Qatar contributes funds to Anthropic in their massive $13 billion investment round

In a rapidly changing world, here's a roundup of some of the latest news from around the globe.

Health and Science

Two major studies have offered contrasting insights into the impacts of beta blockers for heart attack patients. One study found a 15% reduction in deaths and major cardiovascular events among people whose heart function had returned to normal post-attack. However, another study found no such impact. Both studies, however, reported benefits for patients with impaired heart function.

On a positive note, a cheap generic drug has been linked to increased lifespans, potentially due to its ability to protect against DNA damage.

Business and Technology

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has raised a staggering $13 billion in its latest funding round, with QIA recognising Anthropic as a leader in enterprise AI and code generation. The company's fund is investing in large language models, seen as the infrastructure layer for AI applications.

QIA also announced plans to invest $500 billion in the US over the next decade. Meanwhile, Bahrain's Mumtalakat and Abu Dhabi's CYVN Holdings have taken full ownership of McLaren, valuing the Formula 1 team at more than £3 billion ($3.5 billion).

Ten small and medium-sized countries are in talks to form a new trade grouping called the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT-P).

Politics and Diplomacy

The European Union is reportedly readying new trade deals with Latin America, aiming to regain the initiative after the bloc was criticised for making excessive concessions in an agreement with the US.

The US military conducted a lethal strike on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, targeting alleged "narcoterrorists", according to US President Donald Trump. However, Venezuela disputes this claim, viewing it as an attempt to drive regime change.

Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank are putting the Abraham Accords in jeopardy. The UAE has voiced strong opposition to these plans, stating that it would be a 'red line' for the government.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meetings with Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping suggest India may align with other powerful nations if Washington pressures it to stop buying Russian oil.

Conflict and Humanitarian Crises

Russia has intensified drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, with 526 drones hammering Ukraine overnight, nearly doubling the rate since Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with US President Donald Trump last month.

More than 800 people have been killed after an earthquake struck near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. In Sudan, a landslide has claimed at least 1,000 lives, intensifying hardship in a country besieged by years of civil war.

The Taliban has reported casualties after an earthquake in Afghanistan, adding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Legal and Judicial Matters

A federal judge has ruled that US President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to California to quell protests over immigration raids in June, violated the Posse Comitatus Act. The Trump administration's efforts to deport undocumented migrants to the US faced further legal setbacks, with a federal judge blocking White House plans to return Guatemalan children to their home country.

Brazil's Supreme Court will begin hearing closing arguments in the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of orchestrating a coup to stay in power.

Environment and Climate

Several European governments are considering reviving drained peat bogs, as they hold a third of the planet's carbon. Finland and Poland are considering restoring peat wetlands along their Russian borders as a defense against possible invasion and as a carbon sink.

Meanwhile, household spending growth in the Gulf is set to be nearly double that of the US over the next five years.

International Relations

The displays of warmth and laughter between the leaders of India, China, and Russia in Tianjin underscored how much US President Donald Trump has shaken up global diplomacy. Syria is seeing promising signs of revival nine months after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime and the end of a 14-year civil war.

An airplane carrying the European Commission president was the target of a suspected Russian interference operation, according to the EU.

Final Thoughts

From healthcare advancements to geopolitical shifts, this roundup provides a snapshot of the diverse and dynamic world we live in. As always, stay informed and stay safe.