US considers deploying second carrier near Iran, Chile launches latam-GPT to combat US-centric bias, Apple and Google reform app stores in UK

Apple and Google agree with UK's Competition and Markets Authority to increase app transparency and avoid discrimination, promoting a more competitive market and boosting the UK's app economy. (The Guardian - Dan Milmo Global technology editor)

BBC News: UK regulator's ruling prompts Apple and Google to reform app stores, addressing "effective duopoly" concerns and potentially boosting the UK's app economy with increased competition and innovation.

US and Iran may be on brink of limited military confrontation, with a calibrated strike likely to reshape bargaining dynamics rather than spark full-scale war, amid ongoing negotiations and rising tensions. (Foreign Policy - Arash Reisinezhad, Arsham Reisinezhad)

Sudan's war may be nearing a turning point, with a potential window for negotiations as the battlefield stabilizes, amid a humanitarian crisis and international pressure for a cease-fire. (Foreign Affairs - Volker Perthes)

ByteDance and Alibaba launch new AI image tools, Seedream 5.0 and Qwen-Image-2.0, to rival Google's Nano Banana, offering enhanced capabilities and lower costs. (China Economic Review - will)

The US considers deploying a second aircraft carrier near Iran, signaling potential tough action if nuclear deal negotiations fail, amid escalating tensions and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to Washington DC. (Báo Thanh Niên )

World: US considers deploying a second aircraft carrier near Iran, escalating tensions, as Netanyahu visits DC for talks

The FDA has rejected Moderna's application for a new mRNA-based flu vaccine, citing unspecified concerns that require further evaluation and discussion with the company. (The Washington Times stories: News - Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone)

Chile launches Latam-GPT, an open-source AI model to combat US-centric bias, using Latin American data to promote cultural diversity and reduce prejudices. (Buenos Aires Times - James Grainger)

UN Human Rights Representative in Sudan, Li Fung, urges international action amid devastating civil war, citing 12 million displaced and thousands killed, with the "cost of silence" being too high. (ohchr )

Dassault's stance jeopardizes the €100bn Franco-German Future Combat Air System project, sparking concerns over the collaborative defense initiative's future. (World )

North Korea's nuclear strategy driven by diplomacy, control, and ideology. The US-ROK alliance is crucial for regional stability, deterring aggression, and ensuring interoperability, outweighing costs and mitigating miscalculation risks. (Small Wars Journal - C.B. Duncan)

Albania protests turn violent: 16 police injured, 13 arrested in Tirana as demonstrators clash with authorities, hurling Molotov cocktails and stones at government buildings. (ΤΑ ΝΕΑ )

Ethiopia is accused of secretly hosting a UAE-funded training camp for Sudan's RSF militia, escalating the Sudanese civil war, prompting a warning from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee over potential consequences. (AFP - - - Rukayya Abba Kabara)

facebook.com: The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee warns Ethiopia of potential consequences for allegedly hosting a training camp for Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters, citing concerns over regional stability.

https://saudigazette.com.sa: Ethiopia hosts UAE-funded training camp for thousands of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces fighters, escalating Sudan's conflict and raising regional tensions.

Dr. Siroos Hajizadeh discusses cognitive warfare, a new tool of power in international relations, focusing on its theoretical foundations, key concepts, and applications. (اخبار )

Russia nears capture of key Ukrainian towns, gaining leverage in US-mediated peace talks, after a year of slow advances in southern and eastern Ukraine. (NYT > World News - Constant Méheut)

Vietnam launches International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City, aiming to attract global institutions and billions in investment, boosting economic development and growth. (Tuổi Trẻ Online - Tin mới nhất - RSS Feed )

Tuổi Trẻ Online - Tin mới nhất - RSS Feed: Nam A Bank invests in Vietnam's International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City, boosting economic growth and development in the region.

Tuổi Trẻ Online - Tin mới nhất - RSS Feed: Vietnam establishes international financial center in Ho Chi Minh City, targeting global investment and economic growth opportunities.

Tesco's UK CEO warns the nation is "sleepwalking" into a joblessness epidemic, citing rising employment costs and calling for government action to address the issue and stimulate economic growth. (The Independent - Karl Matchett)

India aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, prioritizing decarbonization of the transport sector to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable development. (Devdiscourse )

The US House rejected a proposal to block votes on challenging Trump's trade policy, allowing lawmakers to proceed with potential votes on trade agreements and tariffs imposed by the former administration. (Financial Times )

US tourism declines amid "Trump slump," potentially deterring international World Cup fans from visiting the country. (Fast Company )

The Reserve Bank of Australia vows to lower inflation, currently at 3.8%, with potential rate hikes, amid concerns over consumer confidence after a recent rate increase led to a 2.6% drop in sentiment. (The Wall Street Journal )

Sky News Australia: Australia's Reserve Bank needs two rate hikes to bring inflation down to 2-3% target, says Westpac, as inflation currently sits at 3.8% and consumer sentiment falls 2.6% after last week's rate increase.

