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Ceasefire Wavers as U.S. Seizes Iranian Ship and Tehran Rejects New Talks

U.S. Navy intercepts an Iranian cargo vessel in the Arabian Sea, escalating tensions and putting the fragile ceasefire at risk. A fragile U.S.–Iran ceasefire is under renewed strain after the U.S. Navy seized an Iranian‑flagged cargo ship in the Arabian Sea, prompting Tehran to reject participation in new peace talks and warn of retaliation.  Iranian officials accused Washington of “armed piracy” after U.S. Marines boarded and disabled the vessel following a six‑hour standoff. Tehran said the ship had been traveling from China and insisted its “defensive capabilities,” including its missile program, were not up for negotiation.  The U.S. had hoped to restart negotiations in Pakistan before the two‑week ceasefire expires, but Iran’s foreign ministry said Washington was “not serious” about diplomacy and was insisting on “unreasonable and unrealistic positions.” Pakistani mediators also warned that the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains a major obstacle to progress....

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China’s Central Bank Cuts Reserve Requirement Ratio for Banks to Boost Slowing Economy

 

China’s central bank has announced a cut in the reserve requirement ratio for banks to help boost the slowing economy. The move is expected to provide 1 trillion yuan ($141 billion) in long-term liquidity to the market. The deposit reserve requirement will be cut by 0.5 percentage points as of February 5th, 2024. 

The decision comes as the world’s second-largest economy faces multiple challenges, including a faltering recovery from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The central bank’s moves appear to be part of a concerted effort to stabilize the markets and instill greater confidence in the outlook for the economy.


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