The covid’s origins debate
The idea that sars-cov-2, the virus that causes covid-19, instead leaked from a Chinese research laboratory has persisted since the earliest days of the pandemic. Though this theory has rested largely on rumours and circumstantial evidence, it has nevertheless set the stage for a bitter three-and-a-half year row. New diseases in people almost always come
The working from home fades
Wall Street firms have been among the most forceful in summoning workers to their offices, but in recent months even many tech titans Apple, Google, Meta and more have demanded staff show up to the office at least three days a week. For work-from home believers, it looks like the revenge of corporate curmudgeons. and
Chinese economic reality
Chinese social media is full of positive takes on grim market news. Commentary such as this is becoming the main message netizens receive about the market, regardless of how it performs. As China’s economic recovery falters, authorities are cracking down on divergent or negative views. Hu xijin is best known for his calls to prepare
manufacturing delusion
More than 250 years on, governments share his view of factories as a cure for the ills of the age including climate change, the loss of middle class jobs, geopolitical strife and weak economic growth with an enthusiasm and munificence surpassing anything seen in decades. China’s “Made in China” strategy aims to turn the country
Russian bans gender reassignment
Putin’s administration has repeatedly used attacks on transgender rights, as well as LGBTQ people in general, as a way of pushing the notion that the West has lost its moral compass. Last year, the Russian parliament passed a so-called “gay propaganda” law that effectively made it illegal to refer to LGBTQ relationships in any kind
Putin renews Black Sea grain deal
The grain deal, brokered by Turkey and the UN, has since last summer has allowed ships to carry Ukrainian food exports from Black Sea ports despite the ongoing war with Russia. Erdoğan earlier put the amount of exports at around 33 million tonnes. Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports prompted fears of soaring prices
Wagner to work as a single unit
Putin has previously said Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, move to neighboring Belarus or retire from service. Speaking to Kommersant, Putin emphasized that “rank-and-file soldiers of Wagner have fought honorably” in Ukraine, adding that “it’s a cause for regret that they were drawn” into the mutiny. Russian
Iraqi and Iran barter deal
After decades of electricity shortages because of war, corruption and mismanagement, oil-rich Iraq has become heavily reliant on imported Iranian gas to meet its electricity needs. The shortages in recent months are in part due to U.S. restrictions on transferring funds to Iran. Imports from Iran are especially vital during the scorching summer months when
Swahili to be included in AI-Driven Chatbot Bard
Swahili is among the 10 most widely spoken languages in the world, with more than 200 million speakers. Google has included Swahili on its conversational artificial intelligence (AI) service Bard, becoming the first language on the continent to be embedded in the solution. As part of the expansion, the new updates launched include Listen to
Abramovich to challenge European Union sanctions
Following President Vladimir Putin’s February 24 decision to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, the EU imposed sanctions on Russian authorities and a slew of Russian businessmen, blocking hundreds of billions of euros in Russian assets. Abramovich is one of the most powerful businessmen who amassed enormous fortunes following the dissolution of the