Archive: February 2026
76 articles published this month
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.
Australia rate hike shocks markets after two-year pause
Australia rate hike jolted investors as the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the cash rate 25 bps to 3.85% on Feb. 3, 2026. The RBA cited sticky inflation and a tighter labor market, pushing markets to price more tightening and lifting global FX and carry-trade stakes.
GIC-Sony music catalog partnership targets rights deals
A new music catalog partnership between Singapore’s GIC and Sony Music Group will pursue acquisitions of marquee rights, with terms undisclosed. Reuters says Bloomberg estimated a $2B–$3B vehicle, underscoring how institutional capital is pricing music IP like infrastructure.
Grammys weekend: Lifetime honors and record-book bids
Grammys weekend is leaning hard into legacy and “firsts.” The Recording Academy honored Cher, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Fela Kuti, Carlos Santana, and Paul Simon, while Reuters flags record-book scenarios for Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar at the Feb. 1 show.
Epstein files release: media parses “what’s new”
Epstein files release coverage is shifting from the sheer scale of DOJ’s dump to a tougher question: what is genuinely new. Outlets are also recirculating Ghislaine Maxwell deposition clips, raising fresh verification and context challenges.
Epstein files release: DOJ publishes 3.5M pages
The Epstein files release expanded on Jan. 30, 2026, as the U.S. Justice Department published over 3 million additional pages plus videos and images under a new transparency law. The dump is fueling renewed scrutiny over redactions, victims’ privacy, and accountability.
Bangladesh Bank dollar auctions ramp up as remittances surge
Bangladesh Bank dollar auctions intensified after January 2026 remittances hit about $3.17B. The central bank kept buying dollars at Tk 122.30 to smooth FX moves and rebuild reserves, shaping import costs and bank liquidity.
PrimeSync Solutions wins SelectUSA 2026 Tech Pitch
PrimeSync Solutions won the SelectUSA 2026 Tech Pitch Competition in Dhaka, earning complimentary registration for the SelectUSA Investment Summit in the U.S. Here’s what the win signals for Bangladesh’s AI and startup scene.