Hamas says Israeli hostages to be freed before Trump peace summit
As part of the deal's first phase, Hama will free the captives, 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive,...
Geostrategy
Trump says no reason to meet Xi, threatens ‘massive’ China tariffs
US President Donald Trump said Friday he no longer feels the need for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping...
Economy
Geostrategy
Big win in Iowa moves Trump closer to Biden re-match
The extent of his victory demonstrated the 77-year-old's success in turning his prosecutions into a rallying cry that has galvanized...
- The former president has led polling for more than a year, but the contest offered the clearest insight yet into his ability to convert that advantage into a White House return
- Major US networks took just half an hour to call the race, with Trump taking 51 percent of the vote and opening an unprecedented 30-point gap over Ron DeSantis
Geostrategy
Turkish strikes leaves hundreds of Syrian villages without electricity
Qamishli, Syria - Hundreds of northeast Syrian villages and towns have lost power after Turkish strikes pounded electricity stations and infrastructure,...
- The Kurdish administration said Turkey launched a slew of strikes since Friday, mostly concentrated on infrastructure including power stations and oil refineries
- The semi-autonomous Kurdish administration listed hundreds of villages and towns facing blackouts due to the Turkish strikes in a statement Monday
Geostrategy
Iran asks US and Britain to ‘stop war against Yemen’
Tehran, Iran - Iran urged on Monday the United States and Britain to "stop the war against Yemen" following their recent...
- "We warn America and Britain to stop the war against Yemen immediately," said Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
- The Houthis, who control large swathes of Yemen including the capital Sanaa since 2014, are part of a Tehran-aligned "axis of resistance" against Israel and its allies
Geostrategy
Gaza war deaths top 24,000 as UN chief calls for ceasefire again
Bringing food and supplies to the besieged population of Gaza, which is increasingly at risk of famine, also depends on...
- In a statement released with the video, Hamas said "the Zionist army's bombing" was responsible for the death of two male hostages.
- King Abdullah II of neighboring Jordan warns that continuing Israeli attacks could cause the conflict to expand across the region.
Geostrategy
UN wants $4.2 billion for Ukraine’s humanitarian aid in 2024
"Remember Ukraine?" UN aid chief Martin Griffiths asked as he launched the plan in Geneva. "Please do not forget Ukraine...
- Russia's war in Ukraine is set to enter its third year in February and the UN said it was vital to maintain support to millions affected by war
- The UN hopes to reach 8.5 million people within Ukraine and 2.3 million refugees and their host communities in eastern Europe
Business
Stock markets: Germany drags Europe down, Tokyo rises again
In Asia, Tokyo rose for a sixth successive day to build on last week's advances, which saw the Nikkei break...
- "European stock markets were softer... as the week got off to a relatively quiet, risk-averse start," noted Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Finalto trading group
- In Asia, Tokyo rose for a sixth successive day to build on last week's advances, which saw the Nikkei break above 35,000 points for the first time since 1990
World Economic Forum
IMF chief at Davos: AI holds risks, opportunity for global economy
Artificial intelligence poses risks to job security around the world but also offers a "tremendous opportunity" to boost flagging productivity...
- "We must focus on helping low-income countries in particular to move faster to be able to catch the opportunities that artificial intelligence will present," Georgieva told AFP.
- Georgieva said 2024 is likely to be "a very tough year" for fiscal policy worldwide, as countries look to tackle debt burdens accumulated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Geostrategy
Israeli forces kill five Palestinians in West Bank
Violence has surged in the West Bank since October 7, when the Palestinian armed group Hamas launched an attack in...
- Troops chased a car that had run a checkpoint near the city of Hebron and "fired toward the terrorists and neutralized them", the Israeli army
- Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah confirmed the men were killed, while the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said it had received their bodies
Geostrategy
Fresh Israeli bombardment across Gaza kills dozens
Gaza's health ministry said that more than 60 people were killed and dozens wounded in "intense" strikes and artillery fire...
- The latest strikes hit Khan Yunis and Rafah and areas around Gaza City
- The UN says fighting has displaced roughly 85% of the territory's population
Palestine lose to Iran at Asian Cup as Japan survive scare
Loud cries went up for the Palestinian anthem before the game and the team's players put their arms around each...
- Palestine's first match of the tournament coincided with 100th day of Israel-Hamas war, the grim milestone adding extra significance to an occasion that went beyond football
- Palestinian flags were scattered among the crowd of nearly 28,000 at Education City Stadium, and their goal just before half-time got the biggest cheer of the night
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Hamas says Israeli hostages to be freed before Trump peace summit
As part of the deal's first phase, Hama will free the captives, 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive,...
Geostrategy
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US Fed set to hold rates steady as it guards against inflation
Washington, United States - The US central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady Wednesday after its key policy...
Economy
Oil stabilises after surge, stocks drop as Middle East crisis fuels jitters
Of particular concern is the possibility of Iran shutting off the Strait of Hormuz, through which around an estimated fifth...
Geostrategy
Iran says hypersonic missiles fired at Israel as Trump demands ‘unconditional surrender’
Despite international alarm, neither side has backed off from the long-range blitz that began Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Trump says wants ‘real end’ to Israel-Iran conflict, not ceasefire
Trump said that he wanted a "complete give-up" by Iran in return for peace, without elaborating on the outcome he...
- On Tuesday, long queues stretched outside bakeries and petrol stations as the remaining residents rushed to stock up on fuel and basic supplies.
- Security checkpoints have been set up across Tehran, adding to the atmosphere of tension as authorities monitor movement in and out of key districts.
Business
Cross-border payments and financial inclusion drive stablecoin popularity
London, United Kingdom -- Stablecoins -- a form of cryptocurrency backed by traditional assets -- are gaining traction, with the...
- Stablecoins play a key role in crypto markets, enabling users to trade digital assets without relying on traditional banks, instead using blockchain.
- Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, stablecoins track the value of traditional assets -- such as the US dollar or gold -- enabling greater stability.
Economy
Global oil demand to dip in 2030, first drop since Covid: IEA
IEA cited sluggish economic growth, global trade tensions, the rise of electric cars and the shift away from crude to...
- Total demand is forecast to reach 105.5 million bpd in 2030 after peaking at 105.6 million bpd in 2029.
- Oil demand dropped dramatically in 2020, when countries locked down and shut their borders during the Covid pandemic, falling to 91.7 million bpd.