Archive: February 2026
76 articles published this month
Oil jumps as US–Iran tensions lift risk premium
Oil jumps again as US–Iran tensions revive supply-disruption fears and refocus traders on the Strait of Hormuz. Brent rose to about $71.26/bbl and WTI to about $66.09/bbl, extending a rally driven by rising Middle East risk.
Northwestern Pakistan attacks kill child, wound police
Northwestern Pakistan attacks on Feb. 16, 2026 hit Bannu and Bajaur, killing civilians and wounding police as authorities suspect Pakistani Taliban-linked militants amid a wider violence surge.
Dubai Police Digital Twin boosts forensic case reconstructions
Dubai Police Digital Twin forensics let investigators re-run scenes virtually, helping overturn an initial suicide assessment into a hit-and-run finding and strengthening courtroom-ready evidence workflows.
Salik toll fee adjustments set new Ramadan pricing in Dubai
Salik toll fee adjustments will change Dubai’s variable toll charges during Ramadan, shifting peak pricing to 9am–5pm and making late-night crossings free from 2am–7am.
Nepal parliamentary election campaign begins ahead of March 5 vote
Nepal parliamentary election campaign season has begun ahead of the March 5 vote, the first since deadly anti-corruption protests forced a political reset and an interim government.
Rafale fighter jet deal nears as Macron visits India
Rafale fighter jet deal talks are nearing a potential ~$35bn, 114-jet agreement as Emmanuel Macron visits India, with cabinet approval and price negotiations still pending.
Indian rupee weakens as state banks sell dollars
The Indian rupee slipped to 90.7625 per dollar on Feb. 17 as risk-off sentiment and weak equities weighed, while state-run banks’ dollar sales reportedly helped cap losses near the 91 level.
Bangladesh ADP execution hits 21% in FY26 Jul–Jan
Bangladesh’s ADP execution in FY26 (July–January) fell to about 21% per IMED data, one of the weakest starts in years—raising risks for growth, project timelines, and fiscal planning.
Qube buyout: Macquarie-led deal values firm at A$11.7B
Qube buyout talks ended with a deal: Qube agreed to a Macquarie Asset Management-led offer valuing it at A$11.7B, as shares hit record highs but stayed below the A$5.20-per-share bid and UniSuper rolls its stake into the consortium.
Adani AI-ready data centres: $100B India buildout by 2035
Adani AI-ready data centres are central to Adani Enterprises’ plan to invest about $100B by 2035, pairing renewable power with hyperscale compute and pitching a “sovereign energy + compute platform,” as Reuters reported.
Tom Homan rejects Democratic ICE reform demands
Tom Homan rejects Democratic ICE reform demands as DHS funding talks stall, with Democrats citing backlash over ICE tactics and Republicans calling the push political theater amid profiling and enforcement disputes.
Macron urges calm after Lyon activist death fuels blame cycle
Macron urges calm after a 23-year-old activist died from injuries after a beating outside a talk by far-left MEP Rima Hassan in Lyon, as rival camps trade blame and France’s 2027 political stakes sharpen.
Trump says Board of Peace pledges $5B for Gaza
Board of Peace pledges topped $5B for Gaza, Trump said, with member countries also discussing personnel support for a UN-authorized stabilization and policing framework as violence continues despite a ceasefire structure.
US–Iran nuclear talks shift to Geneva via Oman mediation
US–Iran nuclear talks are moving to Geneva for a new round of indirect negotiations mediated by Oman, as Tehran signals possible compromises tied to sanctions relief while uranium enrichment remains the central dispute.
China January new loans hit 4.71t yuan, miss forecasts
China January new loans jumped to about 4.71 trillion yuan but missed forecasts, a sign credit demand remains soft even as policy support and government-led financing keep overall credit elevated.
Schroders Nuveen takeover agreed at £9.9bn, 612p a share
Schroders Nuveen takeover: UK fund manager Schroders agreed a £9.9bn cash acquisition by Nuveen (TIAA), offering up to 612p a share and targeting a Q4 2026 close.
Week-ahead positioning set by soft US CPI and ECB euro backstop
Week-ahead positioning dominated Sunday trade talk after a softer US CPI and the ECB’s expanded euro liquidity backstop, with Nasdaq weakness shaping risk tone.
RBI clears Bain Capital joint control of Manappuram
RBI clears Bain Capital joint control of Manappuram, giving the private-equity firm a regulatory green light for an 18% entry stake and a path to lift holdings via an open offer, a governance shift for a major NBFC.
Ukraine IMF loan program: $8.2B terms eased
Ukraine IMF loan program talks now include eased conditions on sensitive tax measures tied to a new $8.2B deal, Kyiv says—seen as key to unlocking wider EU and partner financing.
ECB euro repo facility goes global with €50B backstop
ECB euro repo facility: The ECB will broaden standing access to its EUREP euro repo backstop from Q3 2026, allowing eligible foreign central banks to borrow up to €50B against high-quality euro collateral to curb stress-driven euro asset selloffs.