
This weekend’s reads dissect the shifting geopolitics of NATO under Trump’s “quiet‑quit” strategy, the erosion of U.S. reliability among European allies, and Germany’s push to become Europe’s new defense hegemon. They also examine the economic fallout of Trump’s expansive tariff regime, showing most costs falling on U.S. firms and consumers, while public opinion remains largely hostile. Finally, the pieces explore demographic headwinds—from persistently low global fertility to Switzerland’s radical population‑cap vote—and labor‑market dynamics such as the H‑1B wage gap and proposed visa fees. Together, they highlight how policy choices in security, trade, and demographics are reshaping global stability and economic competitiveness.
I can think of half a dozen reasons why it is NOT a mistake to gift a house to a child before passing. Why? Because these decisions are fact and portfolio dependent, and always/never advice is rarely reliable when it...
The European Data Protection Board and the European Data Protection Supervisor issued a joint opinion on the EU’s Digital Omnibus, endorsing its goal to ease administrative burdens while flagging key concerns. They warn that a narrower, controller‑specific definition of personal...
Scientists have introduced a microwave‑assisted synthesis that converts coal into nitrogen‑doped ultramicroporous carbon in about ten minutes. The rapid method preserves nitrogen and oxygen functional groups, creating pores of 0.6‑0.7 nm that tightly fit CO₂ molecules. The resulting adsorbent captures up...

The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) announced that Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege will join its roster of 16 titles for the inaugural 2026 edition. The tournament will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2‑29, featuring 24 national teams...
Macro: PE flows target Indian NBFCs. RBI cleared Bain's up to 41.7% in Manappuram; ₹43.85bn injected. Risk: regulatory scrutiny. Trading insight: buy Manappuram on pullbacks. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Iran Turns to Digital Surveillance Tools to Track Down Protesters @nytimes https://t.co/7JUt5gcTW3 Iran's government most likely tracked the protesters through location data emitting from their phones, researchers later concluded. The move was part of a new phase by the authorities to...

On 14 February 2026, the ECB’s Governing Council approved an overhaul of the Eurosystem repo facility for central banks (EUREP). The revised framework introduces standing access for a broad set of non‑euro‑area central banks, provided they meet anti‑money‑laundering and sanctions...
China’s fifteenth five‑year plan (2026‑2030) places space at the heart of its national agenda, as highlighted by a China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) press release. The plan outlines ambitious targets, including a lunar research station, a Mars sample‑return...

Small distributor #BriarcliffEntertainment’s sees muted reception to its R-rated comedic sci-fi #GoodLuckHaveFunDontDie, which debuted out of Top5 at US #BoxOffice after grossing 1.4M on FRI Opening Day over 1.610 theatres, including 450k THU Previews. With a 20M production price tag not even...

A German district court ruled that three logos generated by AI are not eligible for copyright protection, emphasizing that only works reflecting the prompter’s personality qualify. The judges clarified that extensive prompting, subscription fees, or iterative selection do not satisfy...

Atari has revived the Intellivision brand with the new Intellivision Sprint, a dedicated retro console that bundles 45 classic titles. The device connects via HDMI, includes two wireless controllers, and uses physical overlays to accommodate each game’s unique control scheme....
On the other hand, #A24 is also surfing the #Valentines bonanza at US #BoxOffice, as #HarryLighton’s astonishing steamy romance #PILLION, starring #AlexanderSkarsgård & #HarryMelling expanded from 4 to 24 theatres and grossing SEXY 119k on 2nd limited FRI, STRONG $4.9k...
#CharliXCX suffered friendly fire from… #CharliXCX? Despite expanding from 581 theatres to 1.119 going nationwide yesterday, the #BRAT singer was hit hard by #WutheringHeights’s arrival at US #BoxOffice, as festival darling mockumentary #TheMoment grossed just 126k on 3rd FRI,...

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army used chocolate as a portable, high‑energy comfort food. In World War II the Army commissioned Hershey to produce the Field Ration D, a 600‑calorie, heat‑resistant bar deliberately made bitter to discourage casual eating. When...

