Trump’s Iraq Envoy Mark Savaya Ousted Amid U.S.-Iraq Tensions Over Iran Influence 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Syria Detains Group Over Rocket Attacks on Damascus Military Airport Amid Hezbollah Allegations 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Democrats Score Surprise Texas State Senate Win, Fueling Momentum Ahead of 2026 Midterms 
Peter Mandelson Resigns from Labour Party Amid Renewed Jeffrey Epstein Links 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
U.S. and Israeli Military Leaders Hold Pentagon Talks as Tensions With Iran Escalate 
U.S. Government Enters Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Zelenskiy Awaits U.S. Details as Ukraine Prepares for Possible Peace Talks Next Week 
Trump Proposes Two-Year Shutdown of Kennedy Center Amid Ongoing Turmoil 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Laura Fernandez Set to Become Costa Rica’s Next President, Promising Sweeping Political Change 
Keir Starmer Urges Prince Andrew to Testify in U.S. Epstein Investigation 
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he has spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping since taking office on January 20 but did not disclose details of their conversation. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Trump stated, "Yeah ... I have talked to him and I have talked to his people, too," emphasizing their "very good personal relationship." However, he did not specify when the discussion took place or the topics covered.
Last week, Trump indicated he was in no rush to engage with Xi regarding the escalating U.S.-China trade war. A conversation between the two leaders is seen as pivotal to potentially easing trade tensions and delaying tariffs. The White House and China’s foreign ministry have yet to comment on Trump's remarks.
Before his inauguration, Trump and Xi had spoken about key issues, including trade, TikTok, and Taiwan. Recently, China imposed tariffs on U.S. imports and warned companies like Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) of possible sanctions in response to Trump’s 10% tariff increase. The move added pressure to an already strained relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
U.S.-China relations remain tense over trade disputes, cybersecurity, Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights, and the origins of COVID-19. As trade negotiations stall, markets remain on edge, watching for signs of diplomatic progress.
