Popular Post
Defying Adversity: Israel’s Economy Sees 1% Expansion Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israel's GDP grew by 1% in 2024, exceeding initial forecasts, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. However, this growth reflects a negative GDP per capita growth of 0.3% due to population growth. The Finance Ministry and other institutions had forecasted lower growth rates, but the actual figure was higher. The growth was mainly supported by a sharp increase in government spending, particularly for war expenses, which jumped by 43.3%. Read the full story here
Crash Site Yields Crucial Clues: Recordings Recovered from Downed Delta Aircraft
A Delta Air Lines plane crashed at Pearson International Airport, sending 21 people to hospital. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the cause of the crash. The plane's cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been retrieved and sent to a lab for analysis. The airport's president and CEO, Deborah Flint, said the response to the incident was "textbook," but details on what caused the crash are still scarce. Two people remain…
CNN Files FOIA Request About DOGE, Gets Response Written in Crayon by Intern Named ‘DogeMcDogeFace’
What is going on here? When CNN requested some information about security clearances for Elon Musk and other personnel at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, they got a response that was just, well, great. An email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) basically said "good luck with that" - and I'm paraphrasing here - because they fired the whole privacy team. But wait, an OPM official said that's not entirely true, they just,…
Ukraine Leader Puts Saudi Trip on Hold as US and Russia Engage in Diplomatic Efforts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia, citing Ukraine's exclusion from US-Russia talks on the war in Ukraine. The visit is rescheduled for March 10. Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over Ukraine's absence in discussions that could determine its future, emphasizing Kyiv's frustration at being sidelined. The US and Russia have agreed to work toward ending the war in Ukraine and restoring diplomatic and economic relations. The talks have sparked concerns from Ukraine…
Brazil Set to Become Latest Member of Elite OPEC+ Oil-Producing Alliance
Brazil's government has approved joining OPEC+, a group of major oil-exporting nations, signaling the country's evolution into a major oil state. This decision comes ahead of hosting the United Nations' annual climate summit, with Brazil aiming to increase oil production despite criticism from environmental groups, who argue it contradicts efforts to reduce fossil fuel use and address climate change. Read the full story here
Ukraine’s Exclusion from Saudi Talks Reveals Deep-Rooted Discord Among Global Powers
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to participate in discussions between Russia and the United States in Riyadh, but both countries insisted the talks take place without Ukraine. The Ukrainian president has postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia after being excluded from the talks, stating he was not invited and does not want any coincidences, rescheduling his visit for March 10. Read the full story here
West Faces Familiar Fears as Russia-Ukraine Crisis Draws Afghanistan-Style Warning
US officials have begun peace talks with Russia, sparking concerns that the same mistakes made in Afghanistan may be repeated. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander warned against making similar errors, citing the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021, which led to the country falling into the Taliban's hands, and emphasized the importance of dialogue between the US and European allies. Read the full story here
Trump Signs New Order to Declare Himself King, Demand Daily Sacrifices of Avocado Toast and Netflix Passwords
And let's get this over with, because I'm already fed up with the latest executive order from the president, which would basically give him control over independent agencies - yeah, because that's not a power grab at all (check out the politics section for more on this). But, I mean, who needs checks and balances when you can just have one person making all the decisions, right? But what's even more interesting is the legal…
Erdogan Offers Turkey as Neutral Ground for Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered Ankara as a potential venue for peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Erdogan highlighted Turkey's previous mediation efforts, including the Black Sea grain deal, and reaffirmed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, emphasizing the need for sustainable peace in the region. Read the full story here
Japan Sets Ambitious Goal to Slash Emissions by Nearly Two-Thirds Within Next Decade
Japan has set new climate targets, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035 from 2013 levels. The country plans to achieve net zero by 2050, with renewables expected to account for 40-50% of electricity generation by 2040, as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations. Read the full story here