Ukraine’s Security Service announced that its Alpha special‑operations unit eliminated roughly half of the Russian Pantsir mobile air‑defence systems deployed in 2025. The campaign, aimed at degrading short‑range air‑defence coverage, is credited with destroying about 38 verified Pantsir units and...
Guernsey’s Data Protection Authority has sanctioned First Contact Health after a phishing attack compromised an employee’s email, exposing confidential patient data. The breach was discovered by the practice, which reported it to authorities, but regulators found the organization lacked adequate...

Those “direct-to-physician” CDS AI tools like OpenEvidence and DoximityGPT? They're now going after health systems too. My 5 thoughts on how this will all play out: First, the gist of what was announced: → Sutter Health will integrate OpenEvidence with Epic, allowing...

In Episode 91, Arjun Murti delivers a rapid FAQ on the "take risk" messaging his podcast has been using throughout 2026, focusing on how companies should shape corporate strategy amid a maturing US shale oil sector. He reflects on the...
In this Valentine’s Day episode of *Eye on Travel*, host Peter Greenberg reports from the historic Langham Hotel in Pasadena, covering major travel news such as the sudden closure of El Paso airspace, Southwest’s rollout of assigned seating, and a surge...

PlayStation announced a packed lineup of new titles for the week of February 16‑22, ranging from indie platformers to major RPG releases. Highlights include Obsidian Entertainment’s fantasy RPG Avowed, which receives an Anniversary Update with new races and gameplay modes, and...
On February 14, 1980 the Solar Maximum Mission (SolarMax) lifted off from Cape Canaveral to study solar flares, the solar constant, and the Sun’s atmosphere in X‑ray, gamma‑ray, and ultraviolet wavelengths. Early in its flight the spacecraft suffered a coronagraph electronics glitch...

Qantas has begun a multi‑million‑dollar refresh of its regional lounge network, upgrading seven lounges across Australia. The redesign introduces modern interiors, new seating, expanded charging stations and entertainment displays, and a colour palette inspired by local landscapes. The rollout aligns...

Goldman Sachs Partner Jeff Fine discussed private markets and wealth channels on the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast, recorded at the 2025 Alternatives Summit. He outlined the evolving landscape, the role of product specialists, AI’s impact, and the growing participation of...

Deutsche Aircraft is pushing its D328eco 40‑seat turboprop toward a first test flight in the second half of 2026, with certification and deliveries slated for the fourth quarter of 2027—about a year later than originally planned. The company is using...

Sydney Airport has selected Grimshaw and Mott MacDonald as lead architectural and engineering consultants for the T2‑T3 terminal link, a flagship element of its $6 billion capital works programme. The partnership adopts a new long‑term framework aimed at boosting delivery efficiency, design...

Sri Lanka has introduced a Digital Nomad Visa aimed at remote workers, with a low income threshold of $2,000 per month (plus $500 per dependent). The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed indefinitely, provided applicants maintain...
Credit markets could be the next AI casualty. A UBS analyst flags the $3.5T leveraged loan and private credit space as vulnerable, with AI disruption moving faster than expected. Up to $120B in fresh defaults this year would turn the AI boom...
The NASA SLS costs 23X the entire XB-1 program. Every time it launches. What could private innovators create had this capital not been confiscated by gov’t and pissed away? Each time SLS launches 23 XB-1s go up in smoke. We don’t...

In this rapid‑fire segment, the hosts discuss three trending retail topics: the surprising resilience and price‑inflation of luxury hotels, the projected £2.38 billion UK Valentine’s Day spend, and McDonald’s limited‑edition “McNugget caviar” offering. Joe Laszlo shares personal anecdotes—a memorable stay at...

Printing brain phantoms in a support gel and selectively replicates gray and white matter https://t.co/9rIVOPCjd2 https://t.co/LFwa9Qlqjc

Brent futures price fell $0.30 from $68.05 to $67.75 week ending February 13 12-month spread suggests sideways price movement on Monday #energy #OOTT #oilandgas #WTI #CrudeOil #fintwit #OPEC #Commodities #commoditiesmarket https://t.co/hYd0O6d84E

The Timeless Investor newsletter warns that the current AI doomer narrative has exploded into a mass‑psychosis, inflating risk mispricing across markets. It cites the Jevons paradox in radiology and the democratization of AI tools as unintended consequences that counter the...
Lots of conservation organizations want the US to balance rooftop with large scale. Most other countries in the world are closer to 50% rooftop/parking lot solar.

