Category: Flash News

On February 8th, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) held a joint ministerial meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to discuss the security situation in eastern Congo. Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, welcomed the convening of the joint meeting, believing that it was an important step taken by member states in the spirit of unity and cooperation to seek a lasting solution to the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Secretary General of the East African Community, Ndua, reiterated the community’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to achieve lasting peace in eastern Congo, emphasizing that peace and security remain the top priority for the East African Community and the entire Africa.

On February 8th, US President Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on February 7th local time. After the meeting, the leaders of the two countries held a joint press conference. Trump stated that the United States will work closely with Japan. Trump said that Japan will soon start importing new liquefied natural gas from the United States. In addition, Trump stated that Nippon Steel is considering significant investments in American steel companies.

On February 8, the News Bureau of the Presidential Palace of Türkiye announced on February 7 local time that President Erdogan of Türkiye had a telephone conversation with President Makron of France on the same day to discuss Turkish French relations, regional and global issues. Erdogan said that the EU’s relaxation of sanctions on Syria is a “very appropriate measure” and emphasized that these sanctions should be fully lifted in the new stage. He reiterated that Türkiye will continue to support Syria and provide continuous assistance to Syria.

On February 8, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement on February 7 local time, pointing out that the number of civilian deaths in Sudan continued to rise. From January 31 to February 5, according to the records of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 275 civilians in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, Northern Darfur, Southern Darfur, Northern Kordofan and Southern Kordofan were killed by shelling, air strikes and drone attacks. This data is three times the number of civilian deaths recorded in the previous week.

On February 8th, US President Trump stated that he expects to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky next week and “may” have a dialogue with Russian President Putin. Trump said that he hoped to discuss the financial and military support provided by the United States to Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and would ask Zelensky to ensure the security of all assets. (CCTV News)

On February 8th, according to the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Brent crude oil speculators reduced their net long position by 17981 lots to 289723 lots in the week ending February 4th; Fuel oil speculators reduced their net long position by 14018 lots to 4599 lots in the week ending February 4th.

On February 8th, Salama Maarouf, the head of the media office of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), stated on February 7th local time that the Israeli military is preventing heavy machinery and equipment used for clearing debris from entering the Gaza Strip. Maruf stated that over 12000 bodies of the deceased are expected to be buried under the rubble in the Gaza Strip, and Israel’s measures will undoubtedly affect the search for bodies. Israel has not yet responded to this.

On February 8th, officials from the New York State government announced on February 7th that live poultry markets in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County will be closed for a week after 7 cases of avian influenza were found in live poultry markets in Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens. It is reported that the order requires these markets to close after completing cleaning and disinfection procedures.

On February 8th, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced the list of three Israeli detainees who will be released on February 8th, all of whom are male. It is reported that this will be the fifth exchange of detainees between Hamas and Israel since the current ceasefire agreement came into effect. On February 1st local time, Israel and Hamas completed the fourth batch of detained personnel exchange.

On February 8th, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told US President Donald Trump during a meeting on Friday that Japanese car manufacturers Toyota and Isuzu are planning to invest in the United States. Shigeru Ishiba said that Toyota’s CEO told him that he plans to announce future investments in the United States. Shigeru Ishiba also said that Isuzu plans to invest in building factories and creating job opportunities in the United States.