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Rights groups claim that Indonesian government critics have received a Molotov Cocktail and dead chickens.
Rights campaigners warned on Friday that the threat to freedom of expression in Southeast Asia is growing. A Molotov Cocktail was thrown into the home of a?government? critic from Indonesia, and other people received intimidating messages. Campaigners have recently criticized the government's response to severe floods in northern Sumatra province that occurred in November and killed over 1,000 people. Acts of intimidation are "an attack on democratic values" The acts of intimidation "constitute an attack on democratic values" The Jakarta Police nor the Indonesian Presidential Office responded to requests for comment immediately. Indonesian President Prabowo Subito has said repeatedly that criticism is permitted, but must be constructive. MOLOTOV COCKTAIL FAILS to Erupt Ramond Donny Adam, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and a popular social media personality, revealed on Friday that a Molotov Cocktail was sent to his house early on December 31, Adam, also known as DJ Donny said that the bomb did not explode. However, the attack occurred two days after Adam received a printed image of his face, with a red mark on his neck and another note stating, "You'll end up like this bird...Don't mess around". "I've reported these two incidents to police, and the government should reveal who is behind it," said Donny. Donny has over a million Instagram followers and frequently posts messages critical of the government. The incident was not clear. Greenpeace Indonesia's Leonard Simanjuntak stated that a dead bird was found on the 30th of December in front of the home of a Greenpeace activist with a note attached to its leg reading, "Watch what you say if want to protect your family. Your mouth is your weapon." Simanjuntak believed the intimidation was connected?to Greenpeace’s criticism of the government policies around the Sumatra flooding and landslides. Greenpeace has criticised the government’s forestry management. This includes the issuance mining and palm oil plantation permits, which some critics claim have caused widespread deforestation. Influencer Sherly Annvita posted on her Instagram that her car had been spray-painted and rotten egg were thrown in her house. Annavita has over two million followers and recently wrote posts criticizing Jakarta's response to the Sumatra flooding. (Reporting and editing by Gayatri Sroyo, Sharon Singleton, and Ananda Teresia)
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Maduro extends olive branch to US and suggests serious talks
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro extended an olive branch towards U.S. president Donald Trump by proposing serious discussions on fighting drug?trafficking, and offering U.S. firms ready access to Venezuelan crude oil. Maduro called Venezuela a "brother" country and friendly government to the United States. He noted that, when they last spoke in November the U.S. President acknowledged his authority and addressed him as "Mr. President." An interview with the long-time Venezuelan leader was filmed New Year's Eve, and aired by Venezuelan state TV in the evening of New Year's Day. Maduro, his interviewer and the journalist walked through a militarized area of Caracas in the broadcast. Maduro then takes the wheel with a journalist sitting in the front and Cilia Flores at the rear. Commentators interpret this as a show of confidence in the face of fears of an American strike. These comments show a change in Maduro’s attitude towards the United States, since the latter began a massive military buildup on the southern Caribbean. Trump accused Maduro, the "illegitimate", of running a drug-state and has threatened to remove him. Maduro denies any links with crime, and claims that the U.S. wants to remove him from power to seize Venezuela's oil reserves and rare-earth mineral deposits. Maduro said at an event held shortly before Christmas that Trump should focus on domestic issues. "Honestly, if we speak again, I'll tell him to?attend to his internal affairs. Maduro said in his latest remarks: "To the American people, I repeat what I've always said. Venezuela is a friend country...a friendly government. "We need to start speaking seriously with facts at hand. We have told our interlocutors that the U.S. Government is ready to talk seriously about this 'agreement' to combat drug trafficking. If they want Venezuelan oil, Venezuela will accept U.S. investment, like Chevron's, whenever, wherever and however they choose. (Reporting and writing by Aislinn laing, Emma Pinedo added reporting, editing by Ros Russell).