Show me the glut WTI 12-month spread narrowed $0.06 (2%) for the week ending February 13 6-month spread narrowed $0.11 (9%) Front-month price fell $0.66 (1%) from $63.55 to $62.89 #energy #OOTT #oilandgas #WTI #CrudeOil #fintwit #OPEC #Commodities #commoditiesmarket https://t.co/1VHaA5PFZN

Vietnam Airlines announced a new nonstop service between Hanoi and Amsterdam, launching on June 16, 2026. The route will run three times weekly—Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday—using an Airbus A350‑900. It links two SkyTeam hubs directly, eliminating the current need to...

Shell base case assumes sustained 3.3% global growth GDP nearly doubles by 2050 #GlobalGDP #EconomicGrowth #EnergyScenarios #Shell #Macroeconomics #GrowthAssumptions #LongTermForecasts https://t.co/meXF1PuaVe

"Reducing reliance on fossil fuels looks like Europe’s best shot at saving its domestic manufacturing and stopping other governments from pushing it around." Outstanding article in The Wall Street Journal. https://t.co/XbYr95c2nK https://t.co/rUtmRPTUST
United Airlines has announced that its London flight‑attendant base, the only overseas crew hub it still operates, will accept transfer applications for the first time in more than a decade. The opportunity is limited to senior attendants who have waited...

The English High Court continues hearing Parsons v Convatec, an employee claim for patent‑related compensation under section 40 of the Patents Act 1977. The claimant seeks roughly £366 million, equivalent to 10‑15% of the product’s estimated sales. A recent ruling set a...

The sun’s radiation that reaches earth is useless as an energy source without technology to convert it to work @Tinyweenybear The technology requires materials to work that all need fossil fuels. Grid scale solar is uneconomic & not fit for 24/7...

The episode breaks down the release of the largest publicly available Medicaid claims dataset, detailing its composition, gaps, and immediate utility for health‑tech builders and investors. It quantifies the scale of Medicaid spending (~$849 B) and improper payments (over $30 B annually),...
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The Defense & Aerospace Report podcast highlighted a turbulent week on Wall Street, where a tech sell‑off produced the market's worst performance since November despite softer inflation and stronger jobs data. Canada announced a down payment for an additional 14...

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a sweeping address at the Munich Security Conference, urging a renewed, values‑based transatlantic partnership. He blamed de‑industrialization, unchecked migration, and climate‑policy mandates for eroding Western sovereignty and called for a joint push to...

Thanks @bmwfoundation for partnering w @ColumbiaUEnergy on such a substantive & productive session @MunSecConf on how to enhance critical mineral & energy supply chain security amid fragmenting geopolitics. Great insights from DOE’s @AlexFitzDC, @dan_brouillette & so many others. https://t.co/D1xRKHu7gO

The article argues that U.S. political focus on reviving the “hard‑hat” economy is misplaced. Manufacturing now comprises under 8% of employment, and recent tariff and subsidy policies have raised input costs without restoring jobs. Federal initiatives like the Inflation Reduction...

Electricity Exceeds 50% of Final Energy Use by Mid-Century Shell is good about listing the obstacles to its preposterous assumptions And then finding reasons to ignore them @zeroinputag #Electricity #EnergyTransition #EnergySystems #GridConstraints #EnergyReality #MidCentury #Decarbonization
Canada calls it “future-proofing.” Markets may call it wishful thinking. $16.5B on carbon capture with long timelines, big execution risk, and shifting global politics Take that bet to a Las Vegas oddsmaker. https://t.co/hU4uGD0r4d #CarbonCapture #EnergyPolicy #Canada #OilSands #EnergySecurity #StrandedAssets #CapitalRisk
Video from SBU Alpha showing UAV strikes on Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense systems from 2025. https://t.co/JJ7SBvXmqz https://t.co/ml6Dr2qQlQ
Enbridge won’t risk billions on a new Canadian oil pipeline Politics can change faster than steel gets laid. Capital remembers Northern Gateway The project was killed after hundreds of millions were sunk. https://t.co/Fd4PKMdjB5 #EnergyInfrastructure #Canada #Pipelines #RegulatoryRisk #EnergySecurity #CapitalDiscipline