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See How World Leaders Are Reacting To Trump’s Second Term Inauguration

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Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, 2025. Trump, who had previously served as the 45th President from 2017 to 2021, became the second president in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms.

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies distributed over 220,000 tickets for the swearing-in ceremony, which is typically held outside the U.S. Capitol building. Shortly after taking office, Trump quickly appointed dozens of officials to various federal positions.

Later that day, he attended an indoor version of the traditional presidential parade at a Washington arena, where he signed the first of many expected executive orders aimed at rolling back Democratic policies on issues like immigration, energy, trade, and diversity.

Trump then returned to the White House, where he signed additional orders before attending several inaugural balls late into the evening.

Global Leaders Reactions – A Mix dose of zest and cautious optimism

World leaders responded with a mix of cautious optimism and outright enthusiasm following Donald Trump’s inauguration for a second term. In his inaugural address, Trump vowed to reshape both U.S. domestic and foreign policy, signing a flurry of executive orders shortly after taking the oath of office. International leaders took notice, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and expressing their expectations for his new administration.

Vladimir Putin – Trump’s Intervention could end war with Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump, calling for dialogue and underscoring the importance of lasting peace in Ukraine.
“Its goal should not be a brief truce … but a lasting peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people,” Putin said.

However, Panama responded sharply to Trump’s pledge to “take back” the Panama Canal, with President José Raul Mulino reaffirming, “the canal is and will remain Panama’s.”

Trump’s Presidency could stabilise the Middle East – Mahmoud Abbas

Leaders from the Middle East also expressed hope for stability under Trump’s renewed leadership. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his commitment to achieving peace through a two-state solution, while Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa described Trump as “the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region.”

Trump is the hope of peace in Ukraine – Zelenskiy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy congratulated Trump, highlighting the potential for a just peace in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. His remarks followed Trump’s call for a ceasefire in the face of Russia’s continued invasion.

EU to collaborate with Trump on Global Issues – Ursula

“The EU looks forward to working closely with you to tackle global challenges,” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. “Together, our societies can achieve greater prosperity and strengthen their common security.”

“I look forward to working with President Trump” – Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed a similar sentiment:
“We are strongest when we work together, and I look forward to working with President Trump,” he said.
However, after Trump threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on Canadian imports, Trudeau added, “Canada and the United States have the world’s most successful economic partnership.”

South Africa to increase partnership with U.S – Ramaphosa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also congratulated Trump on his inauguration, expressing hope for continued cooperation between their two nations.
“Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump on the occasion of your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. I look forward to continuing the close and mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations across all areas of our cooperation,”
Ramaphosa wrote on X, becoming the first African leader to congratulate Trump on the platform.

Trump Presidency: How US withdrawal from WHO might impact global health

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On his first day back in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump reignited a decision: withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). The move, which mirrors his actions during his first term, has sparked concerns among scientists, health experts, and global leaders about its far-reaching implications.

What’s Happening?

Trump’s executive order outlines the initial steps for the withdrawal process, including halting future US funding to WHO, reassigning federal personnel, and identifying alternative partners to handle global health initiatives previously managed by the organization.

This isn’t uncharted territory for Trump. In July 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he began the process of pulling the US out of WHO, citing concerns over the organization’s alleged bias toward China. That decision was later reversed by President Joe Biden, but Trump’s return to this agenda has reignited global debates.

Why Does It Matter?

The United States has long been the largest financial contributor to WHO, providing up to $815 million annually. This funding supports critical health programs, including efforts to eradicate polio, fight tuberculosis, and improve maternal and child health. A US withdrawal could leave a gaping financial hole, potentially crippling these initiatives and jeopardizing the world’s ability to respond to emerging health crises.

Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC Director, warns that the move “makes Americans—and the world—less safe.” Without US resources, WHO’s global surveillance efforts and epidemic response capabilities could be severely weakened, increasing the risk of unchecked disease outbreaks.

Moreover, American scientists risk losing access to WHO’s vital genetic databases, which are essential for developing vaccines and medicines against new threats. Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown University cautions that this could allow novel diseases to “spin out of control, cross borders, and potentially spark pandemics.”

How Will the World Respond?

When Trump first initiated a withdrawal, Germany stepped in to increase its funding, briefly becoming WHO’s largest donor. However, it remains unclear whether other nations will rally to fill the void this time. Dr. Pete Baker of the Center for Global Development suggests that more flexible funding from member states or philanthropists could help WHO adapt, but this is far from guaranteed.

