Search

Sahra Wagenknecht, the leader of the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) party, is gaining support in Germany with her calls for more restrictive immigration policies and pro-Russia rhetoric. While her party is currently polling at around 7%, making it the 5th largest party, her emergence as a political force highlights the frustration with mainstream parties and the challenges faced by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Wagenknecht's support is particularly strong in the former Communist eastern states, where many feel ignored by the federal government. The surge in support for her party has also eased concerns about a breakthrough for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. However, Wagenknecht's success also reveals the complex politics that Scholz must navigate as he seeks to maintain support for Ukraine and revive the struggling German economy. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers news briefs related to business. Fritz Henderson, chief executive officer of General Motors, has been ousted. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is facing financial troubles. Statistics are offered on retail sales in the U.S. on Black Friday. The financial cost of U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan is discussed.

The Pentagon's inspector general has opened over 50 criminal investigations related to aid provided to Ukraine, including cases involving contractors. The investigations are looking into issues such as procurement fraud, theft, and corruption, but no allegations have been substantiated yet. The Pentagon, along with the State Department and US Agency for International Development, is monitoring the $113 billion in aid and funds appropriated for Ukraine. Auditors have found some gaps in providing assistance, but overall, the Pentagon has responded well to Ukraine's military assistance needs. The inspector general's office has over 200 people engaged in Ukraine oversight. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the effect of the U.S. attack on Afghanistan on the U.S. economy. The economic efficiency is hurt due to companies worrying about the safety of their staff and facilities leading to slowing down of the free flow of people and goods. Globalization had enabled manufacturers to increase productivity which led to lower prices of consumer goods.

The author shares views on why the October 7, 2023 attack of Hamas on Israel is impacting the new Middle East, a goal for ending hostility between the Arab world and Israel to pursue stability. Topics discussed include Israel's counterattacks on the Gaza Strip, the U.S. government's support of Israel and call for China to use its influence in the region to restrain Iran, and dilemma facing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he pursue Saudi Arabia's modernization.

The article focuses on the reaction in the Islamic countries to U.S.-British attack on Afghanistan. The office of the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund and theater that showed American films were burned down by mob in Quetta, Pakistan. Three people were killed in police firing on the demonstrators in the city of Kuchlak, Pakistan.

(Bloomberg) -- Rising international tensions are giving new life to Republican Nikki Haley's presidential campaign - but so far it hasn't been enough to vault her past her onetime boss, Donald Trump. Haley, who is of Indian descent, draws support from voters who have struggled to find a home in the Republican party - moderates, women, people seeking a Trump alternative and those who say they have voted for Democrats in the recent past. "Nikki is emerging as the candidate with the toughness and character needed to keep Americans safe and put the dysfunction behind us", Haley campaign spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden directly appealed to the American people to support funding for Israel and Ukraine's war efforts, warning that Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose parallel threats to US democracy. Biden argued that supporting Ukraine and Israel in their fights against Russia and militant groups, respectively is "vital for America's national security.". [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden directly appealed to the American people to support funding for Israel and Ukraine's war efforts, warning that Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose parallel threats to US democracy. Biden argued that supporting Ukraine and Israel in their fights against Russia and militant groups, respectively is "vital for America's national security.". [Extracted from the article]

The Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel - which killed more than a thousand Israelis, with some 200 more snatched as hostages - has already upended the region. Israel has responded by pummeling the impoverished Gaza Strip, killing thousands of Palestinians, while Hezbollah has attacked from Lebanon. (Bloomberg Businessweek) -- Rockets rain on Israel; Gaza is bombarded. [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are likely to visit Israel themselves in the coming days, potentially winning a bit more time before a ground invasion of Gaza. (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden's 7.5-hour trip to Tel Aviv signaled full US backing for Israel but fell short on another key goal: winning over Arab leaders. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Joe Biden's 7.5-hour trip to Tel Aviv signaled full US backing for Israel but fell short on another key goal: winning over Arab leaders. He also tried to allay concerns about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel gears up for a ground invasion to wipe out Hamas after its Oct. 7 attacks killed 1,400 Israelis. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden's 7.5-hour trip to Tel Aviv signaled full US backing for Israel but fell short on another key goal: winning over Arab leaders. The information, which came from satellite imagery of the hospital and electronic intercepts of Hamas conversations, was shared with Biden during the flight to Israel, according to people familiar with the matter. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Joe Biden's 7.5-hour trip to Tel Aviv signaled full US backing for Israel but fell short on another key goal: winning over Arab leaders. He also tried to allay concerns about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel gears up for a ground invasion to wipe out Hamas after its Oct. 7 attacks killed 1,400 Israelis. [Extracted from the article]

Earlier: Biden, McCarthy Work Lawmakers to Pass Deal as US Default Looms It's unclear if and when the White House may ask Congress for more Ukraine funding. (Bloomberg) -- The bipartisan deal to avert a debt default won't constrain the Biden administration's ability to provide more aid for Ukraine, a White House official said, as the US looks to reassure Kyiv that weapons will keep flowing. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The bipartisan deal to avert a debt default won't constrain the Biden administration's ability to provide more aid for Ukraine, a White House official said, as the US looks to reassure Kyiv that weapons will keep flowing. Earlier: Biden, McCarthy Work Lawmakers to Pass Deal as US Default Looms It's unclear if and when the White House may ask Congress for more Ukraine funding. [Extracted from the article]

