When President Donald Trump launched his war against Iran in late February, energy analysts issued dire warnings that oil prices could more than double during a protracted conflict and urged investors and motorists to buckle up for a bumpy ride.
www.abc.net.au
European diplomats say they were surprised and disappointed that Australia baulked at joining a UK-led move to impose trade sanctions on West Bank Israeli businesses.
CNN
Russia is holding parliamentary elections, the first since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in a political landscape in which critical opposition is effectively nonexistent
www.bbc.com
The US has not acknowledged carrying out February's deadly strikes on a primary school in Minab and a sports complex in Lamerd.
CNN
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed Wednesday that Canada become the bloc’s first “associate member,” a move aimed at shoring up their economies in the face of increasing trade tensions with the United States.
the Guardian
Mark Rutte asked UK and Europe to ‘provide the hard power Nato needs’ in face of geopolitical uncertainty
NBC News
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark interest rates for the first time since 2023, in a move aimed at slowing inflation.
France 24
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called for the creation of a "European Security Council", with countries including Britain and Ukraine, in her State of the European Union speech to the European Parliament…
www.abc.net.au
An emeritus professor at the London School of Economics and former senior official at the Bank of England says the 70 years to 2020 were as good as things ever got, and there is little hope of returning there.
For a third time, the U.S. House has voted to end the war in Iran. The House approved a war powers resolution late Tuesday that would halt President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military action without congressional approval.
ABC News
The war with Iran has cost the US at least $38B through the end of July and is expected to further push inflation higher, according to a nonpartisan CBO assessment.
www.abc.net.au
With no sign of de-escalation, there is a higher risk the expanding Iran war will push oil prices even higher than the level it reached during the global financial crisis in 2008.
CNN
Here’s what Republican candidates need as midterm elections loom:
www.bbc.com
With Trump opposed and Congress divided, new safety legislation on AI is unlikely to pass anytime soon despite mounting pressure.
NBC News
Urgent calls for a slowdown in the development of artificial intelligence may cite a grave threat to humanity, but China says the warnings are instead aimed at slowing its progress as America’s rival superpower.
www.abc.net.au
This year's meeting of leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and China resulted in some major trade wins, a chance to negotiate on the Middle East war and an image that hints at the summit's growing global influence.
the Guardian
Rare show of unity from rival developers after safety warnings from Anthropic boss and AI researchers
www.bbc.com
Brics members agree they need a new global order but it's harder to answer what should replace it and how to get there.
CNN
Amodei’s essay comes on the heels of an Anthropic researcher’s resignation over concerns that the firm and its competitors are not acting responsibly with AI development.
euronews
Brussels is trying to persuade EU countries that still have Patriot interceptors in their national stockpiles to donate them to Ukraine and replace them at a later stage with deliveries scheduled for 2027. #EuropeNews
www.bbc.com
The Iran-backed Houthis are also reported to have seized Perim - a strategic island on the major shipping route.
Follow live coverage of 9/11 memorial ceremonies 25 years later as Americans reflects on the attacks.
CNN
Iran-backed proxies in Yemen captured strategic locations along the Red Sea on Thursday, potentially expanding Tehran’s influence over another key Middle Eastern waterway.
The Houthi seizure of Mocha threatens global trade routes, severs vital supply lines, and displaces thousands in Yemen.
ABC News
"Pretend I'm on the ballot," Trump said during Wednesday night's speech.
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