Trump declares national emergency, targets Cuba’s energy lifelines with global tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on Thursday, January 29, citing "threats to national security and foreign policy" posed by the Cuban government.

Carlyle Group moves to acquire Lukoil's $22 billion global portfolio under US pressure

Russian oil major Lukoil, currently under US sanctions, has agreed to divest its vast international portfolio to the American private equity firm Carlyle Group.

Nine cities enter race to host new EU Customs Authority

The European Parliament officially launched the selection process for the future headquarters of the EU Customs Authority (EUCA) on Wednesday, January 28. Nine candidate cities are currently vying for the position: Bucharest, The Hague, Liège, Lille, Málaga, Porto, Rome, Warsaw, and Zagreb.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rules out Ukraine's EU accession by 2027 citing Copenhagen Criteria

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has clarified that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union remains unattainable in the immediate term. He specifically ruled out the possibility of integration by January 1, 2027.

Trump issues military ultimatum to Iran over nuclear program

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to authorize military strikes against Iran if Tehran refuses to negotiate a new nuclear stabilization agreement. The warning follows a significant buildup of American naval forces in the Persian Gulf and renewed political pressure on the Iranian administration.

Germany faces critical labor vacuum as domestic workforce hits limits

Bärbel Bas, Speaker of the Bundestag, issued a stark warning at a labor migration conference, stating that Europe's powerhouse cannot sustain its economy without a significant influx of foreign talent.

Foreign Minister: Zelensky prepared for direct summit with Putin on territorial disputes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is prepared to meet personally with Vladimir Putin to discuss two critical pillars of the ongoing peace negotiations: the status of occupied territories and the future control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

Russia’s 1.2 million casualty toll: The human price of minimal territorial gains

By the end of the fourth year of the war in Ukraine, Russian military casualties had reached a staggering 1.198 million personnel. According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), 2025 alone saw 425,000 Russian troops killed or wounded.

EU and India seal historic trade and security pact to counter global fragmentation

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen finalized a historic trade and security agreement with India in New Delhi on January 27, 2026. This landmark deal, which spent two decades in negotiation, aims to provide a blueprint for stability in an increasingly fractured global order. The agreement marks a decisive pivot for the European Union as it seeks to diversify its strategic partnerships and reduce economic dependencies.

Ukrainian drones target strategic refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region

Debris from intercepted Ukrainian drones struck two industrial facilities in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, Russia’s Krasnodar region, sparking fires and injuring one person early Monday morning.

Transatlantic rift: why Europe is rethinking its $3 trillion US debt portfolio

Europe currently holds approximately 10% of the total United States national debt, a figure exceeding $3 trillion (approx. €2.56 trillion). As geopolitical tensions rise, this massive financial stake is increasingly viewed as a potential "nuclear option" against unpredictable US policy shifts.

Pope Leo XIV warns of winter humanitarian crisis in Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV appealed for an immediate end to the conflict in Ukraine during his Sunday address from the Apostolic Palace. The Pontiff warned that ongoing Russian strikes are leaving civilians dangerously vulnerable to the harsh winter freeze.