Trump says Putin wants to end war, US to hold new talks with Ukraine
Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner huddled into the early hours with Putin in the Kremlin but reached...
Geostrategy
Saudi powers forward with deficit spending to fund reforms
The Arab world's largest economy is overseeing a major push to slash its dependence on oil revenues, with officials pouring...
Economy
Science
Cervical cancer vaccine push has saved 1.4 million lives: Gavi
Geneva, Switzerland - A three-year campaign to bring vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) to low-income countries has prevented 1.4 million...
- Cancer caused by HPV disproportionately affects low-income countries, which often lack screening services and access to treatment
- These countries accounted for 90 percent of the 350,000 cervical cancer deaths recorded in 2022, according to Gavi
Geostrategy
UN Security Council set to vote on Trump’s Gaza plan, deployment of international force
The draft, which has been revised several times as a result of high-stakes negotiations, "endorses" the plan, which allowed for...
- The draft, which has been revised several times as a result of high-stakes negotiations, "endorses" the plan, which allowed for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to take hold
- The latest version of the text authorizes the creation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) that would work with Israel and Egypt and newly trained Palestinian police
Arts & Culture
Rory McIlroy wins seventh Race to Dubai title
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- Rory McIlroy was on Sunday crowned the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai champion for...
- At the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday, Fitzpatrick (66) made a birdie on the 72nd hole of regulation play to set the mark at 18-under par.
- It is Fitzpatrick’s third DP World Tour Championship title (2016 and 2020) and a 10th DP World Tour victory in 195 starts.
Business
Samsung plans $310 bn investment to power AI expansion
Seoul, South Korea -- South Korean conglomerate Samsung unveiled on Sunday a plan to invest $310 billion over the next...
- The business group's flagship Samsung Electronics is already one of the world's top memory-chip makers, providing crucial components for the AI industry.
- South Korea is also home to SK hynix, another key player in the global semiconductor market.
Geostrategy
Israel says Gazans who landed in S. Africa unexpectedly had third-country approval
Israeli authorities said on Saturday that 153 Palestinians who turned up unexpectedly in South Africa, triggering questions from its president,...
- After landing in Johannesburg on Thursday, the Gazans were kept aboard their plane for 12 hours because they did not have departure stamps from Israel in their passports
- The home affairs ministry finally allowed the passengers to disembark when an NGO said it would provide them with accommodation
Business
Google announces $40 billion Texas investment to expand AI infrastructure
Google announced Friday a major $40 billion investment in Texas through 2027 to build new cloud computing and artificial intelligence...
- The investment will fund new data center campuses in northern Texas, adding to Google's presence in the Lone Star State that spans more than 15 years, the company said
- "Our latest investment in Texas is designed to not only support Texas' workforce, but to ensure the US retains the technical backbone to lead the world in AI," Google said
Business
EU approves ADNOC’s purchase of Germany’s Covestro
Brussels, Belgium -- The European Commission on Friday greenlit the takeover of German chemical firm Covestro by UAE state oil...
- Plastics maker Covestro accepted a bid from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in October, valuing the company at 12 billion euros ($14 billion).
- ADNOC has promised to inject around 1.2 billion euros into the chemicals firm through the issuance of new shares under the terms of the takeover.
Geostrategy
Saudi prince, eyeing defense pledge, to meet Trump after long US absence
Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalization with Israel at this stage, with Prince Mohammed's priority set for firmer...
- A US-Saudi investment forum spotlighting energy and artificial intelligence will take place in Washington during the prince's visit, the event's website says.
- As Riyadh embarks on ambitious tourist and entertainment projects to diversify its oil-reliant economy, it has sought to de-escalate regional tensions -- including with Iran.
Economy
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...
- The annual Global Carbon Budget report looks at humanity's emissions of planet-heating CO2 from burning hydrocarbons, cement production and land use
- The failure to cut planet-heating emissions is overshadowing the COP30 in the rainforest city of Belem -- the conference taking place this week without the presence of the US
Geostrategy
Rubio says US ‘optimistic’ for UN resolution on Gaza, backing an international force
US Secretary of State said the United States was speaking with different countries on ways to "balance their interests here,...
- Rubio said the United States was speaking with different countries on ways to "balance their interests here, and how that's structured beyond just the security force."
- The United States last week started circulating the draft resolution that would follow up on a ceasefire in the two-year war championed by President Donald Trump
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Trump says Putin wants to end war, US to hold new talks with Ukraine
Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner huddled into the early hours with Putin in the Kremlin but reached...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Singapore AI teddy back on sale after recall over sex chat scare
Singapore, Singapore -- A plushy, AI-enabled teddy bear recalled after its chatbot was found to engage in sexually explicit conversations...
Business
Four European nations urge Israel to end West Bank ‘settler violence’
"We -- France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom -- strongly condemn the massive increase of settler violence against Palestinian civilians...
Geostrategy
Trump says Afghan man shot two soldiers near White House
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that an Afghan man who fled the Taliban was the suspect in the shooting of...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Israel returns 15 bodies to Gaza after hostage remains identified
It came after Israel announced that a body handed over by Hamas on Tuesday was that of Dror Or, one...
- The last two hostages' bodies still in Gaza are those of Israeli Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.
- At the start of the ceasefire Hamas were holding 20 living hostages and 28 bodies of deceased captives.
Business
Insurance giant Allianz signals job cuts in AI shift
Frankfurt, Germany -- German insurance giant Allianz signalled Wednesday looming job cuts due to its adoption of artificial intelligence, with...
- Allianz Partners, the company's subsidiary dealing principally with travel insurance, said it was "leveraging AI" to strengthen its position and improve its services.
- Such changes could, however, "impact positions which are heavily reliant on manual processes today," it said in a statement.
Geostrategy
Robots take centre stage at Singapore ‘Olympiad’
Singapore -- The World Robot Olympiad opened in Singapore on Wednesday with hundreds of international students, some as young as...
- Organizers said 594 teams, comprising 1,571 participants from 91 countries, have registered for competitions to be held on Thursday and Friday on the theme "The Future of Robots".
- The theme "explores the way robotics can help solve global challenges and improve our lives", according to a fact sheet issued by the organizers.