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BUDAPEST/PRAGUE, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Robert Fico's election win in Slovakia after he had campaigned to end military aid to Ukraine shows creeping discontent in Central Europe over the war with Russia, but analysts do not expect a major policy turn-around by Bratislava or Warsaw. Fico's victory in Saturday's election prompted concerns that his new government would see NATO-member Slovakia joining Hungary in challenging the European Union's consensus on support for Ukraine. However, analysts do not see a big policy switch regarding Ukraine in Slovakia and Poland. MODERATING EFFECTIn Slovakia, Fico's SMER-SSD party won the election with 23% of the vote. "The bigger challenges are not Slovakia, or Hungary but the U.S. election cycle and the impact that has on support for Ukraine."

Persons: Robert Fico's, Fico, Viktor Orban, Roger Hilton, Fico's, Peter Pellegrini, Samuel Abraham, Robert Fico, Zuzana Caputova, Radovan Stoklasa, Pellegrini, Abraham, legitimise, Orban, Mujtaba Rahman, Rahman, Krisztina, Jan Lopatka, Angus MacSwan Organizations: NATO, SNS, Republika, REUTERS, EU, Russia, Ukraine, Reuters, Eurasia, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, PRAGUE, Slovakia, Ukraine, Central Europe, Russia, Bratislava, Warsaw, Hungary, Russian Poland, Saturday's, Poland, GLOBSEC, SMER, Brussels, Budapest, Kyiv, Europe, Prague

☆ ‘AI is transformative for the geopolitical order,’ political scientist Ian Bremmer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Artificial Intelligence will have a significant impact on both geopolitics and globalization, according to Ian Bremmer, political scientist and president of the Eurasia Group. "I think that AI is transformative for the geopolitical order, both in good ways and in problematic ways," Bremmer told CNBC's Tania Bryer for "The CNBC Conversation." On the plus side, AI could drive "a new globalization," Bremmer said — at a time when questions about the state and future of globalization abound. "In other words, I'm an enthusiast about what this technology will do for the world," Bremmer said. For example, anyone can use AI to write code, but it can also be used to hack into systems or create malware, Bremmer pointed out.

Persons: Ian Bremmer, Bremmer, CNBC's Tania Bryer, —, We're Organizations: Intelligence, Eurasia Group, CNBC

☆ Russia smells blood as Ukraine tries to stop war fatigue spreading among allies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky listens during a meeting with US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2023. One noted Russian academic, historian and author Sergei Medvedev said he's worried about Western resolve in Ukraine, saying, "I think the West is tiring." Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during The Strong Ideas For The New Times Forum on June 29, 2023 in Moscow, Russia. Getty ImagesWhen a very public rift erupted between Poland and Ukraine last week, the Kremlin was quick to seize upon the tensions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office on Sept. 21, 2023.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Jim Watson, Russia —, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Medvedev, he's, Trump, Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Rava, Yuriy Dyachyshyn, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mateusz Morawiecki, Teneo, Kevin Lamarque, Ian Bremmer, Zelenskyy, let's, Andrzej Duda Organizations: White, AFP, Getty, Republicans, CNBC, Kremlin, New Times Forum, Agency for Strategic Initiatives, Putin's, European Commission, World Trade Organization, General Assembly, Kyiv, Teneo, U.S, Republican, Ukraine, Reuters, Eurasia Group, Trump, Sunday Locations: Washington ,, Ukraine, Russia, Europe, U.S, Poland, Slovakia, Russian, Moscow, Warsaw, Kyiv, Polish, Hungary, New York City

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Just a few years ago, artificial intelligence got barely a mention at the U.N. General Assembly's convocation of world leaders. Presidents, premiers, monarchs and cabinet ministers convened as governments at various levels are mulling or have already passed AI regulation. And many eyes are on the United Nations as perhaps the only place to tackle the issue at scale. LOTS OF PEOPLE TALKING, BUT PERHAPS A SLOW PROCESSBut if the United Nations has advantages, it also has the challenges of a big-tent, consensus-seeking ethos that often moves slowly. Ideas differ about what a potential global AI body should be: perhaps an expert assessment and fact-establishing panel, akin to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or a watchdog like the International Atomic Energy Agency?

