Global CO2 emissions to hit record high in 2025, making 1.5°C target nearly impossible
Global fossil fuel emissions are set to hit a new high in 2025, according to research published Thursday that also...
Economy
Cristiano Ronaldo says 2026 World Cup ‘definitely’ his last
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday said next year's World Cup would be his last as...
Arts & Culture
Geostrategy
Israel set for general strike after Gaza hostages found dead
"I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention can shake those who need to be shaken," Arnon bar...
- Qatar-based Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq said the six hostages were "killed by Zionist (Israeli) bombing", an accusation the military denied.
- A senior Hamas official told AFP on condition of anonymity that "some" of the six had been "approved" for release in a potential hostage-prisoner swap.
Business
Countries where the X social network is banned and why
Paris, France - With its ban of X, which went into effect on Saturday, Brazil joins a small club of countries...
- Beyond permanent bans, some nations have temporarily restricted access to X, formerly Twitter, which has often been used by political dissidents to communicate
- These have included Egypt in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings, Turkey in 2014 and 2023, and Uzbekistan around that country's 2021 presidential election
Bosnia and Egypt clinch crucial wins in Paralympic sitting volleyball
Since first qualifying for the Paralympics in 2000, Bosnia have never finished outside of the podium and they made a...
- Bosnia, the two-time Paralympic champions in the event, ensured their progression to the semi-finals with a thrilling 3-2 win against Kazakhstan
- Later in the same pool, Egypt raced to a straight-sets win against France to secure their first win of the tournament
Geostrategy
COP29 finance draft: Arab nations ask developed nations to commit $441bn
Paris, France -- The UN has published a draft on climate financing due to be presented at the COP29 in November,...
- The document is the basis for negotiating an accord that is due to be reached at COP29 in Baku under Azerbaijan's presidency.
- The EU said the "collective goal can only be reached if Parties with high GHG-emissions and economic capabilities join the effort."
Geostrategy
West Bank city ‘cut off from the world’ as Israeli assault drags on
Jenin governor Kamal Abu al-Rub told AFP that even he does not know exactly what is happening inside the camp,...
- "Neither the civil defense, nor the ambulances, nor the journalists can go and see what is happening there."
- The United Nations said on Wednesday that at least 637 Palestinians had been killed in the territory by Israeli troops or settlers since the Gaza war began.
Economy
China manufacturing contracts for fourth straight month
While some sectors have largely regained their strength -- including tourism and the auto industry -- others are struggling, particularly...
- China is facing a crisis in its vast real estate sector as well as lackluster confidence among households and businesses, which is hindering consumption
- In August, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) - a key barometer of industrial output - stood at 49.1 points, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced
UN draft on climate finance highlights deep divisions ahead of COP29
Paris, France - The UN has published a draft on climate financing due to be presented at the COP29 in November,...
- The document is the basis for negotiating an accord that is due to be reached at COP29 in Baku under Azerbaijan's presidency
- Arab countries say developed countries should commit at least $441 billion a year in grants between 2025-2029 to mobilise loans and private financing
Geostrategy
Yemen’s Houthis blew up stranded oil tanker: video
Rebel chief Abdul Malik al-Houthi on Thursday said his forces had "stormed" the tanker earlier this week. He added in...
- The group's leader said the operation took place earlier this week. Since then, the rebels have agreed to allow rescue teams to access the ship
- A video shared on the rebels' media outlets showed masked men planting explosives on the vessel and then detonating them, causing several fires on board
Business
Apple in talks to invest in OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT: report
Washington, United States - iPhone juggernaut Apple is in talks to invest in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and the biggest...
- The company founded by Steve Jobs is at the funding table as OpenAI raises more money to help meet the heavy costs of building new technology
- Reports said that OpenAI is in talks to reach a valuation of $100 billion in the funding round led by venture capital firm Thrive Capital, which will pump in one billion dollars
Geostrategy
Telegram boss Durov free but charged and held in France
Paris, France -- Telegram chief Pavel Durov was spending Thursday out on bail after four days of detention in France, banned...
- Durov, 39, was charged on several counts of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on the popular messaging app which now has over 900 million followers.
- He was granted conditional release on a bail of five million euros and on the condition he must report to a police station twice a week as well as remaining in France.
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Global CO2 emissions to hit record high in 2025, making 1.5°C target nearly impossible
Global fossil fuel emissions are set to hit a new high in 2025, according to research published Thursday that also...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Egyptian farmers behind world’s perfumes face climate fight alone, yield drops by half
For years, Egyptian jasmine picker Wael al-Sayed has collected blossoms by night in the Nile Delta, supplying top global perfume...
Economy
Israeli bulldozers uproot hundreds of trees in West Bank village, most of them olive trees
"The goal is control and forcing people to leave. This is just the beginning -- it will expand across the...
Economy
Iran’s Khamenei says will not bow down to US
The remarks, delivered at a mosque in the capital Tehran, come two months since fighting halted between Iran and its...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Economy
India’s Modi dangles tax cuts as US tariffs loom
Mumbai, India -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to slash consumption taxes on everyday goods could deliver billions of...
- The prospective measure has clouded the outlook for the world's fifth-largest economy, with Indian exporters warning of plunging orders and severe job losses.
- His proposed cuts to the goods and services tax (GST) would make everything from small cars to air conditioners cheaper for consumers, economists say.
Geostrategy
Musk’s megarocket faces crucial new test after failures
Washington, United States -- Elon Musk's SpaceX is gearing up for the next test of its Starship megarocket on Sunday,...
- Unlike in recent attempts, SpaceX will not try to catch the booster stage with the launch tower's giant "chopstick" arms.
- Starship is central to Musk's ambition of colonizing Mars, while NASA is counting on a modified version to serve as the Artemis lunar lander for returning Americans to the Moon.
Arts & Culture
Indonesian child’s viral fame draws tourists to boat race
Pekanbaru, Indonesia -- Armed with colourful oars, rowers pack into long boats in western Indonesia, paddling furiously in front of...
- Sports stars including Formula One's Alex Albon and MotoGP's Marc Marquez imitated his moves in their own videos.
- The viral dance craze has drawn visitors from across the country and world to the Kuantan river in Sumatra's Riau Province.