Yesterday, today and tomorrow: sanctions on Iran, UN cyber rules and weather that changes prices, rates and travel

When the day closes, the world doesn’t stop. It just changes speed. On Friday, 30 January 2026, the dominant topics were those that at first glance sound like distant geopolitics or bureaucracy, but in practice end up in prices, security, travel, work, and the way you use the internet.

For Saturday, 31 January 2026, the most important question isn’t what happened, but what spills over from it into your everyday life. Sanctions and political decisions are seen fastest through exchange rates, fuel prices, and import costs. Security and violence crises push migration, raise insurance prices, and disrupt supply chains. And negotiations on cyber rules aren’t “somewhere at the UN”, but spill over into whether platforms will hand over data faster and whether pressure on privacy will increase.

Sunday, 1 February 2026 brings a kind of silence, but also several triggers. The weekend often serves as a political “window” for decisions that are announced on Friday and formalized on Sunday. It is also the start of a new month, so markets and institutions prepare for February data releases that can move interest rates, loans, and prices.

The biggest risks in this cycle are two: first, that you underestimate “slow” topics like international conventions and sanctions that in the background turn into more expensive financing and stricter digital rules; second, that you overestimate short-term shocks like storms or isolated outbreaks of violence and make decisions out of panic. The biggest opportunity is very down-to-earth: being informed gives you the ability to plan costs, travel, and online security in advance, instead of reacting when it’s already too late.

Yesterday: what happened and why you should care

Haiti: the UN pressures the transition and extends the political mission

According to the Associated Press, the UN Security Council on 30 January 2026 sharply criticized Haitian authorities for the lack of political progress and the rise in gang violence, emphasizing serious human rights violations. AP states that the resolution extended the mandate of the UN political mission in Haiti until 31 January 2027 and focused on national dialogue and election preparations.

For an ordinary person this matters because crises like Haiti are not isolated. When a state collapses, regional migration grows, the costs of humanitarian operations increase, and part of the pressure ends up in the budgets of donor countries. In practice this can be seen through political debates on migration, through security costs, but also through prices of some raw materials and services in the region, because insecurity disrupts normal trade and logistics. (Source)

Sanctions on Iran: pressure on the regime, side effects on markets and travel

According to the Associated Press, the US administration on Friday imposed sanctions on Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, accusing him of a role in the repression of protests. AP also notes that the European Union introduced its own sanctions the day before and that the EU agreed to list Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on the list of terrorist organizations, alongside Iranian announcements that reciprocal designation of EU states’ military structures as “terrorist” could follow.

For you that means several practical things. First, each new round of sanctions increases uncertainty in energy and transport, so markets often react even before anything “on the ground” changes. Second, travel and business risk with countries in the region rises due to possible new restrictions, checks, and secondary sanctions. Third, when sanctions expand to financial networks and “shadow” channels, banks and payment platforms tighten oversight, which can sometimes mean additional checks and delays in international transactions, even when you have no connection to Iran. (Source)

Cyber rules: a UN debate on implementing the Convention against cybercrime

According to UNODC, a session of the ad hoc committee dedicated to preparing the draft rules of procedure and rules for the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention against cybercrime was held in Vienna from 26 to 30 January 2026. UNODC explains that the goal is to prepare the working rules of a future forum that will guide implementation of the Convention and additional rules from Article 57.

For an ordinary internet user this is not an abstraction. Every international framework on cybercrime touches three sensitive points: what is considered a criminal offense online, how digital evidence is collected, and how quickly states exchange data. In practice this can mean faster requests to platforms, more procedures around retaining logs, and potentially greater pressure on privacy if clear safeguards are not set. That’s why it’s important to follow not only the headline “fight against cybercrime”, but also the small procedural rules, because they later become a standard in national laws. (Official document)

Crimes against humanity: the end of the first round of negotiations on a future convention

According to the UN page on the diplomatic conference, the Preparatory Committee for the Conference on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity held its first session from 19 to 30 January 2026, with a second session planned for April 2027. The UN states that the first session discussed draft articles and mechanisms for further formal proposals by states.