Why Is Trump Doing This?

Trump has consistently accused WHO of being influenced by corporate interests and China. During his 2020 campaign, he criticized the organization for its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, alleging that it colluded with China to obscure the virus’s severity in its early stages.

An investigation by the Associated Press in 2020 found that China withheld critical information about the virus, hindering WHO’s efforts to contain its spread. Trump’s decision appears rooted in this perception of mismanagement and a broader agenda to challenge global institutions he views as ineffective or biased.

What’s Next for WHO?

While WHO has expressed a willingness to collaborate with the US, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has also signaled the agency’s resilience. He pointed to the 2018 Ebola outbreak in Congo, where WHO successfully managed the crisis without American first responders.

However, the challenges posed by the US withdrawal are undeniable. Losing its biggest donor threatens to disrupt vaccine distribution, disease research, and public health support for low-income countries.

The Bigger Picture

Trump’s withdrawal from WHO could mark a turning point in global health governance. Beyond the financial implications, it underscores the fragility of international cooperation in tackling shared challenges like pandemics.

As the world watches, one question looms large: Can global health efforts withstand the loss of US leadership, or will this decision unravel decades of progress in fighting infectious diseases?

Trump Grants Pardons to 1,500 Capitol Rioters

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President Donald Trump on Monday, issued pardons to over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Trump, hours after assuming office, also ordered the dismissal of all ongoing criminal cases against those accused of participating in the Capitol assault. Among the pardoned was Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the far-right Proud Boys group, who had been sentenced to 22 years in prison for orchestrating a violent, military-style attack on the Capitol.

Additionally, Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, another far-right group, had his 18-year sentence commuted to time already served. Both Tarrio and Rhodes were convicted of seditious conspiracy.

During a signing ceremony at the White House, Trump referred to the rioters as “hostages” and stated that he had granted “full pardons” to the 1,583 individuals charged in relation to the Capitol attack, which was aimed at disrupting the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory.

Trump had made repeated promises throughout his campaign to pardon those involved in the riot, calling them “patriots” and “political prisoners.” Despite the violence of the day, Trump has consistently downplayed the severity of the January 6 events, even describing it as a “day of love.”

The riot resulted in over 140 police officers being injured, with rioters using flagpoles, baseball bats, hockey sticks, Tasers, and bear spray to clash with law enforcement during the chaos.

America President, Donald Trump’s Full Inaugural Speech

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Thank you. Thank you very much everybody. Well, thank you very, very much. Vice President Vance, Speaker Johnson, Senator Thune, Chief Justice Roberts, justices of the United States Supreme Court, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and my fellow citizens.
The Golden Age of America begins right now.
From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first. Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free.

America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before. I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success, a tide of change is sweeping the country, sunlight is pouring over the entire world, and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before.
But first, we must be honest about the challenges we face. While they are plentiful, they will be annihilated by this great momentum that the world is now witnessing in the United States of America.
As we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair.
We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent, law-abiding American citizens, but provide sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world.

We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defence of foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders or more importantly, its own people. Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina, been treated so badly. And other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago.
Or more recently in Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defence. They’re raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don’t have a home any longer. That’s interesting, but we can’t let this happen. Everyone is unable to do anything about it. That’s going to change.
We have a public health system that does not deliver in times of disaster, yet more money is spent on it than any country anywhere in the world. And we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves, in many cases to hate our country despite the love that we try so desperately to provide to them. All of this will change starting today, and it will change very quickly.

My recent election has a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed, their freedom.
From this moment on, America’s decline is over. Our liberties and our nation’s glorious destiny will no longer be denied, and we will immediately restore the integrity, competency, and loyalty of America’s government. Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250 year history, and I’ve learned a lot along the way the journey to reclaim our republic has not been an easy one that I can tell you.
Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom, and indeed to take my life. Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again. Thank you. Thank you very much.

That is why each day under our administration of American patriots, we will be working to meet every crisis with dignity and power and strength. We will move with purpose and speed to bring back hope, prosperity, safety, and peace for citizens of every race, religion, colour and creed. For American citizens, Jan. 20th, 2025 is Liberation Day

It is my hope that our recent presidential election will be remembered as the greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country.

As our victory showed, the entire nation is rapidly unifying behind our agenda with dramatic increases in support from virtually every element of our society, young and old, men and women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, urban, suburban, rural and very importantly, we had a powerful win in all seven swing states, and the popular vote we won by millions of people.

