Short-sellers are sitting on estimated losses of $70.87 billion from their short positions in U.S. companies so far this year, data from financial data analytics firm Ortex showed on Thursday.

The hefty losses come as shares of highly-shorted GameStop jumped more than 1,000% in the past week without a clear business reason, forcing short-sellers to buy back into the stock to cover potential losses — defined as a short-squeeze — while retail investors then piled in to benefit from the surge. Source Reuters

China toughened its language towards Taiwan on Thursday, warning after recent stepped up military activities near the island that “independence means war” and that its armed forces were acting in response to provocation and foreign interference. Source Reuters

But, consulted by an internal survey organized via the Pronote site, 100% of teachers, 89% of parents and 69% of students opposed the mayor’s project. Sandra Olivier, math teacher and SNES representative, speaks on behalf of the teachers: “Obviously we want to pay tribute to our colleague, but not like that.

The teacher continues: “It makes us targets when we don’t need them. It’s taking a risk that can be avoided. Then, it’s a bit of a shame to have a name that doesn’t. link with our town. Source France Blue

A federal judge in Texas on Tuesday temporarily blocked a move by new U.S. President Joe Biden to halt the deportation of many immigrants for a 100-day period, a swift legal setback for his ambitious immigration agenda. Source Reuters

The United States could face a heightened threat of domestic extremist violence for weeks from people angry at Donald Trump’s election defeat and inspired by the deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol, the Department of Homeland Security warned on Wednesday. Source Reuters

Chinese military exercises near Taiwan are a “solemn warning to external forces”, Beijing said Wednesday, after the new US government expressed strong support for the self-ruled island. Source Bangkok Post

Egypt will not compromise or bow down to threats regarding its interests in the River Nile or its water rights, the country’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has said.

During his speech before the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, Shoukry added that Ethiopia has unilaterally started the filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Source Daily News