Ukraine and U.S. Near Agreement on Minerals Deal, but No Security Guarantee for Kyiv at the Moment

Ukraine has reached a preliminary agreement with the United States on a significant deal regarding rare minerals, according to a Ukrainian government source. The deal, which could be finalized soon, is expected to pave the way for a new long-term partnership between Ukraine and the U.S. However, it notably does not include a security guarantee […]

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Taiwan Catches and Detain Chinese Ship Cutting Subsea Cable With Ongoing ‘Shadow Fleet’ Crackdown

Taiwan’s coastguard apprehended a Chinese-owned freighter on Tuesday, accusing it of severing a subsea communications cable off the island’s western coast. This marks the first significant confrontation following Taiwan’s recent crackdown on China’s “shadow fleet,” which has been implicated in several similar incidents. The vessel, identified as the Hong Tai 168 but listed in shipping […]

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Expansion of Visa Restrictions Policy for Individuals Exploiting Cuban Labor

Today, we announce the expansion of an existing Cuba-related visa restriction policy that targets forced labor linked to the Cuban labor export program. This expanded policy applies to current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be responsible for, or involved in, the Cuban labor export […]

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Eastern DR Congo: Crisis deepens as crime and insecurity surges

According to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA, aid workers have been among those killed, and widespread human rights violations have been reported, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at a regular news briefing in New York. “In Lubero Territory, north of Goma, clashes last week forced more than 100,000 people – about half of […]

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Somali Pirates Abandon Hijacked Yemeni Fishing Boat After Five-Day Stint

Suspected Somali pirates who hijacked a Yemeni fishing boat, Saytuun-2, off the Horn of Africa have fled after a five-day ordeal. The incident began on February 17, when pirates attacked the vessel near Eyl, Somalia, using ladders and weapons, suggesting plans to hijack additional ships. The pirates controlled the Saytuun-2 until Saturday, when they abandoned […]

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OSCE Secretary General concludes visit to Kyiv

KYIV/VIENNA, 25 February 2025 — The OSCE Secretary General, Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, concluded his two-day official visit to Ukraine. He had detailed discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and other Ukrainian authorities. Secretary General Sinirlioğlu underlined the OSCE’s readiness to support efforts for ending the war. “The ongoing war is an open wound […]

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Trump and Macron Agree on Shared Responsibility for Ukraine’s Peace

US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met on Monday and agreed that the responsibility for securing peace in Ukraine should be shared between the US and Europe. In a joint statement following their meeting at the White House, Trump expressed satisfaction that Macron aligned with his stance on key issues, particularly the […]

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Israel Open to Extending Ceasefire for More Hostages, Says Foreign Minister Sa’ar

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar signaled on Monday that Israel is prepared to extend its ceasefire agreement with Hamas if more hostages are released. Speaking in Brussels during his diplomatic visit, Sa’ar clarified that the Israeli government is committed to securing the release of all hostages before any ceasefire extension is considered. “We do not […]

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Nothing fishy about fish: consumer demand drives push for more sustainable seafood

While consumers are often encouraged to eat more seafood for its nutritional benefits, such as omega-3 fatty acids, sustainability and ethical concerns are also a growing factor in their purchasing decisions.  Consumers are increasingly prioritising seafood that is sustainably sourced, often preferring certified products such as those carrying the MSC and ASC labels (Marine Stewardship […]

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UN Security Council Adopts Resolution Calling for Swift End to Ukraine-Russia Conflict

The UN Security Council on Monday passed a US-drafted resolution urging a “swift end” to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling for a peaceful resolution in line with the principles of the UN Charter. The resolution garnered 10 votes in favor and five abstentions, including from Greece, France, Slovenia, Denmark, and the UK. While the resolution […]

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