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A Wide Angle of View
Welcome to the fourth issue of NEWS RaiVIEW — where we cut through the headlines and show you the stories that actually shape the world. From oil markets wobbling under sanctions, to high-stakes diplomacy in Asia, and hidden conflicts affecting millions, we focus on what matters and why.
This isn’t a recap you’ve seen everywhere. We provide context, challenge assumptions, and highlight the trends and power plays behind the news. A little insight, a touch of wit, and a curated view of the week — that’s the NEWS RaiVIEW promise.
If you find value here, share this issue via the link at the end. Now, let’s get to the stories that define the week.
David Eifion Williams
Editor & Founder
TOP STORY
Sanctions Meet the Cartel
The US struck at Russia’s oil firms hoping to tighten global supply, but OPEC’s plan to raise output has blunted the blow.
Washington’s sanctions against Russia dealt a blow by OPEC
Washington’s new sanctions on Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil were meant to tighten supply and signal resolve, but OPEC’s announcement to raise production immediately undercuts the impact. The tug-of-war highlights that markets respond as much to producer strategy as to US moral posturing.
Brent crude briefly spiked after the sanctions but slid below $80 a barrel once OPEC confirmed the increased output. The move is a reminder that supply can be redirected faster than sanctions can bite.
For Trump’s administration, lower prices offer political breathing room, but OPEC’s decision to increase production directly challenges the effectiveness of US sanctions. Meanwhile, traders are weighing whether the cartel’s production boost signals long-term stability or simply a strategic counterpunch to Western influence.
The sanctions serve more as a statement than a lever of control. Markets understand that producers can pivot faster than Washington can legislate.
WORLD
A Pause That Isn’t Peace
President Donald Trump’s promise of peace in Gaza seems distant as Israel receives the body of another deceased hostage.
Israel-Hamas peace plan is fragile
The recovery underscores that diplomacy remains secondary to the practical realities on the ground. Hamas cites difficulties locating the remaining 12 bodies, and the Red Cross now facilitates transfers amid tense negotiations.
The ceasefire is fragile, dependent on cooperation for even the most basic humanitarian steps. Civilians may feel a temporary lull, but the unresolved status of hostages’ remains could easily reignite conflict.
Regional mediators hail the swap as a small success, but the broader peace plan remains far from realized.
Even the return of some hostages’ remains don’t show any resolution of the conflict. Instead, they serve to highlight both Hamas’ failure to comply with the agreement and the limits of US influence.
ECONOMICS
M&A Boom Masks Global Debt
Bank profits soar as the IMF warns the world is nearing a post-war debt record.
Not all what it seems above the surface
US investment banks reported their best quarterly earnings in two years, fuelled by mega-mergers in tech and pharma. But beneath the exuberance, the IMF says public debt will soon top 100 % of global GDP. The gap between financial euphoria and fiscal gravity has rarely looked wider.
In the US’ fiscal year 2025, tariff receipts contributed significantly to a $1.78 trillion deficit, down from the previous year's $1.8 trillion. The increase in revenue reflects the administration's trade strategies and their immediate fiscal effects. Economists debate the sustainability of relying on tariffs as a primary revenue source.
September saw a record $207 billion in investment-grade corporate bond sales, surpassing expectations. The surge is driven by low borrowing costs and strong demand from institutional investors.
US firms continue aggressive acquisitions, using cheap debt to expand despite economic uncertainty. Analysts warn that fiscal overextension leaves both corporate and government sectors vulnerable.
CORRUPTION, RACKETS & DUBIOUS FINANCE
NBA Scandal: $7 Million Defrauded in Rigged Games
A federal investigation has uncovered a widespread sports betting scandal involving NBA players and organized crime syndicates. Notably, Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones are accused of providing insider information to gamblers, leading to at least $7 million in defrauded bets. The FBI arrested 35 individuals across 11 states in connection with the scheme.
Prosecutors Indict Business Leader in Alleged $15B Scam
New York federal prosecutors have indicted a business leader in connection with a massive cryptocurrency scam, alleging that the individual orchestrated a scheme that defrauded investors of approximately $15 billion. The indictment details how the accused used sophisticated tactics to deceive investors, including falsifying financial statements and manipulating market data. Authorities have seized assets linked to the fraudulent activities and are pursuing further legal actions.
Mortgage Fraud Charges Against New York AG
New York Attorney General Letitia James, a persistent critic of President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty last week to federal charges alleging false statements on mortgage documents. James, a Democrat who won a $450 million civil fraud judgment against Trump last year, is the latest of three prominent Trump opponents targeted by federal criminal cases in the past month, alongside former FBI Director James Comey and ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton. All three have denied any wrongdoing.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Strategic Shifts and Tactical Engagements
President Trump's current Asia tour underscores a multifaceted approach to US foreign policy.