For you this matters because of one simple consequence: when international standards become more precise, pressure grows for states to harmonize criminal law and cooperation in investigations. That affects how serious crimes are prosecuted, how extradition is sought, and how victims are protected. Ultimately, a stronger international framework can in the long term reduce “safe havens” for perpetrators, but also increase states’ legal obligations, which later shows up in legal amendments and justice budgets. (Official document)

Winter in the US: weather extremes as a cost that spills over globally

According to Al Jazeera, on 26 January 2026 a major winter storm in the US was linked to dozens of deaths, mass flight cancellations, and power outages, alongside long-lasting problems in traffic and supply. Even though this is the US, such events often have a “tail” that lasts for days, including delays of flights, shipments, and logistics routes.

For you this can mean more expensive or slower deliveries, changes in prices of certain goods, and disruptions in supply chains, especially when extreme weather hits major transport hubs. If you work with clients or suppliers from North America, it’s practical to expect delays both in communication and in delivery. In the long run, increasingly frequent extremes turn into higher insurance premiums and higher infrastructure costs, which over time are built into prices. (Source)

Nigeria: attacks and kidnappings as a signal of security and food insecurity

According to Al Jazeera, in northern Nigeria armed attackers killed more than 30 people in an attack on a village and abducted other persons. Such incidents are not only a local tragedy, but also an indicator of a broader security problem in a region that is important both for demography and for agriculture.

The practical consequence is twofold. On one hand, rising insecurity drives displacement and pressure on local food markets, which in poorer parts of the world quickly becomes a question of staple prices. On the other hand, international organizations and states shift resources to security and humanitarian response, and that is reflected in political decisions and donor priorities. For you it is useful to follow such signals because migration and humanitarian waves are often signaled long before they reach European or global news. (Source)

Venezuela: escalation and the risk of further sanctions or trade restrictions

According to Al Jazeera, the US in early January 2026 carried out a military operation in Venezuela and detained Nicolas Maduro, with claims and counterclaims about legitimacy and consequences. Even when such events happen earlier in the month, their “yesterday” echo is often seen through diplomatic reactions, debates in international forums, and secondary measures.

For an ordinary person the most tangible effect is through markets and supply. Venezuela is important for energy, and any risk of further sanctions or trade disruptions raises uncertainty. In addition, political crises in Latin America often intensify migration flows toward the US and within the region, which then affects political debates about borders, visas, and security. If you do business with partners in the region, count on stricter checks and slower bank transfers when geopolitical temperature rises. (Source)

Election year: the start of a month with lots of voting and lots of volatility

According to Al Jazeera, 2026 is a year in which more than 40 countries will hold national elections, and outcomes will affect economic policies and international alliances. Although that overview was published earlier, its “yesterday” value is that the political calendar is now turning into concrete campaigns, polls, and government moves.

For you this matters because elections create volatility in both prices and rules. In election years, subsidies, tax changes, export bans, tariffs, or “emergency” measures for energy and food prices are announced more often. Even if you don’t invest in markets, volatility is visible in exchange rates, fuel prices, travel costs, and availability of some products. The practical advice is simple: when you enter a larger expense in the next few months, check the political calendar of the country you depend on, because surprises are more frequent then. (Details)

Today: what it means for your day

How to read sanctions without panic, but also without naivety

Today, 31 January 2026, sanctions on Iran are not just political news. According to AP, these are measures aimed at the top of the security apparatus and financial networks, with parallel moves by the EU. That is a classic recipe for new “waves” through banking oversight and international transfers, even for people who have never dealt with Iran.

The biggest mistake is either to ignore the story or to assume that “tomorrow everything stops”. In practice changes happen in layers: first compliance is tightened, then additional checks are introduced, and only then do some channels become completely unavailable. If you work with international incoming and outgoing payments, especially via intermediary banks, today is a good day for prevention, not reaction.

• Practical consequence: Banks and platforms may intensify transaction and identity checks, with delays.
• What to watch: “Grey zones” like intermediary payments and crypto ramps often come under scrutiny first.
• What can be done immediately: If a larger payment from abroad is coming to you, prepare documentation on the source of funds.