To the black and Hispanic communities, I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and trust that you have shown me with your vote. We set records and I will not forget it. I’ve heard your voices in the campaign, and I look forward to working with you in the years to come. Today is Martin Luther King Day and his honour, this will be a great honour, but in his honour, we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true. Thank you. Thank you.


National unity is now returning to America and confidence and pride is soaring like never before. In everything we do. My administration will be inspired by a strong pursuit of excellence and unrelenting success. We will not forget our country. We will not forget our Constitution and we will not forget our God. Can’t do that.

Today, I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. It’s all about common sense.
First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.
We will reinstate my remain in Mexico policy. I will end the practice of catch and release. And I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.
Under the orders I signed today, we will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. And by invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil, including our cities and inner cities. As Commander in Chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions and that is exactly what I am going to do. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before.

Next, I will direct all members of my cabinet to marshal the vast powers at their disposal to defeat what was record inflation and rapidly bring down costs and prices.
The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices and that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill.
America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth and we are going to use it, and they use it. We will bring prices down, fill our strategic reserves up again, right to the top and export American energy all over the world.
We will be a rich nation again and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.
With my actions today, we will end the Green New Deal and we will revoke the electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto industry and keeping my sacred pledge to our great American autoworkers.

In other words, you’ll be able to buy the car of your choice. We will build automobiles in America again at a rate that nobody could have dreamt possible just a few years ago and thank you to the autoworkers of our nation for your inspiring vote of confidence. We did tremendously with their vote.
I will immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families. Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens.
For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury coming from foreign sources. The American Dream will soon be back and thriving like never before.
To restore confidence and effectively is to our federal government, my administration will establish the brand new Department of Government Efficiency.

After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression, I will also sign an executive order to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America. Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents. Something I know, something about. We will not allow that to happen. It will not happen again.
Under my leadership, we will restore a fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law and we are going to bring law and order back to our cities.
This week I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colourblind and merit based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.
This week, I will reinstate any service members who were unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate, with full back pay. And I will sign an order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty. It’s going to end immediately.
Our armed forces will be free to focus on their sole mission: defeating America’s enemies.
Like in 2017, we will again build the strongest military the world has ever seen. We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into.

My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier, that’s what I want to be, a peacemaker and a unifier. I’m pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families.
Thank you. America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the all and admiration of the entire world.
A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States, the United States, I mean, think of this spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal.

We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made and Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharge, charged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form. And that includes the United States Navy and above all, China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama and we’re taking it back.
Above all, my message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and vitality of history’s greatest civilization. So as we liberate our nation, we will lead it to new heights of victory and success. We will not be deterred.
Together, we will end the chronic disease epidemic and keep our children safe, healthy, and disease free. The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations, and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons.

And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.

Ambition is the lifeblood of a great nation and right now, our nation is more ambitious than any other. There’s no nation like our nation. Americans are explorers, builders, innovators, entrepreneurs and pioneers. The spirit of the frontier is written into our hearts. The call of the next great adventure resounds from within our souls.
It
Our American ancestors turned a small group of colonies on the edge of a vast continent into a mighty republic of the most extraordinary citizens on Earth. No one comes close. Americans pushed thousands of miles through a rugged land of untamed wilderness.
They crossed deserts, scaled mountains, braved untold dangers, won the Wild West, ended slavery, rescued millions from tyranny, lifted billions from poverty, harnessed electricity, split the atom, launched mankind into the heavens and put the universe of human knowledge into the palm of the human hand.
If we work together, there is nothing we cannot do and no dream we cannot achieve. Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am, the American people have spoken. I stand before you now is proof that you should never believe that something is impossible to do.
In America, the impossible is what we do best. From New York to Los Angeles, from Philadelphia to Phoenix, from Chicago to Miami, from Houston to right here in Washington, DC, our country was forged and built by the generations of patriots who gave everything they had for our rights and for our freedom. They were farmers and soldiers, cowboys and factory workers, steel workers and coal miners, police officers and pioneers who pushed onward, marched forward, and let no obstacle defeat their spirit or their pride.

