Wall Street Next

latest news in global

University Ousted from Major AI Summit After Rebranding Chinese Robot as Homegrown Tech

New Delhi, Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
Authorities expelled a university from India’s flagship AI summit for displaying a commercially available $2,800 Chinese robot dog as its own indigenous innovation.

Record Defense Spending Propels BAE Systems and European Markets to New Highs

London, Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
BAE Systems’ record £83.6 billion backlog fueled a market rally, pushing the STOXX 600 to an all-time high as investors bet on a sustained era of global defense spending.

Saudi Arabia Announces Wednesday Ramadan Start Amidst Regional Divergence on Timing

Riyadh, Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
Saudi authorities confirmed the holy month begins today, defying astronomical models deeming the moon invisible. Consequently, regional markets split as Egypt and Turkey delay observance until Thursday.

Oil Markets Remain Steady as Iran Temporarily Closes Strait of Hormuz During Nuclear Talks

Tehran, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
On Tuesday, February 17, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated live-fire naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the temporary closure of this vital global oil artery. This strategic military posturing occurs precisely as indirect nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran resume in Geneva, highlighting a tense interplay between diplomacy and military brinkmanship. Despite the disruption to a waterway responsible for one-third of seaborne crude exports, global oil markets have exhibited surprising stability, with prices fluctuating only slightly. This measured market response suggests investors currently interpret the drills as a calculated negotiation tactic rather than an immediate precursor to conflict. However, with the IRGC testing weapons described as distinct from their wartime arsenal, the geopolitical risk premium remains a critical factor for energy investors to monitor closely.

Energy Security Overtakes Affordability as Primary Driver of Global Innovation

Paris, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
The IEA reveals energy security has surpassed affordability as the main innovation driver, with battery technology and over 320 new startups leading the 2025 global market surge.

China Signals Global Robotics Dominance with High-Profile Spring Festival Showcase

Beijing, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Beijing used its most-watched broadcast to champion humanoid robotics, a sector where China already commands 90% of global shipments, signaling an aggressive push for manufacturing supremacy.

UK and German Military Chiefs Issue Joint Plea for Rearmament Amid Rising Russian Threats

Berlin, Monday, 16 February 2026.
Citing a moral imperative against a westward-shifting Russian military, defense chiefs press for rearmament, despite polls revealing only 25% of Britons support the necessary tax hikes.

Snowstorms Trigger Widespread Flight Cancellations Across Major European Hubs

Paris, Monday, 16 February 2026.
European air travel faces critical instability as severe snowstorms cause over 5,000 delays and 700 cancellations today, heavily impacting major business gateways like Paris and Amsterdam.

China Shifts Stimulus Focus to Services After Winter Economy Boom

Beijing, Monday, 16 February 2026.
Policymakers pivot to services, backed by 62.5 billion yuan in subsidies, attempting to replicate the winter economy’s success to counter weak domestic demand and diversify growth drivers.

EU Diplomats Rebut US Narrative of Civilizational Decline at Munich Security Conference

Brussels, Sunday, 15 February 2026.
On February 15, 2026, a significant diplomatic divergence emerged at the Munich Security Conference as European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas formally rejected US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assertion that Europe faces “civilizational erasure.” Addressing the assembly, Kallas countered the Trump administration’s rhetoric by highlighting the bloc’s enduring geopolitical appeal and economic resilience. She dismantled the narrative of a “woke, decadent” Europe by noting that aspiring member states—and surprisingly, 40% of Canadians surveyed—actively seek to join the Union. Kallas further contrasted EU prosperity with Russian stagnation, pointing out that Polish citizens are now roughly 70% richer than their Russian counterparts, a stark reversal from 1990. This exchange underscores a deepening ideological rift between Washington and Brussels, signaling a shift where Europe is increasingly prioritizing strategic independence and internal defense capabilities over traditional reliance on American validation.