Author: staff
BERLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that Berlin and Paris would negotiate a joint strategy to stave off U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats in the run up to a gathering of the bloc’s 27 leaders in Brussels this week. French President Emmanuel Macron’s office on Sunday asked the European Union to activate the bloc’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, nicknamed the trade bazooka. Germany — dependent on trade with the U.S. to a greater extent than France — has been more reluctant to hit back hard at Washington. “France is affected by the American tariffs to a different extent…
Published on 19/01/2026 – 14:17 GMT+1 Iran appears to be using executions “as a tool of state intimidation,” the United Nations said on Monday, as it denounced a jump in capital punishment globally in 2025. The Islamic republic reportedly executed 1,500 people last year, UN rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement. “The scale and pace of executions suggest a systematic use of capital punishment as a tool of state intimidation, with disproportionate impact on ethnic minorities and migrants,” he warned. The spike in executions in Iran, which according to rights groups is the world’s most prolific executioner after…
By Laila Humairah Published on 19/01/2026 – 14:26 GMT+1 From broadband expansion in Indonesia — to clean energy in Uzbekistan, the AIIB’s biggest projects since its operations first began in 2016 have shown the organisation’s commitment to building a lasting impact on communities by meeting infrastructure needs of countries beyond its roots in China. From the 57 founding members to 111 approved countries today, the strength of AIIB is in its diverse and unique network. In his outgoing speech as president of the AIIB, Jin Liqun reflected on the 10 years of his tenure: “During this period, we have worked with…
By Patrick Whittle with AP Published on 19/01/2026 – 12:41 GMT+1 Sharks are the most feared predators in the sea, and their survival hinges on fearsome teeth that regrow throughout their lives. But changes in the ocean’s chemistry could put those weapons at risk. That is the takeaway from a study performed by a group of German scientists who tested the effects of a more acidic ocean on sharks’ teeth. Scientists have linked human activities including the burning of coal, oil and gas to the ongoing acidification of the ocean. As oceans become increasingly acidic, sharks’ teeth could become structurally weaker and more…
Trump announced the establishment of the board — which he touted as “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place” — on Friday as a key part of his 20-point plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas. The committee, chaired by Trump, will oversee the transitional governance of Gaza. The U.S. embassy in Brussels did not immediately respond to questions about the invitation. Putin, for his part, has spent the last four years waging a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has killed thousands of civilians, and demolished towns and cities. Invitations to join…
Published on 19/01/2026 – 13:27 GMT+1 Thousands of Norwegians are expected to receive letters from the military on Monday informing them that their homes, vehicles, boats and machinery may be requisitioned in the event of war. “The requisitions are intended to ensure that, in a wartime situation, the armed forces have access to the resources necessary for the defence of the country,” the military said in a statement. Around 13,500 preparatory requisitions will be issued for 2026. The letters have no practical impact in peacetime other than to let owners know that the military may take over their goods in…
Published on 19/01/2026 – 13:01 GMT+1 All eyes turn to Davos today, as the World Economic Forum (WEF) commences its annual meeting. Some of the world’s most powerful elite, including government leaders and business execs, have gathered in Switzerland to engage in “forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities”. One of the key themes of this year’s event is building prosperity “within planetary boundaries” – with WEF highlighting that nature loss impacts 75 per cent of Earth’s land and poses “significant economic risks”. The argument that the world should transition to nature-positive business models to unlock $10 trillion…
“Mario Draghi holds a key role in strengthening Europe’s economy, and his 2024 Draghi Report outlines the plans needed to ensure competitiveness, growth, and stability in the European Union,” it said. The Draghi report, which calls for “radical change” to EU decision-making, sends a clear message: Europe can no longer rely on crisis management alone. “This new world is not kind to us,” Draghi warned last year. “It does not wait for slow, collective rituals.” The prize committee urged EU governments and the Commission to implement Draghi’s recommendations “immediately,” framing the report as a blueprint for survival rather than another…
German Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told journalists on Monday that the European Union must be prepared to use its full arsenal of retaliatory measures to push back against threats from United States President Donald Trump. “Europeans must make clear the limit has been reached,” the German minister said. “There is a legally established toolbox that can respond to economic blackmail with sensitive measures, we should now examine use.” Over the weekend, Trump said that America will increase tariffs on European goods by 10% if the bloc continues to oppose his efforts to take control of Greenland. Among the…
A high-speed train has derailed and been hit by another in southern Spain killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 120, authorities said on Monday. The accident happened at 7:45 pm (1845 GMT) near Adamuz in the province of Cordoba, about 360 km south of the capital Madrid. It left 122 people injured, with 48 still in hospital and 12 in intensive care, according to emergency services. The rescue operation was complicated by the remote location of the crash. Video and photos showed twisted train cars lying on their sides under floodlights late on Sunday. Passengers reported climbing…