U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
Russian President Vladimir Putin remained defiant after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s top oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in a bid to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine. The move, announced Thursday, sent global oil prices soaring by 5% and triggered a rapid response from key global buyers. Chinese state oil firms temporarily halted Russian oil purchases, while Indian refiners — the largest buyers of seaborne Russian crude — are expected to cut imports sharply, according to industry insiders.
The sanctions mark a dramatic reversal for Trump, who had recently announced plans for a peace summit with Putin in Budapest. Targeting two energy giants responsible for over 5% of global oil output, the move underscores Washington’s intent to cripple Russia’s wartime revenue streams. Despite the financial blow, Putin dismissed the sanctions as ineffective, warning that reduced Russian supply could further inflate oil prices, hurting Western economies. “No self-respecting country decides anything under pressure,” Putin asserted.
In response, Trump said he was “glad” Putin felt unaffected, adding, “We’ll see in six months.” The shift comes as Ukraine urges the U.S. and Europe for long-range missiles to counter Moscow’s offensive, while Putin cautioned that deeper strikes into Russian territory would provoke a “very serious” retaliation.
Meanwhile, the European Union unveiled its 19th sanctions package, banning Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and targeting Chinese refiners and Central Asian banks. Although the EU has slashed Russian energy reliance by 90% since 2022, it still imported over €11 billion in Russian energy in the first eight months of 2025.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the sanctions as “very important,” urging continued pressure to force Russia toward peace. Despite economic strain, Moscow’s budget remains partly shielded by its heavy taxation on domestic oil production, softening the sanctions’ immediate financial hit.
