Real-time News

February 14th - Gold and silver futures are poised for gains this week. The near-month gold contract rose 1.4% this week, marking its eighth consecutive week of gains in the past ten weeks. The near-month silver contract rose 1.5% this week, ending a two-week losing streak and marking its eleventh consecutive week of gains in the past 15 weeks. Antonio Di Giacomo of XS.com stated in a report that despite volatility in the precious metals market, demand for safe-haven assets remains, supporting the rise in gold and silver prices.

Amazon-backed nuclear energy company X-Energy Reactor Co. has received approval from U.S. regulators for its nuclear reactor fuel.

Lawyers say a Pennsylvania jury found Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) liable for a woman’s diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

On February 14th, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sikorski stated in an interview in Munich, Germany, on February 13th that Europe, not the United States, is paying the price for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, therefore "we have the right to comment on the relevant agreements." Sikorski stated that the United States is no longer paying for supplies provided to Ukraine, and Europeans are bearing the costs. Despite Europe's financial and military support for Ukraine, the United States is profiting from the war by selling weapons to Ukraine through European countries. Sikorski emphasized that the US presence in Europe will continue, but will be more limited and strategic. He stated, "We Europeans must deploy ground troops," and Germany has amended its constitution to achieve this goal; other countries must also take action to fulfill the commitments made at subsequent NATO summits.

US President Trump: Hopes to reach an agreement with Iran.

US President Trump: It has always been difficult to reach an agreement with Iran.

Hang Seng Index futures closed up 0.11% at 26,560 points in overnight trading, a discount of 7 points.

February 14th - U.S. Central Command, responsible for U.S. operations in the Middle East, announced on the 13th that the U.S. military had completed the transfer of members of the extremist group "Islamic State" held in Syria to Iraq. U.S. Central Command stated that it completed an air transfer from northeastern Syria to Iraq on the night of the 12th. This brings the total number of ISIS adult male members successfully transported from Syria to Iraqi detention facilities during the 23-day mission to over 5,700.

February 14th - On February 13th local time, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital in Deir el-Bailah, central Gaza Strip, issued a statement saying that due to the complete shutdown of both main generators and a lack of lubricating oil and spare parts needed for maintenance, the hospital faces a serious risk of a complete shutdown at any time. The hospital warned that if the main generators cannot be restored to operation immediately, the hospital may completely cease operations, causing a new and significant humanitarian crisis. The statement appealed for an urgent supply of lubricating oil and spare parts needed for generator repair. Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital is one of the most important public general hospitals in the Gaza Strip and the only public hospital in central Gaza.

French President Macron: The European security architecture must be redesigned.

US President Trump: The inflation report is fantastic.

French President Macron proposed consultations among partners on long-term strategic thinking.

French President Macron: Europe must become a geopolitical force.

French President Macron: The world should “learn from Europe” instead of “criticizing” Europe.

French President Macron: Even if we reach a reconciliation with Ukraine, we will still have to deal with an aggressive Russia.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that U.S. airlines must prove that their pilot recruitment is based on merit or face investigation by the FAA.

French President Macron: The answer to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot be to succumb to Russia's demands, but to increase pressure.

The Federal Reserve accepted a total of $377 million from three counterparties in its fixed-rate reverse repurchase operations.

February 14th - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio missed a meeting with European leaders regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a move European countries see as a sign of Washington's waning interest in involving them in efforts to resolve the conflict. Rubio was scheduled to meet with leaders of Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission in Munich on Friday afternoon, but canceled his trip at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts. One European official called the cancellation "absurd." Another European official stated that the meeting lacked substance without US involvement.