Tariff Policy

World

Iran Escalates Diplomatic Row, Summons EU Envoys Over Revolutionary Guard's Terror Listing

Iran has summoned the ambassadors of all European Union member states in Tehran in a sharp diplomatic protest against the bloc's recent decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The move, triggered by the IRGC's alleged role in suppressing protests, deepens Iran's isolation amid heightened regional tensions.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

A Strong Start: S&P 500's January Gain Hints at a Bullish 2026, Historical Trends Suggest

The S&P 500's 1.4% rise in January 2026 aligns with a decades-old market indicator, the 'January Barometer,' which historically signals strong full-year performance. Analysis of the past 40 years shows an 80% probability of gains through December following a positive January.

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

US

FAA Chief Takes Responsibility for Systemic Failures in Fatal Helicopter Collision

At a Singapore aviation conference, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford publicly accepted the NTSB's findings that agency failures contributed to a mid-air collision that claimed 67 lives, vowing to implement safety reforms.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Hong Leong Industries Delivers Stellar Returns, Outpacing Market Sentiment

Despite a cautious market outlook, shareholders of Hong Leong Industries Berhad have seen their investments nearly triple over the past five years, driven by robust earnings growth and consistent dividends.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing to Reopen Under Strict Limits, Easing Gaza Exodus but Raising New Questions

Israel is set to partially reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, allowing limited pedestrian movement for Palestinians. The move, a condition of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, comes amid ongoing tensions and a continued ban on foreign journalists.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Europe's $955 Billion Recovery Fund Faces Uphill Battle to Deliver Lasting Economic Transformation

As the EU's landmark 'Next Generation' fund nears its final payout deadlines, its ambitious goal of modernizing the bloc's economy is being hampered by bureaucracy, skills gaps, and questions over long-term sustainability, despite pockets of innovation.

Feb 2, 2026

World

A New Axis Emerges: Meloni and Merz Forge Conservative Alliance, Diminishing Macron's Role in EU Leadership

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have signed a landmark partnership pact in Rome, signaling a potential shift in the European Union's traditional Franco-German power center. The accord, focusing on defense, migration, and trade, comes as France grapples with political instability and a weakened presidency.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Civilian Bus Struck by Russian Drone in Dnipropetrovsk, Killing 12 Miners

A Russian drone attack on a bus carrying Ukrainian miners home from work has left at least 12 dead and 8 wounded, officials say, in what is being condemned as a deliberate strike on civilians.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Medvedev Warns of Global Alarm as New START Expiry Looms, Threatening First Unchecked Nuclear Era in Decades

Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev cautions that the potential lapse of the last major U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty without a successor could plunge the world into an unprecedented era of strategic instability unseen since the Cold War.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Quantum Leap South: D-Wave Relocates HQ from Silicon Valley to Florida, Fueling Tech Exodus Debate

D-Wave Quantum Inc. announces the relocation of its headquarters and core R&D from Palo Alto, California, to Boca Raton, Florida, citing the state's business climate and partnership opportunities, in a move emblematic of a wider coastal tech migration.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Wild Ride: Price Plunge to $74K Exposes Market's Fragile Liquidity

Bitcoin experienced a sharp, V-shaped recovery after briefly tumbling near $74,000, a swing exacerbated by critically thin market liquidity. The move liquidated over half a billion dollars in leveraged positions, underscoring heightened volatility as traders navigate a market lacking depth.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Compagnie Financière Tradition Shares Soar 179% in Three Years, Outpacing Earnings Growth

The Swiss interdealer broker has delivered a stellar 213% total shareholder return since 2021, fueled by market confidence and robust dividends, despite recent slight pullback.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Snapchat Blocks Over 400,000 Underage Accounts in Australia, Calls for App Store Age Checks

Snapchat has disabled hundreds of thousands of accounts belonging to users under 16 in Australia under new social media laws, but warns the legislation contains 'significant gaps' that may allow some minors to bypass protections.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Thai Heartland Reckoning: Rural Voters Rethink Loyalties, Threatening Pheu Thai's Populist Dominance

In Thailand's crucial northeast, a profound political realignment is underway. Farmers, disillusioned by unmet promises and economic hardship, are abandoning decades of party loyalty to back individual candidates, testing the foundations of the Shinawatra family's political machine ahead of pivotal elections.

Feb 2, 2026

World

China Executes Four in Myanmar-Linked Scam Syndicate, Widening Crackdown on Cross-Border Crime

Chinese authorities have executed four individuals convicted of running a multi-billion dollar telecom fraud and gambling network from Myanmar, responsible for six deaths. The move follows last week's execution of 11 others, signaling Beijing's intensifying campaign against organized cybercrime in Southeast Asia.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Slide Below $75K Puts MicroStrategy's Billion-Dollar Bet in the Red

A sharp correction in Bitcoin prices has pushed MicroStrategy's massive holdings into significant paper losses, testing the resolve of the corporate sector's most vocal crypto advocate and raising questions about the sustainability of its accumulation strategy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Capgemini Divests U.S. Unit Amid Scrutiny Over ICE Software Contract

French IT giant Capgemini moves to sell its U.S. government solutions subsidiary following political and internal pressure over its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as public debate intensifies around tech's role in immigration enforcement.

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

Business

Bytes Technology Group's Stock Slump Masks Robust Fundamentals, Analysts See Long-Term Value

Despite a recent 9.4% share price decline, Bytes Technology Group (BYIT) showcases exceptional financial health with a 69% ROE, suggesting the current weakness may be a buying opportunity for patient investors.

Feb 2, 2026