Iran proposes regional currency to boost trade
Tehran, Iran -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday proposed that Iran and its regional trading partners establish a shared...
Geostrategy
Israel insists it calls shots in Gaza despite signing up to a US-brokered ceasefire
Under the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire, as Israeli forces withdraw after the end of two years of brutal fighting...
Geostrategy
Nvidia unveils ‘superchips’
The company also announced other AI developments.
- Nvidia's powerful GPU chips and software are an integral ingredient in the creation of generative AI, with rivals like AMD or Intel still struggling to match the power
- Apple, Microsoft and Amazon have also developed chips with AI in mind, but for now are stuck trying to get their hands on Nvidia’s coveted products
Biden summons Israeli team in bid to avoid Rafah assault
The move is one of the clearest attempts yet by Biden to rein in the key US ally, amid fears...
- US president also "reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire as part of a deal to free hostages, lasting several weeks, so we can get hostages home"
- Biden has supported Israel since the October 7 attacks, sending billions of dollars in military aid, but has become frustrated by Netanyahu's failure to curb civilian deaths
Geostrategy
US destroys Houthi missiles, drones in new Yemen strike
United States Central Command forces operated "in self-defense" when they engaged and destroyed the anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles,...
- Iran-backed Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea region since November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's war against Palestinians in Gaza
- The United States and Britain have launched repeated strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response but the attacks against the ships have not been deterred
Geostrategy
China regulator to ban Evergrande chair from securities market for life
BEIJING, CHINA – Chinese regulators will ban the chairman of property giant Evergrande from the securities market for life on grounds...
- Unable to repay interest on its loans, China’s real estate firm Evergrande formally defaulted in 2021, sending shockwaves through the industry.
- The company has struggled to repay creditors for years, defaulting in 2021 and becoming subject to a winding-up order by a Hong Kong court earlier this year.
Business
Asian stocks rise on US gains ahead of key China policy meeting
Hong Kong, China - Asian markets mostly rose Monday following US gains and ahead of a Chinese legislative session where Beijing's...
- Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index surpassed the 40,000 mark for the first time, with analysts predicting it could advance even further
- Taiwanese chip giant TSMC rose to a record high Monday, gaining 5.2 percent on the global rally in semiconductor stocks
Economy
World Bank plans $6 billion in financial assistance for Egypt
The financial assistance includes "$3 billion for financial support to Government’s programs and $3 billion for the private sector (including...
- The World Bank Group is comprised of five separate agencies which deal with a range of issues, including investment. Its current portfolio with Egypt is above $8bn.
- Earlier this month, the IMF agreed an expanded $8bn loan package after Cairo implemented reforms that included moving towards a flexible exchange rate and hiking interest rates.
Geostrategy
ByteDance’s dilemma: Defending TikTok’s ‘secret sauce’ from US interference
Seoul, South Korea - As a US campaign to sever TikTok from its Chinese parent heads to the Senate, analysts say...
- Under new legislation, TikTok could be banned in the United States if it does not cut all ties with Chinese tech giant ByteDance
- US lawmakers and security agencies say TikTok presents a threat because China can access and use the vast troves of data the app collects for influence and espionage
Geostrategy
Methane emissions under spotlight at global forum in Geneva
Methane emissions from the fossil fuel industry have risen for three consecutive years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA),...
- Methane -- which is potent but relatively short-lived -- is a key target for countries wanting to slash emissions quickly and slow climate change
- It is the second largest contributor to climate change, accounting for roughly 30 percent of global warming since pre-industrial levels
Geostrategy
Palestinians ‘need the bombs to stop,’ Irish PM says at White House
Varadkar has been one of Europe's most critical leaders over Israel's campaign in Gaza, which began when Hamas launched an...
- According to Irish PM Leo Varadkar, "the Irish people are deeply troubled about the catastrophe that's unfolding before our eyes in Gaza."
- US has demanded a "clear and implementable plan" to protect civilians there, while Varadkar on Sunday called on Israel to abandon the planned incursion
Geostrategy
Israel spy chief to discuss Gaza truce with Qatar PM: source
The talks in the Qatari capital are the first after weeks of intense negotiations involving Qatari, US and Egyptian mediators...
- The meeting between Mossad chief David Barnea, Qatar PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Egyptian envoys "is expected to take place today"
- Palestinian fighters seized about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages during the October 7 attack, but dozens were released during a week-long truce in November
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Iran proposes regional currency to boost trade
Tehran, Iran -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday proposed that Iran and its regional trading partners establish a shared...
Geostrategy
Company News
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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
UN chief blasts ‘lack of compassion’ for Palestinians in Gaza
United Nations, United States -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday slammed the international community for turning a blind eye...
Geostrategy
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...
Economy
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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
Geostrategy
Iran defends ‘unshakable’ right to enrich uranium ahead of key talks
Iran on Thursday reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium, saying it was "unshakable", on the eve of key talks with...
- Friday's meeting, set to take place in Istanbul, will be the first since Israel's mid-June attack targeting key nuclear and military sites in the Iran sparked a 12-day war
- The hostilities between Iran and Israel broke out just two days before Tehran and Washington were set to resume negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme
Geostrategy
International Court of Justice court paves way for climate reparations
The court said climate change was an "urgent and existential threat" and countries had a legal duty to prevent harm...
- Countries breaching their climate obligations were committing a "wrongful act", the court said in its advisory opinion, which is not legally binding.
- Campaigners and countries on the climate frontlines hailed a milestone moment in the fight for accountability from big polluters most responsible for global warming.