Larry Lee
The Latest
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Japan’s Core CPI Surges to 3.2% as Food and Energy Prices Climb, Fueling Rate Hike Speculation
Japan's inflation surged to a 19-month high in January, with core consumer prices rising 3.2% year-over-year, surpassing expectations and reinforcing speculation that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) may continue raising interest rates. The increase, driven by soaring food and energy costs, marks the third consecutive month of acceleration, keeping inflation well above the BOJ's 2% target. 
Japan's inflation surged to a 19-month high in January, with core consumer prices rising 3.2% year-over-year, surpassing expectations and reinforcing speculation that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) may continue raising interest rates. The increase, driven by soaring food and energy costs, marks the third consecutive month of acceleration, keeping inflation well above the BOJ's 2% target. -
Key German Election to Shape Europe’s Stance on Trump and Ukraine War
Germany heads to the polls Sunday in a pivotal election that will determine the country's next government and influence Europe's response to the Trump administration's foreign policy, including U.S. efforts to end the war in Ukraine. As Europe's largest economy and the second-largest military supporter of Ukraine, Germany's new leadership will play a decisive role in shaping EU policy in an era of shifting transatlantic alliances. 
Germany heads to the polls Sunday in a pivotal election that will determine the country's next government and influence Europe's response to the Trump administration's foreign policy, including U.S. efforts to end the war in Ukraine. As Europe's largest economy and the second-largest military supporter of Ukraine, Germany's new leadership will play a decisive role in shaping EU policy in an era of shifting transatlantic alliances. -
Ukraine Shifts Focus Beyond NATO as Europe Prepares for Security Realignment
Ukraine and its European allies are increasingly looking beyond NATO for security guarantees as uncertainty grows over U.S. commitment to the alliance. At a high-level conference at Cambridge University on Monday, Ukrainian and European officials discussed the possibility of new security structures in response to shifting geopolitical realities 
Ukraine and its European allies are increasingly looking beyond NATO for security guarantees as uncertainty grows over U.S. commitment to the alliance. At a high-level conference at Cambridge University on Monday, Ukrainian and European officials discussed the possibility of new security structures in response to shifting geopolitical realities -
Zelenskyy Slams Trump’s NATO Remarks, Says Ukraine ‘Not for Sale’ Amid War Dispute
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday rebuked former U.S. President Donald Trump for claiming that Ukraine was responsible for its war with Russia, dismissing the assertion as "disinformation" and stating that Ukraine is not for sale. 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday rebuked former U.S. President Donald Trump for claiming that Ukraine was responsible for its war with Russia, dismissing the assertion as "disinformation" and stating that Ukraine is not for sale. -
Vatican Confirms Pope Francis Suffers Bilateral Pneumonia, Cancels Public Events
Pope Francis, 88, is battling pneumonia in both lungs and remains hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, according to a Vatican statement released Tuesday. Officials say he remains in "good spirits" despite what the Vatican described as a "complex" medical picture, and he has received ongoing therapy to address a polymicrobial respiratory infection. 
Pope Francis, 88, is battling pneumonia in both lungs and remains hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, according to a Vatican statement released Tuesday. Officials say he remains in "good spirits" despite what the Vatican described as a "complex" medical picture, and he has received ongoing therapy to address a polymicrobial respiratory infection. -
Hamas to Release Bodies of Four Hostages, Including Bibas Children, on Thursday; Six Living Hostages Set for Release Saturday
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to accelerate the release of hostages and prisoners, with Hamas set to release the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, followed by the release of six living hostages on Saturday. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the deal on Tuesday, marking a significant development in the ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations. 
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to accelerate the release of hostages and prisoners, with Hamas set to release the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, followed by the release of six living hostages on Saturday. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the deal on Tuesday, marking a significant development in the ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations. -
Israel to Begin Talks on Next Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Amid Stalled Negotiations
Israel will begin negotiations this week on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Tuesday, as uncertainty looms over the fragile truce mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. The negotiations, originally set to start on February 3, have faced repeated delays, with Israel signaling mixed positions on its engagement. 
Israel will begin negotiations this week on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Tuesday, as uncertainty looms over the fragile truce mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. The negotiations, originally set to start on February 3, have faced repeated delays, with Israel signaling mixed positions on its engagement. -
Argentina’s Milei Under Fire as $Libra Cryptocurrency Crashes, Lawsuits Pile Up
Argentine President Javier Milei is under legal scrutiny after promoting a cryptocurrency that suffered a rapid collapse, triggering financial losses for thousands of investors. A federal judge has been assigned to investigate Milei's involvement in the incident, amid mounting political pressure and opposition calls for impeachment. 
Argentine President Javier Milei is under legal scrutiny after promoting a cryptocurrency that suffered a rapid collapse, triggering financial losses for thousands of investors. A federal judge has been assigned to investigate Milei's involvement in the incident, amid mounting political pressure and opposition calls for impeachment. -
U.S. and Russia Hold High-Level Talks on Ukraine War, Excluding Kyiv and European Allies
Senior U.S. and Russian officials convened in Riyadh on Tuesday for discussions aimed at negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine, a diplomatic move that has sparked alarm among European allies and Kyiv. The meeting, hosted by Saudi Arabia, follows a direct phone call last week between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which both leaders agreed to explore a potential settlement. 
Senior U.S. and Russian officials convened in Riyadh on Tuesday for discussions aimed at negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine, a diplomatic move that has sparked alarm among European allies and Kyiv. The meeting, hosted by Saudi Arabia, follows a direct phone call last week between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which both leaders agreed to explore a potential settlement. -
European Leaders Scramble to Respond as Trump Excludes EU from Ukraine Talks
European leaders convened in Paris on Monday for an emergency summit aimed at formulating a response to the Trump administration's abrupt diplomatic shift on Ukraine, which has left EU officials increasingly concerned about their diminishing role in peace negotiations. The meeting, called by French President Emmanuel Macron, follows Washington's decision to pursue direct talks with Russia without European participation, a move that has reignited anxieties over NATO's cohesion and Europe's security autonomy. 
European leaders convened in Paris on Monday for an emergency summit aimed at formulating a response to the Trump administration's abrupt diplomatic shift on Ukraine, which has left EU officials increasingly concerned about their diminishing role in peace negotiations. The meeting, called by French President Emmanuel Macron, follows Washington's decision to pursue direct talks with Russia without European participation, a move that has reignited anxieties over NATO's cohesion and Europe's security autonomy.