Persons: Assembly's, it's, Amandeep Gill, António Guterres, Sam Matekane, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Thórdís Kolbrún, Joe Biden, Washington, —, ” Omar Al, “ What’s, James Manyika, ”, Ian Bremmer, Gill, ” “ It’s, it’s, There's, OpenAI, Olatunbosun Tijani, “, Minister Aisén Etcheverry, ” Etcheverry, Rose, Nakasi Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, diplomacy's, Industry, Outsiders, United Nations, Safety, Israel, Assembly, United Arab Emirates, Tech, Google, Eurasia Group, European Union, International Atomic Energy Agency, . Security, New York Public Library, Chilean, Minister, General, Makerere, General Assembly Locations: Namibia, North Macedonia, Argentina, East Timor, ”, Spain, New York, Nigeria, who's, India, Ugandan

☆ Russia’s diesel export ban may be just its latest attempt to hurt Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

London CNN —Russia’s decision to ban diesel exports to most countries could not have come at a worse time for Europe. But the EU still needs a steady flow of Russian diesel to global markets to keep prices stable. The Russian government announced the curbs — which also apply to gasoline — Thursday, saying they were aimed at stabilizing domestic fuel prices. Diesel is Europe’s economic workhorse, powering the majority of vans and trucks ferrying goods and raw materials round the continent. Before Europe imposed its import ban, Russia supplied 40% of the country’s diesel.

Persons: London CNN —, ” Jorge León, ”, Natalia Kolesnikova, Pamela Munger, Henning Gloystein, Gloystein, “, Tim Lister, Anna Chernova Organizations: London CNN, European Union, Reuters, Kremlin, Diesel, Analysts, European, Rystad Energy, CNN, Gazprom, Getty, Eurasia Group, “, Brent Locations: Europe, Russian, Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South America, East, North Africa, AFP, Turkey, United States

☆ The Nagorno-Karabakh crisis raises serious questions for Russia — and the West
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The contested mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but it has been under de-facto Armenian control since the early 1990s. It follows an abrupt 24-hour offensive by Azerbaijani forces on Tuesday that swiftly broke through ethnic Armenian lines, seized strategic positions and resulted in the surrender of separatist forces. Armenia, which has typically looked to Russia as a security guarantor, said Azerbaijan's military operation was an attempt to ethnically cleanse Nagorno-Karabakh, a charge Baku has denied. Armenian authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh accused Azerbaijan of violating a cease-fire agreement, with Reuters reporting gunfire could be heard in the region's capital on Thursday. Armenians attend a rally in Yerevan on September 21, 2023, following Azerbaijani military operations against Armenian separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Persons: Karen Minasyan, Ilham Aliyev, Nikol Pashinyan, Japaridze, Pashinyan, Karabakh, Kusa, Pashynian's Organizations: Government, Armenian, Afp, Getty, CNBC, Eurasia Group, Kremlin, Collective Security, Organization, NATO, Anadolu Agency, Ukrainian Institute, Russian Embassy Locations: Yerevan, Nagorno, Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Caucasus, South Caucasus, Russia, Baku, Moscow, Ukraine, Russian, London

☆ Trump's popularity comes from a grievance-based story: Ian Bremmer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Tania Bryer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTrump's popularity comes from a grievance-based story: Ian BremmerIan Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, gives a call on Trump vs. Biden and dissects where Trump’s popularity emanates from.

Persons: Ian Bremmer Ian Bremmer, Biden Organizations: Eurasia Group, Trump, dissects

☆ Putin increasingly, is scraping the bottom of the barrel: Ian Bremmer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Tania Bryer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPutin increasingly, is scraping the bottom of the barrel: Ian BremmerIan Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, tells CNBC's Tania Bryer that Russia’s President Putin is becoming "increasingly isolated" and is "leading a rogue state."