The Defense Department's regular budget is being shaped largely by escalating tensions with China, viewed at the Pentagon as the prime potential challenger to US military leadership. (Bloomberg) -- The spending plan President Joe Biden will propose Thursday includes what officials say is one of the nation's largest peacetime defense budgets, with $170 billion for weapons procurement and $145 billion for research and development, both recent records. [Extracted from the article]

"We're looking at paying the debt largely accrued by Republicans and Republicans are saying 'we don't want to pay up the debt we incurred,'" Khanna said. (Bloomberg) -- The US will not default on its debt but the Biden administration might be forced to take unilateral action to head off a crisis, Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, offering several possible executive maneuvers. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden says the US will keep supplying Ukraine the weapons it needs to fight Russia for "as long as it takes." "If pre-Ukraine the inventory levels were 1x, I think Ukraine has shown that those inventories probably need to be 1.5x or 2x", Roman Schweizer of Cowen Washington Research Group, said in an interview. [Extracted from the article]

As of Dec. 9, the US has committed to Ukraine more than 1 million 155mm artillery rounds, 180,000 105mm artillery rounds, more than 8,500 Javelin anti-tank missiles, 4,200 precision-guided Excalibur 155mm artillery rounds and 1,600 shoulder-mounted Stinger missiles. (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden says the US will keep supplying Ukraine the weapons it needs to fight Russia for "as long as it takes.". [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden says the US will keep supplying Ukraine the weapons it needs to fight Russia for "as long as it takes." As of Dec. 9, the US has committed to Ukraine more than 1 million 155mm artillery rounds, 180,000 105mm artillery rounds, more than 8,500 Javelin anti-tank missiles, 4,200 precision-guided Excalibur 155mm artillery rounds and 1,600 shoulder-mounted Stinger missiles. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on startup Shield AI which develops military software. It mentions the work of the company during the war in Afghanistan, the acquisition of companies that will expand its potential growth, and the military contracts that the company is pursuing.

Keywords: AFRICA; ALLTOP; ASIA; ASIATOP; BUSINESS; EXE; GEN; GOV; NORTHAM; TERROR; TOP; US; WORLD; WWTOP; WWTOPAM; WWTOPAS; WWTOPEU EN AFRICA ALLTOP ASIA ASIATOP BUSINESS EXE GEN GOV NORTHAM TERROR TOP US WORLD WWTOP WWTOPAM WWTOPAS WWTOPEU The US has no plans to release $3.5 billion in frozen funds to Afghanistan's Taliban-controlled central bank, but will look for ways to benefit the country's people directly, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. AFRICA, ALLTOP, ASIA, ASIATOP, BUSINESS, EXE, GEN, GOV, NORTHAM, TERROR, TOP, US, WORLD, WWTOP, WWTOPAM, WWTOPAS, WWTOPEU. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden signed into law a bill expanding health care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, one of a series of breakthroughs in Congress this summer. Biden Signs "Burn Pit" Bill to Aid Veterans Exposed to Toxins Biden signed another bill, which subsidizes semiconductor chip manufacturing in the US, on Tuesday, and is poised to sign the Democratic tax, climate and health bill this month, once it clears the House. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The Taliban's apparent sheltering of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was killed last weekend in a US drone strike in Kabul, dealt a blow to an already politically fraught attempt to free up $3.5 billion in frozen bank funds to alleviate poverty and famine in Afghanistan. A year after the US withdrew its forces from Afghanistan and the Taliban seized control, the South Asian country faces dire circumstances. Before President Joe Biden said this week that the Taliban had let Zawahari live quietly in the heart of Afghanistan's capital, US officials were working on a complicated plan to distribute half of almost $7 billion in frozen Afghan central bank assets for humanitarian aid. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden said a US strike in Afghanistan over the weekend killed the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, calling him a longtime terrorist commander who helped plan the 9/11 attacks. But Biden said the strike in Kabul showed that the US remained a force to be reckoned with in the region, and won't let Afghanistan again become a terrorist "safe haven.". [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden said a US strike in Afghanistan over the weekend killed the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, calling him a longtime terrorist commander who helped plan the 9/11 attacks. But Biden said the strike in Kabul showed that the US remained a force to be reckoned with in the region, and won't let Afghanistan again become a terrorist "safe haven.". [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden said a US strike in Afghanistan over the weekend killed the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, calling him a longtime terrorist commander who helped plan the 9/11 attacks. A major influence on Zawahiri was Sayyid Qutb, a militant Egyptian intellectual educated in the US who was executed by Nasser in 1966, the same year Zawahiri and his friends started their cell. [Extracted from the article]

A major influence on Zawahiri was Sayyid Qutb (pronounced "KOO-tub") a militant Egyptian intellectual educated in the US who was executed by Nasser in 1966, the same year Zawahiri and his friends started their cell. (Bloomberg) -- A US counterterrorism operation in Afghanistan over the weekend killed the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, according to two people familiar with the matter. [Extracted from the article]

The article looks at the Afghans who became wealthy during the period of the Afghan War beginning in 2001, typically through doing business with the U.S.-led military intervention force and benefitting from the flow of U.S. military and reconstruction funds into the country. It profiles two such people, businessmen Matiullah Matie and Hikmatullah Shadman. Topics include the impact on them of the withdrawal of U.S. troops and funds as the war is ended and alleged corruption in the country.

