Top U.S., Russian diplomats meet on improving ties, ending Ukraine war

Senior officials from the U.S. and Russia meet in Saudi Arabia on improving ties and ending the war in Ukraine - but Ukraine isn't invited.

Source: CBS News

FirstFT: US and Russia to hold talks to end Ukraine war

Also in today’s newsletter, OpenAI considers ways to fend off hostile bids; Deutsche’s hiring spree

Source: Financial Times

'Gaza is uninhabitable': Palestinians decry complete destruction of enclave

Gaza has become a place of complete destruction and desolation after over a year of war between Israel and Hamas. Few places in the enclave are still inhabitable and residents …

Source: France 24

US and Russia hold talks to end war in Ukraine

Also in today’s newsletter, gold is the new ‘Trump trade’

Source: Financial Times

Hamas says it will hand over bodies of Bibas family and free six hostages

Remains of Shiri Bibas and young sons Kfir and Ariel, whose deaths had not been confirmed, to be returned on Thursday

Hamas has said it will release six hostages from …

Source: The Guardian

Is the US suffering from seasonal inflation disorder?

January’s bad data needs further scrutiny; plus, Bessent’s bet bombs

Source: Financial Times

Trump’s tariffs present fresh headache for India’s slowing economy

India, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, is facing a slowdown in a sign of deeper problems.

Source: Al Jazeera

Hamas to hand over 4 Israeli hostages' bodies Thursday and 6 living hostages Saturday

Hamas says it has agreed to Israel's request to speed up release of Israeli hostages, including two men held around a decade. The bodies of members of a young family …

Source: NPR

‘Dream in the making’ for Putin: US-Russia talks begin in Saudi Arabia

Top US and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for talks on improving ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. This is a “dream in …

Source: France 24

UK wage growth accelerates in final quarter of 2024

Average weekly earnings rise 5.9% as Bank of England weighs when to next cut interest rates

Source: Financial Times

Zelenskyy demands Ukraine involvement after US-Russia talks on war

Ukrainian president says no decision on how to end Russia's war on his country can be made without consulting Kyiv.

Source: Al Jazeera

‘We must avoid a chilling effect’: the CMA chief on the UK’s pro-growth shift

Sarah Cardell says role of competition regulator remains the same but it must be wary of perceptions

Signs by the lifts in the Canary Wharf headquarters of the Competition and …

Source: The Guardian