Persons: Putin, Ian Bremmer Ian Bremmer, CNBC's Tania Bryer Organizations: Eurasia Group

☆ AI is going to drive a new globalization: Ian Bremmer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Tania Bryer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAI is going to drive a new globalization: Ian BremmerCNBC's Tania Bryer heads to CogX to talk to Ian Bremmer. The president of Eurasia Group reveals he believes AI will be transformative for the geopolitical order in both good and problematic ways.

Persons: Ian Bremmer CNBC's Tania Bryer, Ian Bremmer Organizations: Eurasia Group Locations: CogX

☆ China's gallium, germanium exports drop to zero as tech war simmers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s exports of two rare minerals essential for manufacturing semiconductors fell to zero in August, a month after Beijing imposed curbs on sales overseas, citing national security. In July, the country exported 5.15 metric tons of forged gallium products and 8.1 metric tons of forged germanium products. The curbs are indicative of China’s apparent willingness to retaliate against US export controls, despite concerns about economic growth, as a tech war simmers. Prices for gallium have fallen in China, as export controls caused inventories to pile up. The model is powered by an advanced chip, which was created despite US sanctions intended to cut the Chinese tech giant off from such technology.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Eurasia Group, China's Zhejiang University, China's Zhejiang University Hangzhou International Science, Innovation, Publishing, Shanghai Metal, Micron, Huawei, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, Jefferies, China Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, China's Zhejiang University Hangzhou, Shanghai, United States, Japan, Netherlands, Washington

☆ US says it has no evidence that Huawei can make advanced smartphones ‘at scale’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says the US government has no evidence that Huawei can produce smartphones with advanced chips “at scale,” as it continues to investigate how the sanctioned Chinese manufacturer made an apparent breakthrough with its latest flagship device. On Tuesday, Raimondo told US lawmakers that she was “upset” by news of the launch of Huawei’s Mate 60 Pro during her visit to China last month. “The only good news, if there is any, is we don’t have any evidence that they can manufacture 7-nanometer [chips] at scale,” she told a US House of Representatives hearing. That surprised many because SMIC, a partially state-owned Chinese company, has also been subject to US export restrictions for years. The following year, the US government expanded on those curbs by seeking to cut Huawei off from chip suppliers that use US technology.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, China’s, TechInsights, Ivan Lam, Kevin Frayer, Toby Zhu, Zhu, Lam, — Rashard Rose, Mengchen Zhang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Huawei, Kirin, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, CNN, SK Hynix, Huawei ”, Research, IT, Eurasia Group Locations: China, Hong Kong, Korean, Beijing, Shenzhen, Apple’s

☆ EU probe into Chinese EVs would've been an 'unthinkable step' a few years ago, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEU probe into Chinese EVs would've been an 'unthinkable step' a few years ago, analyst saysEmre Peker, director for Europe at Eurasia Group, explains why the "ex officio" nature of the investigation into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies is significant.

Persons: would've, Emre Peker Organizations: EU, Eurasia Group Locations: Europe

☆ With outlaws for allies, is Russia becoming another 'rogue state'?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Vladimir Smirnov | Afp | Getty ImagesUnder President Vladimir Putin, Russia has occupied an often contradictory and increasingly unsettling position on the global stage in recent years. Some close followers of Russia believe Moscow, operating outside international law, is increasingly acting like a "rogue state" itself, particularly in its desire to challenge and subvert the West's dominance in global affairs. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia November 20, 2017. "Russia is increasingly a rogue state: Its core relations are with countries outside a rules-based global order: Belarus, Iran, Syria, and North Korea," Ian Bremmer, the president and founder of Eurasia Group, told CNBC Monday. Friends, with benefitsRussian political analyst Anton Barbashin rejected the label of "rogue state" for Russia, however, saying Moscow continues to hold power and influence in a more global geopolitical sphere.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Smirnov, —, Bashar al, Assad, Mikhail Klimentyev, South Korea —, Ian Bremmer, Bremmer, Kim, Kim Jong, Putin, Edward Howell, Anton Barbashin, Barbashin, Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Mikhail Svetlov Organizations: North, Vostochny, Afp, Getty, . Security, Sputnik, Kremlin, Eurasia Group, CNBC, NATO, Ukraine, Russian, Oxford University, UN Security Council, UN, Democratic People's, UNSC, Indian Locations: Amur, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Belarus, Syria, Ukraine, Moscow, China, India, Black, Sochi, U.S, South Korea, United States, Pyongyang, Russian, Tsiolkovsky, Korea, Beijing, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North, Turkey, OSAKA, JAPAN, Osaka, Japan

