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US sanctions Iran officials and ‘shadow banking’ networks
US sanctions Iran security leaders and ‘shadow banking’ networks, Treasury says, targeting the protest crackdown and laundering tied to oil proceeds. Reuters reports five senior officials and Fardis Prison were sanctioned, alongside 18 people and entities linked to illicit finance.
Bangladesh election set for Feb 12 as Jamaat signals unity
Bangladesh election authorities set Feb 12, 2026 for the national vote alongside a referendum, with voting 7:30am–4:30pm and near-term deadlines. Reuters reports Jamaat-e-Islami is open to a post-vote unity government as coalition math takes shape.
Uganda 2026 Election: Voting Proceeds Under Digital Blackout
Polling opens for Uganda’s general election amidst a nationwide internet shutdown and heavy military deployment, threatening the East African trade corridor.
Iran sanctions: EU/UK push, Trump floats 25% tariff
Iran sanctions are set to expand as the EU and UK cite Iran’s protest crackdown, while Trump warned a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran. The move could widen trade friction with Iran-linked partners and reprice sanctions and commodities risk.
Bangladesh sets Feb 12 election with reform referendum
Bangladesh’s Election Commission set Feb 12, 2026 for parliamentary elections—the first since the 2024 uprising—alongside a referendum on the “July Charter” reform agenda. The fixed date reduces uncertainty but raises near-term security and legitimacy stakes.
NLRB quorum restored as GOP majority tees up reversals
NLRB quorum is restored after the Senate confirmed new board members on Dec. 18, 2025, enabling the agency to act again in 2026. Reuters says a Trump-appointed Republican majority is poised to revisit Biden-era pro-union rulings that shaped elections, remedies, and workplace rules.
EU CBAM starts definitive phase as payments begin
EU CBAM entered its definitive period on Jan. 1, 2026, shifting the carbon border tax from reporting toward paid certificates and tougher compliance. Importers of steel, cement, aluminium, electricity and more now face higher trade friction risk, with pushback rising from key partners.
Saudi-UAE tensions rise after Yemen airstrike
Saudi-UAE tensions have intensified after a Yemen airstrike and Aden airport shutdown exposed sharp divisions between Gulf allies, heightening security and energy market risks across the region.
Israel recognizes Somaliland, sparking global backlash
Israel has formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state, prompting sharp condemnation from Somalia and warnings from the EU, China and regional powers that the move could destabilize the Horn of Africa and Red Sea corridor.
OIC Foreign Ministers Issue Joint Statement Calling for Diplomatic Coordination and Regional Stability
Foreign ministers from more than 20 OIC member states issued a joint statement emphasizing diplomatic coordination, regional stability, and collective engagement on key political and humanitarian challenges.
Zelensky Meets Trump in Florida for Crucial Ukraine Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago to advance a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending nearly four years of war with Russia.
US Launches Genesis Mission for State-Owned AI
The US government has launched the "Genesis Mission," a Manhattan Project-style initiative integrating DOE supercomputers and classified federal data to build state-owned AI models.