USA

Donald Trump Calls for a “New Middle East” During his Visit to Saudi Arabia

On an official two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump called for a fundamental reshaping of the geopolitical balance in the Middle East. In a speech delivered to an audience of Arab leaders, Trump advocated for an expansion of the Abraham Accords and increased cooperation in addressing regional threats, particularly those ...

Protection Racket? Asian Semiconductor Giants Fear Looming Tariffs

Inside one of South Korea's oldest semiconductor research institutes, the cleanrooms and workshops are calm and immaculate, but outside the Seoul National University campus, a chip storm is brewing. Last month, Washington announced a national security probe into imports of semiconductor technology, which could put the industry in the crosshairs ...

Ubisoft Dispatches Gloomy Year with 'Assassin's Creed' Rescue

Earnings data from French games giant Ubisoft is set to show on Wednesday that historic cash-cow series "Assassin's Creed" has saved it from a disastrous year with multiple setbacks. The full results for Ubisoft's 2024-25 financial year, set for release after the Paris stock market closes at 1530 GMT, will be closely watched following a near ...

Inner Workings of AI an Enigma - Even to its Creators

Even the greatest human minds building generative artificial intelligence that is poised to change the world admit they do not comprehend how digital minds think. "People outside the field are often surprised and alarmed to learn that we do not understand how our own AI creations work," Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei wrote in an essay posted ...

Trump Says would be 'Stupid' to Reject Qatari Air Force One Gift

US President Donald Trump on Monday angrily dismissed concerns over his plans to receive a jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One, saying it would be "stupid" not to accept such a gift. The offer from Qatar's royal family to donate the $400 million 747-8 to be used as the US presidential plane raised major questions about ethics and security, ...

No Truce in India-Pakistan Disinformation War

India and Pakistan have announced a ceasefire after coming close to all-out conflict, but on social media citizens on both sides are vying to control public perceptions by peddling disinformation. Platforms such as Facebook and X are still awash with misrepresented footage of the attacks that killed at least 60 people and sent thousands fleeing. ...

US Approves $1.4 bn Weapons Sale to UAE

US officials said Monday the State Department has authorized the sale of $1.4 billion worth of military aircraft and equipment to the United Arab Emirates, ahead of President Donald Trump's visit this week. The proposed sale to the Gulf state involves six CH-47F Chinook helicopters and other equipment for $1.32 billion that would "support the ...

UN Aviation Agency finds Russia Responsible for 2014 Downing of Airliner over Ukraine

The UN aviation agency blamed Russia Monday for the downing of a Malaysian jetliner over Ukraine in 2014, leading to the deaths of 298 people. Australia and the Netherlands, the countries with most fatalities in the tragedy, quickly called for Russia to assume responsiblity for the downing and pay damages. The International Civil Aviation ...

US, China Agree to Slash Tariffs in Trade War De-Escalation

The United States and China announced Monday an agreement to drastically reduce tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, an outcome President Donald Trump dubbed a "total reset," as he said that talks with counterpart Xi Jinping could soon follow. After the first meetings between Washington and Beijing since Trump ratcheted up his trade war, ...

Markets rally after China, US slash tariffs

Stock markets, the dollar, and oil prices rallied Monday after the United States and China declared a 90-day truce in their trade war. At the opening bell in New York, the Dow jumped by 2.7 percent, the S&P 500 by 2.9 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite by 4.2 percent. "Stocks are surging, safe havens are rapidly ...

US, China to Publish Details of 'Substantial' Trade Talks in Geneva

The US and China will Monday give details of "substantial progress" touted by Washington on trade talks aimed at ending a devastating tariff war launched by US President Donald Trump that has wiped billions off equities and brought chaos to international commerce. US Treasury Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Chinese ...