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On January 24th, it was reported that on December 24th of last year, four departments, including the Beijing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, issued the "Notice on Further Optimizing and Adjusting Relevant Policies of Beijing Real Estate," which involved adjustments to purchase restrictions and credit optimization. Overall, since the implementation of the new policy a month ago, transaction volume has been steadily increasing. Data from Centaline Property shows that since the release of the notice, the average daily number of new home sales contracts has increased by 44.6% month-on-month, with improved housing projects outside the Fifth Ring Road performing particularly well. In the secondary market, after the new policy, the average daily number of viewings at real estate agencies has increased by more than 20% compared to normal, and the average daily transaction volume of secondary homes has exceeded 500 units.

January 24th - The Fourth Session of the 14th Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) solemnly opened at the Beijing Conference Center at 9:00 AM today (January 24th). The opening session will review and adopt the "Agenda of the Fourth Session of the 14th Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC," hear the "Work Report of the Standing Committee of the 14th Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC," and hear the "Report of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC on the Work of Proposals Since the Third Session of the 14th CPPCC."

DownDetector, a network monitoring website, reports user complaints that social media platform “X” is experiencing issues.

January 24th - The market is widely focused on when the window for reserve requirement ratio (RRR) and interest rate cuts will open. Ming Ming, chief economist at CITIC Securities, stated that based on past experience, a reduction in the relending rate opens up corresponding room for overall interest rate cuts. With a large number of fixed deposits maturing in the first quarter, the pressure on bank interest rate spreads is easing, and the timing of a policy rate cut is expected in the second quarter. "A RRR cut is expected to be implemented in the first quarter, but a comprehensive interest rate cut still needs to wait," analyzed a research report from Galaxy Securities. The report suggests that with fiscal policy taking the lead and monetary policy actively cooperating with fiscal policy, a 50 basis point RRR cut is likely to be implemented. A comprehensive interest rate cut still needs to wait for the right opportunity; it is expected that there will be one to two interest rate cuts throughout the year, totaling a reduction of 10 to 20 basis points in the policy rate, thereby guiding the LPR (Loan Prime Rate) downward, which will then be transmitted to further reduce loan and deposit rates.

On January 24th, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on the 23rd that US President Donald Trump's remarks about NATO allies not being on the front lines in the Afghan war were "insulting and shocking," and that Trump should apologize. In an interview in Davos, Switzerland, Trump claimed that the US "never needed" NATO, and that NATO allies "would say they sent troops to Afghanistan…they did, but in a slightly back position, a bit off the front lines." Starmer said Trump's remarks deeply hurt the families of British casualties, adding, "If I had said those things, I would certainly apologize." Earlier that day, the British Prime Minister's office issued a statement saying that British troops have been fighting alongside US troops, and that Trump "wrongly" downplayed the role of NATO forces, including British troops, in the Afghan war.

January 24 - According to the China Coast Guard, on January 23, the China Coast Guard continued its search and rescue operation for crew members of a capsized foreign cargo ship near Huangyan Island. As of now, four crew members remain missing. The China Coast Guard vessels Dongsha and Sanmen, together with the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 9701, which arrived at the scene that evening, are conducting search and rescue operations in designated areas.

On January 24th, Xiaomi Group announced its plan to repurchase no more than HK$2.5 billion worth of its Class B ordinary shares, with the repurchase program officially commencing on January 23rd. Since 2026, major Hong Kong stock market indices have generally maintained a volatile but upward trend, with repurchase amounts exceeding HK$11 billion. Industry leaders have maintained their repurchase pace and intensity; Tencent Holdings, for example, has repurchased over HK$6 billion this year. However, according to statistics, only 108 Hong Kong-listed companies have joined the repurchase program this year, a decrease from 121 in the same period last year, with a more significant reduction in the repurchase amount.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 285.30 points, or 0.58%, at 49,098.71 on Friday, January 23; the S&P 500 rose 2.26 points, or 0.03%, to 6,915.61 on Friday, January 23; and the Nasdaq Composite rose 65.22 points, or 0.28%, to 23,501.24 on Friday, January 23.

Ukrainian President Zelensky: It is too early to draw conclusions based on today's discussions.

Sources say that protests by contractors have disrupted access roads to the Escondida and Saldivar copper mines in Chile.

On January 24th, according to foreign media reports, a core group of political parties in the European Union is demanding that EU banking and market regulators, while fulfilling their supervisory responsibilities in the financial sector, should take into account the EU's declining industrial competitiveness. This call comes as the EU is undertaking a comprehensive revision of its financial regulatory framework. A document shows that the European People's Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament and a center-right bloc, stated that "to help the EU achieve its broader economic growth goals," the scope of responsibilities for regulators should be broadened to explicitly include competitiveness as a consideration. These requirements would apply to all institutions responsible for supervising the EU's banking, securities, and insurance sectors. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by German Chancellor Merz, has also joined the call for reduced regulatory burdens. Merz stated frankly in a meeting with banking officials last year that current EU financial regulations are "too stringent."

January 24th - According to foreign media reports, the Mexican government is reassessing its decision to continue oil shipments to Cuba due to rising concerns about potential US retaliation or increased diplomatic pressure. The government of Mexican President Sinbaum believes that continuing fuel supplies to Cuba could trigger retaliatory measures or diplomatic pressure from the United States. Cuba faced severe energy shortages and frequent power outages after Venezuelan crude oil exports to Cuba were disrupted. Subsequently, Mexico became one of Cuba's major oil suppliers, which the Mexican government describes as humanitarian aid and says is in line with long-standing bilateral agreements. Although the specific scale of shipments is not transparent, these supplies have significantly improved Cuba's ability to obtain fuel.

Sources say the talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi have ended.

Iran’s international internet service will be fully restored within the next 24 hours.

Delta Air Lines: Flights to and from the Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, Nashville, and Raleigh-Durham areas are expected to be canceled. Further schedule adjustments for Atlanta and the Northeast are expected tomorrow morning.

On January 24th, local time, delegations from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine began negotiations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on the 23rd. The first round of talks was held behind closed doors and not open to the media. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in his evening video address on the 23rd that the three delegations were in talks, with the Ukrainian delegation providing him with updates almost hourly. Zelenskyy pointed out that this trilateral meeting was very important because such a format of trilateral talks had not been seen for a long time. Zelenskyy stated that the current focus of the negotiations was on the specific conditions for ending the conflict. He indicated that Ukraine's position was clear, and he had already established a framework for dialogue for the delegations.