A major security forum is underway at the Munich Security Conference, at a time of high stakes as the European Union seeks to take a more assertive role amid shifting global alliances and tensions with the United States. Marco Rubio is leading a large US delegation to the gathering, signalling Washington’s continued engagement while debates […]
Continue ReadingSophie Adenot is preparing for a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station, aiming to set a new record for a French astronaut in orbit. She will carry out more than 200 scientific and medical experiments in microgravity while completing intensive training and maintenance work in space.
Continue ReadingCan Europe man the ramparts on its own? As the US war secretary snubbed a NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels, EU leaders converged on the 16th-century Alden Biesen castle in Belgium’s Limburg province to answer former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi’s call for a “big bazooka” approach to reform and competitiveness.
Continue ReadingUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday he would have the chance to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference this week. Rubio is leading a large US delegation to the annual security and defence talks in the Bavarian capital, which will run through Sunday. Follow our liveblog for the latest […]
Continue ReadingEuropean Union leaders on Thursday agreed on an action plan to overhaul the bloc’s economy and boost competitiveness amid pressure from US President Donald Trump, China and Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the March plan would upgrade energy grids, deepen financial integration and ease merger rules.
Continue ReadingAt Thursday’s NATO meeting in Brussels, US Secretary of State Pete Hegseth was absent, highlighting concerns about America stepping back from the alliance. European allies announced Arctic Sentry, a new mission to strengthen Arctic security amid Russian and Chinese activity. While analysts see it largely as a rebranding of existing drills, NATO hopes it will […]
Continue ReadingNATO defence ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss Ukraine’s defence amid almost four years of war with Russia and to strengthen security in Greenland and the Arctic. Dafyyd Townley, Teaching Fellow in US politics and international security at the University of Portsmouth, notes Russia’s long-term strategy aims to demoralise Ukraine through strikes on energy […]
Continue ReadingNATO defence ministers hold a key meeting on Ukraine and Greenland this Thursday. Leaders discuss keeping weapons flowing to Ukraine while pressuring countries that haven’t contributed enough, and launch the ‘Arctic Sentry’ mission to strengthen security in Greenland and the Arctic. FRANCE 24’s Kethevane Gorjestani has the latest.
Continue ReadingOn a day when NATO has promised new help for Ukraine, while thousands more people in the country have been left without power after Russian attacks, a Ukrainian analyst has offered his hopes to FRANCE 24. Peter Zalmayev, director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, says he is not very hopeful that the US tone has […]
Continue ReadingThe Kremlin said on Thursday said that US messenger app WhatsApp has been completely blocked in Russia for failing to comply with local law, suggesting Russians turn to a state-backed “national messenger” MAX instead. Critics say MAX is a surveillance tool, something the authorities deny.
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