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European stocks soar again, precious metals continue their sparkling rally
Investors braced themselves for the year 2026, which would test the AI-led rally and usher in more government spending, as well as more turmoil under Donald Trump's presidential term. The blue-chip London FTSE 100 index?index?hit 10,000 points for the first time for the first Friday. Meanwhile, the pan-European STOXX 600 Index hit another peak on its way to its third consecutive week advance. STOXX Index finished 2025 at its highest level since 2021, thanks to falling interest rates, Germany’s fiscal boost and a rotation away from lofty U.S. technology names. Asia saw Hong Kong stock prices start 2026 with a 1 1/2 month high. Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore also hit record highs. Japan and China closed their markets. The precious metals continued their explosive rally of last year. Spot gold rose 1.6% to $4384 per ounce and spot silver increased 4.3% to $74.37 an ounce. The 2025 gold price increase was the largest in 46 years. Silver and platinum also saw their biggest gains ever. This was due to a combination of factors, including Fed rate cuts, geopolitical tensions, central bank purchases, and ETF flows. Vishnu Varathan of Mizuho, head of Asia ex-Japan macro research, said that the rally was also a "hedge against entrenching USD debasement risks." S&P futures increased by 0.6% while Nasdaq's futures gained 1%. Stocks grew strongly in 2025, as the markets weathered an entire year of tariff wars, longest government shutdown in U.S. History, geopolitical strife, and threats to central banks' independence. Saira Malik is the chief investment officer of Nuveen. She said that "the 2025 U.S. Equity Market rally has been fueled by AI euphoria and robust corporate earnings. Share buybacks have also been strong." Investors should expect to see more volatility in the equity markets in 2019. Eyes on the FED Investors will be focusing on the U.S. economic strength and the Fed policy direction this year. In the next few days, a slew economic data that was delayed by the U.S. shutdown will be released. This could determine how far the Fed can cut rates. The traders have priced in a 15% probability that the U.S. Central Bank will cut rates this month. They expect two additional cuts this year. Sterling gave up its early gains and remained steady at $1.3456, while the dollar was unchanged. The euro fell very slightly to $1.1735. The yen also remained steady at 156.79 dollars, which is not far off the levels that made investors nervous about possible intervention by Japanese authorities to shore-up the ailing currency. The Fed is expected to ease further this year, even as its peers are set to increase, and that has dragged down the dollar. In 2025, the dollar saw its largest annual decline in eight years. Trump's chaotic policies on trade and concerns about Fed independence have also impacted the greenback. This issue will be brought to the forefront this year when the U.S. President announces the replacement of Chair Jerome Powell later this month. Oil prices fell a little on Friday, after their largest annual loss since 2020. Brent crude futures fell by 0.3% to $60.62 a barrel while U.S. Crude dropped 0.4% to $57.20 per barrel.
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Coal India auctions coal to buyers in Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan
Coal India, a state-owned miner, opened its eAuctions on Friday to foreign buyers from neighboring countries Bangladesh and Bhutan as well as?Nepal due to a drop in the local demand for electricity. Coal India shares are trading at their highest level in over a year, up more than 6 percent. Before the announcement, they were up 4.5%. India's coal-based energy generation has decreased in seven out of the last 12 months as renewables have increased. Coal India's?consumer supplies fell 2.2% year-on-year between April and December. New Delhi has approved the export of excess coal from power plants. India's neighboring countries bought coal via traders. According to data from the coal trading company I-Energy Natural Resources, India exported approximately 1.54 million tons of coal in the year through November. This coal was mainly shipped to Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. "Tepid domestic demand this year has affected coal e-auction prices for Coal India, so this step to level the field for foreign buyers will help the company boost margins and reverse its trend of lower offtake volume," said Rupesh Sankhe, an analyst at Elara Securities. Vasudev Pamanani, Director at I-Energy Natural Resources, stated that the countries had been purchasing Coal India through traders. He said that participating in auctions will not increase the volume but replace this demand. Pamnani said that India's inland?logistics costs and port costs are less competitive than Indonesia. Indonesia supplies Bangladesh at lower prices and with a better infrastructure. Reporting by Hritam?Mukherjee from Bengaluru, and Sethuraman NR from New Delhi. Editing by Mrigank?Dhaniwala.