☆ 'Blatantly protectionist': China sharply rebukes EU probe on Chinese EV subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesChina has accused the European Union of "blatant protectionism" after its executive arm unexpectedly launched an "anti-subsidy" investigation into China's electric vehicle makers. The Chinese Commerce Ministry urged dialogue to safeguard the interests of Chinese companies and commit to global efforts to address climate change and achieve carbon neutrality. If the EU finds harm from Chinese subsidies, Brussels is likely to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs despite the risk of political and economic backlash from Beijing. "If the EU finds harm from Chinese subsidies, Brussels is likely to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs despite the risk of political and economic backlash from Beijing." EU members are demanding the regional bloc shield European carmakers from Chinese EVs that they say are heavily subsidized by the Chinese government.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen Organizations: Visual China, Getty, European Union, Chinese Commerce Ministry, CNBC, EU, Beijing . Eurasia, of, Eurasia Group Locations: Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, EU, Brussels, Beijing, U.S, Europe, Strasbourg

☆ As China’s economy hits turbulence, a top Treasury official heads to Hong Kong to deepen ties with Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —A top US Treasury official is heading to Hong Kong as the White House continues its quest to ease tensions with Beijing and avoid a destabilizing crisis. During the trip, Neiman — the highest-ranking Treasury official to visit Hong Kong since 2019 — plans to meet with government officials, private sector economists and executives from the financial and legal sectors. He is also set to meet with US companies that are members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong as well as with students. “Neiman will stress the United States’ focus on securing and advancing our economic and national security interests, along with those of our allies, and protecting human rights,” the Treasury official told CNN. Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous Chinese territory that is also the country’s international financial center.

Persons: Brent Neiman, Neiman, ”, “ Neiman, Ilaria Mazzocco, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, John Kerry, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, Yellen’s, Biden, Raimondo’s, can’t, Mazzocco, Yellen, Raimondo, “, ’, ” Clayton Allen, ” Allen, ” Nikki Haley, Nikki Haley, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Wally Adeyemo, it’s, ” Adeyemo, CNN’s Poppy Harlow, Andrew King Organizations: New, New York CNN, US Treasury, US, Treasury, CNN, American Chamber of Commerce, Center for Strategic & International Studies, Washington, Apple, Huawei, Eurasia Group, Republican, Future Union Locations: New York, Hong Kong, Beijing, China, States, Washington, West, United States, “ China

☆ Gas markets are becoming 'extremely difficult' to predict. It's a big problem for Europe this winter
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aerial view of the LNG storage and vaporization vessel "Höegh Esperanza" at the Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal. European gas markets have been constantly fluctuating in recent months, owing to extreme heat, maintenance at gas plants and, most recently, industrial action at major liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia. "Gas markets are becoming riskier — gas and LNG prices are increasingly volatile and greatly affected by global factors," Jaller-Makarewicz said. The EU reached its target of filling gas storage facilities to a 90% capacity roughly 2 1/2 months ahead of its Nov. 1 deadline. It means that we've got a pretty good buffer," Malek said, referring to Europe's filling of its gas storage facilities.

