announces a new amnesty law and the U.S. re-engages diplomatically.

Feb 2, 2026

World

The Weight of a Word: How 'Axis' Became a Geopolitical Weapon

From Mussolini's Rome-Berlin Axis to Bush's 'Axis of Evil,' the term has evolved from a descriptive label to a powerful political tool, framing global rivalries and shaping diplomatic realities.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Venezuela Frees Over 30 Detainees Amid Amnesty Push, Rights Groups Report

Venezuela has released more than 30 individuals classified as political prisoners, according to a leading rights organization. The move follows the government's announcement of a proposed amnesty law and comes amid mounting international pressure and domestic calls for faster action.

Feb 2, 2026

US

TSA's $45 ConfirmID Fee Takes Effect: What Travelers Without REAL ID Need to Know

A new $45 fee for air travelers lacking a REAL ID or other approved identification is now in effect. The TSA's ConfirmID program aims to shift processing costs to non-compliant passengers, urging advance online payment to avoid airport delays.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Protests Erupt in Milan Over U.S. ICE Agents' Role in 2026 Winter Olympics Security

Thousands demonstrated in Milan against the planned deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for the 2026 Winter Games, citing human rights concerns and viewing their presence as a symbol of democratic erosion in the United States.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cape Cod Chips Production Shifts Away from Namesake Region, Consolidates in Hanover and Beyond

Campbell's Company announces the closure of its Hyannis, Mass. plant, moving Cape Cod and Kettle Brand chip production to Hanover, Pa., Wisconsin, and North Carolina, impacting local jobs and severing a geographic brand tie.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Musk's Weekend Focus: Tesla's Future Hinges on AI Chip Breakthrough, Not Cars

In a revealing moment during Tesla's earnings call, Elon Musk disclosed that his Saturdays are dedicated to the company's next-generation AI5 chip project, signaling a fundamental strategic shift from automaker to vertically integrated AI hardware powerhouse.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Ares Management Doubles Down on Alternative Assets: From Football Clubs to Personal Care Giant

In a strategic push beyond traditional lending, Ares Management has seized operational control of a multi-club football group and orchestrated a $1.6 billion financing to create a new global personal care platform, Evermark. The moves signal the firm's aggressive expansion into high-profile, control-oriented credit opportunities.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Navigating the 2025 Tax Season: Key Steps and Common Pitfalls for Filers

As the April 2025 tax deadline approaches, experts advise meticulous preparation to avoid penalties. A Beckley tax specialist outlines essential steps for both new and experienced filers, emphasizing the importance of documenting all income sources.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Chevron Eyes Major Expansion of Venezuelan Oil Imports Following U.S. License Shift

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth signals the energy giant could significantly ramp up processing of Venezuelan crude at its U.S. refineries, following a pivotal Treasury Department license that eases trade restrictions with Caracas.

Jan 31, 2026

World

Venezuela Proposes Amnesty Law, Plans to Shutter Notorious Prison Amid U.S. Pressure

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announces sweeping amnesty proposal for political detainees and closure of El Helicoide prison, marking significant concessions following the U.S. capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro.

Jan 31, 2026

World

Venezuela's Interim Government Proposes Sweeping Amnesty Law Amid Rapid Post-Maduro Reforms

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announces a broad amnesty law covering decades of political conflict, while critics question the timing and motives behind the move as U.S. influence grows.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Ontario's iGaming Market Closes 2025 on a High Note, Surpassing $4 Billion in Annual Revenue

Ontario's regulated online gambling sector capped a record-breaking year with a strong December performance, generating over $425 million in monthly revenue and pushing the annual total past the $4 billion mark, as the province's market continues to outpace growth seen in many U.S. states.

Jan 30, 2026