Top Chinese and American diplomats, Wang Yi and Daniel Kritenbrink, met in the Philippines to discuss President Xi Jinping's planned US trip and the South China Sea dispute. Wang described the meeting as "pragmatic, positive and constructive," urging "strategic stability" and "peaceful coexistence" despite acknowledged differences.
Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has recorded 2,473 cases and 999 deaths, with 737 patients isolated. This Bundibugyo virus strain lacks approved vaccines/treatments and is spreading rapidly through unknown transmission chains, particularly in Ituri province.
L'UE tente de finaliser de nouvelles sanctions contre la Russie, incluant une prolongation du plafonnement du prix du pétrole, malgré les réserves de la Grèce. L'Ukraine a remplacé son commandant militaire, tandis que l'Allemagne a autorisé un projet nucléaire controversé avec Rosatom. Des attaques de drones russes ont fait des victimes.
China's Ministry of Science and Technology and the European Commission have signed a two-year joint research funding agreement, supporting scientific cooperation until 2027 in areas like food, agriculture, biosolutions, climate change, and biodiversity.
The Trump administration announced a $5 billion initiative to use AI to solve scientific problems, including chronic diseases and drug discovery. Fifteen federal agencies will participate, with scientists gaining access to Department of Energy supercomputers. Microsoft will donate $40 million in AI computing credits.
Russia's extensive nuclear arsenal has proven ineffective in the Ukraine war, despite threats. The article argues tactical nuclear weapons are unlikely to be used due to historical ineffectiveness in non-nuclear conflicts, risk of radioactive fallout on Russian territory, and Moscow's claim over eastern Ukrainian oblasts.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has caused nearly 1,000 deaths since May, with 2,473 cases recorded. The Bundibugyo strain is spreading faster than any previous outbreak, prompting urgent calls for action from health officials as cases also appear in neighboring Uganda.
Jeff Bezos is reportedly in talks to join a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, which has made a £1.35bn provisional offer to acquire a 30% stake in Liverpool FC from Fenway Sports Group. The potential deal would value the club at £4.5bn.
ArcelorMittal France et plusieurs de ses filiales ont fait l'objet de redressements fiscaux pour les exercices 2012 à 2022, portant sur des commissions payées à une société luxembourgeoise et un accord de franchise. L'entreprise a contesté ces rectifications mais indique qu'il n'y a plus de contentieux à ce jour.
Indonesia's Prime Group has resumed activities for the Tuna gas field project, which involves Russian state-owned Zarubezhneft as a 50% partner. The project faces potential geopolitical challenges due to its location in Indonesia's exclusive economic zone, where China has previously objected to drilling, and complications from sanctions on Russia.
Beijing-based AI start-up Moonshot AI is set to close its current funding round at a US$30 billion valuation and plans a subsequent round as early as August, targeting up to US$50 billion before a potential listing, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The total number of US troops killed in the armed conflict with Iran has risen to 18 after Sergeant Angel Rampersad, previously missing from a July 17 strike on a US base in Jordan, was identified. Over 500 American service members have been wounded since hostilities began.
Charlie Walker's book "On Thin Ice" recounts his 2022 trek across northern Siberia, coinciding with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He observes ordinary Russians' views on the conflict and faces increasing scrutiny from the FSB, leading to his detention and deportation from the country.
Russia and ASEAN foreign ministers met in Manila, reaffirming shared approaches to international issues and discussing enhanced cooperation in areas like food and energy security, digitalization, and high technologies, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of their relations.
AgiBot had eyed a Hong Kong listing this year, targeting a HK$40-50 billion valuation, with CICC and Morgan Stanley as potential joint sponsors. Separately, Innolight's IPO, aiming to raise US$8 billion, attracted over 30 cornerstone investors for a July 30 debut, potentially the city's biggest listing in seven years.
Luxury car sales in China dropped significantly last month and in the first half of the year, with brands like Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover experiencing declines as wealthy consumers increasingly favor electric vehicles due to rising crude oil prices.
La ministre de la Transition écologique, Monique Barbut, a annoncé sa démission au Premier ministre Sébastien Lecornu suite à l'adoption définitive de la loi d'urgence agricole, notamment son volet sur les pesticides, contre lequel elle s'était opposée.
Exclusive research reveals over 16 million people in England and Wales live more than a 1km round trip from a 24/7 defibrillator, significantly increasing cardiac arrest mortality risk. The British Heart Foundation launches a campaign to address these 'defibrillator deserts'.
A devastating earthquake in Venezuela on June 24, with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, has resulted in 5,346 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and 17,265 people left homeless. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez reported these figures, also noting 190 destroyed buildings and extensive aid efforts.
US House lawmakers discussed CFTC oversight of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, noting the agency's short-staffing. The proposed CLARITY Act could grant the CFTC more authority over digital assets and prediction markets, amidst a federal-state conflict over regulation, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.
Market forecasts indicate a doubled likelihood of a Reserve Bank interest rate hike as escalating Middle East tensions drive fuel prices higher. Brent crude surged 23% to near $US90/barrel, impacting Australian motorists and raising stagflation concerns for the economy.
Queensland's Liberal National government buried a report by domestic violence victim-survivors that criticized police handling of cases and advocated for civilian review mechanisms, despite promises to prioritize victims in justice policies.
Houthis announced a naval blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in retaliation for Saudi strikes, threatening energy markets. This comes as the US and Iran exchange fire for a 10th day, and a separate Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire holds.
Substack is rolling out a new tool, powered by Pangram, to help users identify AI-generated text in posts, notes, replies, and comments. The feature aims to increase transparency and trust on the platform amid growing AI prevalence.
