Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu faces mounting pressure to form a new government before Monday’s crucial budget deadline, as political divisions deepen within France’s conservative Les Republicains (LR) party. The reappointed leader must present a draft budget bill to cabinet and parliament amid one of France’s most turbulent political moments in decades.
Internal rifts have shaken the LR party, whose executive body declared that “the trust and conditions are not in place” to join Lecornu’s cabinet. However, many LR lawmakers reportedly favor accepting ministerial roles to influence the national budget, according to Le Monde. The tension underscores the fragile alliances Lecornu must navigate to secure support for his government.
Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, a key LR figure, has laid out firm conditions for participation—chief among them the maintenance of President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, which raised the retirement age to 64. Barnier insisted that LR’s support depends on commitments to deficit reduction, pension reform, security, and competitiveness. His stance clashes with left-wing parties, who demand the reform’s suspension.
Socialist leader Olivier Faure warned that his party would move to topple the government unless the pension reform is scrapped. Meanwhile, centrist UDI expressed conditional support without joining the cabinet, and Macron’s ally Horizons refused to back any government that upholds the pension law.
Lecornu hinted at possible compromise, saying “all debates are possible as long as they are realistic.” He must now craft a credible plan to reduce France’s budget deficit from 5.4% of GDP this year to around 4.7%-5% in 2025. Failure to form a cabinet or secure parliamentary backing could force France into temporary emergency spending measures, echoing last year’s political stalemate.
With just hours remaining, Lecornu’s promise of a “renewal and diversity” cabinet remains unfulfilled—leaving France’s political future hanging in the balance.
