Gulf countries may not be able to withstand Iranian airstrikes for more than a week or two. This is because cheap Iranian Shahed-136 drones deplete the stocks of expensive Patriot missiles.
Geely strengthened its leadership in the Chinese car market, delivering 76,000 more units than BYD in the first two months of the year. BYD is facing pressure, while Geely demonstrates stability due to restructuring and new models.
Dubai International Airport ceased operations after a suspected air strike, with over 90% of flights canceled. More than 2,300 flights were canceled in 24 hours, with Emirates and FlyDubai being the most affected.
The FBI is stepping up security measures and mobilizing intelligence teams due to the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. In New York, round-the-clock surveillance has been established over pro-Iranian organizations, and special services are monitoring Hezbollah's activities.
The Bolivian government is destroying new national currency that scattered over the city after a military cargo plane crashed. This was done to prevent the money from entering illegal circulation and destabilizing the financial market.
Israel has ordered a temporary halt to operations at some gas fields due to a joint attack with the US on Iran. This is a precautionary security measure, Energean Plc confirmed the suspension of production.
Bitcoin fell 3. 8% to $63,038 and Ether fell 4.5% to $1,836 after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The market value of digital assets decreased by $128 billion.
Russia may withdraw from peace talks on Ukraine if Kyiv does not agree to territorial concessions. The US will seek Ukraine's abandonment of Donbas in exchange for a frozen conflict.
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) has warned of possible interference by Russia and the United States in the parliamentary elections on March 24, 2026. Tensions between Copenhagen and Washington have escalated following Trump's statements regarding Greenland.
The IAEA has recorded regular and unexplained work by Iran at enrichment sites attacked by the US and Israel. UN inspectors are denied access, posing a threat to nuclear non-proliferation.
Arkady Volozh, co-founder of the Yandex search engine, officially renounced his Russian citizenship. The reason was EU sanctions imposed on the company in 2022.
SpaceX plans to file a confidential IPO application in March 2026 with an expected valuation of $1. 75 trillion. The $50 billion raised will go towards funding Starship, orbital data centers, and a lunar base.
The US presidential administration held a meeting following incidents involving the use of laser systems, which led to the accidental downing of a drone and the closure of airspace. The Pentagon used lasers against drones without proper coordination with civilian air traffic controllers.
Some holders of Ukraine's dollar bonds are looking for ways to get more favorable terms from the government. They argue that last year's restructuring of GDP-linked securities undermined their position.
Ukraine is assessing significant damage after Russian drone attacks on a key facility of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which could complicate the issue of EU aid to Kyiv and sanctions against Moscow. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of withholding supplies, blocking EU aid.
Ukraine is considering the possibility of creating consortia with allies to develop air defense systems capable of shooting down ballistic missiles. This will also help overcome the shortage of ammunition for Patriot systems.
The Russian war machine is feeling the pressure from sanctions and declining revenues. Businesses in the Nizhny Novgorod region are appealing to officials due to falling investments and profits. Russian regions are facing budget deficits, which increases their dependence on the Kremlin.
Nicolás Maduro's defense asks a New York court to drop charges due to the inability to pay for legal services. The U.S. Treasury Department is blocking funds that Venezuela is ready to provide for the defense.
Global gold prices stabilized at record highs after nuclear talks in Geneva. The spot price of gold settled at $5185.75 per ounce.
Netflix Inc. withdrew from negotiations to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. due to an unwillingness to engage in a bidding war. This allowed Paramount Skydance Corp. to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $111 billion.
The tanker "Seahorse" with Russian diesel fuel for Cuba has stopped in the North Atlantic. This delay threatens to deepen the fuel shortage on the island, where the electricity supply situation is already catastrophic.
On February 26, the IMF Board will meet to approve a program for Ukraine worth $8. 1 billion. Immediately after that, Ukraine will receive a tranche of $1.5 billion.
US President Donald Trump stated that Iran is resuming its nuclear program after US strikes. This intensifies speculation about preparations for new military strikes.
The French president dismissed Louvre director Laurence des Cars after a seven-minute robbery. The perpetrators stole royal jewels, revealing critical security flaws.
According to a Bank of America survey, 23% of investors consider the 'AI bubble' to be the main concern, surpassing geopolitics and central bank errors. Fears about unsustainable growth in AI investments have exceeded concerns about a 'bubble in the credit sector'.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized Donald Trump's approach to Russia's war against Ukraine. He stated that Trump's actions could have strengthened Putin's confidence and complicated negotiations.
The US is pushing for a deal on Ukraine by July 4, the 250th anniversary of US independence. However, there are no signs that Putin is ready to compromise on his demands, Bloomberg notes.
In Asian trading, Bitcoin fell to $64,300, erasing gains made after the US elections. The reasons were macroeconomic uncertainty and conflicting statements from Washington regarding trade agreements.
Delta Airlines suspends operations at New York and Boston airports until Tuesday due to winter storm. Over 8,500 flights canceled, up to 50 cm of snow and zero visibility expected.
Great Britain could become the country most affected by new US import duties due to significant exports of services and goods. A fall in the pound and an impact on the Bank of England's monetary policy are predicted.