Together they laid down the railroads, raised up the skyscrapers, built great highways, won two world wars, defeated fascism and communism, and triumphed over every single challenge that they faced. After all we have been through together, we stand on the verge of the four greatest years in American history. With your help, we will restore America’s promise and we will rebuild the nation that we love and we love it so much.
We are one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God. So to every parent who dreams for their child and every child who dreams for their future, I am with you. I will fight for you and I will win for you. We are going to win like never before. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
In recent years, our nation has suffered greatly but we are going to bring it back and make it great again, greater than ever before. We will be a nation like no other, full of compassion, courage and exceptionalism. Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent and totally unpredictable.

America will be respected again and admired again, including by people of religion, faith, and goodwill. We will be prosperous. We will be proud. We will be strong and we will win like never before. We will not be conquered. We will not be intimidated. We will not be broken and we will not fail.
From this day on, the United States of America will be a free, sovereign and independent nation. We will stand bravely. We will live proudly. We will dream boldly, and nothing will stand in our way because we are Americans.
The future is ours and our golden age has just begun. Thank you. God bless America. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

Dollar Drifts as Traders Brace For Trump’s Return

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The dollar was on the defensive at the start of a pivotal week on Monday as Donald Trump returns to the White House, with his inauguration speech later in the day the primary focus for investors hoping to decipher his immediate policies.

The yen strengthened, clinging to a one-month high touched last week, as traders wager that the Bank of Japan will hike its policy interest rate this week, lifting short-term borrowing costs to levels unseen since the 2008 global financial crisis.

U.S. stocks rallied on Friday with the S&P 500 and Dow notching their biggest weekly percentage gains since early November… and the Nasdaq registering its best week since early December.

Trading volume is expected to be thin due to the U.S. markets being closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

Cryptocurrency investors remain in party mode, awaiting executive orders from Trump aimed at reducing regulatory roadblocks and promoting widespread adoption of digital assets.

Trump courted crypto campaign cash promising to be a “crypto president” and launched a digital token on Friday, which soared above $70 at one point for a market value north of $15 billion. It was last trading around $58, CoinMarketCap, showed.

Bitcoin, the world’s best-known cryptocurrency, was slightly weaker at $102,550 on Monday. It has surged 80% since the U.S. election in early November, touching a record high last month.

The spotlight is firmly on the policies Trump will enact on his first day in office. At a rally on Sunday, Trump said he would impose severe limits on immigration.

Goldman Sachs strategists expect U.S. policy changes to support dollar strength but cautioned about near-term risks due to the market’s expectations for swift action on tariffs.

Instead, Goldman strategists anticipate a series of headline-grabbing news over time on tariffs, similar to Trump’s first presidency. “We think the storm is just rolling in. We expect it will pay to be patient.”

The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six peers, was 0.16% lower at 109.16, but hovered close to a 26-month high of 110.17 touched last week.

The index has risen 4% since the election as traders anticipate Trump’s policies will boost growth but also be inflationary, necessitating higher interest rates for a longer period.

The euro advanced 0.26% to $1.029775, but remained near a two-year low touched last week as tariff threats weighed. Sterling rose 0.27% to $1.2201.

Thierry Wizman, global foreign exchange and interest rates strategist at Macquarie, said when it comes to tariffs, traders are in a “wait-and-see” mode at best and, at worst, have been largely unwilling to give disinflation in the U.S. the benefit of the doubt.

“That means that any renewed mention of tariffs … is likely to send the USD higher, as well as (bond) yields.”

Last week’s slightly cooler core inflation data, dovish comments from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller and reports of tariffs being introduced gradually have led traders to price in the prospect of two interest rate cuts this year.

Investors are also monitoring developments in the Middle East after Hamas released three Israeli hostages and Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, marking the first day of a ceasefire halting a 15-month-old war.

The yen was last at 155.98 per dollar, not far from the one-month high of 154.98 touched on Friday, with sources telling Reuters the BOJ was likely to raise its policy interest rate this week barring market shocks when Trump takes office.

Investors Eye Trump Move on Russian Export Curbs

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Oil prices fell on Monday as expectations of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump relaxing curbs on Russia’s energy sector in exchange for a deal to end the Ukraine war offset concern of supply disruption from harsher sanctions.

Brent crude futures dropped 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $80.63 a barrel by 0453 GMT after closing down 0.62% in the previous session.

The more active U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude April contract fell 6 cents to $77.33 a barrel. The front-month contract, which expires on Tuesday, was at $78.03 a barrel, up 15 cents, or 0.19%, after settling down 1.02% on Friday.

Trump, who will be inaugurated later on Monday, is widely expected to make a flurry of policy announcements in the first hours of his second term, including an end to a moratorium on U.S. liquefied natural gas export licences – part of a wider strategy to strengthen the economy.

