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Trump Urges NATO to Cut Russian Oil Imports, Pushes for Tariffs on China to End Ukraine War

President Donald Trump has called on NATO allies to immediately stop purchasing Russian oil, warning that continued imports undermine the alliance’s leverage over Moscow. In a post on his social media platform, Trump described the practice as “shocking” and claimed it weakens NATO’s bargaining power in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump proposed that all NATO members not only ban Russian oil but also impose tariffs of 50% to 100% on Chinese goods, arguing that Beijing’s economic ties with Moscow give it significant influence over Russia’s actions. He suggested these measures remain in place until Russia halts its military operations in Ukraine. The appeal comes amid heightened tensions, following recent Russian drone incursions into NATO member Poland, and as U.S. lawmakers push for tougher sanctions. While some European nations, including Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia, continue to import Russian oil, Trump insists a united economic front could bring the conflict to a swift cl...

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Wall Street’s Momentum Cools After Its Latest Record-Setting Week

 

Wall Street, fresh from its recent record highs, has taken a step back as the new trading week begins. The S&P 500 dipped by 15.99 points, representing a 0.3% decline, settling at 5,218.19 in a subdued day of trading. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a 162.26-point drop (equivalent to 0.4%) to reach 39,313.64. The Nasdaq composite also retreated, losing 44.35 points (or 0.3%) to close at 16,384.47.

This cooling momentum comes after a remarkable run for Wall Street, which had been scaling new heights. Investors are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve for any signals regarding potential interest rate cuts. The recent surge in the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen has also raised concerns, prompting speculation about market intervention. The dollar’s ascent to nearly 152 yen—a significant jump from slightly above 130 yen a year ago—has drawn attention. Meanwhile, the euro stands at $1.0818, up from $1.0810.

In Asia, shares exhibited mixed performance. Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined by 1.2%, reaching 40,414.12, as investors booked profits following the index’s recent record-breaking highs. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged up by 0.2% to 16,535.89, while China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.3%, closing at 3,056.52. The Chinese yuan (renminbi) weakened to a four-month low of 7.2282 against the U.S. dollar. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 bucked the trend, rising by 0.5% to 7,811.90. South Korea’s Kospi experienced a slight decline, losing 0.2% to settle at 2,743.04.

As the week unfolds, investors remain watchful for further cues from the Federal Reserve and potential market developments. Wall Street’s recent retreat serves as a reminder that even record-setting rallies can encounter moments of moderation.

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