Countdown begins for NASA’s historic Moon mission
If successful, Artemis II will carry four astronauts on a lunar flyby, testing critical systems needed for future missions that...
Geostrategy
Saudi, Qatar airlines adjust flights as regional tensions disrupt travel
Dubai, UAE -- Airlines has extended the suspension of flights to several Gulf destinations as regional tensions continue to affect...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
US treasury secretary signals deal to ease trade war with China
Washington, United States -- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday signaled a tentative deal with China to de-escalate their...
- Scott Bessent said the US threat of a 100% tariff hike on Chinese goods had effectively been taken off the table in exchange for Beijing deferring curbs on its rare earth exports.
- The secretary's remarks came as Trump kicked off an Asia tour in Kuala Lumpur that will culminate in a sitdown with Xi in South Korea.
Geostrategy
TotalEnergies approves restart of $20-bn Mozambique gas project
Paris, France -- France's TotalEnergies said Saturday the consortium it leads to build a $20-billion liquified natural gas project in...
- The Mozambique LNG project, the largest private investment in Africa's energy infrastructure, is expected to generate thousands of jobs.
- Work was frozen after militants launched a deadly attack on the site of the project near the Tanzanian border in March 2021, resulting in around 800 deaths.
Geostrategy
Mamdani in touching distance of becoming NY mayor
New York, United States -- An unknown local lawmaker just a few months ago, leftist Zohran Mamdani has burst onto...
- The 34-year-old election frontrunner was born in Uganda to a family of Indian origin and has lived in the United States since he was seven.
- He is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair ("Monsoon Wedding," "Salaam Bombay!") and Mahmood Mamdani, a professor and respected Africa expert.
Economy
US Fed will likely cut again despite economic murkiness from shutdown
The central bank's second-to-last rate meeting of the year is taking place against the backdrop of a weeks-long standoff between...
- Without these key insights into the US economy, Fed officials will be forced to set interest rates without the full spectrum of data they normally rely upon.
- The US central bank has a dual mandate from Congress to act independently to tackle both inflation and unemployment.
Geostrategy
The armed groups clashing with Hamas in Gaza
Shortly after a ceasefire took effect in Gaza, clashes erupted between armed groups, some backed by Israel and others loyal...
- Some of these groups are criminal gangs, others consist of members of historically influential Gaza families, and some combine both elements, experts told AFP
- Armed gangs in Gaza are reportedly acting under Israeli protection, and allegedly loot aid convoys entering the territory, where shortages remain dire after Israel's blockade
Geostrategy
Afghanistan, Pakistan seek to firm up truce in Istanbul talks
Afghan and Pakistani negotiators were locked in talks to hammer out a lasting ceasefire Saturday, with Islamabad warning that if...
- Two weeks ago, the Taliban government launched a border offensive following explosions in Kabul which it blamed on its Pakistani neighbour
- Vowing a strong response, Islamabad then carried out "precision strikes" against armed groups on Afghan soil which are at the heart of the dispute
Geostrategy
Trump heads for Asia and Xi trade talks
US President Donald Trump left on Friday for Asia and high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping -- adding...
- Trump is set to meet Xi in South Korea on the last day of his regional swing in a bid to seal a deal to end the bruising trade war between the world's two biggest economies
- He will also visit Malaysia and Japan on his first trip to Asia since he returned to the White House in January in a blaze of tariffs and international dealmaking
Economy
China vows massive high-tech sector development in next decade
Beijing, China -- China will develop its high-tech sector on a massive scale in the next decade, top officials vowed...
- The country has poured support and investment into developing its science and technology sectors, part of ongoing efforts to present itself as a world leader in those areas.
- Domestically, China has been beset by sluggish spending, a protracted property sector crisis and a demographic crunch as its population starts to decline.
Geostrategy
Rubio seeks quick deployment of international Gaza force
He confirmed that Israel would enjoy vetoes on the force composition, amid reports Israel has objected to participation by Turkey.
- Turkey, a NATO member and one of the region's strongest militaries, was the first Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel.
- Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority state, has said it is ready to send troops to Gaza.
Geostrategy
Trump heads to Asia and high-stakes meeting with Xi
US President Donald Trump embarks on a major trip to Asia this week with all eyes on a meeting with...
- Trump said Wednesday he was making a "big trip" to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, his first visit to the region since he returned to the White House
- The highlight will be his talks with Xi in South Korea, which Trump's spokeswoman confirmed would take place on October 30 on the sidelines of an APEC summit
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Countdown begins for NASA’s historic Moon mission
If successful, Artemis II will carry four astronauts on a lunar flyby, testing critical systems needed for future missions that...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Starlink services disrupted in Iran amid expanding protests and broader measures affecting internet access
Widespread jamming of the Starlink satellite internet service used by some Iranian opposition members is a likely first in peacetime but...
Geostrategy
Trump reposts suggestion that Rubio become next Cuba leader
President Donald Trump reposted a social media message on Sunday suggesting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, born to Cuban...
Geostrategy
Palestinian VP meets diplomat expected to serve on Trump’s Gaza peace board
Palestinian vice president Hussein al-Sheikh met on Friday with former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, who is expected to...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Defiant Khamenei insists ‘won’t back down’ in face of growing Iran protests
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday insisted the Islamic republic would "not back down" in the face of...
- The demonstrations represent one of the biggest challenges yet to the Islamic republic in its over four-and-a-half decades of existence
- But Khamenei struck a defiant tone in his first comments on the escalating protests since January 3, calling the demonstrators "vandals"
Geostrategy
Israel president meets diplomat expected to serve on Trump’s Gaza peace board
Israel's President Isaac Herzog on Thursday met with former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, whom media reports say is...
- A spokesman from Herzog's office said the president met with Mladenov on Thursday, without providing further details
- The Times of Israel reported that Mladenov was expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later on Thursday
Geostrategy
US could run Venezuela, tap its oil for years, Trump says less than a week after toppling Maduro
The United States could run Venezuela and tap into its oil reserves for years, President Donald Trump said in an...
- Venezuela's state oil firm PDVSA said it was discussing oil sales with the United States for the "sale of volumes of oil"
- Trump and his advisors are considering a plan for the US to exert control over PDVSA, the Wall Street Journal reported