President Donald Trump has announced a controversial plan for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip and spearhead its economic redevelopment.
This marks a complete departure from longstanding US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference on Tuesday, Trump outlined his vision for the region, describing Gaza as a “demolition site” that requires reconstruction after months of violent conflict.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too.” –President Donald J. Trump
He proposed relocating Gaza’s population to neighboring countries, a move he said would allow for “thousands of jobs” to be created in the redeveloped area.
“We’re going to develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs, and it’ll be something that the entire Middle East can be very proud of,” Trump said, describing Gaza’s potential as “The Riviera of the Middle East.”
The Gaza Strip is a narrow territory spanning 41 kilometres (25 miles) in length and 10 kilometres in width, situated between Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea.
It is home to nearly 2 million people, the majority of whom are Palestinians living in refugee camps after being displaced from other parts of the region.
Trump’s plan for Gaza
Trump suggested the permanent relocation of Gaza’s more than two million residents to neighboring nations such as Jordan and Egypt, despite repeated rejections from Arab leaders.
Critics have condemned the proposal, calling it a violation of international law and akin to forced displacement.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior official with Hamas, rejected the plan outright, warning that such measures would create further instability in the region.
The proposal represents a sharp break from decades of US and international policy, which has long envisioned Gaza as part of a future Palestinian state.
Trump’s comments also raised questions about the legal and logistical challenges of a US takeover, as well as the potential for long-term military involvement in the region.
When asked about the potential for a long-term US occupation of Gaza, Trump said, “I do see a long-term ownership position.”
Netanyahu’s response to Trump’s Gaza plan
While Prime Minister Netanyahu refrained from discussing the plan in detail, he praised Trump’s willingness to challenge conventional approaches.
Netanyahu said, “I think it’s something that could change history.”
He further added, “And I think it’s really worth pursuing this avenue.”
Netanyahu’s visit to the White House coincides with the start of negotiations involving American, Israeli, and Arab representatives on the second phase of a ceasefire plan for Gaza.
The plan has shown potential to bring an end to the devastating 15-month-long conflict.
Trump’s expansionist plans
Trump’s Gaza proposal follows a series of ambitious statements since his return to office, including calls to annex Greenland, seize control of the Panama Canal, and make Canada the 51st US state.
Critics have likened his rhetoric to imperialist policies, warning that it could embolden other nations, such as Russia and China, in their territorial ambitions.
Human rights advocates and international experts have expressed alarm at the implications of Trump’s plan, pointing to the potential for further destabilization in the Middle East.
The announcement adds a layer of complexity to ongoing efforts to solidify a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
While the first phase of the agreement led to the release of hostages by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, the long-term future of the territory remains uncertain.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, indicated that talks with Qatar and other mediators were ongoing.
However, Hamas has made it clear that it intends to remain in Gaza, while Netanyahu has vowed to prevent the group from regaining power in the territory.
The post President Trump declares US plans to ‘take over’ Gaza for redevelopment, appeared first on Invezz
Advanced Micro Devices Inc (NASDAQ: AMD) is taking a hit in after-hours on Tuesday despite reporting market-beating financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter.
Investors are responding primarily to a 69% year-on-year increase in the company’s data centre sales to $3.86 billion, which fell short of $4.14 billion that analysts had forecast.
But the post-earnings weakness in AMD stock may have created an exciting opportunity for investors interested in buying and holding this AI name for the long-term, as per Rosenblatt analyst Hans Mosesmann.
AMD stock remains competitive vs Nvidia
AMD shares are worth owning after the company’s management guided for “strong double-digit percentage growth” in its top and bottom line this year.
Hans Mosesmann remains bullish on the semiconductor giant as he disagrees with the broader narrative that Advanced Micro Devices is losing momentum.
“AMD’s roadmap remains quite competitive, if not incrementally more competitive vs. Nvidia Blackwell,” he argued in a recent report, adding the “ROCm compiler technology and continued chiplet advantage helps offset the CUDA Nvidia moat.”
Other notable names that are currently bullish on AMD stock include famed investor and Mad Money host Jim Cramer who sees the chipmaker as the only one that could catch up to Nvidia.
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices are now down about 18% versus their year-to-date high.
AMD is not losing share to custom ASICs
In his research note, the Rosenblatt analyst also shrugged off concerns that custom ASICs are stealing share from GPUs.
“Nobody is shifting business away from AMD and Nvidia this year on the fly to a custom destined DC solution,” he told clients, adding the custom ASICs lack a significant foothold at the edge.
