Author: Steven Sahiounie

Of course, around $100 billion of yen-buying intervention from Tokyo in the last few months has put a floor under the currency, and the BOJ’s approach to raising rates is hardly gung-ho. So the yen is not a sure-fire bet to strengthen aggressively from here

The BoE cut rates by a quarter point to 5.0% on Thursday, in a decision markets had thought was on a knife-edge

Iran’s first vice president Mohammad Reza Aref and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have underscored the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as the Israeli regime continues its atrocities in the besieged territory. The two officials made the appeal as they discussed the latest regional developments, particularly the crimes perpetrated by the Israeli regime in Gaza, in a meeting in the Qatari capital Doha on Friday. During the meeting, Iran’s proposal to hold an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was also reviewed. The two sides also discussed bilateral relations and ways to boost and…

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced on Friday that President Nicolas Maduro has been invited to the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to be held in Kazan, Russia, this October. “[Russian] President Vladimir Putin invites President Maduro to attend the leaders’ summit of the BRICS+ countries,” the minister said on X and posted the letter sent by Putin to Maduro. Venezuela and Russia have enjoyed a strong relationship since the early 2000s, bolstered during Hugo Chavez’s presidency and continuing under Nicolas Maduro. The partnership has been marked by extensive cooperation in various sectors, including energy, where Russian companies like Rosneft have…

Former US leader Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential hopeful, has agreed with his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, to hold a presidential debate on FoxNews on September 4. “I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th,” Trump wrote on his page on Truth Social. The debate is expected to take place in Pennsylvania, with the exact time and site to be decided later. Trump’s second debate against Joe Biden was previously scheduled on September 10, but it became irrelevant after the incumbent president dropped out of the race, Trump explained. Also, the Republican…

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over floods in the country’s north west, according to a message published on the Kremlin website. “Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un, please accept my deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of floods in the north-western provinces of your country. Please convey my words of heartfelt sympathy and support to those who lost their loved ones to the disaster,” the message reads. “You can always count on our assistance and support,” Putin added. The water level in the Amnok River passed the dangerous mark following heavy rainfall…

A high-level Israeli delegation has landed in Cairo, Egypt, for talks regarding a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Walla news website reported, citing two sources familiar with the situation. According to the sources, Egyptian Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel and senior military officials are scheduled to meet with the Director of Mossad Spy Agency David Barnea, Head of Shin Bet Security Agency Ronen Bar, and Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories COGAT Ghassan Alian. The captive situation and border security concerns between Egypt and Gaza will be the main topics of discussion. Just yesterday, The…

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to start a two-day visit to Egypt on Sunday at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, according to diplomatic sources. Relations between Ankara and Cairo have recently seen significant progress. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit to Egypt on Feb. 14, the first visit at that level in a dozen years, marked a milestone in bilateral ties. During that visit, a joint declaration was signed on a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting co-chaired by the countries’ presidents. Last month, Badr Abdelatty was appointed Egypt’s foreign minister in a newly formed…

Crypto firms argue tokens are commodities and want new laws clarifying their status, although that could take years if Congress remains divided

US Vice President Kamala Harris has secured enough votes of the Democratic delegates, who have been voting virtually, to be formally nominated for president, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said. “I am so proud to confirm that Vice President Harris has earned more than a majority of votes from all convention delegates and will be the nominee of the Democratic Party following the close of voting on Monday [August 5],” he said in a statement. Harrison did not specify how many votes the politician has secured so far. She needs 1,976 delegate votes to win. Harris, who was the…