The article examines efforts by the U.S. Department of Defense to encourage foreign investment and economic development in Afghanistan. The activities of Under Secretary of Defense Paul A. Brinkley, the official in charge of the Task Force for Business & Stability Operations project, are described. The extremely poor economic conditions in Afghanistan and other handicaps to foreign investment or business operations such as political corruption and the ongoing Afghan War are discussed. Brinkley states that American business executives have an innate wish to help the country in the Afghan War effort, which causes them to at least consider proposals for investment in Afghanistan. The expansion of cellular television services and systems in Afghanistan is cited as an indication economic development and modern business operations are possible in that country.

(Bloomberg) -- Taliban-led Afghanistan accused Pakistan of airstrikes that killed dozens of Afghan civilians in Khost and Kunar provinces and warned of "bad consequences" if such attacks continue, according to spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed. The country has beefed up military strikes against Pakistani Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, which operates across the porous borders with Afghanistan and seeks to overthrow Pakistan's government. [Extracted from the article]

Polling from more than two dozen NATO nations showed nearly all saw an increase in approval ratings in 2021, as compared to 2020, when asked about perceptions of U.S. leadership abroad. (Bloomberg) -- People living in NATO nations reported sharply higher confidence in U.S. global leadership during President Joe Biden's first year in office than during the last year of Donald Trump's presidency, according to newly released findings from Gallup, signaling support that Biden will draw on this week in pushing for renewed pressure on Russia. [Extracted from the article]

Russia has asked China for military equipment to support its invasion of Ukraine, a U.S. official said, sparking concern in the White House that Beijing may undermine efforts to help Ukrainian forces defend their country. Ukraine Continues Mass Evacuations (1:45 p.m.) Ukraine opened ten humanitarian corridors on Sunday, some to evacuate people from dangerous locations around Kyiv and six in Ukraine's east, including the a route into besieged Mariupol. Ukraine Envoy Calls China-Russia Ties "Toxic" (2:17 a.m.) Ukraine's ambassador to Japan said China's response to any Russian request for military assistance was an important question. [Extracted from the article]

Russia asked China for military equipment to support its invasion of Ukraine, U.S. officials said, sparking concern in the White House that Beijing could undercut Ukrainian forces' defense efforts. Ukraine Envoy Calls China-Russia Ties "Toxic" (2:17 a.m.) Ukraine's ambassador to Japan said China's response to any Russian request for military assistance was an important question. NATO Chief Rejects "Absurd" Russia Claims (9:00 a.m.) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that the suffering in Ukraine is likely to get worse in the short term. "The coming days are likely to bring even greater hardship", the NATO chief said. [Extracted from the article]

Russia has asked China for military equipment to support its invasion of Ukraine, a U.S. official said, sparking concern in the White House that Beijing may undermine efforts to help Ukrainian forces defend their country. Sullivan spoke as Russia in the past few days has bombed targets increasingly close to Ukraine's border with NATO member Poland, including a military training facility that had been used by NATO in the past. NATO Chief Rejects "Absurd" Russia Claims (9:00 a.m.) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that the suffering in Ukraine is likely to get worse in the short term. "The coming days are likely to bring even greater hardship", the NATO chief said. [Extracted from the article]

Sullivan spoke as Russia in the past few days has bombed targets increasingly close to Ukraine's border with NATO member Poland, including a military training facility that had been used by NATO in the past. NATO Chief Rejects "Absurd" Russia Claims (9:00 a.m.) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that the suffering in Ukraine is likely to get worse in the short term. "The coming days are likely to bring even greater hardship", the NATO chief said. Russia has asked China for military equipment to support its invasion of Ukraine, a U.S. official said, sparking concern in the White House that Beijing may undermine efforts to help Ukrainian forces defend their country. [Extracted from the article]

Sullivan spoke as Russia in the past few days has bombed targets increasingly close to Ukraine's border with NATO member Poland, including a military training facility that had been used by NATO in the past. NATO Chief Rejects "Absurd" Russia Claims (9:00 a.m.) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that the suffering in Ukraine is likely to get worse in the short term. "The coming days are likely to bring even greater hardship", the NATO chief said. [Extracted from the article]

An aide to U.S. President Joe Biden warned Russia as air strikes shift further west toward Ukraine's border with Poland, but said there'd been no change in the calculus around a no-fly zone. NATO Chief Rejects "Absurd" Russia Claims (9:00 a.m.) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that the suffering in Ukraine is likely to get worse in the short term. "The coming days are likely to bring even greater hardship", the NATO chief said. [Extracted from the article]