Rystad Energy outlines 5 possible scenarios for Iran, from diplomatic normalization to severe destabilization, which could impact global oil markets and prices, with escalation scenarios posing significant upside risks. (OilPrice.com - Rystad Energy)

Wealthy families cite geopolitics as a top concern, but are not investing in popular hedges like AI, crypto, or gold, instead prioritizing private markets and large-cap stocks, according to a J.P. Morgan Private Bank report. (Barron's - Abby Schultz)

The strengthening Yuan poses a challenge to the US dollar's global dominance, influencing geopolitics and economics worldwide as China's currency gains international recognition and acceptance. (The Astana Times )

Heineken announces plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs globally, citing decreased alcohol demand in key markets and seeking to optimize operations and reduce costs. (Πρώτο Θέμα: RSS )

US tariffs on French wine and spirits led to an 8% decline in export value, significantly impacting the industry's global trade. (The Local France )

Argentina's Economic Uncertainty Index fell to 49.8 in January, its lowest level since 2020, indicating a decrease in economic uncertainty after recent elections and political changes. (Cornista - LEONARDO VILLAFAÑE)

Argentina and the US sign a trade agreement, boosting agroexports and eliminating tariffs on 1,600 products, but also sparking concerns over industrial competition and geopolitical implications. (LA NACION - Florencia Rubiolo)

Bangladesh may shift cotton imports from India to the US amid potential trade deal, diversifying its sourcing to secure better prices and quality. (World News Today: International News Headlines - The Hindu | The Hindu )

US retail sales remained stagnant in December, fueling concerns of a potential economic slowdown and prompting closer scrutiny of consumer spending trends. (BBC News )

Global markets react mixedly as investors balance strong retail sales data with increased AI spending, sparking varied reactions worldwide. (Devdiscourse )

India's growth and inflation outlook suggests rate cuts are unlikely, impacting longer-term bond yields and investment strategies in the market. (MSN )

US retail sales fall short of expectations, leading to a decline in Wall Street performance and sparking concerns about the overall health of the economy. (Rocky Mountain Outlook )

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer faces ongoing challenges despite surviving a recent crisis, with party instability, leadership tests, and internal power struggles posing significant threats to his leadership. (The Guardian - Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor)

The Guardian: UK Labour leader Keir Starmer faces resignation calls from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, citing party performance concerns and internal divisions within the Labour Party.

The Guardian: UK Labour leader Keir Starmer's office faces key vacancies, fueling an internal power struggle for influence and control within the party's leadership.

Ukrainian leader aims to hold elections and a peace deal referendum by May 15, amid pressure from the Trump administration to resolve the conflict and stabilize the region. (Financial Times )

A watchdog report alleges foreign billionaires have donated $2.6 billion to US advocacy groups, potentially influencing policy decisions and sparking concerns over foreign interference. (Fox News )

Thai conservatives secure major win, potentially shifting national politics and influencing future policy decisions in the country. (Foreign Policy )

Experts warn of AI's potential to disrupt foreign policy, citing vulnerabilities to hacking and manipulation, and emphasize the need for regulation and oversight of AI development and deployment. (Harvard Gazette )

Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, proposes a plan to save Europe, citing the need for a stronger, more unified state to counterbalance the US and China, amid concerns over the "America-first" policy. (The Telegraph - Hans van Leeuwen)

Russia will maintain New START treaty limits if the US reciprocates, according to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, ensuring mutual adherence to nuclear arms control agreements. (ΤΑ ΝΕΑ )

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government faces turmoil due to the Epstein files, which contain damaging information about Labour Party power player Peter Mandelson, appointed as US ambassador despite known Epstein ties. (Vox - Joshua Keating)

France's establishment warns of a far-right surge, citing concerns over economic stability and European commitments, as central bank governor François Villeroy de Galhau's early exit sparks uncertainty. (Arabian Post - Arabian Post)

Climate change triples likelihood of wildfires in Argentina and Chile's Patagonia region, increasing risk of devastating blazes in the area. (The Independent - Isabel Debre)

Colombia's flooding contaminates waters, posing disease risks to 315,000 livestock and damaging 140,000 hectares of pastures, sparking concerns over animal health and agricultural productivity. (Noticias de Colombia | El Colombiano )

A 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, with epicenter 143km deep, causing moderate shaking in Medellin and surrounding departments, according to reports. (Noticias de Colombia | El Colombiano )

Indonesia enhances governance of blue carbon ecosystems to reduce climate change impacts and promote sustainable coastal management practices, supporting global efforts to mitigate environmental degradation. (ANTARA News - Latest Indonesia News )