Israel to deport aid flotilla activists, draws widespread condemnation
Turkey called the interception "an act of terrorism," and on Thursday said it had opened an investigation after Israeli forces...
Geostrategy
US offers security guarantees to Qatar after Israel strikes: White House
Washington, United States -- The United States will regard "any armed attack" on Qatari territory as a threat to Washington...
Geostrategy
EU seeks agreement on world’s first AI law
European Commission, the EU's executive arm, first proposed an AI law in 2021 that would regulate systems based on the...
- Negotiators from EU Parliament and EU member states will meet on Wednesday from 1400 GMT, with talks expected to last into the evening
- Although there is no real deadline, senior European Union figures have repeatedly said the bloc must finalize the law before the end of 2023
Economy
One in five children in rich countries lives in poverty: UNICEF
Sixty-nine million children live in poverty in the world's 40 richest countries, UNICEF said in a report, blasting Britain and...
- UNICEF figure is based on relative poverty, which is around 60 percent of the national median income
- The report also highlights the greater risk of poverty for children from single-parent families
Musk’s AI startup to raise $1bn
He hopes it will compete with ChatGPT's Open AI.
- An official filing to US Securities and Exchange Commission said xAI artificial intelligence company had already gathered $134.7 million and plans to raise $1 billion overall
- The filing added that there was a firm agreement to raise the full funds needed to meet the target, indicating that Musk may have deals in place for the full billion
Geostrategy
Israeli attack on Lebanon kills soldier, wounds three
The Lebanese army in a statement said that its position was targeted by the "Israeli enemy" on the southern border....
- Acknowledging the attack on Lebanon, Israel said that it had targeted a Hizbollah position
- At least 110 have been killed on the Lebanese side since October, mostly Hizbollah fighters
Geostrategy
Putin senses reviving fortunes as front holds, West frays
Warsaw, Poland - As Vladimir Putin touches down in the Middle East later on Wednesday for visits to the UAE...
- A much-touted Ukrainian counteroffensive that was once expected to carve through Russian lines has stalled, oil revenue is rebounding
- Russia's front line has largely repelled Ukraine's counter-offensive, launched with billions of dollars worth of Western arms
EU agrees to forbid destruction of unsold clothes
Brussels, Belgium - The European Parliament and EU member states announced on Tuesday new rules to crack down on fast fashion...
- The new rules, first proposed by the EU last year, impose tougher rules on products to ensure they last longer and are easier to repair and recycle
- The commission, the EU's executive arm, will also have the power to extend the ban to other unsold products beyond clothing and footwear
Geostrategy
Russian oil price cap partially successful
LONDON, UK - A Western price cap imposed a year ago on Russia's oil has had limited success with Moscow increasingly...
- The cap was jointly imposed on December 5, 2022 by the European Union, Australia and the Group of Seven rich countries.
- Initially successful, it lost its impact once President Vladimir Putin's Russia found new buyers for its oil and new tankers to deliver it.
Geostrategy
Qatari emir denounces ‘shameful’ global inaction in Israel-Hamas war
Doha, Qatar - Qatar's ruler hit out at "shameful" international inaction over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza as he opened a...
- Qatar emir called for a global probe into Israeli massacres in Gaza, and urged a just solution to Palestinian issue
- Qatar, a US ally which hosts a large US military base, hosts a Hamas office which doubles as the residence of its self-exiled leader, Ismail Haniyeh
Geostrategy
Released Palestinians allege mistreatment in Israeli prisons
Ramallah, Palestinian Territories -- Released under an exchange between Israel and Hamas, former Palestinian civilians held in various jails have described...
- There are around 7,800 Palestinians civilians in Israeli jails. Some 3,580 Palestinians have been held by Israeli forces since Oct 7.
- "Testimonies and video evidence also point to numerous incidents of torture and other ill-treatment by Israeli forces," Amnesty International has said.
Geostrategy
Gaza safe zones declared by Israel neither safe, nor humanitarian: UN
"The so-called safe zones... are not scientific, they are not rational, they are not possible, and I think the authorities...
- Gaza health ministry put the latest death toll of civilians killed in Israeli bombardment and ground attacks at 16,248, around 70 percent of them women and children.
- As Israel's offensive pushes deeper into Gaza, international aid organizations have warned that civilians in the de territory are running out of places to flee to.
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Israel to deport aid flotilla activists, draws widespread condemnation
Turkey called the interception "an act of terrorism," and on Thursday said it had opened an investigation after Israeli forces...
Geostrategy
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Islamic State claims first attack on new Syria forces since Assad fall: monitors
The Islamic State (IS) group on Thursday claimed its first attack on Syria's new government forces since the fall of...
Geostrategy
Saudi Pro League announces long-term partnership with Maaden
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Pro League (SPL) and Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) have agreed a long-term strategic...
Business
Syria inks $7 bn energy deal with Qatari, Turkish, US firms
The agreement was sealed at the presidential palace in Damascus in the presence of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US...
Business
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Business
Musk to exit US government role after rare break with Trump
Washington, United States - Billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday announced he was leaving his role in US government, intended to...
- The South African-born tech tycoon had said Trump's bill would increase the deficit and undermine the work of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- Musk, who was a constant presence at Trump's side before returning to his businesses, complained that DOGE had become "whipping boy" for dissatisfaction with the administration
Economy
OPEC+ ministers, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, meet as oil output hike looms despite falling prices
The 22-nation group began a series of cuts in 2022 to prop up crude prices, but Saudi Arabia, Russia and...
- The 22-nation group began a series of cuts in 2022 to prop up crude prices, but Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other members surprised markets recently by sharply raising output
- The move has put pressure on prices, which have also fallen as investors worry that US President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught will cause an economic slump and weigh on demand
Economy
Global economic outlook worsens, AI emerges as both catalyst and risk
Geneva, Switzerland – The global economic outlook has worsened since the start of the year, as rising economic nationalism and...
- Nearly all the chief economists (97 percent) place trade policy among the areas of highest uncertainty, followed by monetary policy (49 percent) and fiscal policy (35 percent).
- This uncertainty is expected to weigh on key economic indicators, including trade volumes (70 percent), GDP growth (68 percent) and foreign direct investment (62 percent).