Hong Kong’s government has pushed back strongly against a decision by Panama’s top court to void a long-standing concession that allowed CK Hutchison to operate ports at both ends of the Panama Canal, calling the ruling unjustified and harmful to legitimate business interests. The Supreme Court ruling, delivered late Thursday, declared the concession unconstitutional following an audit by Panama’s comptroller that flagged alleged irregularities in a 25-year extension granted in 2021. Hong Kong pushes back against Panama ruling In a statement released Friday, Hong Kong’s government said it “strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects” the court’s decision. It warned against…
Author: Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 20 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. She earned her degree in Political Science and Journalism from Stanford University. Throughout her career, she has contributed to outlets such as MSNBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Known for her thorough reporting and compelling storytelling, Rachel delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and global developments.
How banned goods allegedly slipped through Europe Russia has been exploiting a logistics operation in Berlin to get around EU sanctions, quietly funneling restricted goods to Moscow through international mail, according to an investigation by German newspaper Bild. Reporters tracked test packages fitted with GPS devices and containing sanctioned items. The parcels reportedly moved without obstruction through a logistics warehouse near Berlin Brandenburg Airport before traveling onward via Poland and Belarus to Russia. The shipments allegedly used labels from Uzbekistan’s state postal service, despite the fact that Germany’s Federal Network Agency has not authorized that operator to work in the…
Central Bank Keeps Rates Steady The US Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday, pressing pause after cutting rates three times last year. The benchmark rate remains at around 3.6%, a move that reflects growing confidence in the strength of the economy. In its statement, the Fed said the job market appears to have stabilised and described overall economic growth as “solid,” upgrading its earlier assessment of “modest” growth. With hiring holding up and no clear signs of slowdown, policymakers see little urgency to push borrowing costs lower right now. Inflation Still the Sticking Point While most…
Lawmakers Push Fusion From Theory to Reality European lawmakers are calling on the EU to take nuclear fusion seriously as a future energy source, arguing that the technology has reached a point where political backing and clear rules are urgently needed. Members of the European People’s Party (EPP) say fusion is no longer just a scientific experiment and are urging the European Commission to set out a predictable regulatory framework to attract investors willing to fund the hugely expensive technology. A declaration signed by several EPP lawmakers describes fusion as being at a “turning point,” with European industry and private…
The European Union has taken another major step in strengthening its defence capabilities, approving new national investment plans under its €150 billion SAFE loan programme. The scheme is a central pillar of the EU’s Readiness 2030 strategy, which aims to channel hundreds of billions of euros into defence by the end of the decade, amid warnings from intelligence agencies that Russia could pose a direct threat to another European country within that timeframe. Eight More Countries Get the Green Light On Monday, the European Commission approved defence investment plans from Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland. Together,…
The World Bank Group has officially inaugurated its first office in Doha, marking a major milestone in its partnership with Qatar and underlining the country’s growing influence in international development and finance. The new office signals a long-term commitment to closer cooperation, with both sides aiming to expand development financing, mobilise private investment and support countries facing fragility and conflict across the region. A Regional Hub for Cooperation Located at the headquarters of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and established in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the Doha office will function as a regional centre for collaboration between…
Abu Dhabi’s property market in 2025 continues to show strong momentum, with steady growth in sales and rising confidence among buyers and investors. Experts say the market is benefiting from sustained demand, supportive policies, and a balanced supply of residential and commercial properties. One key factor driving growth is buyer interest. More individuals and families are entering the housing market, seeking apartments, villas, and townhouses in both established and emerging neighborhoods. Analysts note that this trend reflects a renewed confidence in Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector. Investor activity is also rising. Both local and international investors are looking to secure…
Focus Turns to Donbas as Rare Three-Way Talks Continue Peace negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are set to continue Saturday in Abu Dhabi, bringing together delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the discussions are expected to concentrate heavily on the future of the eastern Donbas region, a central flashpoint in the nearly four-year war. Zelenskyy described the talks as significant, noting that such trilateral meetings have been rare. In a video message, he said Ukrainian negotiators were providing him with updates almost hourly. While stressing it was too early…
Anger Over Claims About NATO’s Role UK ministers have criticised Donald Trump after the US president appeared to dismiss the role NATO allies played in Afghanistan. In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump suggested allied troops were not on the front lines, remarks that sparked immediate outrage in Britain. Official UK figures show that 457 British service personnel died during the conflict, with 405 of those deaths caused by hostile action. Following the interview, the UK government said on Friday that Trump was “wrong to diminish” the contribution of NATO forces. British troops joined the US-led mission in…
Any Greenland pact must go before all allies Spain’s foreign minister has made clear that any new security arrangement for Greenland negotiated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte cannot bypass the rest of the alliance and must be presented to all member states for discussion. Speaking to Euronews on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, José Manuel Albares stressed that the understanding announced between Rutte and US President Donald Trump was not a NATO agreement as such, but a bilateral exchange involving the alliance’s secretary general and one individual ally. “So far, all we have is the…
