China's parliament opens with confidence about the economy despite tariffs, headwinds

Three heli-skiers are feared dead after being caught in a massive avalanche in Alaska's Chugach mountains, with officials believing they are buried in up to 100ft of snow. The skiers, who were on a guided trip, have not yet been identified, and no bodies have been recovered. Rescue efforts were hampered by the depth of the snow and the risk of further avalanches due to incoming storms. Full Article

Japanese government bond yields surged on Thursday, with the 10-year JGB yield reaching its highest level since June 2009, as global bond sell-off pressure was cited by experts. The 10-year JGB yield rose by nearly 8 basis points to surpass 1.5%, while the 30-year bond yield increased by 13 basis points to breach the 2.5% mark for the first time since 2008. Masahiko Loo, a senior fixed income strategist at State Street Global Advisors, noted...

Tech lobby group techUK claims they were granted an extension to the deadline for the Government’s AI copyright consultation, despite the Government denying any exceptions. This has caused outrage among creatives who fear Silicon Valley is receiving preferential treatment. The consultation, which opened last December, favors a response that allows tech firms a copyright exception unless creators 'opt out'. The creative industry, worth £126 billion, has joined a campaign against this proposal. The Government insists...

Protesters in Athens clashed with police, launching gasoline bombs and fireworks outside the parliament in renewed calls for accountability following a 2023 rail disaster that killed 57 people. The clashes occurred after opposition parties challenged the government with a no-confidence motion, sparked by a general strike and mass protests marking the tragedy's anniversary. Despite the motion, Prime Minister Mitsotakis dismissed it as a political stunt and stated that it poses no threat to his government,...

Hunter Biden's legal team filed a motion to drop his lawsuit against ex-White House aide Garrett Ziegler due to financial issues, citing a significant decrease in income and millions of dollars in debt. Biden, who experienced personal setbacks including being a victim of wildfires in Los Angeles, mentioned difficulties finding a new home and job. Despite earning nearly $1.5 million from selling artwork, Biden's income has decreased, impacting his ability to pay off debt and...

FIFA World Cup will introduce a halftime show for the 2026 final game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, following the footsteps of the Super Bowl. President Gianni Infantino confirmed the news on Instagram, stating it would be a historic moment for the event. Coldplay's Chris Martin and Phil Harvey will assist in selecting performers. The halftime show will likely generate buzz on a global scale, as seen in recent Super Bowl performances. Full Article