Andrew Hammond

A common perception of the EU is that it is a lumbering, sclerotic bloc that is punching well below its weight on the world stage. However, the new European Commission of President Ursula von der Leyen is moving fast, at home and abroad, in its first 100 days, including last week's big new trade deal with South America.

AMID the twin shocks of the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Green New Deal became the signature initiative of Ursula von der Leyen's first term as European Commission president from 2019 to 2024. However, her second half-decade in power is likely to be defined by much wider, growing global competitiveness challenges now facing the EU bloc.

THE West has long had strong economic ties with the Middle East, not least given the latter's huge endowments of the world's oil reserves. However, Middle Eastern nations are increasingly looking East for returns on investment in Asia, including Asean.

Christmas holidays tend to be a time of joy for many families around the world. However, this year's festivities will also be tinged with great sadness for many as the world on Thursday (Dec. 26) marks the 20th anniversary of the devastating Boxing Day Tsunami.

CHRISTMAS holidays tend to be a time of much joy for many families around the world. However, this year's festivities also hold much sadness, as the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami is remembered on Thursday (Dec 26).

THIS year may have been the biggest 12 months for elections in living memory with billions of people going to the polls. However, 2025 will also be a corker too, with ballots shaping economic and politics into the 2030s, especially several pivotal ones in the G7.

Neom and other white elephants are seriously risking state bankruptcy, but a blind eye is being turned to creative ways of raising debt without it appearing on Riyadh's balance sheet

VLADIMIR Putin celebrates 25 years of remarkable political longevity in senior office on Tuesday (Dec 31). However, “peak Putin” may already have passed, even if he goes on to break Joseph Stalin's record of around three decades in office during the era of the Soviet Union.

WHEN Giorgia Meloni won power in 2022, she was widely expected to be no more than a footnote in the nation's political history. However, Italy's first woman prime minister is not only proving to be one of the most consequential European politicians of modern times, but also “punching hard” on the global stage, including with her chairing of the G7 in 2024.

In the fight against climate change, every month, let alone year, is key. However, 2025 will be more important than most in determining the success or failure of the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement.