News in brief
Italian President Sergio Mattarella has issued a stark warning about the risks Europe faces if it fails to establish a truly unified defense framework. Speaking at the Italy–Spain Dialogue Forum, he emphasized that ongoing hesitation in advancing European integration could lead to what he called......
Iran and Turkey announced on Sunday that they will begin construction of a new cross-border railway designed to become a key transit link for trade between Europe and Asia. The agreement was confirmed during a diplomatic meeting in Tehran between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Turkish......
Early projections released after polls closed on Sunday indicate that Swiss voters have overwhelmingly rejected two major national initiatives: a plan to introduce compulsory civic duty for all citizens and a proposal to impose a climate-focused tax on large inheritances. According to public broadcaster......
Germany has called for Türkiye to be included in the European Union’s emerging defense initiatives, arguing that the country’s strategic importance and long-standing role within NATO make its participation essential. At a joint press conference in Berlin on Friday with Turkish Foreign......
Nearly a quarter century after it was first proposed, the last major stretch of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is finally approaching construction. The Rasht–Astara railway in northern Iran—scheduled to break ground in early 2026—has become more than......
Russia on Wednesday accused European governments and media outlets of attempting to derail Washington’s push for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Radio Sputnik that European politicians and major news organizations were launching......
Dortmund has officially ushered in the holiday season with the illumination of its iconic Christmas tree — a towering 45-meter structure built from around 1,200 Norway spruces. Considered one of the largest assembled Christmas trees in the world, the monumental installation was lit during a festive......
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has openly questioned the effectiveness of the European Union’s repeated sanctions against Russia, arguing that the measures have not achieved their intended impact on Moscow’s economy or its wartime strategy. In an interview on Sunday, Bessent criticised......
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a joint phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, emphasizing their determination to safeguard “Europe’s and Ukraine’s long-term vital interests,”......
The United States and Europe’s leading powers — France, the United Kingdom, and Germany — have submitted a draft resolution to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), urging Iran to immediately provide detailed information about its nuclear activities and allow inspectors access......
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday urged the United States to show “full respect” after U.S. Ambassador Tom Rose harshly criticized the EU’s new Omnibus package, introduced during Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU in early 2025. Speaking at a press conference,......
A recent comprehensive study by the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) analyzed the balance of power between Europe and Russia across military, economic, and societal dimensions. The findings highlight significant contrasts in capabilities and long-term resilience. According to the report,......
The European Union could welcome new member states by 2030, according to its foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, who praised reform efforts by Montenegro and Albania, while warning against democratic setbacks in Serbia and Georgia. Speaking in Brussels, Kallas said......
