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The US dollar is trading near its strongest level in two months. A deadlock in US-Iran nuclear talks has pushed up oil prices, adding to inflationary pressure, while traders increasingly expect the Federal Reserve to keep raising interest rates. Higher rate expectations typically strengthen the dollar, and rising energy costs reinforce those bets, keeping the currency firm against major peers.

Donald Trump is facing a strategic dilemma over the conflict with Iran: continuing a costly military confrontation or pursuing a withdrawal that could carry significant political costs at home. Commentators are weighing the financial burden of the war against the reputational damage a retreat could inflict, with observers questioning how the administration can extricate itself without appearing weak.

The U.S. dollar strengthened as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher and boosted expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated for longer. Rising geopolitical risk is driving demand for safe-haven assets like the dollar, while costlier crude adds inflation pressure that could sway Fed policy decisions. Markets are watching for further developments in the standoff and upcoming Fed commentary.

The US dollar held near a two-month high as the standoff between Washington and Tehran pushed oil prices higher and investors increased bets that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. Traders are weighing geopolitical risk in the Middle East against expectations of tighter US monetary policy, both of which are supporting the greenback against major currencies.

Ukraine's digital transformation minister Mykhailo Fedorov has announced plans to deploy an 'army of robots' on the battlefield, according to Le Parisien. The initiative aims to replace human soldiers on the front line with unmanned ground and aerial systems, reducing casualties in the war against Russia. Fedorov, who has driven Ukraine's rapid wartime adoption of drone and autonomous technology, framed the effort as the country's new strategic bet to offset its manpower shortage.

The US dollar has firmed against major currencies as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran lifted oil prices and strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. Rising energy costs add to inflation concerns, boosting bets on a hawkish Fed stance and supporting the greenback. Markets are watching closely for further developments in the standoff.

The British pound has rebounded against both the US dollar and the euro, with traders betting that the Bank of England will tighten monetary policy. The recovery in sterling is being read as a sign that markets expect the central bank to keep interest rates higher for longer, lifting demand for the currency.

Kalshi, the US prediction market operator, is expanding into sports betting, a move that regulators and industry watchers say stretches the legal boundaries of what prediction markets are allowed to offer. The company argues its contracts are regulated financial instruments, while critics view them as unlicensed sports wagering. The dispute could shape the future regulatory treatment of event contracts in the United States.

Prediction market operators are moving toward offering US stock-based contracts, drawing scrutiny from regulators who see potential overlaps with securities law. The expansion could blur the line between event betting and regulated trading, raising questions about oversight, investor protection and which agency — the CFTC or the SEC — should supervise these products as they reach mainstream investors.

The US dollar held steady as rising tensions between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher and strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated. Markets are weighing the inflationary impact of costlier oil against the risk of a wider Middle East conflict, with traders positioning for a hawkish Fed stance.

Gold prices have dropped to their lowest level in seven weeks as rising oil prices stoke inflation concerns, prompting markets to bet on higher interest rates. Because gold pays no yield, expectations of rate hikes typically weigh on the metal. Traders are watching how oil-driven inflation shapes central bank policy next.

Republicans are emphasizing immigration policy as part of a strategy to court young conservative male voters, according to U.S. News & World Report. The party is aiming to energize this demographic heading into upcoming elections, betting that hardline immigration messaging will resonate with a group seen as increasingly influential in conservative politics.

Reports circulating online claim an AKINCI combat drone, the Turkish-built unmanned aircraft, shot down another UAV in an air-to-air engagement over Sudan. If confirmed, it would be a rare instance of drone-on-drone combat. Observers are debating the circumstances, who operated the aircraft, and which faction on either side of Sudan's conflict deployed it.

Gold prices fell more than 2% as investors bet the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. Higher rates boost bond yields and the dollar, making non-yielding bullion less attractive to buyers. The drop marked one of the sharper daily declines for the metal, with traders watching upcoming Fed signals for direction.

A new German-language study finds that the mobility of researchers in Ukraine shifted markedly after 2014, with conflict-affected regions losing academics both internally within the country and to emigration abroad. The research examines the intersection of science, migration and war, documenting how hostilities have reshaped where Ukrainian scholars work. The findings underline a growing concern about brain drain and regional loss of scientific capacity.

A close look at the Taipei City mayoral contest frames it as a battle between a well-connected KMT candidate from a political family and a DPP outsider. Although Taipei has long been considered a KMT stronghold, support for the DPP's candidate Puma Shen is rising sharply and unexpectedly, prompting debate about whether the race is more competitive than previously assumed and what that could mean for the party's hold on the capital.

Updated 2026 Super Bowl odds show the Los Angeles Rams remaining the betting favorites even after losing a game, while the Green Bay Packers have dropped sharply down the board. Bookmakers appear to be looking past the Rams' defeat and penalizing Green Bay more heavily as the season's picture becomes clearer.

Elon Musk claimed SpaceX's plans for orbital computing, built on its Starlink satellite network, will turn out 'way better' than analysts' predictions by 2028. The comments point to ambitions to process data in space using satellite constellations rather than ground-based data centres. Reaction so far centers on skepticism versus excitement about the technical and commercial feasibility of large-scale compute infrastructure in orbit.

Paris Fashion Week is under way, drawing intense enthusiasm from audiences while also carrying an undercurrent of tension across the industry. FashionNetwork reports the event is marked by both fervour and strain, reflecting pressures facing designers and brands. The edition is being watched closely as a bellwether for the state of global fashion.

Big Tech is betting its next wave of growth on AI-powered gadgets, particularly smart glasses, but the push is running into privacy concerns. Always-on cameras and microphones raise questions about recording bystanders and collecting constant data. Commentators argue companies must address consent and data protection rules if wearables are to win mainstream acceptance.

The River Avon in Bristol has become one of the latest waterways in England to be given formal legal-style recognition through a 'charter of rights', framing the river as an entity with its own entitlements that humans must respect. Supporters describe the move as a 'contract between humans and river', part of a growing international rights-of-nature movement aiming to protect waterways from pollution and degradation.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how funds are managed, with asset managers increasingly using it to analyze data, screen companies and support decisions. The open question, highlighted in industry discussion, is whether AI can actually select better-performing stocks than human managers, or whether its impact remains limited to efficiency and research rather than superior returns.

Eli Lilly has announced the Lilly Change the Course Commitment, a new initiative aimed at narrowing treatment gaps in diabetes and obesity care in low- and middle-income countries. The pharmaceutical company says the programme will focus on expanding access to treatment where need is greatest. Details on funding and specific country plans have not yet been widely reported.

Angela Stribling, a longtime host on the BET network, has died after a battle with brain cancer. News of her death is being reported by regional outlets in the United States, with tributes expected from viewers and colleagues who knew her from her television work.