1) Global stocks finished last trading day of January in a plus
Global stocks traded higher on the last day of January 2022 after a high turbulence during the month as the Fed made it clear earlier that the central bank would not hesitate to curb the inflation that rose to a 40-year high.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury’s top economist Ben Harris said that energy prices are expected to stabilize in 2022, but geopolitical instability could push prices higher.
Dow Jones closed 1.17% higher, S&P 500 gained 1.89% and Nasdaq jumped 3.41%.
As for the European markets, DAX increased 0.99%, STOXX600 gained 0.72% while FTSE closed slightly lower by 0.02%.
2) Ukraine seeks diplomatic resolution with Russia, but ready to defend
Ukraine still hopes for a diplomatic resolution with Russia, said the Ukrainian ambassador at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday. The ambassador suggested that it would be best to meet and talk rather than sending more troops to the border and intimidate Ukrainian people.
At the meeting, the ambassador also denied Russia’s claim that Ukraine is preparing to launch an attack on Russia.
“The Kremlin must remember that Ukraine is ready to defend itself. At the same time we support the need to keep diplomatic channels with Russia open,” said the ambassador.
3) Interim report of Boris Johnson’s party published on Govn’t website
The 12-page interim report of an investigation on the party that had been held at the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office during the lockdown of Covid-19 situation was published in a redacted form on the government’s website on Monday.
The investigation could potentially result in a termination of Johnson’s position. Still, the
U.K. Prime Minister has so far resisted calls from public anger to resign.
4) China designates major cities for a trial of blockchain applications
China has designated 15 pilot zones and 164 entities to carry out a trial of blockchain applications. The pilot zones include areas in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, while 164 entities, including hospitals, universities and companies such as SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., China National Offshore Oil Corp, Beijing Gas Group Co. and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. were selected for this trial.
