US and Israel wage war against Iran Iran's retaliation risks regional contagion Strait of Hormuz becomes strategic chokepoint France revisits nuclear policies with eye toward European security Oil and gas prices spike to prompt inflation fears Defense sector leads stocks' comeback as bid for safety strengthens dollar Manufacturing activity indices show growth, cost pressures Prediction markets foster wagers on war Ukraine-Russia talks on schedule with Donetsk at issue Pakista

Israel and US begin 'major combat operations in Iran'; Middle East braces for conflict Anthropic barred by administration, designated supply chain risk by Pentagon Pakistan announces 'open war' after Afghanistan attacks AI stocks retreat with private credit risk weighing on banks Markets position for higher oil prices despite supply Interest rates ease even as wholesale price inflation surprises Major central banks' independence under scrutiny President Trump floats 'friendly

President Trump outlines priorities, emphasizes military in State of the Union address US and Iran brace for conflict ahead of Geneva negotiations on Thursday White House looks for tariff continuity without Congress China seeks strategic reset with Germany, squeezes exports to Japan Tech-led stocks rebound rewards hardware manufacturers against vulnerable AI targets Federal Reserve officials point to extended policy hold Consumer confidence edges higher but employment prospec

Negotiations to continue on Thursday amid heightened US-Iran tension Prospective US tariffs introduce new uncertainties Trading partners revisit deals after SCOTUS ruling US broaching nuclear dialogue with Russia, China AI disruption potential weighs on technology services as stocks fall Fed Governor Waller weighs support for interest rate pause US factory orders retreat as NY Fed inflation gauge climbs AP highlights growing clout of retail investors Mexico wages war against

Supreme Court strikes down President Trump's use of emergency tariffs, limiting executive power US administration to deploy alternative tariff mechanisms in response to ruling White House weighs limited strikes on Iran over nuclear enrichment US growth estimates underwhelm as inflation climbs Equities rally amid tariff volatility while gold and oil edge higher Federal Reserve officials point to comfort with hold against uncertainty ECB President Lagarde intends to finish term

US-Iran talks yield further dialogue but specter of conflict looms Ukraine and Russia negotiations stall over territory, US to monitor any peace Federal Reserve meeting minutes suggest extended rates pause Chipmakers lift stocks as oil rallies on Middle East concerns US data surprises point to resilient production and capital investment ECB succession plans eyed amid Lagarde reports (FT) US discusses arms for Taiwan with China, repeats nuclear testing allegations UN Security

US and Europe emphasize 'shared interests' at Munich Security Conference US builds forces in Middle East ahead of mediation with Iran in Geneva Ukraine looks for security guarantees at US-brokered talks with Russia US inflation cools in January though price pressures remain White House reportedly weighs adjustments to metals' tariffs Europe eyes capital markets integration and global role for euro Administration eases sanctions on oil operations in Venezuela US reaches agreem

US and Iran at odds over nuclear enrichment as military buildup continues Ukraine prepares spring voting plans ahead of bilateral talks with US NATO unveils Arctic Sentry exercises in advance of Munich conference Energy secretary visits Venezuela after US clears oil licenses US adds more jobs than expected and unemployment rate ticks lower in January Congressional Budget Office projects growing deficits over next decade Federal Reserve officials caution on inflation, prefer p

Japan’s Takaichi secures mandate for conservative platform in election rout with tax cuts and defense spending in mind US warns on Strait of Hormuz as Iran holds firm on enrichment ahead of White House meeting with Israel’s Netanyahu Ukraine points to US-imposed June deadline for peace agreement with Russia; EU membership eyed Secretary Rubio to attend Munich Security Conference amid NATO shuffle Lifted by capital expenditure plans and limited supply, chipmakers bolster equit