Aid workers killed in Gaza
Israeli strikes on an aid convoy run by the charity group World Central Kitchen killed seven of its workers in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized and said Israel was “deeply sorry” for the strike. He called it “a tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people.”
Workers were traveling in clearly marked vehicles and World Central Kitchen said it had coordinated its movements with Israel’s military. Israel is investigating the circumstances surrounding the strikes.
The war has been extremely dangerous for aid workers — at least 196 have been killed since the war began, according to the UN’s Global Central Kitchen, which has become a major player in delivering supplies to an enclave on the brink of famine, has suspended operations in Gaza. So has another aid agency, American Near East Refugee Aid.
What we know: Among the workers killed were a Palestinian, an Australian, a Pole, three Britons and a dual US-Canadian national. The convoy of three vehicles had just left a food warehouse. Videos and photos verified by the Times suggest he was hit multiple times.
In a rare call, Biden spoke with Xi
President Biden had a rare phone conversation with Xi Jinping, China’s leader, yesterday, which was aimed at addressing a variety of issues, both combative and cooperative, and the stable relationship that hit a multi-decade low last year.
Issues raised by Biden included the fight against drug 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 invitation. He also expressed concerns about Beijing’s aggression in Taiwan and the South China Sea.
China said Xi had called for “concrete actions” to demonstrate US commitment not to support Taiwan independence. Xi also criticized the “endless stream of measures” taken by the US to try to suppress China’s economy, science and technology, China said.
Context: Biden and Xi both tried to avoid any public outbursts. Biden wants to focus on his re-election campaign, while Xi deals with a struggling economy and corruption in the top ranks of his military.
What’s next: Janet Yellen, the US Treasury Secretary, is traveling to China this week for economic talks. Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, will follow soon after.
The drones struck the region of Tatarstan, about 700 miles (more than 1,100 kilometers) from Ukrainian-controlled territory. Ukraine’s campaign of strikes against Russian refineries since last October has shrunk Russia’s refining capacity and recently forced Moscow to impose a six-month ban on gasoline exports.
Arms: Ukraine is increasing its weapons production. It may not be moving fast enough.
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Does artificial intelligence increase productivity?
Many large companies have adopted genetic AI to tackle disruptive tasks, boost marketing pushes, or match prices to demand. And enthusiastic tech investors have added trillions in market value to a handful of companies.
But research on AI and effectiveness is still shaky. Many economists and officials seem dubious that artificial intelligence is widespread enough to already show up in productivity data. Others, like MIT labor economist David Autor, say it could potentially increase the size of the middle class by allowing workers to perform some jobs that currently require highly skilled specialists.
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