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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Thursday that the European Union is preparing a 17th round of sanctions against Russia, identifying President Vladimir Putin as the "sole obstacle" to peace in Ukraine. The EU has imposed extensive penalties on Russia since its invasion in February 2022 and has stated it will not lift sanctions until Putin withdraws his forces unconditionally. Barrot emphasized coordination with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on these new sanctions, which aim to impose additional penalties on Moscow and tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy. He noted Ukraine's acceptance of an unconditional ceasefire and its recent agreement with the U.S. on critical minerals, reflecting its desire for economic cooperation. Barrot criticized Russia for showing no willingness towards peace, while highlighting the importance of European strategic autonomy and collaboration with the U.S. to achieve lasting stability in the region. 
Published: May 02 2025, 3 ameznews.inAustralia is set to hold a general election on Saturday, featuring a contest between incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and conservative challenger Peter Dutton, both of whom come from blue-collar backgrounds. Albanese, 62, has championed renewable energy investments, while Dutton, 54, aims to reverse Australia’s long-standing ban on nuclear energy, arguing it is essential for reducing emissions. The election is also influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's recent tariffs, which have reportedly benefitted Albanese in polls, as Dutton's support appears to wane. Voter discontent has also led to a rise in independent candidates, potentially affecting the balance of power in a tightly contested race. With compulsory voting in place, 18.1 million Australians are expected to participate, choosing representatives for all 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 of the 76 Senate seats. Polling stations will also feature local sausage sizzles, adding a community touch to the electoral process.
Published: May 02 2025, 2 pmeznews.inLONDON: Ukraine and the United States formalized a significant agreement on Wednesday, championed by former President Donald Trump, granting the U.S. preferential access to Ukrainian mineral resources and funding for the nation’s reconstruction. In 2024, Ukraine's metal exports amounted to $4.4 billion, constituting 11% of total goods exported. The Mykolaiv Alumina Refinery, which had produced 1.8 million metric tons annually, ceased operations due to the Russian invasion. Coal production plummeted from 64.9 million tons in 2013 to 23.3 million tons in 2023. While Ukraine's iron ore exports surged by 90% year-on-year to 33.7 million tons, steel production fell significantly to 7.6 million tons in 2024. The country also holds substantial lithium reserves and has initiated early-stage projects, despite a decline in manganese production and no active rare earth mining.
Published: May 02 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Trump administration has released a controversial 409-page report on transgender health care, advocating for a shift towards behavioral therapy over gender-affirming medical treatments for youth with gender dysphoria. The report questions existing treatment standards from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and aligns with an executive order from Trump aimed at preventing gender transitions for individuals under 19. Major medical organizations have criticized the report as misleading and not reflective of current medical consensus, highlighting the importance of evidence-based care that includes supportive talk therapy. Critics argue the report could instill fear in families seeking care, while supporters claim it prioritizes child protection. The report, which lacks input from key medical groups and remains opaque regarding its authorship, contradicts guidance from the American Medical Association and has prompted legal challenges against related policies. The political implications of this report are significant, as it reflects broader administration efforts to restrict transgender rights and care.
Published: May 02 2025, 3 pmeznews.inOpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently shared a Ghibli-style AI-generated portrait of himself alongside Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, which quickly went viral on social media platform X. In his post, Altman expressed enjoyment in showing Nadella his new office and discussing their latest progress, to which Nadella responded positively, praising the office and their meeting. The camaraderie between the two tech leaders sparked excitement among users, with many commenting on their mutual respect and collaboration. Earlier this year, Altman hinted at an upcoming phase in their partnership, suggesting it would exceed expectations, while Nadella expressed enthusiasm about future developments. However, recent reports indicate that both leaders may be planning to pursue independent paths, with Nadella reportedly hiring an employee from a rival firm to reduce Microsoft's dependence on OpenAI. This comes amid a surge in popularity for OpenAI's latest model, GPT-4o, which features an image-generation capability that captivated users.
