Merz Credits EU Unity for Outmaneuvering Trump’s Trade Tactics
German chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz has stated that the shift in Trump tariffs demonstrates the benefits of European Union unity. This change in trade policy highlights the strength of a unified EU stance. The adjustment in US tariffs is seen as a positive outcome for the EU, showcasing the effectiveness of a collective approach to international trade negotiations. Read the full story here
Hungarian Streets Fill with Defiance as LGBTQ+ Community Enters Fourth Week of Protest Against Discriminatory Legislation
Thousands of protesters have rallied in Hungary's capital, Budapest, against a new law banning LGBTQ Pride events. The law, passed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, prohibits events depicting homosexuality to those under 18. The protests, which have persisted for four weeks, demand the law's withdrawal, with some demonstrators planning to remain on the city's bridges overnight. The law has drawn comparisons to Russia's anti-LGBTQ policies and is seen as an arbitrary restriction on the…
Indonesia Embarks on Ambitious yet Controversial Land Clearance Initiative to Boost Biofuel and Crop Yields
Indonesia is planning to clear a forested area roughly the size of Belgium for the production of sugarcane-derived bioethanol and food crops such as rice, threatening to displace Indigenous groups who rely on the land for survival. The plan has raised concerns among environmental activists, who warn that it will lead to deforestation and the expansion of palm oil plantations, further exacerbating the climate crisis and threatening the country's biodiversity. Read the full story here
Leaked Documents Reveal Over 160 Chinese Citizens Fighting on Behalf of Russia in Ukraine War
According to Ukrainian intelligence, at least 163 Chinese nationals are serving in Russia's Armed Forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that 155 Chinese citizens are fighting against Ukrainians on Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian government has summoned China's chargé d'affaires to demand an explanation and express condemnation. China has responded by saying it is verifying the claims, stating that Chinese citizens are prohibited from participating in foreign armed conflicts. Read the full story here
Trump Expresses Displeasure Over Russian Attacks on Ukraine, Claims Lack of Knowledge on the Crisis
US President Donald Trump expressed disapproval over Russia's intensified attacks on Ukraine, stating he is "not happy" with the current situation. Trump's comments come amid a recent escalation of violence, including a deadly missile strike on Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people, and a Russian ballistic missile strike on Kyiv that killed one and injured three others. Read the full story here
Top Investor Leaves Door Open for Dropping Chinese Stocks from Indexes
An official from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has stated that US-listed Chinese stocks may be at risk of being delisted. This comes as a result of auditing disagreements between the two countries. The official, in a recent statement, did not rule out the possibility of delisting Chinese companies that fail to comply with US accounting standards. This development has significant implications for US-Chinese trade relations. Read the full story here
Accelerating AI Advancement: A Strategic Roadmap for Future Growth
The European Union has introduced a plan to enhance its artificial intelligence industry, aiming to compete with the U.S. and China. The plan, known as the AI Continent Action Plan, seeks to transform traditional industries into powerful engines of AI innovation. The EU plans to build a network of AI factories and create specialized labs to improve access to high-quality training data, while also establishing an AI Act Service Desk to help firms comply with…
America Breaks Ranks with China in Cancer Fight, Restricting Shared Research Access
The United States has blocked access to the world's largest cancer database, the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER), for thousands of Chinese scientists. The move is part of a new round of US science policies targeting China, with researchers from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau being denied access to the database, which provides nationwide data on cancer incidence and treatments. Read the full story here
Trump Admin Faces ‘Insider Trading’ Investigation, Shocked to Discover They’re Not Allowed to Just Make Up Their Own Rules About Money Too
Breaking News: Senator Adam Schiff is on the warpath, and this time, he's gunning for President Donald Trump's administration over allegations of insider trading. Because, you know, what's a little collusion between friends, right? (Or should I say, what's a little tariff manipulation between "stable geniuses"?) And can we talk about these tariffs for a second? I mean, Trump is like a kid in a candy store, except instead of candy, it's tariffs, and instead…