The foreign ministry in Berlin is looking to increase the consequences of such attacks by adopting new sanctions against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet — oil and gas tankers helping Moscow earn billions of dollars from illicit fossil fuel sales by surreptitious means — and by limiting the time of accreditation and freedom of movement for … Read more
“This year, I am ready, together with you, to elevate Chinese-Russian relations to a new level, to counter external uncertainties by preserving stability and resilience of Chinese-Russian relations, for the development and prosperity of both countries and for justice and equality in the world,” Xi told Putin. The Russian president also referred to Xi as “dear friend” and emphasized the depth and breadth of Russia-China relations. “These ties are self-sufficient, as they do … Read more
The two leaders will discuss expanding cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, including in “trade, investment, transport, logistics, humanitarian sphere, and current issues on the regional and international agenda,” the statement said. The agreement is also expected to cement the growing military and political partnership between the two nations. Moscow’s ties with the Iranian regime have … Read more
But Murphy built a reputation for even-handedness and attention to detail during his previous career at Stormont, where he served as Mo Mowlam’s deputy as Northern Ireland secretary during the 1997-98 negotiation of the Good Friday deal. While the outspoken and eccentric Mowlam garnered the headlines, Murphy spent months away from the spotlight leading the … Read more
The company has no plans to end fact-checking in the EU, the company clarified at POLITICO’s request, and will review its EU content moderation obligations before making changes. The move comes as Meta, and other tech giants, attempt to cozy up to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration in Washington. Meta has also put a … Read more
“It is now time to take the next step for our country,” Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede said. “Like other countries in the world, we must work to remove the obstacles to cooperation — which we can describe as the shackles of the colonial era — and move on,” he added. Egede, who has led … Read more
Hawkish Eastern European and Nordic countries including Poland and Sweden are keen to boost EU spending on defense, while Southern ones such as Italy and Greece would prefer more cash to stem migrant arrivals from Africa. In 2025, EU countries will set their red lines for the negotiations. But if the past is anything to … Read more
Britain’s new government spent most of the fall bogged down in questions over where it stands on EU demands for a youth mobility scheme — which Brussels sees as essential to the reset. The young Labour administration is worried the idea smells too much like EU migration, a difficult political issue in Britain. It hasn’t … Read more
At the other end of Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. Ukrainians chalked up some successes in 2024, becoming a dominant force in the Black Sea despite the country’s tiny navy, and mounting a counteroffensive into Russia’s Kursk region in August. But they are ending this year on the back foot, having lost many of … Read more
In the South China Sea, meanwhile, Beijing continues a campaign of maritime harassment against civilian vessels from neighboring nations, including Vietnam and the Philippines. Yes, our oceans are under threat. And lest we forget, climate change is contributing even further harm. The shipping industry is a significant carbon emitter, and in the past decade, its … Read more