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Vale Indonesia suspends mining operations due to delayed approval of 2026 output plan
Nickel miner PT Vale Indonesia Tbk announced on Friday that it would suspend?mining operations in Southeast Asia's biggest economy due...to delays in approving...its annual....production plan. The government sets output quotas in the resource-rich Indonesia. All miners are required to submit a production plan known as RKAB for official approval. Prices rose as investors anticipated a lower nickel production quota for Indonesia, the world's largest nickel producer. Soaring towards the end last year Vale stated that it would not be able to carry out mining operations unless the RKAB approved them. The company believes this delay won't disrupt overall operational sustainability, and expects to receive the RKAB approval for 2026 in the near term. When asked about the total 2026 RKAB issue for nickel, Yuliot Tanjung, the deputy mining minister told reporters that the approval is "currently being consolidated" and refused to provide an indication of the actual?quota. Mining Minister Bahlil?Tanjung said last week that the government will 'cut mining output quotas in order to support prices. Yuliot stated on Friday that the quota would be adjusted in order to meet demand by?domestic melters. Indonesia's Nickel Smelter Association FINI forecasts that the demand will reach?around 340 to 350 million metric tonnes in 2026. This represents a 50 million ton increase per year.
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Britain's FTSE-100 Index reaches 10,000 for the first time
London's blue chip FTSE 100 index reached the'symbolic 10,000 point marker for the first - time on Friday. This is the newest sign of the soaring stock markets across the globe. The S&P 500 and the STOXX 600 in Europe both outperformed the British benchmark by nearly 22 percent in 2025. The gains are largely due to a 'rally in Artificial Intelligence', which has boosted stocks around the world. However, British stock markets have a limited exposure to this sector. In 2025, the biggest winners will be miners like Fresnillo who are boosted by rising precious metals prices. Also, defense firms like Babcock and Rolls Royce, as Europe increases its defence spending. And banks such as Lloyds, who benefit from still high interest rates and decent economic growth. The FTSE, weighted-heavily towards internationally-focused companies, ?has also outperformed the domestically-focussed mid-cap FTSE 250. The latter rose by roughly 9% between 2025 and 2050. Blue-chip index still lags behind other markets like Japan, Hong Kong, Spain, and Italy. The landmark could boost sentiment towards UK markets that have been battered by political instabilities, post-Brexit uncertainties and concerns about high debt. (Reporting and editing by Dhara Raasinghe; Alun John)
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Hong Kong arrests 21, for corruption, in crackdown on building renovation
Hong Kong's anti graft agency announced on Friday that 21 people were arrested on suspicion of corruption relating to renovations at two residential estates. Hong Kong has intensified a 'crackdown on corruption related to building renovations after a fire in November which destroyed seven high-rise buildings and killed over 160 people. John Lee, Hong Kong's leader, set up an independent panel last month to investigate the fire, the construction industry and determine if there was any bid-rigging. In a press release, the Independent Commission Against Corruption said it had conducted enforcement operations against a triad corruption syndicate involved in building renovation. The?agency said that the 21 arrested included middlemen and project consultants as well as members of the Owners' Corporation of two housing estates. The contractor was suspected of bribing a project consultant and members of the owners corporation in order to get a contract worth HK$33m ($4.24m). In the other case, middlemen allegedly collected "corruptly" instruments of proxy or authorisation tickets (or authorization tickets) from homeowners in order to manipulate votes and win renovation contracts. The report did not go into detail. Building maintenance involves many stakeholders and is closely linked to the public. "The ICAC has always placed great emphasis on corruption in building maintenance", the statement stated. The ICAC's statement said that the two estates targeted by the operation last week were located in Kwun Tong, in eastern Kowloon. They are not connected to Wang Fuk court, the site of the fire on November 26. In a corruption investigation into renovations at Wang Fuk Court, the ICAC arrested 11 people. Residents were angry at the fire, which took two days to put out. Authorities claim that substandard materials used to renovate the high-rise buildings sparked the fire.
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After a stellar 2025, precious metals are kicking off the new year higher.
