Aid workers killed in Gaza
Israeli attacks on an aid convoy belonging to the charity World Central Kitchen killed seven of its workers in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized and said Israel “deeply regrets” the attack. He called it “a tragic case of our armed forces unintentionally targeting innocent people.”
The workers traveled in clearly marked vehicles and World Central Kitchen said it had coordinated its movements with the Israeli military. Israel is investigating the circumstances surrounding the attacks.
The war has been exceptionally dangerous for aid workers; At least 196 people have been killed since the war began. operations in Gaza. This also applies to another aid organization, American Near East Refugee Aid.
What we know: The aid workers killed included a Palestinian, an Australian, a Pole, three Britons and a dual US-Canadian citizen. The convoy of three vehicles had just left a food warehouse. Videos and photos verified by The Times suggest it has been hit multiple times.
In a rare telephone conversation, Biden spoke with Xi
President Biden had a rare phone call yesterday with Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, that focused on discussing a variety of issues, both combative and cooperative, and solidifying a relationship that reached a multi-decade low last year.
The topics Biden raised included the fight against narcotics production, the conflict in the Middle East, North Korea’s nuclear program and China’s support for Russia during the war in Ukraine, according to a summary of the call. He also expressed concern about Beijing’s aggression against Taiwan and the South China Sea.
China said Xi had called for “concrete actions” to demonstrate US commitment not to support Taiwan’s independence. Xi also criticized the “endless stream of measures” the US has taken to suppress China’s economy, science and technology, China said.
Context: Biden and Xi have both tried to avoid public outbursts. Biden wants to focus on his re-election campaign, while Xi faces a troubled economy and corruption at the top of his military.
What’s next: Janet Yellen, the US Treasury Secretary, is going to China this week for economic talks. Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, will follow shortly afterwards.
The drones struck in the Tatarstan region, about 700 miles (more than 1,100 kilometers) from Ukrainian-occupied territory. Ukraine’s campaign of attacks on Russian refineries since last October has shrunk Russia’s refining capacity and recently forced Moscow to impose a six-month ban on gasoline exports.
Weapons: Ukraine increases its weapons production. It may not be happening fast enough.
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Does AI increase productivity?
Many large companies have implemented generative AI to handle tedious tasks, boost their marketing efforts, or adjust prices based on demand. And eager tech investors have added trillions in market value to a few companies.
But the research on AI and efficiency is still shaky. Many economists and officials seem to doubt whether AI has spread enough to show up in productivity data yet. Others, like MIT labor economist David Autor, say it could potentially expand the size of the middle class by allowing workers to perform certain tasks that currently require highly skilled experts.
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