From the Editor
This week, the global stage is defined by high-stakes diplomacy shadowed by human cost. In Ukraine, Russia’s winter strikes have cut heat and power to thousands, even as US-mediated talks continue. The conflict underscores how seasonal conditions and civilian vulnerability are being exploited to gain leverage, leaving the prospects for compromise uncertain.
Across the Middle East, Iran signals a restart of nuclear negotiations just as a US carrier strike group moves toward the Gulf. The deployment illustrates 21st-century “gunboat diplomacy,” where military pressure is used to influence negotiations, even as Iranian civilians bear the cost of repression.
Meanwhile, misinformation continues to spread rapidly online, eroding public trust in health guidance globally. Despite the internet’s brilliance as a conduit for knowledge, in the wrong hands it can amplify falsehoods as effectively as any propaganda campaign.
David Eifion Williams
Editor & Founder
TOP STORY
Russia Escalates Attacks During Talks
Moscow steps up strikes as freezing temperatures deepen Ukraine’s civilian hardship.
Russia takes out Ukraine’s power and heating to attack Ukrainians’ resolve.
Russia has intensified missile and drone attacks across Ukraine as sub-zero temperatures grip much of the country, hitting power and heating infrastructure in several regions. Ukrainian officials say the strikes have left thousands without heat or electricity during one of the coldest stretches of the winter.
The escalation comes as US-mediated negotiations with Russia remain active, raising fresh doubts about Moscow’s commitment to diplomacy. Kyiv argues the timing reflects an effort to increase pressure on civilians and strengthen Russia’s bargaining position at the table.
Talks remain deadlocked over territory and security guarantees, with neither side signaling meaningful compromise. Ukraine has reiterated it will not concede occupied land, while Russia continues to insist on recognition of its territorial claims.
Talks remain active as the conflict intensifies. Winter conditions are shaping both the timing and the consequences.
MIDDLE EAST
Iran Signals Nuclear Talks Restart
Tehran opens negotiations as US fleet heads toward Gulf amid rising tensions.
US fleet provides a good example of 21st Century gunboat diplomacy.
Iran’s top diplomat announced readiness to resume nuclear talks with the United States, just as a US carrier strike group is moving toward the Middle East. The move comes amid ongoing sanctions, regional tensions, and growing concern over Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Many analysts see the deployment as a clear signal from Washington: pressure and deterrence remain central to US strategy. In Tehran, the fleet’s approach is likely being interpreted as both a threat and a bargaining chip — a reminder that diplomacy occurs under the shadow of military power.
Civilians continue to take to the streets despite harsh crackdowns. At least 3,117 people were killed during the protests, state media reported. Activists say the number is around 6,000, according to the US‑based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Protesters accuse the US of abandoning them, fueling anger at Washington even as Trump weighs his next moves.
As hundreds of civilians die under a brutal crackdown, protesters blame the US for inaction. Washington’s real objective may be less about supporting human rights than signaling leverage with its approaching fleet to extract concessions in nuclear talks.
WHAT THE MEDIA BURIED
Climate Change Intensifies Southern Africa Floods
A World Weather Attribution study released this week found that human‑induced climate change significantly worsened the recent catastrophic floods in Southern Africa — particularly in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe — where over 100 deaths and massive displacement occurred. Scientists estimate that climate change increased rainfall intensity by about 40 %, turning what would have been a severe storm into a disaster with far broader humanitarian impact. Despite the scale of destruction and calls for adaptive infrastructure investment, global media coverage of this disaster has been muted compared with other climate events.
Underreported disasters risk slipping under global attention, leaving vulnerable populations without funding, infrastructure support, or long-term mitigation plans.
Human Population May Be Underestimated
Scientists from Aalto University in Finland published a study suggesting that current estimates of the global human population — widely cited around 8.2 billion — could be significantly underestimated due to undercounting in remote rural areas. By analyzing data from hundreds of rural dam projects across dozens of countries, the study found persistent discrepancies between independent counts and official statistics. This raises questions about planning for food, health, and infrastructure if the actual population is larger than believed.
Lead author Josias Láng‑Ritter noted that traditional census methods often miss remote or informal communities, meaning global demographic models may need revision to accurately guide policy on resources and services. Demographers say that adjusting for rural under‑counts could reshape projections for climate vulnerability, migration, and public health responses, especially in low‑income regions.
CENTRAL AMERICA
Costa Rica Embraces Hard-Line Governance
Security fears and populist continuity reshaped voter priorities in Costa Rica’s landmark election.
Costa Rica follows the trend and returns a populist conservative government.
Conservative populist Laura Fernández won Costa Rica’s presidential election with a decisive first-round victory, capturing roughly 48% of the vote and avoiding a runoff. Her success signals a major shift in a country long seen as a bastion of Central American stability.
Voters overwhelmingly cited security and crime as the top issue, with homicide rates reaching record highs and transnational gangs proliferating across urban and rural areas. Fernández — allied with outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves — ran on a platform that prioritized tough-on-crime policies and deeper cooperation with international partners on law enforcement.
Public concern over insecurity outweighed other traditional issues such as inflation or public services, explaining why Costa Ricans shifted support toward a candidate promising assertive measures rather than incremental reform. That dynamic mirrors wider regional trends in Latin America, where voters in other countries have recently backed right-leaning figures on order and governance rather than ideological programs.
The election reflects a pivot from traditional social democracy toward security-driven populism in even the most stable democracies.
WORLD
Social Media Spurs Health Misinformation
Incorrect health information spreads rapidly online.
