France cuts African development aid as overseas territories gain priority
France’s development agency, AFD, has reduced its budget for Africa to €4 billion ($4.703 billion) in 2025, down from €6 billion ($7.054 billion) in 2024, marking a significant shift in priorities amidst broader cuts to the nation’s aid funding. While AFD managed to maintain overall investment commitments at €13.7......
EU ambassador praises Morocco-EU economic partnership as trade flourishes
The European Union's ambassador to Morocco, Dimiter Tzantchev, hailed the "remarkable success" of Morocco-EU economic relations during a meeting with the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) in Casablanca. Speaking on Monday, Tzantchev highlighted the profound transformation in Morocco’s economy and institutions,......
Marsa Maroc expands into European ports with €80 million Spanish deal
Marsa Maroc, a leading African port terminal operator, has entered into a strategic agreement to acquire a 45% stake in Boluda Maritime Terminals (BMT), part of Spain’s Boluda Corporación Marítima, for €80 million. This move marks a significant expansion of the Moroccan company’s operations from Africa into Europe. The......
Trump’s aide says he privately believes Putin seeks full control of Ukraine
A close adviser to President Donald Trump has said the former U.S. leader privately believes Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to seize all of Ukraine, contradicting his own public statements that have often minimized Moscow’s territorial ambitions. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles revealed Trump’s views in an interview......
Putin authorizes seizure of Ukrainian homes in occupied territorie
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law enabling authorities in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine to seize residential property classified as “ownerless” through 2030. The measure applies to the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, which Moscow unilaterally declared annexed despite international......
Europe pushes industrial transformation as defense urgency grows
The European Commission has unveiled an ambitious Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030 that lays the foundation for a new era in European defense production. The plan introduces four flagship projects, the European Drone Defence Initiative, Eastern Flank Watch, European Air Shield, and European Space Shield aimed at strengthening the continent’s......
China accuses Japan of reviving militarism amid growing Taiwan tension
China has urged the international community to counter what it describes as Japan’s “revival of militarism,” warning that Tokyo’s recent remarks and defense posture threaten regional stability. The call came after Japanese officials suggested that a conflict over Taiwan could directly endanger Japan’s security,......
Japan's prime minister under growing pressure as tensions rise over Taiwan comments
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing mounting political backlash at home and abroad after remarks linking a potential Chinese military operation in Taiwan to Japan’s national security triggered a serious diplomatic rift with Beijing. During a parliamentary session on December 16, Takaichi attempted to ease tensions, promising to......
AI market slide deepens as profitability and infrastructure challenges unsettle investors
Global investors are retreating from artificial intelligence stocks as anxiety mounts over extreme valuations, rising capital costs, and questions about whether massive infrastructure spending will yield sustainable profits. The market correction, which began earlier this month, has intensified across both sides of the Atlantic and in Asia,......
Global markets slide as investors retreat from AI-driven stocks
Global markets faced renewed turbulence as a sharp selloff in artificial intelligence-related stocks deepened, erasing billions in market value and triggering a broader rotation away from the technology sector. The downturn, marked by steep losses across Wall Street and major Asian exchanges, underscored growing unease over whether sky-high......
Rising friction between China and Japan deepens over Taiwan comments by Prime Minister Takaichi
Tensions between China and Japan have intensified after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Tokyo could use military force if Beijing launched an attack on Taiwan. The remarks, which diverged from official talking points, have sparked a diplomatic rift now stretching into its second month, marking one of the sharpest downturns......
Russian forces tighten control in Gulyai-Pole as Ukrainian defenses strain under pressure
Russian troops have intensified their offensive in southeastern Ukraine, making significant territorial gains around Gulyai-Pole and advancing further toward the strategic city of Zaporizhia. The operation marks a crucial phase in Moscow’s westward push, as Ukrainian units struggle to maintain their positions amid relentless artillery......
Europe resumes flights to Baghdad after 35 years of suspension
Iraq’s Transport Ministry announced that Aegean Airlines, based in Greece, has become the first European airline in 35 years to land at Baghdad International Airport. The ministry described the flight as a turning point that marks Iraq’s reintegration into the European aviation network and signals a new chapter of revival for its......
Finland warns of Russian troop shift toward NATO borders after Ukraine peace talks
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has warned that Russia is likely to reposition its military forces closer to NATO’s eastern front once a peace agreement is reached in Ukraine, underscoring continued security concerns across the region. Speaking ahead of the first Eastern Flank Summit in Helsinki, Orpo told the Financial Times that......
EU outlines new sanctions and security plan as leaders reinforce Ukraine aid pledge
European leaders have announced a new sanctions package targeting Russia, coupled with a renewed commitment to finance Ukraine and establish long-term security guarantees. The measures were unveiled following high-level talks in Berlin between European and American officials aimed at sustaining pressure on Moscow and reinforcing Kyiv’s......