Latest News
- French government supports Slovakia’s call to delist Alisher Usmanov
- CIA releases declassified documents on bin Laden and al-Qaeda ahead of 9/11 anniversary
- Lethbridge firefighters commemorated at annual memorial event
- Former CIA official in plea deal talks after $40 million gold bars discovery
- Remembering the search and rescue dogs of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary
- France opposes EU commission plan to use English-only trade agreements
- US leaders mark 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks with tributes and speeches
- 13-year-old boy faces weapons charges after firearm seizure at Ajax hotel
EU
The French government has aligned with Slovakia to advocate for the delisting of Russian-Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list, intensifying tensions among member states. Usmanov, under sanctions since 2022, is seen as closely linked to the Kremlin, prompting concerns over motivations behind the push for his removal.
France plans to oppose a European Commission initiative to fast-track trade agreements by using only English-language versions during negotiations, bypassing translations into all 24 official EU languages. This move, aimed at speeding up ratification, has raised concerns about legal and democratic implications, particularly regarding linguistic diversity.
The European Commission downplayed the urgency to channel €210 billion in immobilised Russian Central Bank assets for Ukraine support, emphasising focus on a €90 billion loan disbursement and assessing Ukraine’s budget shortfall. Officials indicate a cautious approach amid entrenched legal and political challenges.
Thousands protested in Geneva ahead of the G7 summit set to commence in Evian-les-Bains, France. Clashes ensued as demonstrators, including militants and environmentalists, confronted police, leading to the use of tear gas and water cannons. Authorities deployed over 13,000 officers for security during the event.
The US government’s export controls on Anthropic’s advanced AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, have prompted scrutiny from the European Commission, which is evaluating impacts on EU users. Access for non-US individuals has been restricted, raising concerns about technological sovereignty and cybersecurity risks.
EU STRATEGIC FOCUS
This morning, Europe prioritises strengthening energy security and digital sovereignty amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Member states discuss collaboration on key technologies.
The migration pact is now in effect, mandating all EU states to demonstrate solidarity in accepting migrants. This development has significant implications for Poland, prompting a clarification of its responsibilities and addressing prevalent misconceptions about the pact’s enforcement and requirements.
Ukraine and Moldova have formally initiated their first cluster of accession negotiations, termed “Fundamentals,” following an agreement reached on Friday. This development marks a significant step in their efforts to strengthen ties and align more closely with European Union standards.
The European Union’s new Pact on Migration, effective Friday, aims to standardise migration management across member states. It includes measures for faster asylum processing and a “mandatory solidarity” system; however, actual contributions from countries have fallen significantly short, raising concerns about the pact’s efficacy.
© 2026 WTX News.