All in all, Hans Mosesmann is bullish on AMD stock because he has immense confidence in the leadership of Lisa Su and the sentiment has turned a bit too sour on AMD.
Note that Advanced Micro Devices shares are now down an alarming 50% versus their high in March of 2024.
How high could AMD shares fly in 2025?
The sell-off in AMD stock may prove to be an amazing buying opportunity considering Mosesmann is calling for upside in this AI play to $250.
His price target indicates potential for a whopping 135% gain from current levels. According to the Rosenblatt analyst’s research note:
AMD will capture double-digit DC GPU accelerated/AI compute unit share in next few years, and experience a TAM of $500 billion, which is half of the GPU gaming share of ~30% for the last generation.
Advanced Micro Devices earned $1.09 a share (adjusted) on $7.66 billion in revenue in its fiscal fourth quarter. Analysts, in comparison, were at $1.08 per share and $7.66 billion, respectively.
That said, AMD shares remain unappealing for income investors as they do not pay a dividend at writing.
The post AMD’s post-earnings decline is a bit too unfair: here’s why analyst remains strongly bullish appeared first on Invezz
Shares of Honda and Nissan climbed on Wednesday following a report that the Japanese automakers were considering calling off their high-profile merger discussions.
The Asahi Shimbun newspaper, citing sources, said the boards of both companies were preparing to formally terminate negotiations, which had been in progress since last year.
Following the report, Nissan shares rose as much as 7.4%, while Honda climbed 4.2%.
Disagreements between Honda and Nissan strain discussions
Honda and Nissan had initially framed the proposed merger as a strategic move to strengthen their position against rising competition from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers such as BYD.
However, according to sources familiar with the matter, the discussions had been increasingly strained by internal disagreements, reported Reuters.
One of the key points of contention was Honda’s proposal to make Nissan a subsidiary, a move the latter strongly opposed.
Honda, Japan’s second-largest carmaker, has a market value nearly five times greater than Nissan’s and has grown skeptical of its smaller rival’s turnaround efforts, sources said.
Nissan, which has struggled to fully recover since the 2018 scandal surrounding former Chairman Carlos Ghosn, has been particularly vulnerable to the accelerating shift to EVs.
Its operating profits fell by 90% in the first half of fiscal year 2024, while net income dropped 94% compared to the previous year.
Uncertainty over Trump Tariffs also complicate matters
The reported breakdown in merger talks comes at a time when both automakers face significant external challenges.
The global auto industry is in flux, with traditional players being forced to adapt to a new EV-driven landscape.
Additionally, uncertainty over potential tariffs from US President Donald Trump has added another layer of complexity.
Analysts note that tariffs on Mexican imports would disproportionately hurt Nissan, which has a larger manufacturing footprint in the country compared to Honda or Toyota.
Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars, said the stock price rally following the news reflects short-term relief among investors.
“But the long-term path for both automakers remains uncertain, with multiple issues for each company to address,” he told CNBC.
The future remains uncertain
Honda and Nissan had originally aimed to finalise their discussions by June, with Nissan’s strategic partner, Mitsubishi, also being invited to participate.
However, Mitsubishi had yet to make a final decision, reportedly planning to do so later this month.
Analysts believe the proposed merger stemmed from Nissan’s financial difficulties and its efforts to restructure its long-standing alliance with France’s Renault.
The company had previously announced plans to cut 9,000 jobs and reduce global production capacity by 20%.
Both Honda and Nissan declined to comment on the report.
The post Honda and Nissan’s shares climb as merger talks reportedly collapse: here’s what we know appeared first on Invezz
Global markets experienced fresh volatility this week as US President Donald Trump confirmed his plan to impose tariffs on major trading partners.
While Mexico and Canada secured a temporary 30-day reprieve after agreeing to crack down on fentanyl smuggling, China was hit with a 10% tariff.
Beijing retaliated swiftly, imposing duties of up to 15% on American goods.
Europe is also bracing for potential tariffs, with Trump stating that levies on the EU “will definitely happen.”
However, he hinted at a possible deal with the UK, describing trade relations with Britain as more balanced than with the EU.
“The UK is out of line. But I’m sure that one, I think, that one can be worked out,” Trump told reporters, adding that he was “getting along very well” with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Could Trump’s tariffs boost the struggling UK economy?
The UK economy has been struggling, with Finance Minister Rachel Reeves stating last month that she was “fighting every single day to kick start” growth.
However, according to a CNBC report, some analysts believe Trump’s tariffs could provide a much-needed boost.
If Britain avoids US tariffs while the EU faces restrictions, the country could attract more investment and trade opportunities.
