International

A crash in the North Sea involving a container vessel and a moored US-registered oil tanker has heightened worries regarding maritime safety in one of the globe's most frequented shipping lanes. The event took place amid uncertain conditions and has spotlighted possible shortcomings in navigation procedures as well as the difficulties stemming from dense traffic in international maritime zones.A collision in the North Sea between a container ship and an anchored US-flagged oil tanker has raised significant concerns about maritime safety in one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. The incident, which occurred under unclear circumstances, has drawn attention to potential lapses in navigation protocols and the challenges posed by high traffic in international waters.Renowned for its l...

Poland is set to implement compulsory military training for all male adults, aligning with a larger plan to boost national defense. Prime Minister Donald Tusk disclosed this initiative during a parliamentary address, emphasizing the government's efforts to develop a thorough strategy that prepares every male citizen with essential skills to counter possible dangers. Complete information about the program is anticipated to be released by the year's end.Tusk highlighted the crucial nature of preparedness, citing the current conflict in Ukraine's vicinity as a clear example of the necessity for a robust national defense. He detailed the objective of enlarging Poland’s military forces, including reserves, to reach 500,000 troops—over twice the present number of approximately 200,000. “It is es...

China has revealed intentions for a large-scale government-supported fund designed to boost advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hydrogen energy, and other cutting-edge industries. This plan, known as the "state venture capital guidance fund," was announced by Zheng Shanjie, the head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), at a press briefing held during China’s yearly legislative sessions.China has announced plans for a massive state-backed fund aimed at accelerating innovation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hydrogen energy, and other high-tech sectors. The initiative, referred to as the "state venture capital guidance fund," was unveiled by Zheng Shanjie, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), during a n...

Ukraine and US Unable to Conclude Rare Earth Minerals DealOn Friday, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine held a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, aiming to sign a deal allowing the US to access Ukraine's rare earth mineral resources. Nonetheless, the discussions took a surprising shift, resulting in a tense argument with Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. After Zelensky left prematurely, the White House confirmed that no deal was finalized.Previously, Zelensky had expressed optimism that this "preliminary" agreement could pave the way for further cooperation. However, he confirmed that Ukraine had yet to secure any security guarantees from the US—one of his key demands. Trump, for his part, argued that such a deal would allow American taxpayers to "recoup...

Ukraine and US Fail to Finalize Rare Earth Minerals AgreementOn Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump in Washington to sign an agreement granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits. However, the meeting took an unexpected turn, ending in a heated exchange between Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. Following Zelensky’s early departure, the White House announced that no agreement had been signed.Previously, Zelensky had expressed optimism that this "preliminary" agreement could pave the way for further cooperation. However, he confirmed that Ukraine had yet to secure any security guarantees from the US—one of his key demands. Trump, for his part, argued that such a deal would allow American taxpayers to "recoup their ...

European stock markets traded lower on Monday in the last full trading session of 2024, as investors braced for a quiet end to the year. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.5% in early afternoon trading in London, with most sectors posting losses. Technology, industrial and media stocks led the declines, while oil and gas stocks managed to post gains. Trading volumes remained light as markets across the region prepared to close early or remain closed until January 2 for the New Year holiday. Despite Monday's modest performance, European stocks are on track to end the year with moderate gains. The Stoxx 600 is up about 5.5% in 2024, in stark contrast to the U.S. S&P 500 index, which is up about 25% over the same period. U.S. markets also opened lower on Monday, reflecting ligh...

On New Year's Day, Ukraine officially cut off the flow of Russian natural gas to several European countries, marking the end of Moscow's long-standing dominance of European energy markets. The move, which had been widely anticipated, comes as the five-year transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expired without renewal amid the ongoing war between the two nations. At around 8am local time on Wednesday, Russian state energy giant Gazprom confirmed that gas exports to Europe via Ukrainian pipelines had stopped. This development, which follows more than three decades of transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, highlights changing energy dynamics in Europe as the EU continues to push to reduce dependence on Russian supplies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made clear last...

Chinese leaders reaffirmed their commitment to boosting the nation's economy by unveiling plans for more aggressive fiscal policy and moderate monetary easing at a high-level economic planning meeting that concluded Thursday. The meeting, led by President Xi Jinping, highlighted the government's determination to stabilize growth despite growing external pressures and domestic challenges. State-run CCTV reported the meeting after the mainland stock market closed. The iShares China Large Cap ETF (FXI) briefly rose 0.8% in premarket trading before paring gains. The annual economic conference highlighted the need for increased government spending, a higher fiscal deficit and the issuance of very long-term bonds in 2025. Furthermore, the conference confirmed plans to ease monetary pol...

More news - Breaking news Former French President François Hollande underlined the need for Europe to maintain unity in the face of growing US protectionism, especially regarding security and trade issues. His comments came shortly after Donald Trump's election victory, which raised concerns about potential economic challenges for the European Union, particularly his threat to impose a 10% tariff on European nations. This unfolds as Germany, a key economic hub for the region, grapples with economic hardship and political instability following the collapse of its coalition government. Additionally, there are growing concerns about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the possibility that the United States may reduce its financial support, leaving European allies to shoulder th...

Related media - Latest news In a recent blog post, the Startup Coalition, a major tech lobby group in the UK, expressed concern about the potential repercussions of the government's new tax policies, suggesting they could lead to a significant "brain drain" in the tech sector . The comments come in light of the announcement made by Britain's Labor government on Wednesday to increase capital gains tax (CGT) rates on share sales, a move intended to strengthen public finances and stimulate economic growth. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves set out the proposed changes in her inaugural budget, saying the minimum rate of CGT will rise from 10% to 18%, while the maximum rate will rise from 20% to 24%. This adjustment is expected to generate around £2.5 billion for the Government. Ree...