Author: tut0ugh
-
China has signalled interest in expanding cooperation with Malta on shipping and port logistics, citing the island’s strategic position in the Central Mediterranean. At an economic and trade cooperation meeting in Beijing, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said it was willing to strengthen “strategic alignment” with Malta, an European Union member state. China and Malta established…
-
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that the world has entered a new era of great-power politics, arguing that the foundations of the post-Cold War international order have been severely shaken. Speaking at a keynote address, Merz cited Russia’s war against Ukraine, China’s rise, and a shift in U.S. foreign and security policy as signs…
-
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived a no-confidence motion in the European Parliament on Thursday (22 January), after MEPs voted overwhelmingly to reject an attempt to unseat her Commission. The motion, tabled by Patriots for Europe (PfE), failed to reach the required two-thirds majority of votes cast and a majority of all sitting…
-
Ecuador will impose a 30% “security tariff” on imports from Colombia from 1 February 2026, citing cross-border drug trafficking and illegal mining, President Daniel Noboa has announced. In a social media statement, Noboa said the measure would remain until Colombia demonstrates “real commitment” to joint enforcement, arguing Ecuador faces a trade deficit exceeding $1bn while…
-
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow could contribute $1 billion from frozen Russian assets to secure permanent membership of the proposed “Board of Peace”, an international body announced by US President Donald Trump. Speaking at a meeting of the Russian Security Council in Moscow, Putin said he had instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to…
-
Haiti has reached a ‘critical juncture’ in efforts to restore democratic institutions, the United Nations told the Security Council on Wednesday (21 January), warning that political fragmentation, escalating gang violence and mounting humanitarian needs risk derailing the transition. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), urged national…
-
US forces have transferred 150 Islamic State (IS) detainees from northeast Syria to Iraq, as Washington and Baghdad consider relocating up to 7,000 prisoners amid shifting security control in Syria. The move follows advances by the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al Sharaa, which has clashed with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The…
-
During a World Economic Forum panel questioning “Can Europe defend itself?”, Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, argued that Europe is capable of ensuring its own defence, even as debate intensifies over long-term reliance on the United States. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño, Sanofi…
-
The House of Lords has voted to support a ban on social media for under-16s, intensifying pressure on the government to follow Australia’s lead on online child safety. The amendment, tabled by former schools minister Lord Nash, was added to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill despite ministers urging caution. Key developments • Peers backed…
-
US President Donald Trump said he will not be imposing planned tariffs on European allies following talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, citing agreement on a framework for future cooperation on Arctic security. Trump said the discussions covered Greenland and the wider Arctic region, and that tariffs due to take effect on 1 February…
tut0ugh 