Author: tut0ugh
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Syrian government forces have expanded control across northern Syria after a fragile withdrawal arrangement with Kurdish-led authorities broke down, triggering renewed clashes along the Euphrates. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said its fighters withdrew from areas west of the river a day earlier as a gesture of goodwill, but accused Syrian troops of violating the…
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Latvia’s central bank governor Mārtiņš Kazāks has warned European policymakers against complacency, arguing Europe is already engaged in a non-kinetic conflict with Russia. Speaking to the Financial Times, the European Central Bank Governing Council member said: “It’s naive to think that we are not at war [with Russia].” He cited persistent cyber attacks, Baltic Sea…
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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said US President Donald Trump bore responsibility for casualties and damage during Iran’s recent unrest, alleging US and Israeli encouragement of protests. Speaking in Tehran after security forces reasserted control, Khamenei claimed “several thousand” people were killed by groups linked to foreign powers, and said more than 250 mosques…
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The International Monetary Fund has approved the immediate disbursement of around $261 million to Ethiopia, following an agreement in principle with private bondholders to restructure sovereign debt. The payment lifts total IMF support to approximately $2.2 billion under a $3.4 billion programme agreed in July 2024. Key developments • The IMF cited progress in foreign…
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Portugal votes on Sunday (18 January) in the first round of its 2026 presidential election, with no clear favourite and a run-off increasingly likely. Polls suggest André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, could place first in the opening round, though he is forecast to lose any second-round contest. A run-off would be the first…
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Britain’s main opposition leader joined hundreds of protests on Saturday (17 January) against plans for a new Chinese embassy in London, ahead of a government decision due this week. Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party, urged the Labour government to block the project, citing China’s record of sanctioning MPs and alleged harassment of UK-linked…
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Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been re-elected to a seventh term, the country’s electoral commission has announced, extending his rule that began in 1986. Official results show 71.65% for Museveni, ahead of opposition challenger Bobi Wine (24.72%). The vote followed a tense campaign criticised by the United Nations and election observers. Key developments • Observers…
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Top officials from the European Union and Mercosur have signed a landmark free trade agreement in Paraguay, concluding 25 years of negotiations. The agreement will remove tariffs on more than 90% of bilateral trade, establishing one of the world’s largest free trade zones. Mercosur includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia, which joined the bloc…
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US President Donald Trump said the United States will impose new tariffs on goods from eight European countries over opposition to US control of Greenland, escalating tensions over the strategic Arctic territory. In a social media post, Trump said a 10% import tariff will take effect from 1 February 2026, rising to 25% on 1…
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Syrian government forces have moved to reassert control over areas of Aleppo governorate previously held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), following an agreed withdrawal. The Syrian Arab Army entered Deir Hafer, east of Aleppo, after SDF commander Mazloum Abdi confirmed redeployment east of the Euphrates under the March 10 integration framework. Key developments…
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