Iran's political arrests, Asia's electoral outcomes in Japan and Thailand, Europe's evolving geopolitical stance, Italy's fight against sabotage, Nigeria's battle with militant violence, Venezuela's post-strongman era, and global trade shifts in India and China highlight dynamic international relations.

• Iran arrests leading reformist politicians — Financial Times -
• Asia’s democratic differences under the spotlight — Financial Times -
• Thai conservatives on course for surprise election win — Financial Times -

• Takaichi’s LDP wins supermajority in Japan election — Financial Times -
• Europe is not as weak as it acts — Financial Times -
• What to Know About Japan’s Economy on Election Day — The New York Times Business -
• Meloni hits out at ‘enemies of Italy’ after rail sabotage and Olympic protests — Financial Times -
• The end of nuclear arms control — Financial Times -
• Carney’s ‘art of the deal’: Canada leverages subs contract for auto investment — Financial Times -
• Japan goes to the polls after shortest election campaign in postwar era — Financial Times -
• Outgunned and overrun: Nigeria struggles to contain surge in militant violence — Financial Times -
• Venezuela learns to live without its strongman — Financial Times -
• India embraces free(er) trade — Financial Times -
• China’s heavy industry starts long march from rust belt to sunshine — Financial Times -

Keir Starmer's power struggle, Morgan McSweeney's resignation, the Mandelson payout review, FTSE 100 CEO residency trends, Argus's lobbying efforts in Moscow, and investor calls to ease borrowing curbs dominate the UK's domestic news.

• Keir Starmer faces crunch week in battle to hold on to power — Financial Times -
• Morgan McSweeney resigns as Downing Street chief of staff — Financial Times -
• Mandelson’s payout after being sacked as ambassador to be reviewed — Financial Times -

• Almost a fifth of FTSE 100 CEOs live outside the UK — Financial Times -
• UK’s Argus lobbied Moscow over rules threatening its Russia business — Financial Times -
• Ease borrowing curbs for development schemes, gilt investors urge Reeves — Financial Times -

Donald Trump's shifting stance on media mergers, the ongoing release of Epstein files with famous names, Binance's ties to the Trump family's crypto firm, and the MAGA split over a historical Israeli attack reveal complex intersections of power, finance, and scandal.

• Opinion | Trump Sees the Light on Nexstar-Tegna — Wall Street Journal -
• The Famous Names in the Latest Release of Epstein Files — Wall Street Journal -
• Opinion | For the Sagebrush Rebellion and Melville Stone — Wall Street Journal -

• Binance Gives Trump Family’s Crypto Firm a Leg Up — The New York Times Business -
• Epstein Island Emails Reignite Feud Between Elon Musk and Reid Hoffman — Wall Street Journal -
• MAGA’s Split Over Israel Extends to a Ship Attacked 58 Years Ago — The New York Times Business -
• One Generation Runs the Country. The Next Cashed In on Crypto. — Wall Street Journal -

Kroger's new CEO appointment, a pro-billionaire rally attempt, discussions on ending easy money policies, the potential downsides of avoiding recessions, skepticism regarding AI's impact on rate cuts, warnings about Bitcoin's valuation, Disney's strategic pivot to big tech, and the olive oil price collapse in Italy reflect diverse economic narratives.

• Kroger Plans to Name an Ex-Walmart Executive as Its Next CEO — Wall Street Journal -
• What Happened When One Man Tried to Organize a Pro-Billionaire Rally — Wall Street Journal -
• No easy end to easy money — Financial Times -

• The downside of staving off recessions — Financial Times -
• Economists reject Kevin Warsh’s claim that AI boom will enable rate cuts — Financial Times -
• Bitcoin is still about $70,000 too high — Financial Times -
• Disney’s magic might find a home in Big Tech’s kingdom — Financial Times -
• Italian olive oil farmers say flood of imports is causing price collapse — Financial Times -

AI chatbots' capability to write romance novels, their growing use in retirement planning, and Europe's consideration of social media age restrictions underscore the rapidly expanding influence and regulation of artificial intelligence and digital platforms.

• Can AI Chatbots Write Emotionally Rich Romance Books? — The New York Times Business -
• The New Fabio Is Claude — The New York Times Business -
• Feeling ‘Amateur’ at Retirement Planning, They Asked A.I. for Help — The New York Times Business -

• Can Europe get kids off social media? — Financial Times -

The NFL's choice of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show, the race to establish a major women's volleyball league, and Will Lewis's departure as Washington Post Publisher mark significant events in the media and entertainment landscape.

• Why the N.F.L. Booked Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl Halftime Show — The New York Times Business -
• Two Volleyball Leagues Want to Be the Next W.N.B.A. Only One Can Win. — The New York Times Business -
• Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Departs Days After Steep Layoffs — Wall Street Journal -