The US is the UK’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 17% of total trade in the year leading up to September 2024.
Unlike other major economies facing large trade imbalances with the US, Britain’s trade relationship with America is almost evenly matched—something Trump sees as fairer than Washington’s deficit with the EU.
A shielded services economy
Despite concerns over tariffs, the impact on the UK economy could be limited.
Irina Surdu-Nardella, a professor of international business at Warwick Business School, told CNBC that Britain’s reliance on services rather than goods shields it from trade war disruptions.
“In reality, the effects on the UK market would be relatively limited to industries such as fishing and mining,” she explained.
“The service-focused nature of the UK economy shields it significantly from the consequences of tariffs.
Tariffs are particularly detrimental to industries with complex supply chains, where goods cross the border multiple times as firms seek to turn inputs into final goods.
Again, this is not the case for the UK market, which mainly exports banking and consultancy services to the US.”
The UK’s top goods exports to the US include cars, pharmaceuticals, and aircraft, valued at £25.6 billion ($31.8 billion).
However, its services exports, such as financial and insurance services, were worth £109.6 billion, dwarfing the impact of goods tariffs.
A ‘uniquely positioned’ investment hub?
Neri Karra Sillaman, of the University of Oxford’s Said Business School, suggested that avoiding tariffs could make Britain a more attractive investment destination.
“If the UK remains tariff-free, it could be uniquely positioned to attract investment, talent, and new trade partnerships,” she said.
“Sectors like luxury, fashion, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing—where the UK already excels—could see an influx of investment and trade opportunities.”
She added that the automotive, aerospace, and financial industries could also benefit from increased demand if American buyers looked beyond tariff-hit suppliers in the EU or Asia.
“We have seen these patterns before—every trade war shifts the global economic balance, and this could be a moment for the UK to capitalize on change, be an active player rather than a bystander,” Sillaman said.
Could Britain become a trade ‘safe-haven’?
Some analysts argue that the UK could emerge as a beneficiary of Trump’s trade policies, particularly if European and Asian economies face tariffs while Britain avoids them.
Alex King, a former FX trader and founder of financial platform Generation Money, noted that China previously rerouted exports through Vietnam and Thailand to avoid US tariffs.
He suggested the UK could see similar benefits.
“If the UK does avoid tariffs, it is in a potentially advantageous position to benefit from similar routing from the EU,” he said.
King also pointed to signs that the British pound could benefit from the uncertainty. Following Trump’s initial tariff confirmations, the pound strengthened against the euro, the Canadian dollar, and the Australian and New Zealand dollars.
“This suggests global investors may see the UK as a potential safe haven,” he said. “Ultimately, the UK could be one of the few major economies with relatively tariff-free access to both the US and the EU, making it—and the pound—a potential winner.”
On Tuesday, the pound pared some of its gains against the euro but continued to strengthen against the US dollar.
Is the UK the market to watch in 2025?
Dan Boardman-Weston, CEO of BRI Wealth Management, said the UK could become a key market for investors if it avoids US tariffs.
“If Trump proceeds with tariffs on other countries, it’s plausible more goods end up in the U.K. and that this depresses inflation,” he explained.
“Greater inward investment into the UK is also likely if tariffs get worse and become a more permanent feature of the global trade landscape.”
He noted that with UK interest rates likely to fall faster than US rates, British companies could become more attractive to global investors.
“When this is coupled with the relative political stability of the UK and cheap valuations, the UK is the place to be overweight for 2025,” he argued.
Trump’s tariffs may shift investor focus away from the EU
Chris Metcalfe, chief investment officer at IBOSS Asset Management, said the UK is becoming more appealing to foreign investors.
“For foreign investors, since 2016, there have been reasons to pick an EU area country over the UK, principally because it’s simply a bigger market,” he told CNBC.
But with Trump’s tariffs looming over Europe, he suggested that could change.
“Although Trump’s tariff policy can look chaotic and muddleheaded, it is hard to see a scenario where he reverses course and imposes more tariffs on the UK rather than the EU. This is undoubtedly creating a positive backdrop for attracting US companies and investment into the UK, especially given the political chaos in France and Germany.”
The post Trump’s tariff storm rattles markets, but could the UK come out ahead? appeared first on Invezz
Shares of Novo Nordisk climbed 4.5% on Wednesday after the Danish pharmaceutical giant reported a stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter net profit, driven by soaring demand for its obesity treatment, Wegovy.
However, the company warned that sales growth could slow in 2025 as competition intensifies in the weight-loss drug market.
