Over 500 killed around US and Israel-backed aid distributions in Gaza: UN
The United Nations and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation over concerns it was designed...
Geostrategy
Trump says ‘didn’t make any progress’ with Putin on ending Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump said he made no progress with Vladimir Putin on ending the Ukraine war in a call...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Conflicts and related fatalities triple since 2000, fueling extreme poverty: WB
Washington, United States -- Conflicts and related fatalities have more than tripled since the early 2000s, fueling extreme poverty, the...
- This year, 421m people get by on less than $3 a day in places hit by conflict or instability -- a situation of extreme poverty -- and the number is poised to hit 435m by 2030.
- Global attention has been focused on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East for the past three years, said World Bank Group chief economist Indermit Gill.
Geostrategy
US Supreme Court curbs power of individual judges to block Trump
In a 6-3 ruling stemming from Trump's bid to end birthright citizenship, the court said nationwide injunctions issued by district...
- But the broader decision on the scope of judicial rulings will remove a big roadblock to Trump's often highly controversial orders and reaffirm the White House's power.
- rump's birthright citizenship order has been deemed unconstitutional by courts in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington state, leading him to make an emergency appeal to the SC.
Geostrategy
UAE top court upholds life terms for 24 convicted in mass trial
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- The UAE supreme court has jailed 24 people for life after upholding their convictions for...
- The 24 were originally convicted in a mass trial of 84 people in July last year, most of whom had been behind bars since a similar mass trial of 94 people in 2013.
- "Following yesterday's ruling... the total number of convicted individuals in this case has risen to 83 out of 84 referred to trial," WAM said.
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...
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shut down what he said was "speculation" that Tehran would come to the table and said it "should not be taken seriously."
- "I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations," he said on state television
Business
BBC launches US paid subscription to news website
London, United Kingdom - The BBC, Britain's public broadcaster that is struggling with strained finances, on Thursday launched a paid...
- For $49.99 a year, or $8.99 a month, users will have "unlimited access" to the BBC's news articles, feature stories and the BBC News television channel, a statement said
- The BBC, which broadcasts across television, radio and online, said in March that it faced "unprecedented" challenges to funding
Science
UN climate chief warns ‘lot more to do’ before COP30
UN climate chief Simon Stiell urged countries on Thursday to accelerate negotiations ahead of the COP30 in Brazil as there...
- Speaking after two weeks of technical talks in Bonn, Stiell closed the annual climate diplomacy event saying: "We need to go further, faster, and fairer."
- Bonn is home to the UN Climate Change Secretariat, which coordinates international climate policy and hosts preparatory talks each year ahead of climate summits.
Geostrategy
Spain PM Sanchez says Gaza in ‘catastrophic situation of genocide’
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday said Gaza was in a "catastrophic situation of genocide" and urged the European...
- The comments represent the strongest condemnation to date by the Socialist leader, an outspoken critic of the Israeli offensive in Gaza sparked by Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel
- Sanchez mentioned a recent human rights review by the bloc's diplomatic service which, he said, addressed "the catastrophic situation of genocide unfolding in Gaza".
Arts & Culture
Cristiano Ronaldo extends contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr until 2027
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Cristiano Ronaldo inked a two-year extension with Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr, the club announced Thursday, following...
- Minutes before the official confirmation, the team posted a teaser video, with the 40-year-old Ronaldo walking along a beachfront and saying: "Al Nassr forever".
- The Portuguese superstar arrived in 2023 in the kingdom to play with the club, heralding a rush of players in the latter stages of their careers to the oil-rich country.
Business
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...
- More than 21 million players connected to Grow a Garden at the same time on June 21, buying seeds to cultivate a little patch of virtual land, harvesting crops.
- That shattered the record held by the adrenalin-packed Fortnite, which attracted 15 million concurrent users (CCUs) during an event in late 2020.
Geostrategy
WHO delivers its first medical aid to Gaza since March 2
The shipment of supplies, plasma and blood will be distributed among hospitals in the Palestinian territory in the coming days,...
- Israel imposed a total blockade on the Gaza Strip on March 2. More than two months later, it began allowing some food in, but no other aid items until now.
- Last week the WHO said only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were minimally to partially functional, with the rest unable to function at all.
Over 500 killed around US and Israel-backed aid distributions in Gaza: UN
The United Nations and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation over concerns it was designed...
Geostrategy
Company News
Tesla Q2 sales down 13.5%
Business
Latest News
Mamdani confirmed as Democratic candidate for New York mayor
Rising star of the American left Zohran Mamdani is now officially the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City,...
Geostrategy
Macron, Putin discuss Iran, Ukraine in first talks since 2022
One week after a ceasefire ended Israel's 12-day war with Iran, the two men also discussed Tehran's nuclear programme, with...
Geostrategy
Israel expands Gaza campaign ahead of Netanyahu’s US visit
The intensified operations came after days of mounting calls for a ceasefire, with US President Donald Trump -- whom Netanyahu...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Business
Eight-country coalition aims to tax luxury air travel
Seville, Spain -- Countries including France, Kenya, Barbados and Spain on Monday launched a coalition to push for taxes on...
- The coalition said it would work to increase the number of countries taxing plane tickets, including business-class travel, and private jets.
- Greenpeace welcomed an "important step" to raise more money from "the most elite and polluting form of travel", which has remained "undertaxed".
Business
Meta’s AI talent war raises questions about strategy
New York, United States -- Mark Zuckerberg and Meta are spending billions to recruit top artificial intelligence talent, triggering debates...
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently complained that Meta has offered $100 million bonuses to lure engineers away from his company.
- Several OpenAI employees have accepted Meta's offers, prompting executives at the ChatGPT maker to scramble to retain their best talent.
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia to host Italian Super Cup in December
Rome, Italy -- Next season's Italian Super Cup will be played for the fourth time in Saudi Arabia but in...
- "The dates for the Super Cup are December 18 and 19 for the semi-finals, and the 22 for the final," said Lega Serie A boss Ezio Simonelli.
- "We don't yet know where these matches will be played, either in Riyadh or Jeddah. The choice will be made by the Saudis. I would be more in favor of Jeddah," he added.