Russia to face new US sanctions unless ends Ukraine war in 10 days: Trump
US President Donald Trump said his deadline for Russia to end the fighting in Ukraine or face new sanctions will...
Geostrategy
Trump warns of ‘real starvation’ in Gaza as aid deliveries pick up after Israeli “tactical pause”
Speaking in Scotland after meeting Britain's leader, Trump contradicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had earlier dismissed fears of...
Geostrategy
Investigation
AI-powered ‘nudify’ apps fuel deadly wave of digital blackmail
Washington, United States - After a Kentucky teenager died by suicide this year, his parents discovered he had received threatening...
- The tragedy underscores how so-called sextortion scams targeting children are growing around the world, particularly with the rapid proliferation of "nudify" apps
- Elijah Heacock, 16, was just one of thousands of American minors targeted by such digital blackmail, which has spurred calls for more action from tech platforms
Geostrategy
Syria says agreement reached to halt military operations in Sweida
Syria said a new ceasefire reached on Wednesday in the Druze-majority city of Sweida will bring a complete halt to...
- A previous truce announced on Tuesday appeared to have little effect on the ground in the southern region, where days of violence have left more than 300 dead
- heikh Youssef Jarboua, a Druze spiritual leader, read out the 10 points of the accord, which also includes "the full integration of the province" of Sweida into the Syrian state
Geostrategy
‘Strong argument’ for video in cockpit: IATA chief
Singapore, Singapore -- There is a "strong argument" for putting video cameras in airline cockpits to assist in accident investigations,...
- His comments followed the release of a preliminary report on last month's Air India crash, which found that the plane's engine fuel switches had been turned off.
- The crash killed all but one of the 242 people on board as well as 19 people on the ground.
Geostrategy
Summit on Palestinian statehood planned for Sept in Paris or New York
The conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was originally planned for mid-June to revive work on the long-standing diplomatic...
- The meeting, which would be at ministerial level, would seek to "advance the recognition of a Palestinian state for a certain number of states who have not yet recognized it."
- But it would also work "on normalization and Israel's regional integration with Arab and Muslim countries."
Science
Birth of a solar system observed for first time
The new planetary system is forming around the baby star HOPS-315 -- which resembles our own Sun in its youth...
- Young stars are surrounded by massive rings of gas and dust called protoplanetary discs, which is where planets form.
- Inside these swirling discs, crystalline minerals that contain the chemical silicon monoxide can clump together.
Geostrategy
Israel launches strikes in Syria’s Druze area in defence of religious minority
Israel has sought to portray itself as a defender of the community, while also warning the Syrian government against maintaining...
- Damascus deployed troops to the area after clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes killed many people, with Syria's defence minister declaring a truce in Sweida city
- Residents, however, told AFP the announcement had little discernible effect on the ground, accusing government troops and their allies of rampaging through Druze neighbourhoods
Geostrategy
Trump says any ‘credible’ Epstein files should be released
President Donald Trump said Tuesday the US Justice Department should release all "credible" information from its probe into notorious sex...
- Trump is facing the most serious split of his political career from his famously loyal right-wing base over suspicions that his administration is hiding details of Epstein's crimes
- Trump's latest comments mark a softening of his stance -- he had voiced frustration in the Oval Office and online about his supporters' fixation on Epstein, urging them to move on
Geostrategy
Divided EU leaves action against Israel on Gaza ‘on table,’ if humanitarian situation does not improve
The measures range from suspending the entire accord or curbing trade ties to sanctioning Israeli ministers, imposing an arms embargo...
- EU foreign policy chief Kallas has put forward 10 potential options after Israel was found to have breached a cooperation deal between the two sides on human rights grounds
- The measures range from suspending the entire accord or curbing trade ties to sanctioning Israeli ministers, imposing an arms embargo and halting visa-free travel
Research
Trump to unveil investments to power AI boom
Washington, United States - US President Donald Trump heads to Pennsylvania on Tuesday to announce energy and infrastructure deals intended...
- Trump will make the announcement at the inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University
- The tech world has fully embraced generative AI as the next wave of technology, but fears are growing that its massive electricity needs cannot be met by current infrastructure
Business
China’s Baidu to deploy driverless cars on Uber
Beijing, China -- Chinese internet giant Baidu plans to launch its driverless cars on ride-hailing app Uber in Asia and...
- Uber users in these locations may have the option of choosing to ride in a fully driverless Apollo Go car after they request a trip.
- Driverless taxis are already on the roads with limited capacity in China, most notably in the central city of Wuhan.
Russia to face new US sanctions unless ends Ukraine war in 10 days: Trump
US President Donald Trump said his deadline for Russia to end the fighting in Ukraine or face new sanctions will...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Hamas accuses US mediators of reneging on Gaza talks positions
"The negative statements of the US envoy Witkoff run completely counter to the context in which the last negotiations were...
Geostrategy
UK starts online checks to stop children accessing harmful content
London, United Kingdom -- New UK age verification measures to prevent children accessing harmful online content came into force on...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Economy
China’s premier tells EU leaders ‘we can’t afford’ massive industrial subsidies
Chinese Premier Li Qiang dismissed EU fears over Beijing's allegedly excessive subsidies to its industry, telling the bloc's leaders "we...
- Speaking during a roundtable with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, Li insisted that "China is by no means doing what some call a subsidies policy or fiscal subsidies."
- "We would not be stupid enough to use the fiscal funds accumulated through the government and the hard work of our people to sell our products to foreign consumers," Li added
Geostrategy
Syrian, Israeli ministers meet US envoy in Paris: senior diplomat
The US special envoy for Syria said he held talks with Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris on Thursday on...
- "I met this evening with the Syrians and Israelis in Paris. Our goal was dialogue and de-escalation, and we accomplished precisely that," said the envoy, Tom Barrack, on X
- This was the first meeting between the two countries that have technically been at war since 1948, and Israel has occupied the Golan Heights from Syria since 1967
Geostrategy
Macron says France will recognise State of Palestine, angering Israel, US
At least 142 countries now recognise or plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, according to an AFP tally -- though Israel...
- At least 142 countries now recognise or plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, according to an AFP tally -- though Israel and the United States strongly oppose the move
- Several countries have announced plans to recognise statehood for the Palestinians since Israel launched a bombardment of Gaza nearly two years ago