According to AP, the Iranian parliament is expected to discuss retaliatory measures on Sunday, so it is realistic to expect new headlines in the next 24 hours. (Source)

Haiti and “distant crises” that end up in domestic debates

Today it’s easy to get lost in the details of Haitian politics, but the point is this: according to AP, the UN openly speaks about the rise of gang violence and pushing the country toward elections, alongside parallel plans for stronger international security support. When such crises drag on, political pressure moves to countries that finance missions and receive refugees.

Today this is most often seen through polarization of debates on migration and through budget priorities. If you follow news from Europe or North America, you’ll notice that “distant crises” are often used as an argument in domestic campaigns, so it’s worth separating facts from rhetoric.

• Practical consequence: Greater humanitarian and security spending means stronger pressure on donor budgets.
• What to watch: The migration topic is often tied to security, so space for disinformation grows.
• What can be done immediately: When you share a story, look for a source that cites a UN body or a credible agency.

According to AP, the mission mandate runs until 31 January 2027, so this dossier will not close quickly. (Source)

Cyber rules and your privacy: where is the line between security and surveillance

Today is a good moment to understand the difference between “the fight against cybercrime” and how that fight is carried out. According to UNODC, until 30 January 2026 in Vienna there was debate about the working rules of the body that will deal with implementing the Convention against cybercrime. Those rules are important because they later become practice: how fast data is requested, who has access, and how users’ rights are protected.

For an ordinary person that means growing international pressure on cybercrime will likely bring more requests to platforms and more cross-border data exchange. That is not necessarily bad, but without clear limits it can become a slippery slope. Today it makes sense to think about your own “digital hygiene” as a basic security habit.

• Practical consequence: Platforms may respond faster to states’ requests, with expansion of metadata retention practices.
• What to watch: “Security” measures sometimes expand to content that isn’t criminal, depending on laws.
• What can be done immediately: Enable multi-factor authentication and check where your backups are stored.

If you’re interested in the official framework, UNODC has an overview of the session and relevant documents. (Official document)

Weather and travel: the “tail” of major storms lasts longer than the headlines

Today, 31 January 2026, the lesson from the American storm is not only meteorological. According to Al Jazeera, extreme conditions caused major flight cancellations and power outages, and such events spill into international traffic and logistics. Even if you’re not in the US, crew delays, flight reroutings, and cargo issues can “spill over” onto your routes.

Practically speaking, today is a day for plan B. If you travel in the coming days, especially through major hubs, it makes sense to check not only your flight but also conditions at your connecting airports. If your work depends on deliveries, count on some shipments being delayed because transport returns to normal gradually after major storms.

• Practical consequence: Delays in international traffic can affect deliveries, reservations, and accommodation prices.
• What to watch: The most “fragile” are tight connections and cargo deliveries with fixed deadlines.
• What can be done immediately: Prepare a more flexible travel plan and keep key documents available offline.

Storms can’t be avoided, but they can be cushioned with good planning. (Source)

Elections 2026: how to protect yourself from political volatility

Today many watch elections as a “sport”, but the election calendar is also an economic calendar. According to Al Jazeera, 2026 brings a large number of national elections, and such cycles often increase political and market oscillations. In practice that means more frequent sudden announcements of measures, subsidies, and bans, especially in sensitive sectors like energy and food.

For you the best approach is very pragmatic: plan larger purchases and contracts in a way that accounts for political risk. If you do business with multiple countries, diversifying suppliers isn’t a “corporate strategy”, but a way to reduce disruptions when rules change overnight.

• Practical consequence: In election months, taxes, tariffs, and subsidies change more often.
• What to watch: Fast export bans on food or energy carriers often hit prices first.
• What can be done immediately: If you can, conclude key contracts with clear price-change clauses.

The election calendar is a good tool for “predicting surprises”. (Details)

Inflation, wages, and rates: what to watch in February so you’re not caught off guard

Today is the last day of January, but the financial “feel” of February starts already now. BLS publishes the schedule of the most important economic releases, including inflation and the labor market, and that schedule often drives market expectations and banks’ behavior. The Federal Reserve also has its calendar of statistical releases and events, which is useful as a guide to weeks when volatility increases.