Both contracts gained more than 1% last week in their fourth successive weekly ascent after the Biden administration sanctioned more than 100 tankers and two Russian oil producers. That led to a scramble by top buyers China and India for prompt oil cargo and a rush for ship supply as dealers of Russian and Iranian oil sought unsanctioned tankers to ferry their load.

While the new sanctions could impact the supply of nearly 1 million barrels per day of oil from Russia, recent price gains could be short lived depending on Trump action, ANZ analysts said in a client note.

Trump has promised to help end the Russia-Ukraine war quickly, which could involve relaxing some curbs to enable an accord, they said.

Analyst Tim Evans said the new sanctions are seen curtailing supply, at least in the near term.

Easing tension in the Middle East also kept a lid on oil prices.

Hamas and Israel exchanged hostages and prisoners on Sunday that marked the first day of a ceasefire after 15 months of war.

Separately, investors are watching out for the impact from a cold snap in Texas and New Mexico which may affect U.S. oil production, analysts at ANZ and ING said.

Chukwueze Set for AC Milan Return

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Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze is expected to resume training with AC Milan next week after recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained in December.

Sempre Milan confirms that the 25-year-old’s recovery is on track, with Chukwueze set to begin light training next week before rejoining the full squad later in the month.

Having joined Milan in the summer of 2023 for €28 million from Villarreal, Chukwueze could make his long-awaited return during the Milan derby against Inter on February 2 at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. This would mark his first appearance under new head coach Sergio Conceicao.

The Nigerian winger has faced a tough season in Italy, registering just three goals and one assist in 22 appearances across all competitions. Most of his contributions came as a substitute, with Christian Pulisic’s stellar form keeping Chukwueze out of the starting lineup.

His limited playing time has sparked interest from several clubs, with Premier League side Aston Villa leading the chase. Manager Unai Emery, who worked with Chukwueze at Villarreal when they won the 2021 UEFA Europa League, is eager to bring him to Villa Park. Arsenal has also shown interest, with manager Mikel Arteta eyeing Chukwueze as a potential replacement for the injured Bukayo Saka. Turkish clubs Besiktas and Trabzonspor are also monitoring his situation.

However, Chukwueze’s hamstring injury, suffered in the 1-1 draw with Roma on December 29, ruled out any chance of a January transfer, as clubs hesitated to sign an injured player.

With his focus now on impressing Milan’s new manager, Conceicao, Chukwueze’s future at the San Siro will depend on his upcoming performances, with Milan likely to reassess his status in the summer based on his playing time. Should they decide to sell, Milan hopes to recover a significant portion of their initial €28m investment.

Libya Needs $3-4 bn to Boost Oil Production- Oil Minister

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Libya needs between $3 billion and $4 billion to reach an oil production rate of 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd), the acting oil and gas minister, Khalifa Abdulsadek, said, adding that a new license bidding round is expected to be approved by the cabinet before the end of January.

Abdulsadek said the Libyan economy heavily relies on oil, accounting for more than 95% of its economic output.

“There is momentum in reconstruction and this can only be achieved by increasing the production,” Abdulsadek said.

Abdulsadek said the goal is not just to reach 1.6 million bpd but to further increase it to 2 million bpd.

According to National Oil Corporation (NOC), the national oil output reached 1,413,372 bpd on Friday.

The OPEC-member country was producing 1.6 million bpd before the NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Abdulsadek said, on the sidelines of the Libya Energy and Economy Summit held in Tripoli, the bidding round would include three basins and from 15 to 21 blocks.

“The bidding will be in all the sedimentary basins in Libya, Sirte Basin, Murzuq Basin, Ghadames Basin. Marine areas, pretty much everywhere,” Abdulsadek said.

Libya’s last bidding round for oil and gas exploration concessions was declared 17 years ago, NOC’s former chief Farhat Bengdara said in December. Bengdara added that 70% of Libya’s total land area and over 65% of its territorial waters have yet to be explored. Bengdara resigned on Thursday and he was replaced by NOC Board of Directors member Masoud Sulaiman.

Abdulsadek explained that the date to announce the licensing of the bid round would be declared after the approval by the government of national unity meeting “as both the oil ministry and NOC have finished their work.”

He said that the government would work with its partners to provide the $3-4 billion as “not just to increase the production but to preserve the current production rates.”

