Newsletter Sep 21, 2023

Quick Six

Biden, Netanyahu smooth things over ahead of Saudi deal
Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu met Wednesday to smooth over months of tension, eyeing a deal to normalize Israel's ties with Saudi Arabia despite US concerns over the state of Israeli democracy. Biden said the pair had their first talks since the Israeli prime minister was reelected in December at the head of a hard-right government. The fence-mending comes as Biden pushes Netanyahu to agree on a potentially historic deal to end decades of enmity with Riyadh, one of Washington's main regional allies.
SEE THE FRAMEWORK AROUND A POTENTIAL SAUDI DEAL

Canadian auto workers cut deal; US strike reaches one week
The Canadian auto workers union has reached a tentative agreement with Ford, averting a strike as the labor group's US counterpart eyes expanding its ongoing stoppage to more plants. Unifor, which represents Canadian auto workers, said late Tuesday the agreement pertained to more than 5,600 Canadian Ford workers who stood poised for a potential walkout.
WHAT THE CANADIAN DEAL MEANS FOR US AUTO STRIKE

Amazon supercharges Alexa in latest salvo of AI arms race
Amazon's popular Alexa digital assistant is being supercharged with the powers of generative AI, the company said Wednesday, as the tech giant steps into the AI race dominated by ChatGPT, Google and Microsoft. Voice assistants like Alexa or Apple's Siri are perfect candidates to have their sometimes-glitchy and robot-like technology streamlined with capabilities of generative AI.
SEE AMAZON'S PLANS AND ALEXA'S POTENTIAL POWERS

You Might Like

Markets

DJIA	34,440.88	-0.22%
S&P 500	4,402.20	-0.94%
Nasdaq Composite	13,469.13	-1.53%
Japan: Nikkei 225	33,023.78	-0.66%
UK: FTSE 100	7,731.65	0.93%
Crude Oil Futures	90.27	-1.02%
Gold Futures	1,951.30	-0.80%
Yen	148.28	-0.04%
Euro	1.07	-0.08%
* As of market close

Biden adds 'Climate Corps' to green energy

President Joe Biden launched a new "Climate Corps" on Wednesday to help young people get green jobs, as he tries to sell voters on his plans for a clean energy economy. The ambitious climate law aims to speed the transition to clean energy, rebuild US industry and boost social justice. Biden, who is in New York for the UN General Assembly, also held talks with newly elected Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about his plans for protecting the Amazon and the economy.

CLIMATE ACTIVISTS ARE TARGETING US, CHINA ON INACTION

US unveils plan to help support democracy

The US announced $225 million in investments to support emerging democracies in the face of a rise in autocracies around the world. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the assistance at an event Wednesday at the UN General Assembly. A major part of the package will be $110 million in private-sector projects for Nepal, where the political system has been stabilizing since a peace deal in 2006.

HOW THE NEW PROGRAM SEEKS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY

Charles III makes first French visit as king

As thousands lined the famed Champs-Elysees to catch a glimpse of Charles III on Wednesday, many wondered how the king would follow in the footsteps of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, who was much loved in France. There are reminders throughout the visit of the late queen, a French-speaking francophile who made five state visits to France during her 70-year reign and leaving "big shoes to fill" for the new king.

HOW CHARLES PAID TRIBUTE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH IN FRANCE

Extra point

Who was the last king of France? When and how did he lose the throne?

Wednesday's answer: Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss were the first bitcoin billionaires. The twins reached the milestone on Nov. 26, 2017.

IBTimes will always protect your security and privacy. Please read our detailed Privacy Policy. Please do not reply to this email. Click here to adjust your notification preferences or unsubscribe.