Month: March 2023
Bakhmut appeared to be hanging in the balance
Putin’s stated ambition is to seize full control of the four provinces, including Donetsk, that Moscow illegally annexed last fall. Russia controls about half of Donetsk province, and to take the remaining half of that province its forces must go through Bakhmut. The fate of Bakhmut appeared to be hanging in the balance Monday, as
Chess governance still dominated by Russia
Russia continues to dominate the politics of international chess and to avoid international sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the country’s chess federation is set to switch from the European Chess Union to the Asian Chess Federation. It’s a controversial move. Pein estimates the cost of launching such a campaign at around €2 million
The new anti-LGBTQ bill in Uganda
Homosexuality remains illegal in Uganda, though, with the Penal Code Act still categorizing it as a crime against morality. Uganda’s new anti-gay bill, which proposes punishing people who support or fund homosexuality, has widespread support from MPs but rights activists say the bill is a diversion from the real issues affecting citizens. Ugandan lawmakers are
Foxconn demand goes down
Last month, Foxconn said its revenue in January had jumped by 48.2% from a year earlier to hit a record high, as manufacturing in Zhengzhou returned to pre-pandemic levels. Apple’s biggest supplier Foxconn says its revenue last month fell by 11.65% compared to the same period in 2022 due to weaker demand for electronics. However,
Cut in Tesla prices
Tesla is facing challenges as higher borrowing costs weigh on buyers and rivals offer more electric options. Tesla has cut prices for its electric cars – again – as it tries to boost sales and compete with rival firms. The reductions – worth several thousand pounds, depending on the market and model – have been
The Bakhmut fight
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that Russia taking control of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut would not mean that Ukraine was losing in the broader conflict. The Russian mercenary group Wagner has been at the forefront of Moscow’s effort to capture Bakhmut. Although the fight for the salt-mining city is one of the
Southwest US-bound flight emergency landing
The plane – flying from Havana to Fort Lauderdale, Florida filled with smoke following the collision shortly after take-off on Sunday morning, A Southwest US-bound flight was forced to make an emergency landing after birds struck the plane’s engine. The Boeing 737 plane was transporting 147 passengers and six staff members, Southwest Airlines said in
Israel -Iran conflict
Israel is convinced that Iran is working to develop a nuclear weapon and sees its existence as threatened. Israeli leaders have repeatedly said they will not allow Iran to become a nuclear power, and have refused to rule out a preventive strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against a possible
dollarization in Lebanon
With the Lebanese economy in shambles and its currency in free fall, Bazazo spends much of his time trying to keep up with a fluctuating exchange rate. Businesses like his are increasingly leaning on one of the world’s most reliable assets the U.S. dollar as a way to cope with the worst financial crisis in
Estonia Votes against Russia
The Baltic state has so far been one of Kyiv’s staunchest supporters. The current coalition government, led by Kallas’ Reform party, has vehemently supported EU sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine and backed Western arms deliveries to Kyiv. However, it is not certain that Kallas, whom opinion polls cast as the favorite to