Archive: February 2026
27 articles published this month
Amar Ekushey Book Fair date row: Feb 20 stays
Amar Ekushey Book Fair organizers say the fair will start Feb 20 as scheduled, despite publisher calls to shift dates around Ramadan. The dispute affects print runs, cashflow, and sponsorship planning across Bangladesh’s publishing industry.
Crypto market structure bill hits White House red lines
Crypto market structure talks at the White House ended without a deal on Feb. 3, with stablecoin rewards as the key snag. The next day, a Trump digital-assets adviser drew “red lines” against ethics provisions aimed at Trump or family, narrowing—not rejecting—the bill’s path.
Deepak Chopra Epstein emails revive ethics questions
Deepak Chopra Epstein emails in newly released records show post-2008 contact and celebrity chatter, including a 2016 Marla Maples query. Chopra apologized for the tone and denied any criminal or exploitative acts as fresh Epstein-file releases fuel scrutiny.
Steven Pinker Epstein ties face renewed scrutiny
Steven Pinker Epstein ties are back in focus after reporting on a 2002 flight log entry, limited legal-case assistance, and references in released emails. Pinker has said he regrets the contact and that it was not tied to Epstein’s crimes.
Iran easy access to US bases claim raises regional risk
Iran easy access to US bases rhetoric resurfaced after an army spokesperson warned U.S. positions are vulnerable. The messaging lands amid U.S.–Iran tensions, planned Oman talks, and recent drone incidents, keeping energy and shipping tail risks in focus.
Trump–Xi call puts soybeans and Taiwan in focus
The Trump–Xi call on Feb. 4 mixed Taiwan warnings with trade signals, including talk of bigger U.S. soybean purchases and a possible April Beijing visit. Soybean futures rose on the headline, while investors re-priced tariff risk and Asia supply-chain exposure.
Starlink direct-to-device plans raise telecom pressure
Starlink direct-to-device plans are widening as SpaceX explores a Starlink-branded phone, new services, and spectrum moves. Telcos and listed “space connectivity” rivals face tighter competition and valuation pressure as IPO talk builds.
Spain regularise migrants: €-economy bet, 500k pathway
Spain regularise migrants via a new royal-decree pathway targeting about 500,000 undocumented people and some asylum seekers. The plan starts in April 2026 with a time-limited application window and aims to boost legal work access, tax receipts, and integration amid political backlash.
US-Iran strike risk rises, but talks still in play
US-Iran strike risk is higher than normal as military incidents mount and talks wobble on venue and scope. Public reporting does not support “imminent” action, but leaked strike options and force posture shifts are lifting risk premia for shipping, energy, and EM FX.
U.S. stocks fell as tech-led AI selloff hits semis
U.S. stocks fell on Wed., Feb. 4, 2026 as semis slid and tech multiples reset. The S&P 500 lost about 0.8% and the Nasdaq dropped about 1.9%, with AMD down roughly 16–17% on guidance focus and a rotation into value.
Bill Gates Epstein: regrets after DOJ files resurface
Bill Gates Epstein remarks drew global attention after a Feb. 4, 2026 Nine News interview in which Gates said he “regrets every minute” with Jeffrey Epstein. The comments follow a DOJ release of nearly 3.5M pages and multimedia that revived draft-email allegations Gates calls false.
JioBlackRock: Fink says next 25 years are India’s era
At a JioBlackRock-linked event in Mumbai, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said the next 20–25 years could be “India’s era,” spotlighting a long-horizon push into India’s retail and wealth channel. The message reinforces India-focused asset gathering, not just foreign inflows.
Warsh Fed Chair nomination adds Fed transition risk
Warsh Fed Chair nomination reports say Trump picked ex-Fed governor Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell, whose chair term ends May 15, 2026. Until the Senate acts, markets face uncertainty on timing, policy bias, and whether the transition pressures 2026 rate cuts.
Infineon 2026 capex raised to €2.7bn for AI demand
Infineon 2026 capex is rising as the chipmaker lifts its FY2026 investment target by €500m to €2.7bn to meet AI data-center demand. The company says AI-related revenue should move from about €1.5bn in FY2026 to €2.5bn in FY2027, reshaping Europe’s AI-infra supply chain.
Rafah crossing volatility halts Gaza patient evacuations
Rafah crossing access remains unstable after renewed Gaza strikes and disrupted patient evacuations. Reuters reports limited movement, delays, and allegations of harsh treatment at checkpoints, keeping humanitarian operations fragile and raising wider regional risk.
Trump funding bill ends shutdown; DHS fight rolls on
Trump funding bill signed Feb. 3, 2026 ended a four-day partial shutdown with a $1.2tn package funding most agencies through Sept. 30. DHS gets only a stopgap to Feb. 13, keeping an immigration-oversight clash alive for contractors and border-linked industries.
Trevi Fountain access fee: Rome charges €2 for close-up
Trevi Fountain access fee rules began Feb. 2, 2026: visitors pay €2 to enter the lower viewing area during set hours, while the piazza view stays free. Rome says the move will manage overcrowding and fund maintenance, adding momentum to “pay-to-protect” policies.
Epstein Files Transparency Act: DOJ posts 3.5M pages
Epstein Files Transparency Act compliance accelerated as the U.S. Justice Department says nearly 3.5M pages are now public, plus 2,000+ videos and ~180,000 images. The tranche is driving new scrutiny of Jeffrey Epstein’s network, but heavy redactions and thin context limit conclusions.
ESPN NFL Network deal closes, NFL takes 10% ESPN stake
The ESPN NFL Network deal has closed after regulatory approvals, giving ESPN control of NFL Network assets and linear RedZone distribution while the NFL takes a 10% stake in ESPN. The tie-up reshapes leverage in carriage talks, rights renewals, and DTC bundle design across U.S. sports media.
SpaceX xAI combination jolts private-market IPO pipeline
The SpaceX xAI combination is moving from rumor to reported deal as SpaceX acquires Musk’s AI firm xAI, with terms still emerging. Reuters cites reports valuing SpaceX near $1T and xAI near $250B, a shift that could reprice “compute + distribution” platforms ahead of 2026 IPOs.