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GCC nations have taken steps to address supply chain disruptions and adapt to global challenges. Regulatory initiatives have been implemented to remove obstacles and facilitate frictionless trade. For example, Bahrain has established a mutual recognition agreement with Saudi Arabia and invests in streamlining sea-to-air cargo. The construction of the King Hamad Causeway project and the GCC railway project will improve cross-border opportunities and optimize resource use. The UAE has invested in multimodal transport solutions and regulatory reforms, while Kuwait has made efforts to improve its business climate and implemented an electronic clearance system. GCC countries are also using tailored technological solutions to reduce vulnerability, such as vertical farming and research in the agritech sector.
Bahrain, Bermuda, Ghana, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates | Financial services
How the Gulf’s nations are adapting to global supply chain challenges
More than 10% of Chinese people surveyed are willing to boycott Russian goods over the war in Ukraine, according to a study. The research, carried out in 2022 with a representative sample of 3,029 Chinese citizens, found a surprisingly large figure of support for a boycott, considering that existing surveys indicate Chinese people generally have a positive view of Russia. The study also revealed that liberals were the most likely group to support a boycott, while the new left and neo-authoritarians were more supportive of Russian products. If an organized boycott campaign were to take place in China, it could have a significant impact on the Russian economy, as goods from Russia made up 5.1% of China's total imports in 2023.
Ukraine
Ukraine war: 10% of Chinese people are willing to boycott Russian goods over invasion – new study
Researchers report that the convergence of quantum computing and artificial intelligence could lead to the development of quantum robots, or "qubots." Quantum robotics uses quantum computing principles to address the limitations of traditional robots, such as data processing, real-time response, and cognitive functions. Challenges including hardware immaturity, quantum-classical integration, and the need for secure hybrid networks remain. However, advances in architecture, perception, and potential applications could lead to the development of quantum-enhanced robots. Quantum robotics is expected to revolutionize navigation, cooperation, and cognitive abilities in robots, as well as find applications in industrial automation.
What is Quantum Robotics? Researchers Report The Convergence of Quantum Computing And AI Could Lead to Qubots
Agentic AI is poised to revolutionize the financial services industry by enabling autonomous decision-making, collaboration, and learning. This advanced form of AI can independently perceive, reason, act, and learn without constant human guidance, offering efficiency and innovation. However, concerns about labor disruption, privacy, market volatility, and governance necessitate robust oversight and ethical frameworks. Agentic AI holds promise for advancing financial access in underserved communities, but global resource disparities and governance challenges must be addressed to avoid inequity. While there are benefits to Agentic AI, such as streamlining operations, driving innovation, and enhancing customer interaction, a "human above the loop" approach is essential to complement AI and maintain judgment and accountability within the sector.
Financial services
How Agentic AI will transform financial services with autonomy, efficiency and inclusion
Increasingly severe tropical storms in the Philippines are demanding stronger climate accountability from the government and polluting corporations. In the wake of Typhoon Yolanda and six consecutive tropical storms, the Filipino population is experiencing the devastating impact of climate change. The government and polluters must be held responsible for their inaction and contribute to climate justice and reparation. The storms have caused significant damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, exacerbating vulnerabilities and highlighting the urgent need for action.
‘Resilience is not a solution’: Filipinos demand climate justice and reparation amid endless cycle of disaster and recovery
AMIDES, an open source system developed by researchers at Fraunhofer FKIE, utilizes AI and machine learning to identify cyberattacks that traditional signatures often miss. The system, which aims to improve detection of network intrusions, extracts features from security-related events and uses supervised machine learning to identify potential rule evasions while minimizing false alarms. In extensive testing using real-world data, AMIDES successfully identified 70% of evasion attempts without triggering false alarms. The system is designed for larger organizations that already have central security monitoring systems in place.
AMIDES Detects New Varieties of Cyberattacks
Preferential trade agreements (PTAs) are associated with increased emissions in global value chains due to increased trade between PTA partners. However, the presence of environmental provisions in PTAs can reduce both the scale of trade and the emissions intensity of that trade.
Do Environmental Provisions in Preferential Trade Agreements Reduce Emissions Traded in Global Value Chains?
The use of ChatGPT, a large language model (LLM), was investigated in this study to determine its effectiveness in enhancing critical thinking and argumentation skills among undergraduate students studying international relations in a developing nation context. The study assigned 95 participants to either an experimental group that engaged in debate sessions using ChatGPT or a control group that participated in traditional debate sessions. Pre-test and post-test assessments revealed that the use of ChatGPT significantly improved students' understanding of complex concepts, critical thinking, and argumentation skills compared to traditional debate methods. Integrating LLMs into educational curricula may be an effective strategy for enhancing these skills, but the challenges and limitations associated with LLM use in developing nations should be considered.
Education
Investigating the use of chatGPT as a tool for enhancing critical thinking and argumentation skills in international relations debates among undergraduate students
The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the public sector is analyzed in two studies. The first study surveyed 574 public managers across seven EU countries to identify the main drivers of AI adoption, highlighting the importance of expertise and organizational factors. The second study focuses on competences and governance practices needed for effective AI adoption in the public sector in Europe. AI adoption is found to be a reality in service delivery and internal operations, with organizational factors like leadership support and innovative culture playing a significant role. Anticipated citizen needs are also identified as a driving factor. Three policy recommendations are offered, including attention to AI in leadership programs and broadening in-house expertise.
AI adoption in the public sector
Russia plans to significantly increase military spending in 2025, with the defence budget set to rise by a quarter. However, economic growth has stalled due to labour shortages and the impact of Western sanctions, while inflation remains high. The Central Bank's efforts to combat inflation with high interest rates have not been successful. Amid this economic downturn, Russia is more vulnerable to economic crises, including new sanctions or a drop in oil prices that could trigger a recession.
