NuseReal
Headlines for internationalists
Major news
Gunmen in northern Nigeria kill 3 villagers and kidnap 11, including a Catholic priest, in Kaduna State — (LINK) ground.news: 15 media reports — 7 February 2026 (LINK)
— According to the diocese, the attack took place in the early hours of Saturday. It said the incident occurred at about 3:20 am at the priest's residence.
Canada, France open Consulates in Greenland — (LINK) ground.news: media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
— Politico: "The [Canadian] mission was in motion well before Trump’s saber-rattling."
Google warns quantum threats are imminent, urges rapid encryption overhaul — (LINK) ground.news: 21 media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
— Google warns that hackers are harvesting encrypted data now for future quantum-powered decryption attacks. Google urges policymakers to mandate post-quantum cryptography for critical infrastructure, especially AI systems and cloud networks. Techbuzz: "The company has been preparing for this moment since 2016, conducting early experiments with post-quantum cryptography long before most enterprises considered it urgent. The company rolled out quantum-resistant algorithms in Chrome and across its product ecosystem, treating what others saw as a distant threat as an immediate engineering challenge."
Hong Kong summons Panama envoy to express strong dissatisfaction to Panama's envoy over a court ruling annulling CK Hutchison Holdings' right to operate two ports: minister said the company made massive investments and created jobs in Panama over many years, criticizing the decision as undermining international trade rules — (LINK) ground.news: 9 media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
Epstein files reveal extensive Russian contacts, Putin meeting attempts: Kremlin rejected claims Jeffrey Epstein was a Russian spy — (LINK) ground.news: 102 media reports — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
Campaigners: UK to cut climate finance to poor countries by a fifth despite promising more help — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
Swiss government outlines plan to stem affordable housing shortages — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
— Vacancy rate has dropped from 1.72% to 1% between 2020 and 2025, and rents have risen by 23.7% between 2009 and 2023.
Israel strikes Gaza, killing 21 including women and children, after saying Hamas violated deal — (LINK) ground.news: 130 media reports — 4 February 2026 (LINK)
— CBC: At least 534 Palestinians have been killed since October ceasefire.
The Swiss medicines regulator Swissmedic has for the first time authorised a drug (Donanemab) that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. — 4 February 2026 (LINK)
UBS job layoffs expected in second half of year — 4 February 2026 (LINK)
— The bank gave no indication of the number of employees expected. According to recent media reports, staff numbers are expected to be reduced from an initial figure of around 115,000 to around 80,000.
Court upholds exclusion of cross-border pupils from Geneva schools: it rejected 12 appeals from pupils living in France who wanted to be educated in the canton. — 3 February 2026 (LINK)
— "In the view of the Constitutional Chamber, the canton had acted lawfully in introducing the principle of schooling in the place of residence by way of regulation. However, the appellants have no place of residence in Switzerland and "cannot claim the right to receive sufficient free basic education there".
Breaking news
Japan's Sanae Takaichi wins a supermajority after gambling on a snap election — 8 February 2026 (LINK)
— She surpassed the 310 seats needed for a supermajority in the 465-seat lower house, an allows her ruling coalition to override the upper house, where it lacks a majority.
Thai voters head to the polls with three main parties vying to form government: pits a youthful pro-democracy party against rivals that are offering a mix of nationalism and populist policies — 8 February 2026 (LINK)
Israeli Security cabinet okays 'dramatic' West Bank policy overhaul, deepening Israeli control at sensitive sites such as Hebron, and paving the way for further settlement expansion — 8 February 2026 (LINK)
Israel tightens grip on West Bank ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to US — (LINK)
US wants Russia and Ukraine to end war by June, says Zelensky — 7 February 2026 (LINK)
If US attacks, Iran says it will strike US bases in the region — (LINK) ground.news: 34 media reports — 7 February 2026 (LINK)
US not seen as friend in Europe: JD Vance was booed at the Winter Olympics kickoff — 7 February 2026 (LINK)
— A new YouGov poll released Feb. 6 found some 84% of Danes now hold an unfavourable view of the U.S., compared with 70% in November 2025 and an average of 36% during former President Joe Biden's term. In Spain, only 39% view the U.S. as a friend or ally, down from 64% in early 2023. In Germany, the number is 41%, down from 65%; in Britain, 46%, down from 69%; and in France and Italy — 53% and 52%, respectively — said the same, each down from 67%.
AI wiped out $400 billion in market caps of software companies this week — and it's only getting started: -$218.8bn for Microsoft — 7 February 2026 (LINK)
Drone attack by paramilitary group in central Sudan kills 24, including 8 children, doctors' group says — (LINK) ground.news:88 media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
— AP: A drone attack on Friday on a WFP aid convoy in North Kordofan province killed one and wounded several others, said Denise Brown, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan.
Yemen's ruling council names new cabinet after deadly clashes in the south — (LINK) ground.news: 34 media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
Haiti's presidential council dissolves after rocky tenure as unelected US-backed ruler remains — (LINK) ground.news: 29 media reports — 7 February 2026 (LINK)
Gunmen kill at least 162 in Nigeria attack on 3 February after issuing a call to prayer — (LINK) ground.news: 166 media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
— Authorities identified the attackers as the Lakurawa, a locally known armed group linked to the Islamic State Sahel Province with roots in neighboring Niger and increased activity after the 2023 coup.
Suicide bombing at Islamabad Shiite mosque kills 31: 3 arrested in Peshawar: 2 brothers of bomber and a woman — (LINK) ground.news: 353 media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
— Investigators have also revealed that prior to the Islamabad suicide bombing, the attacker had remained in Afghanistan for approximately five months where he allegedly received formal training in weapons handling and suicide attacks.