Persons: Ana Maria Jaller, seesaw, Makarewicz, Christyan Malek, Malek, CNBC's, we've, Filippo Monteforte Organizations: Getty Images Energy, Workers, LNG, Makarewicz Energy, Institute for Energy Economics, Gas, EU, Gas Infrastructure, International Energy Agency, European Union, Eurasia Group, JPMorgan, Afp, Getty Locations: Wilhelmshaven, Australia, Western Australia, Japan, China, South Korea, Asia, Europe, U.S, skyrocketing, Gas Infrastructure Europe, wean, Ukraine, Eurasia, Tuscany

☆ An escalating dispute at major gas facilities in Australia could drive up European prices, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage units at Grain LNG importation terminal, operated by National Grid Plc, on the Isle of Grain on August 22, 2022 in Rochester, England. Jacob Mandel Senior research associate for global energy markets at Aurora Energy ResearchFears of strike in Australia, one of the world's biggest exporters of liquified natural gas (LNG), have recently pushed up European gas prices — and analysts expect near-term volatility to persist. Jacob Mandel, senior research associate for global energy markets at U.K.-based consultancy Aurora Energy Research, said the global natural gas market was currently "very tight" and "very little supply flexibility" means that strike action in Australia could send European gas prices higher. He said that European gas prices could climb to above 40 euros ($42.9) per megawatt hour if the strikes go ahead as planned. The front-month gas price at the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) hub, a European benchmark for natural gas trading, traded at 33.5 euros on Tuesday.

Persons: Dan Kitwood, Jacob Mandel, Mandel, we've, Ramesh, Wheatstone, Henning Gloystein, Gloystein Organizations: National Grid, Getty, CNBC, Chevron, Offshore Alliance, Wheatstone, Fair, Aurora Energy, Aurora Energy Research, videoconference, Rystad Energy, Europe, EU, Eurasia Group Locations: Isle, Rochester , England, Western Australia, Chevron Australia, Australia, Europe, Japan, Korea, wean, Ukraine, Russia

☆ India's G20 presidency risks ringing hollow as Ukraine war dashes hopes of consensus
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

US President Joe Biden, right, and Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, at an arrival ceremony during a state visit on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. One of the risks is that by elevating India's presidency of the G20 so much, there are now expectations for India to deliver some concrete breakthroughs. Russia-Ukraine impasseIndeed, the specter of Russia's Ukraine invasion has loomed large over G20 meetings for the various tracks that India has convened. He even labeled it the "biggest achievement" of India's G20 presidency so far — despite Russia and China abstaining. This development serves to buttress India's burgeoning economic clout, the basis of its greater confidence and assertiveness geopolitically.

Persons: Joe Biden, Narendra Modi, India's, haven't, Manjari Chatterjee, Modi, Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Putin, Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, Chaudhuri, Sergei Lavrov —, Putin —, CFR's Miller, Eurasia Group's Chaudhuri, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Sumedha Dasgupta, Biden, Taiwan —, assertiveness, It's, Pravin Krishna Johns Organizations: White, Bloomberg, Getty, Indian, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Foreign, Council, Foreign Relations, CNBC, Global, African Union, UN, Group Russia's, West, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, India's, Economist Intelligence Unit, Moscow, . Warming, Apple, Pravin Krishna Johns Hopkins University's School, International Locations: Washington , DC, New Delhi, India, Ukraine, Pakistan, South Asia, Washington ,, Russia, China, Varanasi, Bali, Eurasia, Asia, U.S, . Warming India, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Beijing

That means the two-day summit from September 9 will be dominated by the West and its allies. The G20 leaders who will attend include U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Bin Salman and Japan's Fumio Kishida. "If the leaders' summit is a flop, New Delhi and especially Modi will have suffered a major diplomatic, and political, setback," Kugelman said. "The positions have hardened since the Bali Summit," a senior Indian government official told Reuters, referring to the 2022 summit held in Indonesia. Lavrov said last week Russia will block the final declaration of the G20 summit unless it reflects Moscow's position on Kyiv and other crises.