The bidding round has strategic importance, the minister said, adding that “whenever there is production, there is a loss and this loss must be compensated for by exploration.

$MELANIA: Key Things To Know About Melania Trump’s New Cryptocurrency

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Melania Trump has launched her multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency meme coin $MELANIA, on the eve of her husband, Donald Trump, inauguration on 19th January 2024 as the 47th President of the United States.

A meme coin is a type of cryptocurrency inspired by trends such as internet memes with no inherent utility, and are often susceptible to price swings and crashes.

She launched the $MELANIA, a day after President-elect Donald Trump launched the $Trump cryptocurrency. Both coins have risen but have seen volatile trade.

$MELANIA

According to its official website, the $MELANIA coin is a crypto asset built on the Solana blockchain, a popular network known for its scalability and speed. The coin’s website specifies that its services are available only to individuals who can legally enter into binding contracts. Users must be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in their jurisdiction to access the services.

The website also reserves the right to terminate access for individuals who fail to meet these requirements. The website emphasises that the coin is “not intended to be, or the subject of, an investment opportunity or a security.”

According to the CoinMarketCap website, $Trump has a total market valuation of about $12bn (£9.8bn), while $Melania’s stands at around $1.7bn.

Despite Donald Trump’s past dismissal of cryptocurrencies as a “scam,” his stance shifted dramatically during the 2024 election campaign, where he embraced digital assets.

Shortly after the launch of $Melania, the price of $Trump fell by more than 50%, from $75 to $30, before recovering steadily in subsequent hours to about $64. The market capitalisation of $Melania reached as high as $13bn.

The Future Of Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, surged to an all-time high of $107,000 after Trump’s victory, according to Coinbase.

Similarly, other cryptocurrencies, such as Dogecoin—frequently promoted by Trump ally, Elon Musk—have seen significant gains in 2024 and early 2025.

As of now, the $Trump cryptocurrency boasts a market valuation of approximately $12 billion (£9.8 billion), while $MELANIA has reached a valuation of around $1.7 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.

Since his victory in November, Bitcoin rose from $75,000 to an all-time high of $108,135 on December 17, 2024, a 44% jump. During his 2024 campaign, Trump made several significant promises to the crypto community.

Speaking at the Bitcoin conference in July 2024, Trump set forth an ambitious vision: the establishment of a national Bitcoin reserve. This bold proposal has energized the crypto community.

While time will tell whether Trump is able to enact his crypto-related proposals, his election marks a regulatory shift towards more a crypto-friendly environment that could potentially lead to increased development of digital asset applications in diverse fields such as data security, healthcare, and supply chains.

Nigeria Secures Historic Win Over New Zealand in U-19 Women’s Cricket World Cup

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The Junior Female Yellow Greens, Nigeria’s U-19 women’s cricket team, achieved a stunning victory over New Zealand, a test-playing nation, by two runs in their debut match at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia. The historic win unfolded on Monday at the Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak.

After their opening match against Samoa was abandoned due to rain on Saturday, the Nigerian team finally stepped onto the field, though their game against New Zealand faced a two-hour delay caused by a wet pitch.

New Zealand won the toss and opted to field in the shortened 13-over match. Despite an early collapse, Nigeria’s captain, Lucky Piety, showcased resilience by hitting the team’s first-ever World Cup six. However, New Zealand struck back, reducing Nigeria to 28 for three after the powerplay.

Lilian Ude added a vital 19 runs, and Omosigho Eguakun hit a crucial boundary off the final ball, setting New Zealand a target of 66 runs for six wickets in 13 overs.

In the second innings, Nigeria displayed impressive skill with the ball. Peace Usen grabbed Nigeria’s first World Cup wicket with the very first ball, running out Kate Irwin, while Emma McLeod fell shortly after for three runs.

Although Eve Wolland and Anika Todd tried to steady New Zealand’s innings, their dismissals by Piety and Shola Adekunle turned the tide in Nigeria’s favor. In a tense final over, Lilian Ude allowed just six runs and secured a run-out on the last ball, clinching a dramatic victory for Nigeria.

Captain Lucky Piety was named Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance, scoring 18 runs off 22 balls and taking one wicket for only eight runs in three overs.

With this win, Nigeria now sits second in Group C with three points, trailing group leaders South Africa, who have two wins after defeating Samoa by 10 wickets. Both teams are in strong contention for a spot in the Super 6 stage and will face off on Wednesday to determine the group leader.