Net profit for the fourth quarter surged 29% year-on-year to 28.23 billion Danish kroner ($3.98 billion), surpassing analyst expectations of 26.09 billion kroner.
For the full year, Novo Nordisk recorded a 21% rise in net profit to 100.99 billion kroner, again exceeding forecasts of 99.14 billion kroner.
Despite these strong results, the company revised its sales growth outlook downward, projecting a 16% to 24% increase for 2025 at constant exchange rates—below the 18% to 26% range forecast for 2024.
Novo Nordisk attributed the cautious outlook to growing competition and pricing pressures in the booming obesity and diabetes drug market.
Wegovy sales surge, but CagriSema setbacks weigh on stock
The company’s obesity drug Wegovy continued its meteoric rise, with sales surging 107% year-on-year to 19.87 billion kroner ($2.76 billion) in the fourth quarter.
However, this figure slightly missed analyst projections of 20.02 billion kroner, reflecting the ongoing supply constraints Novo Nordisk has faced in keeping up with demand.
Wegovy, along with the diabetes drug Ozempic, has transformed Novo Nordisk into Europe’s most valuable company.
However, the firm temporarily lost its top position to French luxury giant LVMH last month following disappointing results from clinical trials for its next-generation weight-loss drug, CagriSema.
CagriSema, a combination of semaglutide—the active ingredient in Wegovy—and amylin analog Cagrilintide, showed an average weight reduction of 22.7% in late-stage trials.
This fell short of the 25% target Novo Nordisk had previously projected, raising concerns about the drug’s potential to become the company’s next blockbuster obesity treatment.
Amycretin fuels investor optimism despite competitive pressure
While the CagriSema trial results dampened enthusiasm, Novo Nordisk has seen renewed investor confidence following positive early-stage results for Amycretin, another experimental obesity drug.
Amycretin, which works by mimicking the amylin hormone produced by the pancreas, has shown promise in helping patients manage weight loss.
Novo Nordisk announced on Wednesday that it would continue further studies on CagriSema in 2025, with plans to file for regulatory approval in early 2026.
The company remains confident in its long-term strategy, despite increasing competition from Eli Lilly’s rival obesity drug, Zepbound.
The broader weight-loss drug market is expected to continue growing rapidly, with analysts predicting it could reach $100 billion in annual sales by the end of the decade.
Novo Nordisk’s ability to maintain its market dominance will depend on its capacity to scale production and bring new, more effective treatments to market.
The post Novo Nordisk shares surge as Wegovy sales drive profit beat appeared first on Invezz
Brazil’s federal tax auditors have launched a strike that threatens to disrupt government revenue collection, putting the country’s fiscal stability at risk.
The National Union of Tax Auditors (Sindifisco Nacional) warns that tax settlements worth over 15 billion reais ($2.6 billion) could be delayed, dealing a blow to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration, which is relying on increased tax revenues to meet fiscal targets.
Union demands and government response
The strike, which began in late November, stems from the union’s demand for wage adjustments to account for inflation, which has surpassed 50% in recent years.
Tax auditors argue that salary increases are essential to preserving purchasing power and ensuring fair compensation.
While the government introduced a bonus plan in early 2023, raising some senior salaries to 42,700 reais ($7,355) per month, Sindifisco Nacional insists that broader wage issues remain unresolved.
Negotiations with the Management Ministry have so far failed to yield positive results, heightening tensions.
Union president Dao Real has stressed that workers must be adequately compensated amid rising living costs, despite the government’s constrained budget.
The deadlock raises the risk of prolonged disruptions in tax collection, potentially worsening Brazil’s fiscal outlook.
Strike’s impact on revenue and fiscal policy
Brazil’s tax system plays a crucial role in sustaining government operations, and the strike has already slowed revenue collection.
According to Sindifisco Nacional, 4% to 12% of tax settlements have been affected.
This disruption comes at a critical time, as the government aims to boost revenue through tax settlements.
In its 2024 budget, the government projected 31 billion reais ($5.34 billion) from tax settlements.
However, skepticism remains, as last year’s similar forecast resulted in only 5.4 billion reais ($931 million) being collected.
The ongoing strike raises doubts about whether these revenue targets can be met, potentially exacerbating fiscal imbalances.
The strike adds to Brazil’s already precarious fiscal situation, which is being shaped by external and internal pressures.
The slowdown in the domestic economy due to tight monetary policies, along with shifting US trade policies under President Donald Trump, has created additional economic headwinds.
Analysts warn that prolonged disruptions to tax collection could undermine investor confidence in Brazil’s fiscal management.
If revenue collection continues to stall, public investment could take a hit, prompting investors to seek more stable markets.
