Iran says no plan for new US nuclear talks, plays down impact of strikes
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shut down what he said was "speculation" that Tehran would come to the table and...
Roblox’s Grow a Garden explodes online video game numbers
Paris, France -- A gardening game created by a teenager on online platform Roblox has attracted a record 21 million...
Business
Business
Amazon fined $98k/day in France
France says Amazon’s seller contracts have ‘unbalanced’ clauses.
- French authorities on Wednesday slapped a €90,000-per-day ($98,000) fine on Amazon
- It would continue until Amazon removes abusive clauses in its contracts with businesses
Economy
IMF unveils new trust to help ‘vulnerable’ countries
The IMF plans to raise at least $45 billion for a new trust to help ‘low-income and vulnerable middle-income countries’.
- The Washington-based crisis lender's Resilience and Sustainability Trust is expected to come into effect May 1
- It is in addition to a $650 billion boost to reserve assets called Special Drawing Rights allocated earlier this year
Economy
Agencies urge urgent food insecurity action
Major international organizations issued an appeal on Wednesday for urgent measures to deal with rising food insecurity in poor countries.
- The Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Western sanctions on Moscow, have sent energy and food prices soaring
- Meanwhile, rising natural gas prices also have impacted fertilizer production, which in turn has hurt farmers
Business
Iran’s oldest tyre factory shuts down
Company workers had gathered Sunday to urge the state to save the factory, local media said.
- The "largest producer of off-road tires in Iran" has been closed due to "financial problems and difficulties in the supply of raw materials"
- An American-Iranian company, Kian Tire was established in 1958 was popular for making "military vehicles and large trucks" in Iran
Business
Pfizer plans new Covid jab
It has said a shot for multiple variants is coming by 2022-end.
- Chairman Albert Bourla said Pfizer was also working on a vaccine that could provide good protection for a whole year
- This means people would come back annually for boosters, as with influenza shots currently given out in the US
Geostrategy
UN envoy urges Yemen’s warring parties to uphold truce
The two-month ceasefire between Yemen's Houthi rebels and Saudi led military coalition took effect 11 days ago.
- Hans Grundberg, UN envoy held talks with leaders of Houthi rebel
- According to Grundberg, oil tankers have been reached to ease the "fuel crisis" in Yemen
Geostrategy
Iran says preliminary deal reached on frozen funds abroad
Tens of billions of dollars in Iranian money were blocked in many countries including China, South Korea and Japan.
- Delegations from concerned countries met Iran's foreign minister to discuss the deal to release its funds frozen in foreign bank
- In January 2022, Iran urged South Korea to unlock its funds and not to wait for the results of the Vienna talks
Geostrategy
Biden gives ‘crime scene’ Ukraine $800m to hold off Russia
US President Joe Biden announced an $800 million military aid package for Ukraine on Wednesday as international prosecutors declared the...
- Biden has accused President Vladimir Putin of genocide -- a claim dismissed as "unacceptable" by the Kremlin
- The Pentagon says it has been looking to provide Ukraine with weapons that would "give them a little more range and distance"
Geostrategy
Morocco holds Bulgarians, Iranians in ‘trafficking’ probe
The Iranians were caught trying to reach Spain with fake documents "according to a criminal modus operandi."
- The Iranians were held trying to reach Spain with fake documents "according to a criminal modus operandi."
- The Bulgarians allegedly were involved in planning the illegal immigration attempt
Geostrategy
Saudi, Kuwait to develop gas field despite Iran complaint
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will develop a disputed gas field despite Iranian objections, while urging Tehran to engage in negotiations,...
- The two countries also issued a new invitation for Iran to negotiate over the boundary of the gas field
- Tehran had earlier said that the deal contravened "previously held negotiations", adding that it "reserves its right to exploit" the field
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Iran says no plan for new US nuclear talks, plays down impact of strikes
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shut down what he said was "speculation" that Tehran would come to the table and...
Company News
Meta, IBM tie up to develop AI
Business
Latest News
US downs three Houthi drones, strikes anti-ship missiles
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting shipping for months and their attacks have persisted despite repeated American and British strikes...
US warns of environmental disaster from cargo ship hit by Houthi rebels
The attack on the Rubymar represents the most significant damage yet to be inflicted on a commercial ship since the...
Most Read
Geostrategy
Netanyahu plan for post-war Gaza draws US criticism
The plan lays out that, even after the war, the Israeli army would have "indefinite freedom" to operate throughout Gaza...
- The new plan came after an Israeli delegation arrived in Paris hoping to "unblock" truce discussions
- Netanyahu's plan envisages civil affairs in a post-war Gaza being run by Palestinian officials without links to Hamas
Geostrategy
New Delhi confirms few Indians involved with Russian army
New Delhi, India - India's foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that some of the country's citizens had signed up for...
- A newspaper reported on Wednesday that around 18 Indians were stranded in various border towns along the frontlines of Russia's war in Ukraine.
- Its report alleged that Indians had been conned by Dubai-based recruiters with promises of high wages and a Russian passport.
Geostrategy
Israel plans to allow local Palestinians administer post-war Gaza
"The plan states that Israel will move forward with its already-in-motion project to establish a security buffer zone on the...
- The proposal, which Netanyahu submitted to his security cabinet late Thursday, would also see the Israeli army persisting in its war on Hamas until it achieves key goals.
- Even after the war, the Israeli army would have "indefinite freedom" to operate throughout Gaza, according to the plan.