Monthly Archives: February 2025

US freeze on foreign aid funding is a ‘death sentence’ for people in need, NGOs warn

Muhamad Yehia  US President Donald Trump has ordered most foreign assistance to be halted for 90 days pending a review, causing alarm among aid agencies worldwide. From life-saving HIV treatment to shelter for refugees to food for malnourished children, US-funded aid projects around the world are being paused, downsized or …

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Netanyahu to become first foreign leader to visit Trump in White House

Muhamad Yehia The new US administration, which claims credit for the current ceasefire in Gaza, has called for a permanent end to the war between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will become the first foreign leader to visit the White House during Donald Trump’s second presidential term, …

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Norwegian finance minister blames EU energy policy for government collapse

Muhamad Yehia Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre is left heading a minority government after coalition partner pulls out over EU market rules it says make it impossible to shield citizens from high electricity prices. The eurosceptic Centre Party has pulled out of a fractious coalition government over opposition to …

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?Five years of Brexit: Is the United Kingdom better off

Muhamad Yehia Five years after the United Kingdom exited the European Union, polls suggest public opinion has reversed on the issue, with a majority of people now believing it was a mistake. Five years ago on Friday, two separate crowds gathered near the UK Parliament: one group cheered and carried …

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Putin says Russia is ‘open’ to peace talks, shifting blame to Ukraine

Muhamad Yehia In the past, the Russian president said that any peace deal should respect the “realities on the ground”, hinting that Moscow wants to keep all the territories it currently occupies in Ukraine. Russia is ready to sit down and negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine — a country …

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EU ‘will respond firmly’ if Trump decides to impose tariffs on the bloc

Muhamad Yehia After President Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, worrying the world about a trade war, the EU waits and hopes it won’t be next. US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico has raised concerns around the world about a possible …

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Commission finds evidence of discrimination against EU medtech firms in China

Muhamad Yehia Findings of a Commission’s investigation revealed China has systematically discriminated against imported medical devices in public procurement, the EU is now weighing countermeasures. The European Commission has presented “clear evidence” of China unfairly restricting access for EU medical device producers to its government contracts, according to a report released …

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?Why is Italy’s Meloni being investigated for release of Libyan ICC suspect

Muhamad Yehia This article was originally published in Italian Giorgia Meloni is under investigation for the release and repatriation of the wanted Libyan general Osama Najim — also known as Almasri. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and two of her government ministers are under investigation by Rome prosecutors over the country’s …

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French PM Bayrou faces no-confidence vote after forcing budget plan through parliament

Muhamad Yehia The confidence vote will likely be held as early as Wednesday, with the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) stating it will put forward a motion to try and topple François Bayrou’s recently appointed government. French Prime Minister François Bayrou forced his 2025 budget plan through parliament without a vote …

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Turkey dismisses 5 military academy graduates for taking discontinued secular oath

Muhamad Yehia ANKARA, Turkey  — Five military academy graduates and three of their immediate superiors were dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces for taking a pro-secular oath during their graduation ceremony, the defense ministry announced on Friday The Ministry of National Defense launched a disciplinary inquiry into the graduation ceremony after …

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