The situation also puts pressure on the government to maintain fiscal discipline while addressing growing social and economic demands.
Union leaders have signaled a willingness to return to work if a settlement is reached.
They are urging the Finance Ministry to engage in meaningful discussions with the Management Ministry to address their concerns.
“We do not want this situation to escalate further,” said Dao Real, emphasizing the need for urgent dialogue to prevent broader economic repercussions.
With negotiations ongoing, the government faces a tough balancing act: ensuring immediate tax revenue while addressing worker grievances.
A prolonged strike could have a domino effect, making it even harder for the administration to stabilize the economy in the long run.
The post Brazil’s tax agency strike threatens fiscal stability and revenue collection appeared first on Invezz
Santorini, one of Greece’s most iconic tourist destinations, is experiencing intense seismic activity, with hundreds of tremors rattling the island over the past few days.
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck east of the island on Tuesday, following a series of smaller tremors that have shaken the region.
As fears of a larger quake grow, thousands of residents and tourists have fled, seeking safety on the mainland.
Santorini on edge: growing seismic threat
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Tuesday’s 5.3-magnitude earthquake was recorded at a depth of 6.2 miles, following an earlier 4.7-magnitude tremor off Santorini’s coast.
In total, more than 550 small tremors—ranging from magnitudes of 3.0 to 4.9—have been recorded between Santorini and the nearby islands of Amorgos and Ios in the past three days.
Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP) has warned that the seismic activity could continue for days or even weeks, raising concerns about further damage or a stronger quake.
Although no injuries have been reported, authorities have urged residents to take precautions.
Mass exodus: residents and tourists flee
With uncertainty looming, more than 6,000 people have left the island in recent days, according to Greek public broadcaster ERT.
Images from Santorini’s port show long lines of people carrying luggage, waiting to board ferries to Athens and Piraeus.
The Greek government has also arranged additional flights, with 15 departures scheduled to help residents evacuate.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for calm, acknowledging the “very intense geological phenomenon” unfolding on Santorini.
Schools will remain closed until at least Friday, and officials have advised people to avoid large indoor gatherings as a safety measure.
Santorini, often called Greece’s “Instagram Island,” is famous for its whitewashed buildings and breathtaking caldera, a volcanic crater created by one of the largest known eruptions around 3,600 years ago.
While tremors are common in the region due to its location along the African and Eurasian tectonic plate boundary, such persistent seismic activity is rare.
The island’s last major earthquake, a devastating 7.5-magnitude event in 1956, killed at least 53 people and injured over 100.
While experts have not predicted a quake of that scale, the ongoing tremors are a reminder of the island’s volatile geological past.
As scientists monitor the evolving situation, the priority remains ensuring public safety.
Authorities continue to assess structural risks, while geologists analyze whether the tremors indicate a larger quake or volcanic activity.
The post Santorini earthquake 2025: Thousands flee as hundreds of tremors shake Greece’s ‘Instagram Island’ appeared first on Invezz
All 67 victims of last week’s fatal mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter have been recovered, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Rescue teams spent several days retrieving debris from the CRJ-700 aircraft, including its engine, fuselage, and other wreckage submerged in the water.
American Airlines Flight 5342 was just moments from landing at Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport when it crashed into the military helicopter, killing all 64 passengers and crew on board the jet, along with three Army personnel aboard the Black Hawk.
The disaster marks the deadliest US aviation accident since 2001 and the first major fatal passenger airline crash in nearly 16 years.
Details of the DC plane crash
The deadly mid-air collision unfolded on Wednesday night when an American Airlines regional jet, American Eagle Flight 5342, struck a US Army Black Hawk helicopter just a few kilometers from the White House, sending both aircraft into the Potomac River.
The Bombardier CRJ700, operated by PSA Airlines, had departed from Wichita with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard.
American Airlines confirmed that no one on the jet survived the crash.
The collision also claimed the lives of all three Army personnel aboard the Black Hawk.
Dramatic images from the crash site showed wreckage, including a wing and part of the fuselage, emerging from the river as recovery efforts continued.
Reacting to the tragedy, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, calling the crash “a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.”
Later, he stated he had been “fully briefed” on the incident but did not provide further details on what may have led to the disaster.
Worst US air disaster since 2009
Wednesday night’s mid-air collision marks the deadliest commercial aviation disaster in the US since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed into a home near Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 passengers and crew, along with one person on the ground.
As investigators work to uncover the cause of the tragic accident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to release its preliminary findings in the coming days.
The post DC plane crash latest: All 67 victims recovered as officials conclude search efforts appeared first on Invezz