India, Pakistan ceasefire holds after early violations
Poonch, India - A ceasefire appeared to hold on Sunday between India and Pakistan, hours after the nuclear-armed rivals accused...
Geostrategy
Jordan hospital treats war casualties across Middle East
The hospital was established in 2006 to treat victims of the sectarian violence that erupted in Iraq in the aftermath...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Turkish opposition calls for boycott over jailed students
The leader of Turkey's main opposition party has called for a boycott on Wednesday to protest the detention of students...
- 301 students have been arrested for taking part in the protests against the detention on March 19 of Imamoglu, Erdogan's greatest political rival
- Imamoglu's arrest on corruption charges, which he denies, have set off a wave of popular protests unseen in Turkey for more than a decade
Geostrategy
Trump’s sweeping tariffs spark fears of trade war, recession, and global economic instability
The threat of a trade war has caused increasing political ructions, with Canada's looming general election on April 28 set...
- Trump has promised to be "very kind" when he unveils the so-called reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday, but uncertainty reigned over which countries would be targeted and by how much
- His plan has prompted vows of retaliation from major economies including the European Union on Canada and fears that it could unleash a recession at home and abroad
Business
Ford’s US Q1 auto sales dip
But its Q1 figures exceed a forecast by Edmunds
- The automaker reported a 1.3 percent dip in sales in the world's biggest economy, to 501,291 vehicles, compared with the same period in 2024.
- This was mainly due to the discontinuation of certain vehicle models and rental fleet sales timing, the company said.
Arts & Culture
Digging for box office gold, ‘A Minecraft Movie’ hits cinemas
Paris, France -- With an A-list cast and a big budget, "A Minecraft Movie" releasing this week is hoping to...
- Made by "Napoleon Dynamite" director Jared Hess, the film stars Jack Black -- who also appeared in Super Mario -- alongside Jason Momoa, Emma Myers and Jennifer Coolidge.
- Minecraft was first released 16 years ago, developed by Swedish designer Markus Persson, who sold it for $2.5 billion to Microsoft several years later.
Business
OpenAI says it raised $40 bn at valuation of $300 bn
San Francisco, United States - OpenAI on Monday said it raised $40 billion in a new funding round that valued...
- The infusion of cash comes in a partnership with Japanese investment giant SoftBank Group
- SoftBank said in a release that it is on a mission to realize Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) that surpasses human intelligence
Geostrategy
Iran will have ‘no choice’ but to acquire nuclear weapons if attacked, Khamenei adviser to UNSC
The message was sent to the UN Security Council in a letter by Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani which...
- Trump said on Saturday "there will be bombing" if Iran did not agree a nuclear deal, and also threatened to punish Tehran with what he called "secondary tariffs".
- Despite the sharpening of Trump's comments, it was not clear if he was threatening a US bombing or an operation coordinated with another country
Geostrategy
Le Pen’s French presidency bid in jeopardy after election ban
A French court on Monday threw into severe doubt far-right leader Marine Le Pen's 2027 bid for president, handing her...
- She was convicted over a scheme to take advantage of European Parliament expenses to employ assistants who were actually working for her far-right party in France
- Le Pen as well as the other officials were banned from running for office, with the judge specifying that the sanction should come into force with immediate effect
Arts & Culture
Hard-hitting drama ‘Adolescence’ to be shown in UK schools
London, United Kingdom - The Netflix drama "Adolescence", which has sparked widespread debate about the toxic and misogynistic influences young...
- Starmer said he had watched the drama -- in which a 13-year-old boy stabs a girl to death after being radicalised on the internet -
- The internet and social media meant "ideology" can now be "pumped directly into the minds of our children", he added
Geostrategy
Le Pen’s French presidency bid in jeopardy after election ban
Paris, France -- A French court on Monday threw into severe doubt far-right leader Marine Le Pen's 2027 bid for...
- A French court on Monday handed her a five-year ban on running for office after convicting her over a fake jobs scheme.
- She was also given a four-year prison term by the Paris court but will not go to jail, with two years of the term suspended and the other two to be served outside jail.
Economy
Trump puts world on edge as ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs loom
Trump kept rivals and allies alike guessing about who would be targeted and by how much, but promised to be...
- A fan of tariffs for decades, Trump said that he had "settled" on a plan but kept the world in suspense as he refused to reveal the details.
- He would only say that the tariffs would be lower than what other countries would be charging the United States, adding that "we sort of have a world obligation perhaps."
India, Pakistan ceasefire holds after early violations
Poonch, India - A ceasefire appeared to hold on Sunday between India and Pakistan, hours after the nuclear-armed rivals accused...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
US imposes sanctions to curb Iran oil despite talks
The United States said Wednesday it was imposing sanctions on seven companies involved in selling Iranian oil, tightening pressure despite...
Geostrategy
AI companions present risks for young users, US watchdog warns
New York, United States -- AI companions powered by generative artificial intelligence present real risks and should be banned for...
Geostrategy
UAE says foils bid to transfer weapons to Sudan army
"The security services succeeded in preventing the transfer of a quantity of military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces following...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Arts & Culture
Tunics & turbans: Afghan students don Taliban-imposed uniforms
Kabul, Afghanistan - Since the start of the school year in March, Afghan boys have been required to wear new...
- The Taliban say the dress code enforces discipline, masks inequality, and reflects true Islamic attire — a move that has sparked controversy
- Since their return, the streets of Kabul and other areas have become more uniform, with many men opting for the monochrome loose trousers and long tunic
Geostrategy
Syria FM says wants to ‘strengthen relations’ with China
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed on Monday his government's willingness to build a "strategic partnership" with China, a key...
- A foreign ministry statement said that Shaibani met with the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, at UN headquarters in New York
- In the meeting with Beijing's envoy, Shaibani said the two countries "will work together to build a long-term strategic partnership in the near future
Geostrategy
Abu Dhabi launches $500mn maternal health fund for Africa
Nairobi, Kenya -- A $500-million fund aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health in sub-Saharan Africa was launched Tuesday in...
- The Beginnings Fund brings together philanthropists including the Gates Foundation and the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, run by the UAE president.
- It set a deadline of 2030 to reach the $500-million target and has already reached $450 million in pledges, organizers said in a statement.