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Italy Advances Tougher Measures on Migrant Arrivals

ILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a bilateral meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance (not pictured), during his visit to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 6, 2026.  Italy’s government has approved a new migration bill that would grant authorities the power to impose temporary naval blockades during periods of intense pressure on the country’s borders. The proposal, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is designed to curb irregular sea crossings by restricting access to Italian territorial waters. The draft law would allow officials to bar vessels from entering for up to 30 days, with the option to extend the measure to six months if national security or public order is deemed at risk. The plan also strengthens border surveillance, increases penalties for human smuggling, and expands the list of offenses that can lead to deportation. Supporters argue the move is necessary to manage migration flows more effectively, whi...

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Inflation Jitters Rattle Markets: Dow Plunges 500 Points

U.S. stock markets were gripped by turbulence today as investors grappled with a hotter-than-expected January inflation report. The data revealed that prices cooled at a slower pace than anticipated, sending shockwaves through Wall Street.

Here are the Numbers

  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) plummeted 1.4%, shedding approximately 500 points.
  • The S&P 500 (GSPC) followed suit, experiencing a similar drop.
  • The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) led the day’s sharp declines, closing down 1.8%.

Impact of Inflation

  • The Consumer Price Index (CPI) release for January showed “core” prices increased by 0.4%, marking the largest monthly gain since April 2023.
  • On a headline basis, prices surged 3.1%, surpassing economist estimates but decelerating from December’s 3.4% annual gain.

Bitcoin’s Comeback

  • Meanwhile, the price of Bitcoin (BTC-USD) hovered below $50,000 after breaching this closely watched level for the first time since 2021.

Market Fallout

  • It was the worst day for both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 since January 31, while the Dow experienced its most significant decline since March 2022.
  • Small caps also suffered, with the Russell 2000 (RUT) closing at its lowest level since June 2022.

As investors recalibrate their expectations, uncertainty looms over the path forward. Will the Federal Reserve’s next move address these inflationary pressures? Only time will tell.


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