Author: Amanda Martinez

The Bitcoin price plunge has resulted in the largest forced liquidation in cryptocurrency history. Concerns about a potential tariff war initiated by the United States have led to a significant drop in virtual asset prices. According to Coinglass, a cryptocurrency data analysis firm, 742,778 individuals were liquidated in the virtual asset derivatives market, resulting in losses of $2.26 billion over the past 24 hours. This surpasses the previous maximum liquidation during the FTX incident, which was around 1.6 billion. The liquidation scale for “long positions” betting on a price increase was $1.89 billion, while the liquidation scale for “short positions”…

The Rafah border crossing reopens, allowing injured Palestinians to enter Egypt after Hamas freed three Israeli hostages under a ceasefire deal. Israeli forces had closed the crossing for nine months before reopening it on Saturday, enabling medical evacuations. Ambulances transported wounded Palestinians, including children, through Rafah, marking the first regulator evacuation since May 2024. Officials expect at least 50 critically ill children to cross into Egypt for urgent medical care. Buses collected sick and injured individuals from Gaza hospitals before reaching Rafah, which has long been a crucial exit point for Palestinians. Israeli and Hamas negotiators plan to discuss the…

For the second day in a row, a Barclays client could not complete necessary activities due to a banking outage that started on Friday. The outage affected payments, transfers, and online banking, leaving thousands of customers upset. Many customers reported issues purchasing necessities, including baby formula and groceries, while others faced severe financial setbacks. Diane Forrest, a Barclays customer from London, said the outage prevented her from completing a house purchase. Forrest waited outside her new home for four hours with all her belongings in a removal truck but found no solution. An online business owner, Tim Horner, reported losing…

Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican president, urged Google to reconsider renaming the Gulf of Mexico, questioning the legality of Trump’s executive order. After the Gulf of Mexico renaming controversy, Sheinbaum formally requested that Google reverse its decision to display the name “Gulf of America” for U.S. users on Google Maps.  President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating the change, sparking international Gulf of Mexico renaming controversy. The Gulf, which borders the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba, has carried its name for centuries. However, Trump’s order applied only to the U.S. version of Google Maps, leaving the original name intact everywhere. Mexico…

U.S. President Donald Trump will impose 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports starting February 1st, aiming to curb illegal migration and fentanyl shipments. Trump confirmed his decision to tax imports from Canada and Mexico but has not decided whether to include oil. Speaking from the Oval Office, he emphasized that these measures address border security concerns and trade imbalances. He also hinted at additional tariffs on China due to its role in the fentanyl crisis. “We may or may not. We’re going to make that determination probably tonight,” Trump stated. He further stated that they would decide about tariffs…

On Monday, UK sanctions on Belarus officials and defense companies were imposed, aligning with Western allies in condemning Belarus’s recent elections. The sanctions target six officials, including the chairman of the Belarusian Central Election Commission, as well as three defense manufacturers.  Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian leader, extended his 31-year rule after being declared winner of the presidential election. Western governments denounced the election as neither free nor fair due to the suppression of independent media and jailing of opponent leaders. The Kremlin and Lukashenko dismissed all Western criticism. The European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Britain denounced Sunday’s election…

In Scotland, serious offenders are imposed with a severe sentence called an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR). This sentence means lifelong imprisonment or parole. The process starts with a judge setting a minimum prison term. The offender serves this term before being eligible for parole. If parole is granted, they are subjected to recall to prison if they commit new offenses or breach release terms. According to Mr. Ross “When you get an Order for Lifelong Restriction, you’re either in prison or on parole for life.” It emphasizes the sentence’s severity. In 2023/24, 18 OLRs were imposed in Scottish courts.…

Storm Éowyn’s destructive path left Northern Ireland reeling. The Education Minister confirmed 10 schools closed due to structural damage. Reports cited missing roof tiles, fallen trees, and serious structural damage. The storm’s impact was widespread, causing power outages and disruptions. To support those affected, 11 Community Assistance Centres and over 60 drop-in-centers were set up. These centers offered essential services like showers, food, and work-from-home hubs. A multi-agency response was commendable, with officials working together to restore order. O’Neill praised the effort and revealed a conversation with the UK government about seeking support. As recovery begins, emergency contacts are established.…

The DeepSeek AI challenge has shaken the tech industry. It surpasses rivals like ChatGPT to become the top-rated free app on Apple’s App Store. This sudden rise has sparked a selloff in shares in major tech companies, including Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta. DeepSeek’s success is attributed to its open-source DeepSeek-V3 model. This model was developed for under $6 million, significantly less than the billions spent by its competitors. However, others in the AI space have disputed this claim. Meanwhile, the US has restricted the sale of advanced chip technology to China. In response, Chinese Al developers have shared their work…

A trade war has erupted between the US and Colombia after Colombian President Gustavo Petro denied entry to two US military planes carrying deported migrants. In response, US President Donald Trump announced he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods coming into the US from Colombia. Petro responded quickly, announcing retaliatory tariffs of 25% on the US. He also offered his presidential plan to facilitate the “decent return” of deportees from the US. Petro emphasized that migrants are not criminals and should be treated with dignity and respect. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has vowed to carry out “mass deportations.” The president…

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has promised ambitious reforms to curb Hezbollah’s power and address corruption. The Aoun Reforms Hezbollah initiative aims to rebuild state institutions, revive the economy, and limit the group’s influence. Hezbollah launched its campaign in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, following Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel’s goal in its war against Hezbollah was to allow the return of 60,000 displaced residents and remove the group from border areas. However, it’s unclear whether the army is able and willing to curb Hezbollah’s military power. Any action against the group could spark internal violence.…

President Trump visited California on Friday to assess wildfire damage and address recovery challenges in areas devastated by recent blazes. Touring Pacific Palisades with First Lady Melania Trump, he surveyed neighborhoods leveled by fires that scorched over 37,000 acres, killed 28 people, and displaced thousands.  Trump pledged federal support but reiterated criticism of the state’s emergency management. Governor Gavin Newsom greeted Trump on the tarmac in a show of unity despite political tensions. During discussions with Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Trump expressed concerns about slow cleanup processes. Bass emphasized the need for time to clear hazardous materials,…