Travel Restrictions

Business

Alibaba Bets Big on AI with $431 Million Lunar New Year Push, Escalating Tech Rivalry

Alibaba Group has announced a massive 3 billion yuan ($431 million) campaign to promote its Qwen AI app during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, significantly outpacing similar efforts by rivals Tencent and Baidu. The move intensifies a high-stakes battle for user adoption in China's rapidly evolving artificial intelligence sector.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Stephanopoulos Grills DOJ's Blanche Over WSJ Report on Trump-Linked Crypto Firm's $500M Deal With UAE Adviser

In a tense Sunday interview, ABC's George Stephanopoulos confronted Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche about a Wall Street Journal investigation revealing a major investment by a UAE security official into a cryptocurrency company founded by Donald Trump.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Virgin Galactic's Rocky Ascent: Can the Space Tourism Pioneer Overcome Losses and Regain Investor Trust?

As Virgin Galactic's stock hovers near historic lows, the market is grappling with a critical question: Is the pioneering space tourism company a deeply undervalued opportunity, or a speculative bet burdened by persistent losses and ambitious, yet unproven, timelines?

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bargain Hunt in Asia: Three Undervalued Stocks Poised for Growth in February 2026

Amidst a complex global economic backdrop, Asia's equity markets are hiding gems trading significantly below their estimated intrinsic value. We spotlight three companies—from gaming to aviation and medtech—that our cash flow analysis suggests are deeply discounted, offering potential for investors with an eye on long-term fundamentals.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ryman Hospitality Properties: A 54% Five-Year Gain Masks a Valuation Crossroads

Ryman Hospitality Properties (RHP) presents a complex picture for investors. While boasting a strong 54% total return over five years, recent performance has been mixed, raising questions about whether its current share price of around $94.70 truly reflects its underlying value or future challenges.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Singapore's Green Flight Ambition Takes Off: Google, Airlines Join Landmark SAF Procurement Trial

A consortium of nine major corporations, including Google and Singapore Airlines, is launching a voluntary trial for centralized sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) procurement. This pilot, led by the newly formed SAFCo, is a critical step ahead of Singapore's pioneering green levy on departing flights set for October, aiming to refine systems for a 1% SAF usage target.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Speaker Johnson Expresses Confidence in Securing Votes to Avert Partial Shutdown by Tuesday

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Sunday that he believes he has secured enough Republican support to pass a stopgap funding bill and end the partial government shutdown by Tuesday at the latest, citing logistical hurdles due to severe weather.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens After Two-Year Closure, Easing Gaza-Egypt Movement Under Strict Scrutiny

The vital Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip reopened Sunday for limited passenger traffic, marking a significant shift after more than two years of closure. The move, part of a ceasefire deal, initiates a tightly controlled process allowing medical evacuations and returns, though humanitarian aid flow remains uncertain.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Khartoum Airport Reopens for Scheduled Flights After Two-Year War Hiatus

A Sudan Airways flight from Port Sudan touched down in the capital, marking a tentative step toward reconnecting a nation fractured by conflict.

Feb 2, 2026

World

House Speaker Confident of Tuesday Vote to End Government Shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that Republicans have the votes to pass a stopgap funding bill by Tuesday, aiming to end a partial government shutdown triggered over the weekend amid ongoing immigration policy disputes.

Feb 2, 2026

World

West Bank Tensions Escalate as Israeli Forces Order Bedouin Expulsion, Settlers Target Schools

Israeli authorities have issued expulsion orders to a Bedouin community near Ramallah, while settler attacks on schools and homes intensify across the occupied West Bank, further constricting Palestinian living space.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Minnesota Boy, 5, Returns Home After ICE Detention Sparks Legal and Political Firestorm

A five-year-old boy and his father are back in Minnesota following their release from a Texas immigration detention facility, a case a federal judge called the result of an 'ill-conceived' pursuit of deportation quotas that traumatizes children.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing to Partially Reopen Monday Amid Lingering Fears and Unmet Aid Needs

Israel announces a limited, security-heavy reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt, allowing some medical evacuations while concerns mount over aid access and the safety of returnees.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Enact Holdings Set to Report Q4 Earnings Amid Uncertain Housing Market

Mortgage insurer Enact Holdings (ACT) reports quarterly results Tuesday, with investors eyeing its performance in a volatile economic climate. Analysts expect modest revenue growth, but broader sector headwinds could weigh on outlook.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

American Financial Group Set to Report Q4 Earnings Amid Volatile Insurance Sector

American Financial Group (AFG) is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter earnings after the market closes on Tuesday, with analysts anticipating flat revenue growth. The report comes as the property & casualty insurance sector faces headwinds from policy uncertainty and market volatility.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Rare Sighting: Satellite-Tagged Great White Shark 'Ernst' Ventures Deep into Gulf of Mexico

A 12-foot great white shark, tracked from Nova Scotia, has been detected in the Mississippi Sound, marking an unusual westward migration into the Gulf and offering clues about the region's marine health.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Speeding Bus Plunges into Ravine in Antalya, Leaving Nine Dead Amid Poor Weather Conditions

A fatal bus crash in southern Turkey's Antalya province has claimed nine lives and injured 26 others, with authorities citing wet roads, fog, and suspected speeding as contributing factors in the Sunday morning tragedy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Super Bowl LX Sparks Frenzy: Silicon Valley Mansions Command Up to $500K for Week-Long Stays

With luxury hotels fully booked, affluent Super Bowl attendees are turning to off-market mega-mansions in the Bay Area, driving last-minute rental prices to unprecedented heights of up to half a million dollars for a single week.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Unsealed Documents Reveal Jeffrey Epstein's Early Ties to Bitcoin and Crypto Elite

Newly released court files detail Epstein's involvement with key Bitcoin figures, investment discussions, and his role in funding pivotal infrastructure projects during the industry's nascency.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Napa's Changing Landscape: Hall of Fame Coach Dick Vermeil Closes Tasting Room Amid Industry Downturn

As the U.S. wine industry grapples with a multi-year slump, iconic tasting rooms are shuttering. The latest casualty is Hall of Fame NFL coach Dick Vermeil's Napa venue, a move reflecting broader shifts in consumer habits and market pressures.

Feb 2, 2026