Global headlines highlight SpaceX blocking Starlink use by Russia, Trump's engagement in Iran nuclear talks, China's push for renminbi global reserve status, a Muslim official's defection from China, Europe's renewed interest in oil and gas exploration, Cuba losing revenue from doctors in Venezuela, Russia's struggle with tech import reliance, and Chechen leadership health crises impacting Putin's regional strategy.

• SpaceX stops Russia’s ‘unauthorised’ use of Starlink, Musk says — Financial Times -
• Trump says Iran negotiating ‘seriously’ on nuclear weapons — Financial Times -
• Xi calls for China’s renminbi to attain global reserve currency status — Financial Times -

• ‘I’m Free’: A Muslim Official Who Lost Faith in China Gains a Voice — The New York Times Business -
• Oil and gas exploration back on Europe’s agenda, says Energean chief — Financial Times -
• Cuban doctors’ departure from Venezuela saps Havana of vital revenue — Financial Times -
• Russia struggles to shake reliance on foreign technology imports — Financial Times -
• Chechen warlords’ health crises threaten Putin’s plan for the region — Financial Times -

US news covers public dissatisfaction in Minnesota over Trump administration actions, a French firm divesting from an ICE tracking contract due to criticism, the rising trend of mining companies hiring retired generals for lobbying, Target's CEO facing local crisis during a turnaround, Elon Musk's significant donations to Republicans, a 'Spy Sheikh's' secret investment in a Trump company, and the Pentagon defending media restrictions for national security.

• Americans have drawn a red line in Minnesota — Financial Times -
• French Firm to Sell Division That Helps ICE Track Immigrants — Wall Street Journal -
• The Hottest Commodity in the Mining Business: American Generals — Wall Street Journal -

• Target’s New C.E.O. Faces Hometown Crisis as He Begins Turnaround Effort — The New York Times Business -
• Musk reaffirms Republican ties with $10mn in donations — Financial Times -
• ‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company — Wall Street Journal -
• Pentagon Defends Restrictions on Media Outlets — The New York Times Business -

Economic news features young men entering betting markets, **a KKR-led group acquiring a Singapore data center firm for over $10 billion, India's increased spending and chip investment to counter potential Trump tariffs, luxury brands struggling for a comeback in China, Nestlé's CEO focusing on turnaround efforts, Danish pension funds facing pressure for domestic investments, the rising popularity of protein in the food industry, UK restaurants offering deep discounts to attract diners, record Super Bowl ad slot prices, food delivery apps reshaping US mealtime, and Ford exploring an EV partnership with China's Xiaomi**.

• Meet the Young Men Rushing Into Betting Markets — Wall Street Journal -
• KKR-Led Group Set to Buy Singapore Data-Center Firm Valued at Over $10 Billion — Wall Street Journal -
• India raises spending and chip investment to head off Trump’s tariffs — Financial Times -

• Luxury Brands Need a Comeback in China. They Shouldn’t Count on It. — Wall Street Journal -
• Nestlé’s Chief Is in Turnaround Mode. He Drinks 8 Cups of Coffee a Day. — The New York Times Business -
• Danish pension funds under pressure to invest in domestic markets — Financial Times -
• How protein rose to the top of the food chain — Financial Times -
• UK restaurants offer deep discounts in ‘last resort’ to lure spend-shy diners — Financial Times -
• Super Bowl ad slots hit record prices as brands return to TV marketing — Financial Times -
• How DoorDash and Other Food Delivery Apps Are Reshaping Mealtime in the U.S. — The New York Times Business -
• Ford held talks with China’s Xiaomi over EV partnership — Financial Times -

Key tech stories include discussions around AI's impact on employment and potential 'jobpocalypse' fears, Indonesia lifting its ban on the Grok chatbot after assurances from X Corp, skepticism about companies attributing layoffs solely to 'AI-washing', and the high-speed internet boom facing a labor shortage in fiber-optic installation.

• Don’t fear the AI ‘jobpocalypse’ — Financial Times -
• Indonesia Lifts Ban on Grok After New Assurances From X Corp — The New York Times Business -
• Did A.I. Take Your Job? Or Was Your Employer ‘A.I.-Washing’? — The New York Times Business -

• High-Speed Internet Boom Hits Low-Tech Snag: a Labor Shortage — Wall Street Journal -

Environmental reporting focuses on record-level snow drought threatening water resources in the US West and scientists using an 'Earth's digital twin' to enhance climate forecasts.

• Snow Drought in the West Reaches Record Levels — The New York Times Business -
• Scientists use Earth’s ‘digital twin’ to sharpen climate forecasts — Financial Times -

UK-specific issues feature anticipation for clues on interest rates from the Bank of England, calls for reforms on how to handle defecting Members of Parliament, and concerns over leaseholds impacting the UK housing market.

• Will the Bank of England give any clues to the path of interest rates? — Financial Times -
• How to deal with defecting MPs — Financial Times -
• Leaseholds and fleeceholds are a blot on the UK housing market — Financial Times -