Persons: Adnan Abidi, Li Qiang, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin's, Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Bin Salman, Japan's, Michael Kugelman, Narendra Modi, Modi, Kugelman, Joko Widodo, Justin Trudeau, Sergei Lavrov, Putin, battlelines, Trudeau, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Lavrov, David Boling, N.K, Singh, Larry Summers, Katya Golubkova, Kentaro Sugiyama, Sakura Murakami Organizations: REUTERS, West, South Asia Institute, Wilson Center, Indian, New, Reuters, Bali, Canada's, Russian, Diplomats, Eurasia Group, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Ukraine, China, Russia, Saudi, Washington, Bali, Indonesia, Indonesian, CHINA, Brazil, South Africa, Johannesburg, U.S, Tokyo

☆ The US needs a stable Chinese economy. Will Biden’s commerce secretary offer help?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will travel to China next week, a visit that coincides with a worsening slowdown in the world’s second largest economy. Gina Raimondo, US commerce secretary, speaks during the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The Commerce Department announced on Monday that it was removing 27 Chinese companies from US export controls. China’s Ministry of Commerce welcomed the decision, saying it was conducive to trade and reflected the interests of both sides. That was followed earlier this month by President Biden signing an executive order that limits US investment in certain tech sectors of the Chinese economy, including AI and quantum computing.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, ”, Craig Singleton, Ting Shen, Trump, Biden, “, Washington, Donald Trump, It’s, Xi, Singleton, — Kylie Atwood, Jeremy Diamond Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — US, Washington, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Commerce Department, Beijing, SelectUSA Investment, Bloomberg, Getty, China’s Ministry of Commerce, ” Eurasia Group, Apple, Nike, Intel, Microsoft, General Motors, US Treasury Department, Mintz Group, Bain & Company, Communist Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Washington, Shanghai, National Harbor , Maryland, United States, Europe, Japan, New York, court

☆ 'Final nail in the coffin' for Russia's Wagner Group as leader Prigozhin presumed dead
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Head of the Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin left the Southern Military District headquarters on June 24, 2023 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Stringer | Anadolu Agency | Getty ImagesRussian mercenary force Wagner Group may have suffered a "final nail in the coffin" with the presumed death of leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash, analysts suggest. Yet the group also appeared to call for peace, with the Wagner Group Telegram channel on Thursday calling for its members and supporters not to "take any measures" within Russian territory. A member of private mercenary group Wagner pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin following their apparent deaths in a plane crash on Aug. 23, 2023. Members of the Wagner Group prepare to depart from the Southern Military District's headquarters and return to their base on June 24, 2023 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

Persons: Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Dmitry Utkin, Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin, Jason Bush, They've, Bush, it's, Alexander Lukashenko, Vladimir Nikolayev, Putin, disbursing Wagner, who'd, reimagining Wagner, Doxsee, Sergei Surovikin, Surovikin, —, Prigozhin's Organizations: Wagner Group, Southern Military, Stringer, Anadolu Agency, Getty, NBC News, Grey Zone, Central African, Russian Defense Ministry, Russian Armed Forces, Kremlin, Redut PMC, Mercenaries, Defense Ministry, Eurasia Group, CNBC, Afp, Russian Embassy, Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Transnational, Center for Strategic & International Studies, Russian Aerospace Forces, PMC Locations: Rostov, Don, Russia, Moscow, Tver, Hell, Russia's, Ukraine, Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Sudan, Syria, Belarus, Africa, Russian, London

☆ What now for Putin? Kremlin critic says Prigozhin’s apparent death will ‘cement his authority’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Gavriil Grigorov | Afp | Getty ImagesProminent Kremlin critic Bill Browder believes the presumed death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will shore up President Vladimir Putin's shaken authority, saying the Russian leader "never forgives and never forgets." His comments come shortly after Russian aviation officials said Wednesday that Prigozhin was believed to have been killed in a plane crash. A view of site after a private jet, allegedly carrying Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin and other passengers crashed in Russia's northwestern Tver region, Russia on August 23, 2023. This will cement his authority and is standard Putin operating procedure," Browder said. The Wagner boss had struck an apparent deal with the Kremlin in the aftermath of the June rebellion.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Gavriil Grigorov, Bill Browder, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin's, Prigozhin, Dmitry Utkin, Utkin, of, Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin, Putin, Browder, Ian Bremmer, Prigozhin's, Bremmer, Wagner chief's, he's, CNBC's Organizations: Sputnik, Afp, Getty, NBC, Telegram, Wagner Group, Grey, Anadolu Agency, Federal Agency for Air Transport, Russian Embassy, Kremlin, Eurasia Group Locations: Kursk, Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, Moscow, Tver, Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Africa, of Russia, Russia, Russia's, Russian, London, Belarus

