Monaco Journal - News from Monaco, Monte-Carlo and the world

The dollar weakened and gold hit a record high Monday as investors digested news that the US Justice Department is probing the Federal Reserve, raising fears over the central bank's independence against President Donald Trump's push for lower rates.

Iran's foreign minister said on Monday the Islamic republic is ready for both war and talks after repeated threats from US President Donald Trump to intervene militarily over a crackdown on protests that activists fear has killed hundreds.

India and Germany are looking to boost defence industry cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday after hosting Chancellor Friedrich Merz in his home state of Gujarat.

Barham Salih has known torture and the wrenching loss of exile. Four decades after his own ordeal, he has taken the helm of the UN refugee agency as it grapples with a funding shortfall and ever-rising needs.

US prosecutors have opened an inquiry threatening a "criminal indictment" against the Federal Reserve, its chairman Jerome Powell revealed Sunday, denouncing new "threats and ongoing pressure" from the administration of President Donald Trump.

Myanmar's military deliberately targeted the Rohingya minority in a bid to destroy the community, Gambia's Justice Minister Dawda Jallow told the International Court of Justice Monday at the start of a genocide hearing.

Ai, a "genius" chimpanzee who could recognise more than 100 Chinese characters and the English alphabet, has died aged 49, Japanese researchers said.

President Donald Trump said Sunday the United States would take Greenland "one way or the other," warning that Russia and China would "take over" if Washington didn't act.

Asian equities gained Monday, and precious metals set new records as investors digested news that the US Justice Department is probing the Federal Reserve, raising fears over US central bank independence.

Myanmar's main pro-military party on Monday claimed victory in the parliamentary seat of sidelined democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi in elections being derided as a ploy to prolong junta rule.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Sunday that US prosecutors have opened a probe into his comments to lawmakers and threatened an indictment, a move he said is part of President Donald Trump's pressure campaign on monetary policy decisions.

Trailblazing former world number three Milos Raonic announced his retirement from tennis on Monday, ending a career that earned him eight ATP titles.

Australia's parliament will reopen two weeks early to crack down on hate crimes and gun ownership following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, the government said Monday.

"One Battle After Another" reigned supreme at the Golden Globes on Sunday, winning best comedy, while "Hamnet" sprung a surprise by taking best drama film at the splashy Hollywood ceremony.

A Japanese research vessel on Monday began a historic voyage to attempt to dig deep-sea rare earths at a depth of 6,000 metres to curb dependence on China.

Did Myanmar commit genocide against its Rohingya Muslim minority? That's what judges at the International Court of Justice will weigh during three weeks of hearings starting Monday.

Hundreds more federal agents were heading to Minneapolis, the US homeland security chief said Sunday, brushing aside demands by the Midwestern city's Democratic leaders to leave after an immigration officer fatally shot a woman protester.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran's leadership had called him seeking "to negotiate" after he repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily if Tehran killed protesters.

After years of repression, Bangladesh's Islamist groups are mobilising ahead of February 12 elections, determined to gain a foothold in government as they sense their biggest opportunity in decades.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sparked defending champion Oklahoma City to victory on Sunday while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota's last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio.

Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk has defended her "conscious choice" to address the plight of her country during the trophy presentation of a pre-Australian Open event in Brisbane.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday his administration was working well with Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez -- and that he would be open to meeting with her.

Asian equities posted gains Monday while the dollar dipped as investors digested news that the US Justice Department subpoenaed the Federal Reserve, raising fears over US central bank independence.

A Hong Kong court began hearing sentencing arguments on Monday for pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who was convicted of national security crimes that could land him in prison for life.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Sunday that the central bank had been subpoenaed by the US Justice Department, blasting the move as part of President Donald Trump's extraordinary pressure campaign on US monetary policy decisions.

"One Battle After Another" was among the big winners at the Golden Globes on Sunday, though its star Leonardo DiCaprio missed out to Timothee Chalamet in one of the glitzy gala's most closely watched contests.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will head to Beijing on Tuesday to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, hoping for closer ties as he looks to reduce his country's dependence on the United States.

The injury-hit San Francisco 49ers sent the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles crashing out of the NFL playoffs on Sunday in a stunning wild card round upset.

Hollywood's top stars hit the red carpet on Sunday for the Golden Globes, the first major event on the road to the Oscars, and they delivered lots of old-school glamour.

After the US raid that deposed Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's leader, citizens hope the ensuing talks on selling its oil to the United States may improve their dire economic fortunes.

The Golden Globes kicked off Sunday, with "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners" expected to dominate the glitzy gala's movie awards.

Three-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev will be an underdog at the opening Grand Slam of the year, but the Russian warned he will be hard to beat in his current form.