German chancellor Merz deepens China ties and warns US on tariffs
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he will pursue strategic partnerships with China during a visit next week, signaling a shift toward closer economic engagement with Beijing as trade tensions with Washington continue to simmer. Speaking to supporters at his Christian Democratic Union’s Ash Wednesday rally in Trier on February 18,......
US pushes to bar Ukraine from NATO summit in Ankara
The United States is urging NATO allies to exclude Ukraine and four Indo Pacific partner countries from formal sessions of the alliance’s July summit in Ankara, according to Politico, which cited four diplomats familiar with the discussions. Washington is pressing to prevent Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea from......
Iranian rial plunges as capital flight hits record levels
Iran’s currency has tumbled to historic lows as capital flight accelerates and oil revenues decline under renewed US sanctions, deepening strains on an economy already grappling with high inflation and social pressure over potential bread price increases. The Iranian rial weakened to around 16.3 million rials per US dollar in free market......
Russian Urals crude discount widens to lowest since 2023
Russia’s flagship Urals crude is trading at its steepest discount to global benchmark Brent in nearly three years, underscoring mounting pressure on Moscow’s key export revenues as Western sanctions persist and Indian demand weakens. The discount on Urals expanded to $28 per barrel on a free on board basis at the Baltic ports......
European stocks slip as oil surges on US Iran tensions
European equities edged lower on Thursday after reaching record highs a day earlier, as investors weighed a sharp rise in oil prices against escalating tensions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program. The pan European Stoxx Europe 600 index fell 0.1 percent in early trading, hovering around 628 points after......
Russian supreme court upholds $1.2 quintillion fine against Google
Russia’s Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling ordering Google to pay 91.5 quintillion roubles, roughly $1.2 quintillion, in penalties for blocking Russian state media channels on YouTube. The decision, confirmed on February 18, rejected a cassation appeal filed by Google International LLC and cements one of the largest financial......
Morocco bets on artificial intelligence to drive growth and expand regional influence
Morocco is turning artificial intelligence into a pillar of economic reform and diplomatic influence, unveiling a national strategy aimed at accelerating growth and strengthening its position across Africa and the Arab world. On 12 January 2026, authorities introduced the “AI Made in Morocco 2030” initiative in Rabat, presenting......
Ukrainian drones spark fire at Russian oil depot after Geneva talks stall
Russian air defenses intercepted 113 Ukrainian drones overnight from February 18 to 19, the Defense Ministry said Thursday, describing one of the largest waves of drone attacks on Russian territory in recent weeks. The barrage came hours after U.S.-mediated peace talks in Geneva ended without a breakthrough. According to the ministry, the......
Renault posts €10 billion loss amid solid underlying performance
Renault Group has reported a net loss of €10 billion, a headline figure that contrasts sharply with what executives describe as one of the strongest financial positions in the company’s history. The discrepancy is largely the result of exceptional accounting charges tied to Renault’s withdrawal from the Russian market in 2022. That......
Olympic gold boosts Jutta Leerdam’s marketing power
At the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam secured gold in the women’s 1,000 meters and quickly became a focal point beyond the competition itself. During her celebration, she briefly exposed the Nike sports bra worn beneath her official racing suit, ensuring her personal sponsor received global visibility......
Morocco takes part in global artificial intelligence summit in New Delhi
Morocco is participating in the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit, which opened Thursday in New Delhi under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bringing together political leaders and technology executives to discuss the future of AI and its governance. The Moroccan delegation is led by Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister......
Nezha Hayat: The architect of Morocco's investment future
From the trading floors of Madrid to the pinnacle of Moroccan sovereign finance, Nezha Hayat’s four decade career has reshaped the Kingdom’s approach to investment, capital markets, and economic growth. Her journey, marked by groundbreaking achievements, culminated in her appointment as Director General of the Mohammed VI Investment......
Poland urges citizens to leave Iran as conflict fears rise
Poland has called on all its nationals in Iran to depart immediately, warning that evacuation options could become unavailable within hours as regional tensions intensify. Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged Polish citizens to leave without delay and advised against any travel to Iran, citing what he described as a credible risk of imminent military......
Anne Claire Legendre appointed president of the Arab World Institute
French diplomat Anne Claire Legendre, a close adviser to President Emmanuel Macron, has been appointed president of the Arab World Institute, days after the resignation of Jack Lang. Originally from Brittany, the 46 year old career diplomat speaks Arabic, a language she studied at the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations......
Arab region struggles to unlock women’s financial potential
A new United Nations report has highlighted persistent barriers preventing women in Morocco and across the Arab region from fully participating in the financial system, warning that limited access to banking and digital services continues to restrain economic growth. In its study titled Unlocking women’s economic potential in the Arab......