Austria's chances of meeting a crucial EU deadline to submit a spending reduction plan by January 21 are uncertain due to ongoing talks between the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP). If an agreement is not reached, Austria will miss the deadline and risk being grouped with highly indebted countries such as Italy and France. The European Commission had previously delayed punishment for Austria's budget deficit in November, but now expects the country to present a plan to reduce its public spending deficit to below 3% of GDP by January 21. Austrian leader Herbert Kickl has called for a "massive political fire brigade operation" to address the issue, which he described as a "debt conflagration that threatens to consume everything."
https://www.politico.eu/article/austria-eu-punishment-overspending-wwii-far-right-vienna-brussels-ovp-fpo-election-manifesto/At the ASEAN Economic Opinion Leaders Conference, Nazir from BAC Malaysia emphasized the need for a cohesive partnership between the government, private sector, and ASEAN Secretariat to drive regional economic integration. He highlighted several initiatives aimed at enhancing integration among ASEAN members, including the creation of an ASEAN prospectus that would allow companies to raise capital across multiple countries, and the establishment of an ASEAN business entity that could benefit from the free movement of people and businesses within the region. Nazir noted that achieving economies of scale is crucial for ASEAN businesses to compete with global giants like China, and emphasized the importance of collaboration and integration to drive growth.
https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2025/01/09/nazir-razak-global-decoupling-offers-significant-opportunities-for-aseanA power struggle is brewing within Donald Trump's inner circle as members debate which European leaders to support ahead of his second term inauguration. Steve Bannon and Elon Musk are at odds, with Bannon accusing Musk of being in China's pocket due to self-serving business interests. This disagreement could lead to chaos in international relations, particularly given the significant influence both men have on Trump's decision-making process.
Frederic Berard, a lawyer and professor at Universite de Montreal, suggests that Canada's resources, such as water and electricity, could make it an attractive addition to the United States. However, he notes that it is unlikely Canada would vote to join the U.S. due to its own sovereignty concerns. If the U.S. were to take military action against Canada, Berard advises considering international laws, but acknowledges that Canada's options may be limited given the U.S.'s status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and its refusal to recognize the International Criminal Court.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/can-the-u-s-really-make-canada-the-51st-state-1.7169167The US government plans to impose new restrictions on the export of artificial intelligence (AI) chips manufactured by Nvidia and other American companies, citing concerns that advanced technologies could fall into the hands of China and Russia. The proposed measure aims to limit the sale of AI chips used in data centers, a move reportedly sought by the administration of outgoing US President Joe Biden.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/biznes/940368-biden-with-a-new-restriction-on-american-ai-chipsThe US is providing a final tranche of military aid worth around $500 million to Ukraine, which includes air defense missiles, air-to-ground ammunition and equipment for F-16 fighter jets used by the country's armed forces. This move comes as Ukrainian officials face challenges with manpower, according to American sources. The Biden administration aims to give Ukraine an advantage before negotiations with Russia are set to begin in the first half of 2025. The US has provided over $65 billion in aid to Ukraine since February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion under President Putin's leadership.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/940396-usa-ukraine-has-serious-problems-in-its-army-here-s-when-the-negotiations-with-putin-will-beThe Biden administration has allocated an additional $500 million in military aid to Ukraine, as announced by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin during his visit to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The package includes various air defence missiles, air-to-ground munitions, F-16 support equipment, armoured bridging systems, small arms, ammunition, spare parts, and additional communications equipment. This allocation was made on the same day that President Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin, Germany.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/germany-biden-administration-allocates-additional-usd-500-million-in-military-aid-to-ukraine/President Biden is considering a plan to limit the export of AI products, which tech leaders warn could lead to them losing market share globally. This move comes as part of a broader effort by the administration to regulate the use of artificial intelligence. The proposal has sparked concerns among industry leaders who fear it will hinder their ability to compete internationally.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-limit-ai-exports-tech-leaders-lose-global-market-sharePakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari met with UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al-Zaabi at Zardari House in Islamabad. They discussed strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE, focusing on mutual interests. The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to enhance diplomatic ties between the two nations.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341775/bilawal-meets-uae-ambassador