Russian Federation, Ukraine | Financial services
The Russian Economy at a Turning Point
A high-level seminar and expert symposium, held to commemorate the 76th anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping, convened nearly 200 experts from various sectors to explore how UN peacekeeping can adapt to contemporary global security challenges. Co-organized by multiple nations and institutions, the event focused on generating pathways and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and adaptability of peacekeeping operations in today's evolving landscape.
Preparing and Building for the Future: Pathways Towards More Nimble, Adaptive, and Effective Peacekeeping
The U.S. government is considering further restrictions on the sale of semiconductor equipment and AI memory chips to China, highlighting the growing importance of AI compute infrastructures as a geostrategic resource. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes that compute will be the most valuable commodity in the world. A report by the Tony Blair Institute For Global Change (TBI) argues that compute is the new benchmark of global power and economic influence. The report warns that the availability of compute infrastructure risks creating a new digital divide and becoming the foundation of the next-generation economic growth and global power. The U.S. currently has major advantages in this area, with dominant tech companies and significant data-center investment. The race for compute supremacy between the U.S. and China is fueling concerns about digital sovereignty and colonialism for other countries.
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Ethiopia, Israel, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda | Financial services
State Of Compute: The New Power Paradox
Andreea Danielescu, Director of Future Technologies R&D at Accenture Labs, discusses her group's focus on emerging technologies that blend the physical and digital. They work on projects such as dissolvable electronics, seed carriers for reforestation, and creating sensors out of textiles. Danielescu also discusses the need to rethink supply chain management and product authenticity.
Interview Of The Week: Andreea Danielescu, Future Technologies Expert
The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2024 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlights the growth of international trade in food and agricultural products and its impact on global food and nutrient diversity. The report emphasizes the need for coherent trade and nutrition policies to ensure trade does not undermine diet quality and contribute to rising rates of obesity and overweight. While trade increases food diversity and availability, it can also accelerate the consumption of low-nutrition foods high in fats, sugar, and salt. The report provides data on the links between trade and nutrition and calls for closer attention to this issue.
The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2024 - Trade and nutrition: policy coherence for healthy diets - World
The transformative potential of AI could be overshadowed by the negative impacts such as labor displacement, misinformation, and manipulation. However, it is not too late to change direction and prioritize a pro-human AI agenda. Uncertain times call for a focus on how AI can benefit society and ensure that advancements are made in a way that benefits all.
The World Needs a Pro-Human AI Agenda
The EU's Social Europe model influences global labour standards through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Southern multinationals investing in Europe face challenges in complying with stricter labour regulations and are incentivized to upgrade their labour standards to avoid reputational effects. Social Europe's stronger protection of union rights compared to the US makes investment in Europe more likely to induce labour upgrading in low-income countries. FDI from developing countries to Europe can serve as a transmission belt for the diffusion of better labour standards. However, the impact on labour rights varies depending on the specific sub-indices of the labour rights indices.
Can the EU Export Its Values? How ‘Social Europe’ Shapes Global Labour Standards
IMF and World Bank programs have been implemented in Latin America to address the debt crises and economic instability that the region has faced in recent decades. These programs aim to stabilize public finances and restore growth through economic reforms such as reducing public expenditures, market liberalization, and privatization. However, the impact of these programs on debt levels in Latin American countries is still a topic of debate. To explore this question, this study proposes a three-part analysis, including a review of debt trends in Latin America in the last decade, case studies of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, and an examination of future growth and debt dynamics in the region. Through data analysis and case studies, this research aims to provide comprehensive insights into the effects of these programs on debt in Latin America and guide decisions for sustainable economic growth in the future.
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Venezuela | Financial services
Economic Challenges and Growth: The Impact of IMF and World Bank Programs on Debt Levels in Latin America
The global trade landscape is undergoing a transformation from a unipolar system dominated by the U.S. to a multipolar framework with emerging economic powers such as China, India, and Brazil. This shift is reshaping trade patterns and establishing new strategic alliances like BRICS+ and RCEP. Technological advancements, including digital trade, fintech innovations, and AI, are also playing a crucial role in this transformation. However, geopolitical tensions, protectionism, and economic fragmentation pose challenges to global trade stability. This paper critically analyzes these changes, explores the influence of emerging economies, and identifies strategies for resilience and growth in this new era of global trade.
Australia, Bahrain, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, China, Viet Nam | Financial services
The Future of Global Trade in a Multipolar World: Evaluating How Emerging Economic Powers and Shifting Alliances Are Reshaping Global Trade Patterns
Scientists in Boston have created a bank of stem cells from the blood of centenarians and are sharing them with researchers to study factors contributing to longevity. Early experiments have already revealed insights into brain aging, including the potential genetic determinants of aging and the expression of genes associated with protection from Alzheimer's disease. The centenarian stem cells may also be used to develop other cell types relevant to aging, such as liver, muscle, and gut cells. This resource is seen as valuable to the field of aging research due to the rarity of centenarians and their unique ability to bounce back from illness and injury.
What’s the secret to living to 100? Centenarian stem cells could offer clues
Austerity policies in the UK have caused a decline in life expectancy and an increase in mortality rates, especially in more disadvantaged areas. These policies, characterized by reduced government spending and increased labor market flexibility, have led to hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths in the UK alone. Cuts to public services, social security benefits, and local government funding have had detrimental impacts on health. Despite evidence of the negative effects, public health agencies and think tanks downplayed the role of austerity. Other factors such as obesity, the COVID pandemic, and declining real incomes have also contributed to excess deaths, but austerity remains the main driver. Reversing the erosion of public services and social security systems is essential for improving mortality rates.
How the UK’s austerity policies caused life expectancy to fall

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