Author: ALJAZEERA

Mediators announce a ‘bridging proposal’ that would set the path for regional de-escalation and ending the war.The United States, Qatar and Egypt have issued a joint statement saying the mediators have put forward a “bridging proposal” that would allow the “swift” implementation of a deal that would end the war in Gaza and see the release of Israeli captives. The three countries said on Friday that ceasefire negotiations in Doha were “serious and constructive”. The current round of talks started on Thursday amid growing fears of a regional war after Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut and Hamas’s…

Year-over-year inflation has reached its lowest level in more than three years in July, the latest sign that the worst price spike in four decades is fading and setting up the United States Federal Reserve for an interest rate cut in September. Wednesday’s report from the US Department of Labor showed that consumer prices rose just 0.2 percent from June to July after dropping slightly the previous month for the first time in four years. Measured from a year earlier, prices rose 2.9 percent, down from 3 percent in June. It was the mildest year-over-year inflation figure since March 2021. The…

Ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel are dragging on with few signs of a breakthrough that would bring relief to Gaza. Attempts at talks started in November with Hamas pushing for an end to all hostilities, the release of thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails and the return of displaced people to their homes in northern Gaza. Israel is baulking at those demands. In June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted he wants a “partial” deal to return Israeli captives but not end a devastating war that has killed more than 40,000 people, uprooted nearly all of Gaza’s population and…

M&M’s maker Mars is buying Kellanova, the maker of Cheez-It and Pop-Tarts, in an effort to broaden its snacking portfolio and expand globally in what is being termed the biggest deal of the sector. Mars Inc said Wednesday that it will pay $83.50 per share in cash. The company put the total value of the transaction at $35.9bn, including debt. Kellanova was created last year when the Kellogg Company split into two companies. Chicago-based Kellanova sells many of the former company’s most profitable brands, including Pringles, Eggo, Town House, MorningStar Farms and Rice Krispies Treats. It had net sales of…

Lawsuit says the Algerian Olympic gold medallist was subjected to ‘misogynist, racist and sexist campaign’ during the games.French prosecutors have opened a probe into a cyberbullying claim made by Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif, who has filed a case alleging that several prominent figures had taken part in online harassment over her gender. Prosecutors on Wednesday said Harry Potter author JK Rowling, X owner Elon Musk, and former US President Donald Trump have been named in the complaint filed by Khelif’s lawyer Nabil Boudi. However, the claim was filed against social media platforms including X, and not against a specific…

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, and changed its name to X, he has banned journalists critical of him, and been accused of censoring Democratic voices while simultaneously amplifying those of far-right extremists, even while claiming to be a “free speech absolutist”. While BlueSky, Meta’s Threads and others have gained from users disaffected with X, they pale in comparison to X’s hold on the information landscape. His history of censoring views he doesn’t agree with and his full-throated endorsement of Donald Trump has raised concerns that there will be an information void before the consequential United States Presidential election. After…

The Yemeni group has seized the United Nations’ Human Rights Office in the capital Sanaa.The United Nations has condemned the seizure by the Houthis of its Human Rights Office in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. Storming the office earlier this month, the Houthis seized documents, furniture and vehicles, a senior UN official reported on Tuesday. The event was the latest crackdown by the Iran-aligned group on the UN, aid agencies and foreign embassies, amid its campaign over Israel’s war in Gaza, which includes the targeting of ships in the Red Sea. The seizure of the office took place on August 3. Local…

Adani Group’s stock value plunged by nearly $150bn after Hindenburg Research’s first report in January 2023.Adani Group, the Indian conglomerate rocked by a Hindenburg Research report last year, has faced another heavy share selloff after the short seller accused the head of India’s market regulator of having links to offshore funds also used by the group. About $2.43bn, or 1 percent, was wiped off the market value of Adani companies by the end of the trading day on Monday although that was a substantial recovery from earlier losses of more than $13bn. The battle between Hindenburg Research and Adani Group…

There is no place more important for the world’s oil supply than the Strait of Hormuz, which links the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. But recent global tensions could threaten it. Dareen Abughaida presents this new digital series, Pinch Point, where geography and politics collide.

The US alleges that for years millions of American children under 13 have been using TikTok and the site ‘has been collecting and retaining’ their data.The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against TikTok and parent company ByteDance for failing to protect children’s privacy on the social media app The government said on Friday TikTok violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) that requires services aimed at children to obtain parental consent to collect personal information from users under age 13. The lawsuit is the latest US action against TikTok and its Chinese parent over…