For an ordinary person the point of following the calendar is simple: if you know when key data comes out, you also know when chances are higher that loan interest rates, savings yields, or exchange rates will change. You don’t have to “trade”, but you can time bigger decisions better, like refinancing or major purchases.

• Practical consequence: Inflation and employment release days often shift expectations about interest rates.
• What to watch: It’s not only the number, but also the trend, revisions, and institutions’ comments.
• What can be done immediately: Note the dates of key releases and avoid signing “in a rush” around those days.

For the schedule of February releases, official calendars are useful. (Official document, Details)

Online security: when geopolitics raises the risk of scams

Today, alongside stories about sanctions, wars, and “big” decisions, small but mass threats also grow: phishing, fake humanitarian campaigns, and investment scams. This is a pattern that repeats in every major crisis: as soon as people become emotional or insecure, the number of scams that present themselves as “help”, “donation”, or an “urgent investment” rises.

Practically, protection today comes down to discipline. Don’t open links from messages that invoke a crisis without checking, don’t send documents to strangers, and don’t donate via unverified intermediaries. If you want to help, choose organizations with a clear track record and transparent reports.

• Practical consequence: The number of scams using current crises as bait increases.
• What to watch: Messages that create urgency and ask for payment “now” are most often suspicious.
• What can be done immediately: Enable account login alerts and use unique passwords with a password manager.

How to read “military” and “security” news without spreading panic

Today the information space is full of claims that sound final: “captured”, “shot down”, “taken over”. The Venezuela example shows how the same facts are interpreted oppositely, depending on the source and political interest. According to Al Jazeera, this is a US operation with far-reaching implications, but in such situations part of the information remains disputed or is confirmed with delay.

The practical approach is: look for attribution, look for multiple sources, and separate what is confirmed from what is a claim. This isn’t about “neutrality for neutrality’s sake”, but about protecting your own time and decisions. Panic is a bad adviser, and wrong information today spreads faster than official denials.

• Practical consequence: Disinformation can trigger bad decisions, from investments to travel.
• What to watch: Video without context and “anonymous sources” are often a source of wrong conclusions.
• What can be done immediately: Before sharing, check who states the information and whether there is another independent source.

If you want to understand the basic claims and chronology, use an overview that clearly cites sources. (Source)

Tomorrow: what could change the situation

• On Sunday, 1 February 2026, the Iranian parliament could vote on retaliatory measures toward the EU, according to AP. (Source)
• The start of February increases market sensitivity because key inflation and labor market releases are planned.
• Tomorrow is a good day to look at the BLS release schedule for February before the “hard” numbers start. (Official document)
• Tomorrow may bring new diplomatic reactions to Venezuela, with the risk of additional restrictions and sanctions.
• Ahead of Monday, new weather and traffic warnings are possible as air traffic normalizes.
• Sunday often brings “quiet” political decisions that appear on Monday as a done deal.
• The start of the month is the moment when household budgets are aligned, especially with variable interest and subscriptions.
• Tomorrow it’s worth checking account security settings, because crises intensify waves of phishing campaigns.
• Expect louder information noise: social networks on weekends often push unverified “exclusives”.
• Tomorrow it’s practical to set reminders for key release dates and avoid impulsive financial decisions.

In brief

• If your work is tied to international payments, count on stricter checks due to new sanctions.
• If you’re traveling soon, plan for delays and check connections, because weather extremes have a long tail.
• If you care about rates and loans, follow release calendars, because volatility comes around data dates.
• If you share security and war news, look for attribution and at least two independent sources.
• If you donate online, avoid “urgent” links and choose verified organizations with clear transparency.
• If you run a small business, diversify suppliers, because an election year increases the risk of sudden measures.
• If you use the same passwords, today is the day to change them, because crises increase break-in and scam attempts.
• If you want a calm head, separate confirmed from speculation and don’t make big decisions based on one headline.