Why September tends to spook European equity markets
Oman Al Yahyai
Sweden clears Bulgarian ship of sabotage in Baltic Sea cable rupture
The incident was one of several recent cases of undersea cable ruptures, sparking fears over potential Russian sabotage and spying in the region.
US tells Panama to 'reduce China's influence' over the canal
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Sunday to discuss the management of the Panama Canal.
Netanyahu to become first foreign leader to visit Trump in White House
The new US administration, which claims credit for the current ceasefire in Gaza, has called for a permanent end to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Russian delegation visits Syria for first time since al-Assad's fall
While Russia has maintained its military presence in Syria, recent reports suggest that key agreements — among them a Russian-managed Tartus port project — have been cancelled.
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ICC to pursue arrest warrants over atrocities in Sudan's West Darfur
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan told the UN Security Council that 'criminality is accelerating in Darfur", with gender-based violence a particular concern.
China’s first corgi police dog loses bonus after sleeping on the job
Despite his misdemeanours, Fu Zai was honoured for his exceptional service in 2024 as an explosives-detection dog and received a Lunar New Year gift package, including gourmet pet treats.
Iranian foreign minister meets Taliban in first visit in eight years
Abbas Aragchi spoke with Taliban leaders about border tensions, Afghan refugees in Iran and the Helmand River water treaty.
Afghans who fled Taliban urge Trump to lift refugee scheme suspension
Afghans who fled Taliban rule are pleading with US President Donald Trump to reverse refugee programme suspension, saying it puts them in danger.
Colombians flee to Venezuela as rebel violence escalates
At least 80 people have been killed and more than 18,000 forced to leave their homes in Colombia amid escalating violence between rebel groups.
Yoon Suk-yeol denies ordering military action against lawmakers
Yoon Suk-yeol appeared before South Korea's Constitutional Court for the first time, defending his actions as a warning to the opposition, not a threat of violence.
Taliban-US prisoner swap: Two Americans exchanged for Afghan national
The Taliban described the exchange as a step toward normalising ties with the US, but broader recognition of the regime in Kabul remains unlikely.
Macron urges Europe to boost defence spending as Trump takes office
Donald Trump has criticised the cost of US military assistance to Ukraine and aims to transfer a greater share of responsibility to Europe.
Yemen’s Houthis to limit attacks in Red Sea to Israeli-linked vessels
While the rate of attacks has slowed, uncertainty looms because the incoming US President Donald Trump could redesignate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation.
Poland focuses on border security at start of EU presidency
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said that protecting borders is a 'sacred duty', but humanitarian organisations have expressed concerns.
Bulgaria’s centre-right party tasked with forming new government
The GERB party won 69 seats in the October vote for the 240-member legislature, the most of any party but well short of a majority to govern alone.
Australia vows strong response if citizen killed in Russian captivity
Oscar Jenkins, a former school teacher from Melbourne, was seen being struck by a Russian interrogator in a video posted in December.
Vietnam and Russia sign agreement to boost nuclear energy cooperation
Hanoi is seeking to revive its nuclear programme in order to achieve energy self-sufficiency and meet its 2050 greenhouse gas emissions goals.
European defence ministers say Trump’s 5% spending goal is unrealistic
US President-elect Donald Trump has called for NATO's 32 member states to spend 5% of their GDP on defence, up from the existing target of 2%.
Istanbul's municipal mayor detained amid bid-rigging probe
The Republican People’s Party, Turkey’s main opposition party, condemned the arrest as politically motivated, with Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu calling it an attempt to sway public opinion.
Captured Pyongyang soldiers in Ukraine won't defect to South Korea
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested returning the soldiers to North Korea in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.
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