The lack of regulation of health information on the internet has undermined trust.
A surge of incorrect medical information is circulating on social media, reaching millions and influencing public behaviour. Posts about vaccines, treatments, and disease prevention are often shared faster than verified medical guidance.
Experts warn that these trends are no longer anecdotal but widespread, with false or misleading content about vaccines, nutrition, and disease prevention appearing regularly on TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. Such posts often go viral because they engage users, not because they are evidence‑based.
A 2025 Eurobarometer survey found that 36 % of EU citizens reported encountering medical misinformation online at least weekly, up from 28 % in 2022. Canadian public health leaders have publicly said the country can no longer rely on US health agencies for accurate vaccine guidance, highlighting the cross-border impact of misinformation.
Social media amplifies medical misinformation while political shifts erode trust. Viral content spreads faster than accurate science, leaving authorities struggling to maintain credibility.
💰 CORRUPTION, RACKETS & DUBIOUS FINANCE
Latvia Regional Hospital Corruption Raids
Corruption investigators in Latvia, working with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), conducted searches at two regional hospitals this week as part of a probe into alleged fraud, money laundering and other financial crimes tied to public procurement and misuse of funds. The action underscores rising scrutiny of healthcare expenditures amid concerns over transparency and accountability in public contracts. Authorities have not yet disclosed names of suspects or charges, but the EPPO’s involvement signals potential cross‑border financial misconduct.
First Brands Fraud Scheme Hits Lenders
Federal prosecutors unsealed a multibillion‑dollar fraud indictment this week charging Patrick James, founder and former CEO of auto parts supplier First Brands Group, and his brother Edward James with orchestrating a years‑long scheme to defraud lenders and investors. The indictment alleges the Jameses used fake invoices, falsified financial statements and double‑pledged collateral to obtain billions in financing that concealed the company’s true liabilities before its bankruptcy. The collapse, which left lenders exposed and forced layoffs at supplier facilities, has renewed scrutiny of private credit practices and corporate disclosures in US markets.
SPACE
Humans Return to Moon’s Orbit
NASA prepares for first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
Moon exploration has changed since the “Space Race” between the US and Soviet Union.
NASA is preparing Artemis II, the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. Four astronauts will circle the Moon and return safely to Earth, testing life-support, navigation, and deep-space systems essential for future lunar landings and sustained operations.
Unlike Apollo, which focused on simply landing humans on the Moon and returning rock samples, Artemis aims far beyond. The goals now include establishing sustainable lunar exploration, studying water ice and minerals, testing long-duration systems, and preparing for Mars missions, marking a profound expansion of ambition.
The gap of over 50 years between Apollo and Artemis reflects more than technology. After Apollo, political priorities shifted, budgets tightened, and focus moved to Earth orbit and space stations, while decades were spent developing safer, reusable spacecraft, international cooperation, and new mission architectures. Artemis embodies this accumulated knowledge and the readiness to tackle a far more complex mission.
Artemis II is a leap toward a permanent human presence beyond Earth, where the Moon becomes a proving ground for the next era of exploration.
🕵️ INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM
Malawi Officials Arrested in Billion-Kwacha Corruption Probe
Investigative reporting by the Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) has uncovered how billions of Malawian kwacha in public funds were routed through controversial fertilizer and tobacco contracts now at the centre of a corruption probe. Former Cabinet ministers Sam Kawale, Sosten Gwengwe and ex‑SPC Colleen Zamba were arrested this week amid allegations that a UK butchery was paid K750 million ($825,000) for fertilizer that never arrived and that state funds were treated as private capital for tobacco purchases. The ongoing probe by the Anti‑Corruption Bureau and Fiscal Police is scrutinizing suspicious transactions and questionable deals that may implicate senior officials in abuse of office.
NHS Patients at Risk from Sham Whistleblower ‘Investigations’
The Guardian published an exclusive report this week revealing that Dr. Susan Gilby, former CEO of the Countess of Chester Hospital, successfully won a £1.4 million payout after claiming hospital leadership conducted “sham investigations” to silence her whistleblowing. The reporting details how board members allegedly conspired to exclude her and deleted relevant documents during her legal challenge. Hospital insiders and legal findings now raise broader concerns about whistleblower protections and patient safety across the NHS.
THE WEEK TO FEB. 3, 2026
Trending in the US
1️⃣ Epstein files — 2M+ searches
Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee in the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation, days before Republicans planned votes to hold them in criminal contempt of Congress.
2️⃣ Gold price — 1M+ searches
Gold surged above $4,900 per ounce this week, rebounding after a sharp sell-off in global markets. Investors sought a safe haven amid geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility.
3️⃣ Is the government shut down — 200K+ searches
The United States entered a partial federal government shutdown after Congress failed to pass a spending bill before funding lapsed early Saturday. Hundreds of thousands of FAA workers are furloughed and some key economic data releases, including the January jobs report, have been delayed due to halted operations at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
4️⃣ Doomsday Clock — 200K+ searches
The Doomsday Clock was moved to 85 seconds to midnight — the closest it has ever been to symbolic “global catastrophe.” Interest surged not because of a literal countdown, but because scientists cited rising nuclear tensions, climate change, artificial intelligence risks, and weakening global cooperation as reasons for the shift.
5️⃣ Black History Month — 100K+ searches
Search interest in Black History Month surged as communities, educators, and cultural institutions shared events, historical profiles, and educational resources to commemorate the contributions of Black Americans.