Trump revisits US strategy in the Far East
In Japan, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged a “golden age” of US-Japan relations, including defense cooperation and new commercial agreements, such as purchases of American trucks. This blend of diplomacy and trade signals a hands-on approach to securing US interests.
Looking ahead, Trump’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi at the APEC Summit will cover rare earth exports, fentanyl, and soybean trade. The administration is using direct engagement to assert influence in a competitive regional landscape.
The trade deals and ceasefire interventions strengthen America’s negotiating position while highlighting weaknesses in regional multilateral frameworks. Asia’s rising powers are attentive, balancing engagement with caution.
Trump’s tour indicates that US influence in Asia now relies on personal diplomacy and economic leverage. Success will depend on converting agreements into tangible benefits, not just photo opportunities.
SOCIETY
Wars on Women
Global conflicts are now disproportionately affecting women, with nearly 676 million living within 50 km (about 31.5 miles) of active war zones, the UN reports.
Women bear the brunt of global conflicts
Conflicts in the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Asia are among the worst affected, with social structures and livelihoods disrupted. Migration pressures and development setbacks further entrench these vulnerabilities.
Humanitarian agencies stress that gender-sensitive interventions are essential to protect communities and stabilize regions. Policymakers must account for these impacts in broader security and development strategies.
Historical comparisons show that the proportion of women affected has risen sharply since 2000, reflecting both the global spread of conflict and its civilian-focused impacts. Regions like Yemen, Syria, and the Sahel are particularly hard hit.
Women bear the brunt of modern conflict, revealing how war magnifies pre-existing inequalities. Failure to address this dimension undermines both human security and long-term stability.
🕵️ INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM
Reuters uncovered that the Trump family earned over $800 million from crypto asset sales in the first half of 2025, with a significant portion coming from foreign sources. The investigation sheds light on the Trump Organization's involvement in the global cryptocurrency market and raises questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
The Washington Post revealed that Hong Kong's government has been conducting a covert campaign of surveillance and intimidation against exiles living in the United Kingdom. The investigation highlights the lengths to which the Hong Kong government is going to monitor and suppress dissent among its diaspora, raising concerns about international human rights violations.
The Guardian reported that British military equipment has been found on battlefields in Sudan, used by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of genocide. Documents seen by the UN Security Council reveal that UK-manufactured small-arms target systems and British-made engines for armored personnel carriers have been recovered from combat sites in Sudan. The findings raise questions over the export of British arms to the UAE, which has been accused of supplying weapons to the RSF. The UK government issued licences for the export of military equipment to the UAE, despite concerns that it could end up fuelling Sudan's conflict.
THE WEEK TO OCT 28, 2025
Trending in the US
1️⃣ Blue Jays vs Dodgers — 10M+ searches
World Series Game 3 turned into a marathon.
2️⃣ Jamaica hurricane — 2M+ searches
Jamaica braces for Category 5 storm with 'catastrophic and life-threatening' winds and flooding.
3️⃣ Cam Skattebo injury — 2M+ searches
Skattebo's season ends, but his career is only beginning.
NEWS THAT YOU PROBABLY MISSED
What the Media Buried
Russia Sends LNG to China Despite Sanctions
Despite US sanctions aimed at halting Russia's Arctic LNG 2 gas project, Russia has managed to export liquefied natural gas to China via the port of Beihai. Since August, 11 tankers carrying LNG from the sanctioned Russian facility have arrived in Beihai, showing how Russia continues to bypass Western restrictions.
Canada Seeks Asia Partnerships
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to Asia aims to strengthen trade and security ties while reducing dependence on the US Analysts note the effort signals Canada asserting independence amid rising US–China tensions. Canada signed a trade agreement with Indonesia and is pursuing deals with Japan and the Philippines. The week-long tour includes ASEAN and APEC summits, emphasizing diplomacy alongside commercial interests.
Egypt’s Remittances Hit Record Levels
Remittances from Egyptians abroad have surged toward $27 billion in the first eight months of 2025. These funds provide critical income for families and contribute to Egypt’s economic stability amid local inflation pressures. The growth reflects strong diaspora engagement and global labor mobility. Despite other international headlines, these inflows reveal structural support for Egypt’s economy often overlooked in mainstream coverage. Analysts emphasize how migration and remittance patterns quietly shape global economies.