Trump signs order threatening tariffs on nations doing business with Iran — (LINK) ground.news: 69 media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
Trump removes video with racist clip depicting Obamas as apes — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
— The clip — set to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight — was at the end of a 62-second video he shared containing claims about voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. The White House initially defended the clip as an "internet meme video" and told critics to "stop the fake outrage".
Ukraine and Russia swap 314 prisoners of war after Abu Dhabi talks — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
WEF launches investigation into CEO Borge Brende over Epstein relationship — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
— Brende is said to have attended three dinners at which Epstein was also present, the Italian news agency Ansa wrote on Thursday. There was also e-mail and text message communication between the two.
UN chief speaks of 'grave moment' as final US-Russia nuclear arms treaty expires: "For the first time in more than half a century, we face a world without any binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals" of the two countries — 4 February 2026 (LINK)
Catchup: Trump signs law that withholds United States dues to World Anti-Doping Agency until the organization takes steps to address U.S. accusations that WADA is beholden to Chinese influence — 3 February 2026 (LINK)
Major news
Gunmen in northern Nigeria kill 3 villagers and kidnap 11, including a Catholic priest, in Kaduna State — (LINK) ground.news: 15 media reports — 7 February 2026 (LINK)
— According to the diocese, the attack took place in the early hours of Saturday. It said the incident occurred at about 3:20 am at the priest's residence.
Canada, France open Consulates in Greenland — (LINK) ground.news: media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
— Politico: "The [Canadian] mission was in motion well before Trump’s saber-rattling."
Google warns quantum threats are imminent, urges rapid encryption overhaul — (LINK) ground.news: 21 media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
— Google warns that hackers are harvesting encrypted data now for future quantum-powered decryption attacks. Google urges policymakers to mandate post-quantum cryptography for critical infrastructure, especially AI systems and cloud networks. Techbuzz: "The company has been preparing for this moment since 2016, conducting early experiments with post-quantum cryptography long before most enterprises considered it urgent. The company rolled out quantum-resistant algorithms in Chrome and across its product ecosystem, treating what others saw as a distant threat as an immediate engineering challenge."
Hong Kong summons Panama envoy to express strong dissatisfaction to Panama's envoy over a court ruling annulling CK Hutchison Holdings' right to operate two ports: minister said the company made massive investments and created jobs in Panama over many years, criticizing the decision as undermining international trade rules — (LINK) ground.news: 9 media reports — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
Epstein files reveal extensive Russian contacts, Putin meeting attempts: Kremlin rejected claims Jeffrey Epstein was a Russian spy — (LINK) ground.news: 102 media reports — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
Campaigners: UK to cut climate finance to poor countries by a fifth despite promising more help — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
Swiss government outlines plan to stem affordable housing shortages — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
— Vacancy rate has dropped from 1.72% to 1% between 2020 and 2025, and rents have risen by 23.7% between 2009 and 2023.
Israel strikes Gaza, killing 21 including women and children, after saying Hamas violated deal — (LINK) ground.news: 130 media reports — 4 February 2026 (LINK)
— CBC: At least 534 Palestinians have been killed since October ceasefire.
The Swiss medicines regulator Swissmedic has for the first time authorised a drug (Donanemab) that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. — 4 February 2026 (LINK)
UBS job layoffs expected in second half of year — 4 February 2026 (LINK)
— The bank gave no indication of the number of employees expected. According to recent media reports, staff numbers are expected to be reduced from an initial figure of around 115,000 to around 80,000.
Court upholds exclusion of cross-border pupils from Geneva schools: it rejected 12 appeals from pupils living in France who wanted to be educated in the canton. — 3 February 2026 (LINK)
— "In the view of the Constitutional Chamber, the canton had acted lawfully in introducing the principle of schooling in the place of residence by way of regulation. However, the appellants have no place of residence in Switzerland and "cannot claim the right to receive sufficient free basic education there".
Miscellaneous
Chinese researchers achieve perovskite solar cell breakthrough enhancing stability — (LINK) ground.news: 15 media reports — 7 February 2026 (LINK)
— The Cooldown: "Solar panel manufacturer founded in 2024 [...] has also completed a demonstration power station."
Heather Cox Richardson: Trump and mass detentions — 7 February 2026 (LINK)
Dow Jones Industrial Average crosses historic 50,000 mark — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
South Korean crypto exchange accidentally gave away $95 billion in Bitcoin: The error was quickly corrected, but not before Bithumb users sold off billions in Bitcoin, temporarily crashing its listed price. — 6 February 2026 (LINK)
Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026: Montreux Jazz sets the tempo in the city: the grand watchmaking salon will open its doors at Palexpo in Geneva from April 14 to 20, featuring many new developments. Eleven brands will be making their debut, including Audemars Piguet, which will be making a grand return, while in the city centre, a new venue will host the Montreux Jazz Festival for the very first time — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
— More than 6,000 retailers, 1,600 international journalists, and some 1,500 guests from around the world are expected to attend this major watchmaking event. Watches and Wonders Geneva will open its ticket office on February 10 on its website. With a brand new 600-square-metre space in the heart of the city, Quai Général-Guisan, the Montreux Jazz Festival will enliven the evenings with a music programme from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., including DJ sets and live performances.
Royal Caribbean issues statement after CocoCay private island destination in Bahamas suffers storm damage: operations now back to normal — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
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