Business

While global attention frequently fixates on Russia's vast oil and gas reserves as instruments of geopolitical influence, a quieter, yet equally potent, form of leverage persists within its nuclear energy sector. Through its state-owned atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, Russia has cultivated deep-seated dependencies across the world, extending far beyond fossil fuel exports

Washington D.C. — A high-stakes confrontation is unfolding between the U.S. Department of Defense and leading artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, as the Pentagon pressures the company to relinquish control over how its powerful Claude AI model can be used for military purposes

Kyiv, Ukraine – A critical energy dispute surrounding the Druzhba oil pipeline, a vital artery for Russian crude into Central Europe, has intensified, creating fresh rifts within the European Union and complicating aid efforts for war-torn Ukraine. The southern branch of the pipeline, which supplies Hungary and Slovakia, has been offline since late January 2026, leading to a diplomatic standoff with accusations of political leverage and energy blackmail traded between Kyiv, Budapest, and Bratislava

Germany, long revered as the industrial heartland of Europe, is strategically positioning itself to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a crucial tool for economic resilience and global competitiveness. As the world navigates a rapidly evolving technological landscape dominated by the AI advancements of the United States and China, Germany is channeling its engineering prowess and manufacturing heritage into industrial AI, seeking to redefine its future and maintain its economic standing

Washington D.C. – In a significant legal and political setback for former President Donald Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated a substantial portion of the broad tariffs he imposed under emergency powers, dramatically curtailing a primary instrument of his economic and foreign policy

Brussels finds itself grappling with a complex and rapidly evolving trade landscape following a landmark United States Supreme Court decision that invalidated a significant portion of the tariffs previously imposed by President Donald Trump. While the ruling offers a glimmer of relief by deeming certain broad duties illegal, it simultaneously injects fresh uncertainty into the fragile transatlantic trade relationship, particularly concerning a recently brokered EU-US trade deal

Washington D.C. – February 20, 2026 – In a landmark decision that promises to reverberate across global supply chains and consumer markets, the U.S

The foundational principle of central bank independence, long considered a cornerstone of stable economies, faces increasing global pressures, prompting leaders like European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde to issue stark warnings about potential risks. In a landscape marked by heightened political volatility and complex economic challenges, the ability of central banks to make unbiased decisions, free from short-term political influence, is more critical than ever

The financial ascent of Jeffrey Epstein, a man who became synonymous with scandal and depravity, remains one of the more perplexing narratives of modern finance. Without formal degrees or a public track record of investment triumphs, Epstein meticulously cultivated a financial empire reportedly worth nearly $600 million at the time of his death, built largely on the discreet management of vast fortunes for a select circle of the world's wealthiest individuals

BERLIN – Germany finds itself at a pivotal juncture in its relationship with China, as a "second China shock" reshapes global trade dynamics and compels Berlin to recalibrate decades of economic policy. At the helm of this complex navigation is Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose administration is charting a course of "de-risking without decoupling" amidst intensified competition, geopolitical tensions, and an evolving understanding of China as a systemic rival

A proposed $4.2 billion deal for German shipping conglomerate Hapag-Lloyd to acquire Israel's flagship cargo company, ZIM, has ignited a firestorm of controversy and concern within the Israeli government and public. The acquisition, which would see a significant portion of Israel's maritime strategic assets transfer to foreign hands, has prompted warnings from senior officials about potential threats to national security and economic independence, particularly given the German firm's partial ownership by sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. ### The Anatomy of a Divisive Deal The transaction, reportedly agreed upon in principle, involves Hapag-Lloyd, the world's fifth-largest shipping company, taking over ZIM's international operations, which encompass 99 chartered vessels, global trade routes, and customer agreements

Germany, a nation long synonymous with efficiency and engineering prowess, finds its reputation challenged by a persistent and costly issue: an epidemic of delayed and over-budget construction projects. From major infrastructure endeavors to crucial residential developments, the country's building sector is plagued by a confluence of complex regulations, acute labor shortages, soaring material costs, and entrenched planning deficiencies, leading to significant economic strain and public frustration

The booming artificial intelligence industry, particularly the rapid expansion of AI data centers, is triggering an unprecedented shortage of critical semiconductor memory chips, leading to significant price hikes and reduced availability across the global smartphone market. This shift in the technology supply chain, prioritizing the immense computational needs of AI, is forcing consumers to brace for higher costs on their next device purchase and reshaping the competitive landscape for smartphone manufacturers worldwide

FRANKFURT – Deutsche Bank, one of the world's leading financial institutions, has faced intense scrutiny and significant financial penalties following revelations of its extensive and deeply flawed banking relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Investigations and subsequent regulatory actions have exposed a "critical mistake" in the bank's client onboarding and a pattern of "significant compliance failures" that allowed millions of dollars in suspicious transactions to pass unchecked, casting a harsh light on anti-money laundering (AML) protocols across the financial sector

Berlin, Germany – The 2025 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), released today by Transparency International, paints a concerning picture for many Western nations, revealing a troubling decline in their perceived ability to combat public sector corruption. Despite the region of Western Europe and the European Union (EU) retaining its status as the world's least corrupt, its average score has steadily fallen over the past decade, underscoring a significant erosion of integrity and accountability within established democracies