International

Wednesday, March 29th 2023 - 14:09 UTC
Pause AI development: Open letter from world's tech leaders urges labs to stop

Elon Musk and many other experts around the world have recently signed a petition requesting a six-month pause on research into artificial intelligence (AI) that is more powerful than ChatGPT 4, the OpenAI model that was launched this month.
Wednesday, March 29th 2023 - 11:06 UTC
Fire at migrant detention center in Mexico leaves 38 dead and 28 injured

At least 38 people were killed and 28 injured in a fire at a migrant detention center in the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, on the border with the United States, according to the Mexican government. The fire broke out on Monday night in the facilities of the National Migration Institute (INM) in the state of Chihuahua.
Wednesday, March 29th 2023 - 10:53 UTC
IMF: Central Banks must enhance transparency to build trust

By Tobias Adrian, Jihad Alwazir, Ashraf Khan and Dmytro – The Bank of Canada published a detailed summary of its Governing Council deliberations for the first time last month, joining nearly two dozen other central banks in regularly releasing detailed information on monetary policy decisions.
Wednesday, March 29th 2023 - 10:51 UTC
Global trade expected to slow down in 2023, but “green goods” will remain strong, UNTAD report

Global trade was worth a record US$32 trillion in 2022, but amid deteriorating economic conditions, financial turmoil and rising uncertainties, growth turned negative in the last half of the year and is set to stagnate in the first half of 2023.
Wednesday, March 29th 2023 - 10:44 UTC
Brazil leading exports depend on China: 70% of soybeans and 63% of iron ore

Brazil’s main trading partner, China, is the destination for over a quarter of total Brazilian exports, involving more than US$90 billion in 2022 in transactions of commodities such as soy, crude oil, and iron ore – products that dominate the bilateral agenda between the two nations.
Wednesday, March 29th 2023 - 10:18 UTC
WHO changes its mind on further Covid-19 vaccination schemes

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reviewed its guidelines on whom to keep vaccinating against Covid-19. As per the global agency's new recommendations, countries were advised to reconsider whether to continue giving booster shots to low-risk groups, such as healthy children and adolescents.
Wednesday, March 29th 2023 - 10:15 UTC
How German are British Royals?

As King Charles III makes on Wednesday his first state visit to Germany, Deutsche Welle, the official news agency, takes a look at the British royals' German roots:
Tuesday, March 28th 2023 - 11:14 UTC
Yousaf, a Muslim of Pakistan origin, Scotland's leader and next First Minister

Humza Yousaf, identified as the “continuity candidate” has been elected to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland's National Party, SNP leader and Scotland's next first minister. He was widely seen as being the preferred candidate of the SNP establishment, including outgoing Ms Sturgeon herself.
Tuesday, March 28th 2023 - 11:08 UTC
China’s strength is largely an illusion

By Gwynne Dyer – Xi Jinping was confirmed in a third term as president of China at the National People’s Congress this month, and not one of the 3,000 delegates voted against him. Why would they? Everything is perfect in the People’s Republic of Oz, and the chief Wizard doesn’t even need to hide behind a curtain.
Tuesday, March 28th 2023 - 10:55 UTC
Amnesty International denounces excessive force against social protests in Venezuela

Amnesty International (AI) said excessive force was used by Venezuelan law enforcement agencies against protests demanding social and economic rights. The organization also highlighted these demonstrations were being deterred with repressive measures.