☆ After plunging into the political mainstream, Italy's far-right leader Giorgia Meloni is now shocking markets and upsetting big business
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After plunging into the political mainstream and winning over her more moderate counterparts in Brussels, hardline Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is now shaking things up on home soil. Europe's main banking index dropped some 2.7% on Aug. 8 after Italy announced it would impose a 40% windfall tax on banks. Airlines have rebuffed other policy measures, with a new government plan to curb prices when flying to certain destinations. So far during her mandate, Meloni has largely fallen in line with mainstream political positions at home and abroad, despite concerns from some that she may push her country to the fringes. Federico Santi, a senior analyst at consultancy Eurasia Group, told CNBC via email that her backtrack on the windfall tax "was a major misstep, in perception and substance."

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, Federico Santi, Santi Organizations: Airlines, European Commission, European Union, Kremlin, Eurasia Group, CNBC Locations: Brussels, Italian, Italy, Ukraine

☆ Xi and Putin are seeking to expand the alliance of BRICS nations to challenge the global dominance of the US and the dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

China's Xi Jinping is in South Africa this week for the BRICS summit. Addressing the BRICS summit by video link Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin took swipes at the West, and said the summit represented the "global majority." Together, they make up around 40% of the world's population, around $27.7 trillion of the global economy, and are seen to represent the so-called "Global South" of southern hemisphere nations. Taking on the dollarThere are also proposals on the table to create a BRICS currency to challenge the global dominance of the dollar. AdvertisementAdvertisementChina and Russia may have ambitious plans for the BRICS group, but realizing them still appears some distance away.

Persons: China's, Jinping, Putin, Vladimir Putin, Graeme Thompson, China Xi, Cyril Ramaphosa, PHILL MAGAKOE, Xi Jinping, Steve Tsang, Thompson, Xi, Wang Wentao, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Organizations: Service, Eurasia Group, South, Getty Images, US, SOAS China Institute, University of London, CNN, Russia, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: South Africa, China, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Johannesburg, Brazil, India, AFP, Western, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Ukraine, Beijing, Pacific, United States

☆ Oil dips on possible easing of tight supply, China woes hurt demand outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Crude oil struggled to keep its head above water on signs of supply tightness easing," said Brian Martin and Daniel Hynes, analysts from ANZ Bank in a note to clients. Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara to discuss several issues including the resumption of oil exports through the Ceyhan oil terminal, a source in the minister's office told Reuters on Monday. Meanwhile, gloom over the economic outlook in China, the world's second biggest oil consumer, continued to pressure oil prices and heighten worries about fuel demand. Putting a floor to oil prices, U.S. crude oil and gasoline inventories were expected to have fallen last week, a preliminary Reuters poll showed, as the American Petroleum Institute industry group is due to release data later on Tuesday. U.S. economic data over recent weeks has bolstered expectations for the Fed to keep rates higher for longer, putting a dampener on the demand outlook for oil and a broad range of consumer goods.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Brent, Brian Martin, Daniel Hynes, Hayan Abdel, Ghani, Muyu Xu, Katya Golubkova, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, . West Texas, ANZ Bank, Reuters, International Chamber of Commerce, of, Petroleum, Eurasia Group, American Petroleum Institute, Energy Information Administration, U.S . Department of Energy, PMI, Federal, Jackson, Fed, Thomson Locations: Bakersfield , California, OPEC, Turkish, Ankara, Turkey, Iraq, China, Beijing, Eurasia, Singapore, Tokyo

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