The European Central Bank kept its deposit rate at 2% during Thursday’s policy meeting, as widely expected.The rate has remained at this level for over two years after eight cuts from a 4% peak.Other key rates were also unchanged: main refinancing at 2.15% and marginal lending at 2.40%.ECB President Christine Lagarde said inflation is near the 2% target and is projected to stabilize in the medium term.Flash data showed eurozone prices rose 2.1% in August, following 2% readings in June and July.Despite stable inflation, the bloc faces challenges including political uncertainty in France, affecting investments.The EU-US trade agreement provides some…
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US pharmaceutical giant Merck has cancelled its planned £1bn UK expansion. The company said the government is not giving the life sciences sector enough support. The multinational, known in Europe as MSD, will move its research to the US and cut jobs in Britain. Executives accused successive governments of undervaluing vaccines and innovative medicines. Industry experts warned the decision could deter other major companies from investing in the UK. Government defends spending but admits more is needed A government spokesperson defended investment in science and research but admitted more work must be done. Officials highlighted new initiatives but acknowledged that…
WARSAW, Poland — Polish authorities confirmed Wednesday that fighter jets intercepted and destroyed several Russian drones that entered the nation’s airspace during overnight attacks on Ukraine. The defense ministry reported that 19 drones crossed into Poland late Tuesday and early Wednesday. F-16 aircraft, supported by NATO allies, shot down at least eight of them. Debris landed in multiple areas, including the village of Wyryki-Kolonia, where one drone struck a home. No injuries were reported. Prime Minister Donald Tusk denounced the incursion as a deliberate act of aggression and requested immediate NATO consultations under Article 4. Airports in Warsaw, Rzeszów, and…
Eyewitnesses saw a bullet strike Charlie Kirk’s neck before aides rushed him off stage in Utah. US President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that the 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder died after the attack. Trump praised Kirk on Truth Social, calling him “legendary” and declaring, “Charlie, we love you.” Shooting at Utah Valley University Videos show Kirk speaking under a white tent before a gunshot ended his response to an audience question. Blood poured from his neck as he reached up with his right hand, witnesses reported on social media. Police detained a suspect immediately after the shooting but later…
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison overtook Elon Musk after Oracle shares jumped 40% in early trading.Ellison’s 41% stake is now worth $393bn, slightly ahead of Musk’s $384bn, according to Bloomberg.The surge marks Oracle’s largest single-day increase and the biggest one-day wealth gain on the Bloomberg index.Ellison, 81, also owns Tesla shares, a sailing team, the Indian Wells Open, and a Hawaiian island.He has a close relationship with Musk, having invested $1bn in Twitter and served on Tesla’s board until 2022.Both men have ties to Donald Trump, though Musk’s relationship reportedly soured earlier this year.Oracle’s growth is driven by rising demand for…
Donald Trump is pressing the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on China and India. His goal is to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and push for an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump demands stronger action against Moscow The US president raised his demand during a meeting with EU officials on Tuesday. Both sides looked at new measures to weaken Russia’s economy. According to a source, Trump called for the toughest possible tariffs on China and India. He had pledged to stop the conflict on the “first day” of his presidency. But…
Beijing courts are seeing a sharp rise in legal cases involving artificial intelligence, showing the need for stronger oversight as this technology spreads across multiple sectors. Since the Beijing Internet Court opened in September 2018, it has resolved more than 245,000 lawsuits. Among them, AI-related cases have grown rapidly. Most focus on copyright ownership of AI-created works and whether using AI products or services can lead to legal violations. Zhao Changxin, vice-president of the court, discussed the trend during a recent news briefing. Zhao explained that as AI enters more industries, disputes are no longer confined to the internet sector.…
The Philippines is preparing new South China Sea protocols to better coordinate government agencies amid growing tensions with China. The move aims to strengthen Manila’s response to Beijing’s gray-zone activities in contested waters. Philippine Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns Andres Centino said the government is revising its rules of engagement to reflect the evolving situation at sea and in the air. “We need updated protocols that guide our law enforcement agencies in responding appropriately to China’s actions,” Centino said. The new guidelines are part of a whole-of-government approach and will apply to multiple agencies, including the navy, coast guard, National…
Beijing is giving new life to the red seats used in its Victory Day celebrations. As the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services opened on Wednesday, visitors noticed rows of these familiar seats outside the venue. These 1,508 seats were originally part of the temporary viewing platforms at Tian’anmen Square. They were installed for the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931–45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Now, they are serving the public in new ways across the capital. Liu Feifei, head of Shougang Park’s urban renewal department, explained that…
Israeli forces carried out new demolitions of Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank this week. The army destroyed houses in Kafr Abush, south of Tulkarem, and in the city of Tubas, using explosives. The demolished homes belonged to families of two Palestinian prisoners and a suspect killed in an attack on an Israeli military checkpoint in February 2024. Authorities say these demolitions were part of security measures against suspected attackers. In addition, Israeli troops surrounded a house in the al-Marah neighborhood of Jenin. The siege followed ongoing tensions in the region, with authorities citing security concerns. The demolitions come…
