US President Trump and French President Macron showed clear differences on Ukraine at their meeting in Washington. Trump is pushing for a quick ceasefire with Russia and wants to meet Putin. Macron is calling for a verifiable peace agreement with security guarantees. Both agreed to the deployment of European peacekeeping forces following a deal. Trump is also negotiating with Ukraine over raw materials as compensation for US arms deliveries. Zelenskyi rejects previous demands. Europe's concerns are growing in view of Trump's rapprochement with Moscow.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) dismissed 50 employees by conference call. This is seen as a harbinger of further mass redundancies in the public sector. Hundreds of thousands of jobs could follow under Elon Musk's “Department of Government Efficiency”. President Trump only wants to allow one new hire for every four departures. Procurement, data protection, communications and diversity are affected.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution drafted by the USA that demonstrates neutrality in the Ukraine war. President Trump is seeking a peaceful solution and is pursuing a more conciliatory stance towards Russia. Russia voted in favor of the resolution, while France, the UK, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia abstained. The General Assembly rejected the same resolution and instead supported a version put forward by Ukraine and Europe that emphasizes Ukraine's sovereignty. Europe's concern: Trump's mediation approach could weaken Ukraine in peace talks.
Apple is planning to invest 500 billion US dollars in the USA over the next four years. Plans include a huge AI server factory in Texas and 20,000 new research and development positions. The investment package includes purchases from US suppliers, TV and film productions for Apple TV+ and a new manufacturing academy in Michigan. The move follows a meeting between Apple CEO Tim Cook and President Donald Trump. Experts see this as a political signal to the Trump administration, which recently imposed 10% tariffs on many Apple products manufactured in China.
Following his election victory, Friedrich Merz warned of a possible deal between Trump and Russia over the heads of Europe and Ukraine. He called for more European defense capabilities. Merz's CDU/CSU won with 28.5%, while the AfD achieved a record result of 20.8%. Difficult coalition negotiations lie ahead. Merz invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Germany despite an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers his final statement in the impeachment proceedings on Tuesday. He is facing impeachment because he imposed martial law in December without a constitutional basis. Yoon is already in custody due to separate criminal proceedings. If the Constitutional Court agrees, a new election would have to be held within 60 days.
Rohan Amin from JPMorgan called on employees to show more commitment after CEO Dimon criticized the resistance to returning to the office. Dimon emphasized that the five-day-a-week office schedule was in the best interest of the bank.
Former surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec confessed to having sexually abused hundreds of children. He is accused of 299 cases of abuse over 25 years. Despite previous convictions, he continued his work. The case raises questions about the responsibility of the healthcare system. Le Scouarnec could receive up to 20 years in prison.
The leading candidates to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau focused on the threat posed by US President Donald Trump in a debate. Chrystia Freeland described Trump as the biggest threat to Canada since the Second World War and warned against his tariff threats. Mark Carney emphasized that Trump could not make Canada the 51st state and assured that he was a master of crisis management. The election of the new leader of the Liberal Party will take place on March 9.
Israel's operation in the West Bank, particularly in the Jenin refugee camp, leads to the destruction of homes and infrastructure. Thousands of Palestinians flee, while Israel declares that it will take action against militant groups. However, many Palestinians fear permanent displacement and the destruction of the camps. This is reminiscent of similar tactics in Gaza.
Asian markets fall due to the escalating technology war between the US and China. Weak US economic data raises expectations of interest rate cuts, while gold reaches almost $3,000 per ounce. Other important events include the US consumer survey and speeches by Fed officials.
Israel continues to put pressure on its enemies in the Middle East, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that victory over Hamas was possible through negotiations as well as intensive fighting. In Gaza, military readiness is being increased, while the USA is working towards an extension of the ceasefire. Israeli tanks were deployed in the West Bank for the first time in decades. The conflict has also spread to Syria, where Israel is demanding the demilitarization of certain areas.
A billion-dollar theft shocks the crypto market - criminals have stolen tokens worth $1.5 billion from the crypto exchange Bybit. The heist is considered the biggest in crypto history. The exchange's CEO tries to reassure investors. (BBC)
René Benko continued to enjoy his life of luxury even after the Signa insolvency. However, with the arrest of the fallen real estate investor, panic has now broken out in his complex foundation empire. (MM)
The debt brake dispute ultimately brought down the traffic light government - now a reform may be imminent. At least soon-to-be Chancellor Friedrich Merz is not ruling it out - and has announced talks on the subject with the SPD, the FDP and the Greens. His rationale: if he waits too long, the Left and AfD could prevent a reform of the debt brake in the newly composed Bundestag with their blocking minority. (SPG)
Elon Musk says he is discussing with President Trump a DOGE dividend for all American taxpayers While it is still a proposal, Musk and Trump are talking about an initial refund of $5,000 to every American taxpayer household, with the money to come from funds DOGE has saved from the waste of money they uncovered from USAID and other agencies.
Business operations of the insolvent energiehaus Blechinger will cease in March. All employees now lose their jobs. A wave of insolvencies is affecting more and more German companies. Another company, Energiehaus Blechinger GmbH from Wolfsburg, will cease operations for good on March 1. This means that around one hundred employees will lose their jobs. According to the insolvency administrator Justus von Buchwaldt, no investors could be found despite intensive efforts.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo has offered the United States and the European Union access to its mineral deposits in exchange for security assistance to deter Rwanda.
In a new poll in the Gaza Strip, 87% voted in favor of Hamas retaining control of Gaza.
The new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that he will make every effort to ensure that Ukraine wins the war.
- DAX: Hope after Merz election, headwind from Wall Street - mixed start to the week overall (TAG)
- Bundesbank: Has a small ray of hope for the German economy in its monthly report (BB)
- Lieferando: Parent company Delivery Hero is taken over - share jumps (MM)
- BayWa: Crisis agribusiness group sells majority stake in wind and solar subsidiary (RT)
- Brose: 1,400 jobs at supplier company under threat (SUED)
- Lots of nervousness ahead of NVIDIA figures on Wednesday (TAG)
- Wall Street: Now selling ETFs that track the private equity boom (BBG)
- Singapore: Launches $3.7bn program to boost stock market (RT)
- AI & markets: AI accelerates market reaction to Fed news (RT)
- Billion-dollar theft: Shocks crypto market (HB)
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