Published: May 02 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn Japan, the allure of classic American cars contrasts sharply with the dismal sales of new US vehicles, a trend that frustrates former President Donald Trump. While Toyota ranks as the second-best-selling automaker in the US, General Motors sold a mere 587 Chevrolets and 449 Cadillacs in Japan last year, with Ford exiting the market nearly a decade ago. Despite a 25% tariff on imported vehicles aimed at boosting US auto sales, Japanese consumers remain loyal to domestic brands, which offer a variety of models and are perceived as more reliable. Cultural preferences and practical considerations, such as road size and fuel efficiency, further diminish the appeal of American cars. Trump has criticized Japan's vehicle import standards, suggesting they act as barriers, although a Japanese official clarified that the standards are based on safety requirements. As US manufacturers struggle to penetrate this market, German brands continue to thrive.
Published: May 02 2025, 1 pmeznews.inDoris Au, a Hong Kong lock and hardware seller, faces significant business losses after her bank, DBS Group, froze her account, citing activities inconsistent with her profile. This occurred after Au discovered her warehouse was mistakenly linked to a US trade blacklist entity accused of supporting Russia's military. A review by Reuters revealed that over a quarter of nearly 100 Chinese firms added to the blacklist in 2023 and 2024 contained errors, including incorrect addresses and outdated information. The US entity list, managed by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), aims to restrict technology transfers to Russia and China but has been criticized for inaccuracies and an under-resourced staff. Au, who has incurred losses exceeding $600,000, has attempted to appeal the listing but received little response, highlighting the challenges businesses face amid stringent export controls.
Published: May 02 2025, 1 pmeznews.inApple is set to source the majority of iPhones sold in the US from India during the June quarter, while China will continue to produce most devices for other markets, according to CEO Tim Cook. In an earnings call, Cook noted that Vietnam will become the primary origin for nearly all iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and AirPods sold in the US. He highlighted that Apple's tariff exposure for the June quarter stands at 20% on imports from China, with some products facing a staggering 145% tariff due to recent announcements. Despite these challenges, Apple reported a 5% revenue increase to $95.35 billion for the second quarter, driven by growth in services and Mac and iPad sales, although iPhone sales dipped by 2% year-over-year to $46.84 billion. Cook emphasized the impact of current tariff rates, estimating costs could rise by $900 million if conditions remain unchanged.
Published: May 02 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA 32-year-old woman, Jade Damarell, died during a skydiving jump in County Durham on Sunday, having completed over 400 successful parachute jumps previously. Witnesses reported that she fell into a farmer's field at Shotton Colliery, and despite the rapid response of emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene. While police do not suspect foul play, the skydiving company, SkyHigh Skydiving, suggested that her death may have been a deliberate act, stating, "All indications from the police and British Skydiving suggest that this was a deliberate act intended to end her own life." Friends described her as a passionate member of the skydiving community, with one noting that she had completed 11 jumps just days before her death. In remembrance, Wrefords' Farms, where the incident occurred, planted a cherry tree and invited tributes from the public.
Published: May 02 2025, 1 pmeznews.inNeuralink, the brain implant company founded by Elon Musk, has been granted the US Food and Drug Administration's "breakthrough" designation for its innovative speech restoration device. This device aims to assist individuals with severe speech impairments caused by conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. The FDA's breakthrough devices program is designed to expedite the development and review processes, ensuring that patients have timely access to critical medical technologies. Neuralink announced the milestone on Thursday via a post on X, though both the company and the FDA did not immediately respond to requests for further comment from Reuters. This development marks a significant step forward in addressing communication challenges faced by those with serious neurological conditions.
Published: May 02 2025, 10 ameznews.inChina has announced that it is assessing a US proposal for tariff negotiations, but insists that Washington must demonstrate "sincerity" by being prepared to eliminate existing tariffs that have disrupted global markets. Since April, the US has imposed tariffs as high as 145 percent on numerous Chinese goods, to which Beijing retaliated with 125 percent duties on American imports. While high-tech products like smartphones and semiconductors have temporarily escaped these tariffs, tensions remain high. US President Donald Trump has claimed that China is eager to negotiate, expressing optimism about reaching a deal. However, China’s commerce ministry emphasized that any discussions hinge on the US correcting its "wrong practices" and lifting unilateral tariffs, warning that insincerity would further erode mutual trust. Amidst these trade tensions, China acknowledges economic challenges, with recent data indicating a decline in factory activity, highlighting the strain on its export-driven economy.
Published: May 02 2025, 10 am
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