The precious metals market started the New Year with a bang on Friday. They resumed their rally after achieving unprecedented gains in 2025. Geopolitical tensions, and the hope of lower interest rates for this year, kept demand high. As of 0724 GMT spot gold rose 1.4%, to $4,372.35 an ounce. It had previously reached a record-high of $4,549.71 per ounce on December 26. On Wednesday, it fell to its lowest level in two weeks. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery gained 1% to $4,384.80/oz. Tim Waterer is the chief market analyst for KCM Trade. He said that precious metals will begin 2026 with a similar momentum as they did in 2025. Bullion's rally was spectacular in 2025. It ended the year with gains of 64 percent, its highest since 1979. The rally in gold last year was fueled by interest rate cuts, speculations about further easing from the U.S. Federal Reserve and geopolitical conflict. Central banks also increased their demand, while holdings of exchange-traded fund rose. This week, gold prices in India and China were higher than usual for the first two months, after a correction off of all-time highs lifted retail demand that had been impacted by a price surge unprecedented in history. Investors expect that the Fed will cut rates at least twice this year, despite the soft U.S. unemployment data. In low-interest rate environments, non-yielding investments tend to perform well. "Precious Metals seem to be making up for the selling that occurred earlier in the week. Waterer stated that the pressures of year-end position-squaring have ceased and that gold is now kicking off its 2026 gains with gains. Silver spot rose by 3.6% to $73.79 an ounce after reaching a record high of $83.62 per ounce on Monday. Silver surged 147% in the last year, outpacing gold. It was its best-ever year. Metals have reached multiple milestones for the first time. This is due to its status as a vital U.S. Mineral, low inventories and supply constraints, and a rise in industrial and investment demand. After reaching a record high of $2478.50 per ounce on Monday, spot platinum rose 2.5% to $2,104.10 an ounce. In 2025 it also recorded its biggest annual gain, with a 127% increase. Palladium prices rose by 2.4%, to $1,641.92 an ounce. This is the highest level in 15 years. (Reporting and editing by Rashmi aich and Subhranshu Sahu; Ishaan arora)
Oil edges higher after biggest annual loss since 2020
Oil prices rose marginally on the first trading day in 2026, after registering their largest annual loss since 2010. This was due to Ukrainian drones targeting Russian oil facilities and a U.S. trade blockade that impacted Venezuelan exports.
Brent crude futures rose 22 cents Friday to $61.07 per barrel at 0833 GMT, while U.S. West Texas intermediate crude rose 22cents to $57.64.
On New Year's Day, Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations of attacks against civilians despite the talks that were overseen by U.S. president Donald Trump. The talks are meant to bring an end to a nearly four-year war.
Kyiv has intensified its strikes on Russian energy infrastructure over the past few months in an effort to cut off Moscow’s funding sources for its military campaign?in Ukraine.
The Trump administration continued its efforts to increase pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with the imposition of Wednesday sanctions on four companies and associated oil tankers that it claimed were operating in Venezuela’s oil sector.
Flights were halted on Thursday at Aden airport, escalating a conflict between OPEC producers Saudi Arabia & the United Arab Emirates over Yemen. The virtual meeting?between OPEC+, the group that includes the Organization?of Petroleum Exporting countries and its allies was held on January 4th.
Sparta Commodities analyst June Goh said that traders expect OPEC+ will continue to pause its output increase in the first quarter.
She said that 2026 would be a crucial year for assessing OPEC+'s decisions to balance supply. China, she added, would continue building crude stocks in the first half of the year, which will provide a floor for oil price.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium that delivers oil to?Kazakhstan has announced this week that it has suspended oil exports at its Black Sea terminal due to bad weather.
UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said, "The CPC's export terminal disruptions have a negative impact on Kazakh exports and production."
2025 LOSSES
Brent and WTI benchmarks experienced annual losses of almost 20% in 2025. This was the highest since 2020. Geopolitical risk outweighed concerns about oversupply. Brent lost money for the third consecutive year, which is the longest streak in history.
Suvro Sarkar, DBS's energy analyst, said: "As it stands, we are expecting (Brent) crude oil prices to be fairly dull this year, with a range of $60-65 per barrel."
The first quarter of the year will be weak from a fundamental standpoint. The oil market is not likely to be affected by a renewed geopolitical tension. It is just a temporary blip.
Priyanka sachdeva, an analyst at Phillip Nova, said that the lack of price movement reflected a struggle in which short-term geopolitical risk was battling with longer-term fundamentals that pointed to oversupply. In a note to clients, she said that WTI prices were skewed toward a range between $55 and $65 per barrel during the first quarter. (Reporting and editing by Stephanie Kelly, Florence Tan)
(source: Reuters)