Articles in this Cluster
24-08-2025
The US Pentagon has fired the head of its Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse, along with two other senior military commanders. The decision comes weeks after a White House rebuke of a DIA review assessing the impact of American strikes on Iran. The review found that the attacks had set back Iran's nuclear programme by months only, contradicting President Donald Trump's claim that the nuclear sites were 'completely destroyed'. The Pentagon has not provided an explanation for the firings, but US Senator Mark Warner has criticized the move, saying it shows Trump's 'dangerous habit of treating intelligence as a loyalty test rather than a safeguard for our country'.
Entities: Pentagon, Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse, US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump • Tone: negative • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
24-08-2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test-firing of two new antiair missiles, as reported by state media, amid joint military drills by South Korea and the US. The test coincided with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's visit to Tokyo for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where they discussed strengthening cooperation against North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Kim's government has dismissed calls to restart negotiations on winding down its nuclear weapons and missile programs, prioritizing instead expanding ties with nations confronting the US, including Russia.
Entities: Kim Jong Un, North Korea, South Korea, United States, Russia • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
24-08-2025
The article discusses how new research is challenging the long-held principle of Occam's Razor in finance, which states that the simplest explanation is usually the best. The research suggests that complex machine-learning models may be more effective than simple ones, potentially upending modern investing methods. This challenges the conventional wisdom that complex models are prone to 'overfitting' and therefore less reliable. The article explores the implications of this new research and its potential impact on the field of finance.
Entities: Occam's Razor, William of Ockham, Buttonwood, The Economist, China • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
24-08-2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has acknowledged for the first time that the troops he sent to fight in Ukraine on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin have suffered significant casualties. In a ceremony honoring the soldiers, Kim appeared tearful and hugged children of the deceased. The acknowledgment comes after South Korea's intelligence reported that around 4,700 North Korean troops were casualties out of 15,000 sent to fight in Russia's Kursk region. Kim's statement suggests that North Korea's involvement in the war may be coming to a close, hailing the 'victorious conclusion of overseas military operations.'
Entities: Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, North Korea, Ukraine, Russia • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
24-08-2025
China has introduced a new national child subsidy to encourage couples to have more children and raise the birth rate. However, parents and analysts say the current measures are unlikely to change many households' fertility plans due to high childcare costs. The subsidy of 3,600 yuan per year for each child under 3 is seen as insufficient to cover the rising costs of basic necessities. To really move the needle, the government would need to introduce bolder reforms to bring down childcare costs.
Entities: China, Wang Yuyan, Hangzhou, Beijing, South China Morning Post • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
24-08-2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test-firing of new antiair missiles, state media reported, as South Korean and US militaries conducted joint drills. The test was seen as a display of Kim's expanding military capabilities. The move coincided with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's trip to Tokyo for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where they vowed to strengthen cooperation to address North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Kim's government has dismissed calls to restart negotiations on winding down his nuclear weapons and missiles programs, instead prioritizing Russia and sending troops and weapons to support President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.
Entities: Kim Jong Un, North Korea, South Korea, United States, Russia • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
