Friday Briefing: Trump Digs in on Gaza Takeover

In a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump stated that there is a "very good chance" that the war between Russia and Ukraine could come to an end after "productive" discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump requested that Putin spare the lives of Ukrainian troops who are surrounded, and US envoy Steve Witkoff had a lengthy meeting with Putin in Moscow to convey signals to Trump about potential next steps in negotiations. Kremlin...

A 14-year study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science found that replacing wild herbivores with livestock in ecosystems leads to cascading impacts, affecting plant composition, soil characteristics, and insect populations like spiders, grasshoppers, ticks, and mites. The study in the Spiti region of the Himalayas showed that livestock grazing disrupts the ecosystem by altering food availability and plant proportions, leading to concerns about the spread of zoonotic diseases and the decline of predator...

In early 2026, Thailand is set to pass the Entertainment Complex Business Act to introduce large-scale gaming facilities aimed at boosting tourism and competing with Singapore and the Philippines, despite concerns from conservative citizens. Major international gaming companies are eyeing investments upwards of US$3 billion, with potential pretax margins of 40-50 percent, but face challenges in obtaining permits and navigating potential corruption. The initiative, backed by Thaksin Shinawatra, faces uncertainty due to political instability and...

Not long ago, making money on the Moon was a concept from science fiction, but now it's a legitimate business plan as nations, private companies, and investors are racing to capitalize on the resource-rich frontier. The Moon offers valuable resources like Helium-3 for clean energy, water ice for deep space missions, and rare earth metals for tech products, attracting investments from governments and companies like NASA, China, and SpaceX. The Global Space Technology Convention &...

The lawsuit filed by four Indonesian fishermen against Bumble Bee Foods accuses the company of benefiting from forced labor on tuna ships where workers faced abuse, starvation, and lack of medical care. Greenpeace's findings raised concerns about tainted products in U.S. stores, prompting Bumble Bee to remove misleading claims from its marketing materials. The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages under a law allowing survivors of human trafficking to sue companies complicit in forced labor, shedding light...

The hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in Balochistan highlights the ongoing insurgency in the region due to Pakistan's oppressive policies toward the Baloch people. Despite demands for self-determination and an end to exploitation, Pakistan's refusal to engage in dialogue has led to escalating violence, as seen in the recent hostage situation on the train. Conflicting reports from Pakistan's military and the BLA indicate a continued struggle, with the BLA...