The law targets items acquired between 1815 and 1972, before the adoption of a UNESCO convention governing the protection of cultural heritage. It seeks to address longstanding demands from former colonies—particularly in Africa—for the return of artefacts removed under colonial rule.

Under the new framework , governments requesting the return of artefacts must submit formal applications and demonstrate that the objects were obtained through force or illegitimate means. 

Requests will be reviewed by a designated committee, which will assess the evidence before approving restitution. Military objects, public archives and archaeological shares are excluded from the measure.

The reform marks a shift from France’s previous system, which required parliament to approve the return of each individual item—a process widely criticised as slow and restrictive despite growing international pressure.

Return to which countries?

France is estimated to hold tens of thousands of artefacts taken from its former empire. Countries such as Algeria, Mali and Benin have submitted formal requests for their return in recent years, reflecting broader global calls for restitution.

The legislation follows a 2017 pledge by President Emmanuel Macron to facilitate the return of African cultural heritage. Speaking in Burkina Faso at the time, Macron said African heritage should not remain confined to European institutions and promised to create conditions for its return.

Recent actions signal gradual progress. Earlier this year, France returned the Djidji Ayôkwé drum to Ivory Coast, an object taken by colonial troops in 1916.

However, the bill’s scope remains contested. Some lawmakers argued for broader coverage, while others sought tighter limits tied to diplomatic relations. The debate reflects ongoing tensions in France’s reckoning with its colonial past and its relationships with former colonies.

For many former colonies, especially those in the Global South, the new law is expected to lower procedural barriers, but the pace and scale of returns will depend on how the system is implemented in practice.

Reports earlier on Thursday quoted presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya as saying France acted after “sustained pressure” from the United States, including an alleged threat by Washington to boycott if South Africa attended.

Speaking to journalists later the same day, Ramaphosa contradicted that account. He said he had no information indicating any country, “the United States or any other country”, had leaned on France to rescind the invitation.

The president also sought to downplay the diplomatic significance of not being invited, noting that South Africa is not a member of the G7 and does not attend every year. Many countries are not invited to the forum, he said, and South Africa participates only when asked to present a message or engage on specific issues.

The conflicting statements have raised questions about what prompted the change in plans and whether the decision reflects shifting politics among G7 members.

However, Ramaphosa’s office has not provided a detailed explanation for why the invitation was withdrawn, beyond the president’s insistence that it was not the result of US pressure.

“I can report to you… at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support,” Tinubu said. “I’m making frantic efforts to contact other nations. If we have to spend our goodwill and line of credit, we have those who are willing to support us with equipment and training.”

The president described insecurity as a major challenge facing his government , saying it threatens development and prosperity. He told the governors that equipment acquisition was also one of the key issues raised during his UK trip.

Tinubu also warned that the ongoing Middle East crisis could worsen inflation and hit Nigerians’ purchasing power through higher fuel and transport costs, which often feed into food prices.

The push for external support comes as Nigeria battles multiple security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central regions, separatist tensions in the South-East and widespread kidnapping.

It also follows recent bombings in Maiduguri , after which Tinubu ordered security chiefs to relocate to the city and approved additional equipment and operational support to boost counterterrorism efforts.

“We are a proud nation with a sense of dignity and we want to develop in this spirit, honestly and decently,” he said.

The remarks come as Burkina Faso continues to distance itself from France and strengthen ties with new partners, including Russia . Since a military coup in 2022, the West African country has expelled French troops and ended several long-standing defence agreements.

Despite criticism from some Western governments, Traore rejected claims that Burkina Faso is isolating itself diplomatically.

“At the same time, we are not a closed country,” he said. “We are open to cooperation with all partners provided they treat us with respect and consider our point of view.”

He added that portrayals of Burkina Faso as turning inward are misleading. “In certain circles there is an attempt to depict our country as having taken the path of isolation, but that is simply not true,” he said. “Those who visit Burkina Faso know very well there is enough to be open and sincere to build mutual and beneficial partnerships.”

Burkina Faso is currently governed by a military administration led by Captain Ibrahim Traore and continues to face serious security threats from jihadist insurgents.

“I have seen that Europe continues to buy Russian gas, but Europe does not want our countries to talk about Russia,” he said. “I think we need to be a bit more honest and sincerely recognise each other’s potential. Our struggle is to determine for ourselves with whom we want to cooperate,” he added.

Traore said Burkina Faso wants the freedom to “analyse, choose, formulate, create and evaluate” its partnerships independently.

Traore also confirmed that Burkina Faso is deepening cooperation with Russia in civil nuclear energy.

“This is no longer just a plan,” he said. “We are already collaborating with Russia in the field of nuclear energy. The Minister of Energy has signed the memorandum.” He added that the country is now working to establish the legal and institutional framework required for the project.

Burkina Faso, led by a military government since a 2022 coup, has strengthened ties with Russia while distancing itself from France, its former colonial power.

Despite sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several European Union countries continue to import Russian fossil fuels.

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), France was the EU’s largest importer of Russian fossil fuels in February 2025, purchasing €399 million worth. Some liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered to France’s Dunkerque terminal was later sent to Germany.

Hungary ranked second with €307 million in imports, including crude oil and pipeline gas. Belgium was third, importing €266 million worth of Russian LNG, some of which may have been re-exported to other EU states.

Overall, the EU accounted for 14 percent of global Russian fossil fuel purchases in February, spending around €1.7 billion, nearly half of which was on LNG.

“Understand this, we are going to war with France. We were not at war before, but now we are going to war,” he is quoted by French news, Le Figaro .

The declaration follows a decree on general mobilisation adopted by Niger’s Council of Ministers at the end of December. Military officials have said the move is aimed at confronting what they allege are French efforts to destabilise the country.

General Tchiani has repeatedly accused France, along with leaders in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, of supporting Islamist armed groups and backing attacks against Niger’s government . He claimed the countries were behind a January 2026 attack on Niamey Airport.

Meanwhile, France has strongly denied the allegations. Colonel Guillaume Vernet, spokesperson for the French Armed Forces General Staff, said there was “no question of French involvement” in Niger and described the accusations as “information warfare.”

Relations between Niger and France have deteriorated sharply since a military coup in July 2023 ousted the elected government. The junta demanded the withdrawal of French troops and the French ambassador, accusing Paris of neocolonial interference. Military cooperation was suspended, marking a dramatic shift from years of close security ties.

Niger, which gained independence from France in 1960, has since pivoted away from Paris as anti-French sentiment grows across parts of the Sahel region.

The intelligence agency claims that Macron has authorised a plan to “eliminate ‘undesirable leaders’ in Africa,”  comparing the strategy to historical American operations in South America.

The SVR report describes the French leadership as “refined racists from Paris” who are struggling to maintain their reputation as a “parasitic metropolis, robbing its former colonies and hindering their development”.

The agency further alleges that France is “directly supporting terrorists of various stripes” and collaborating with the “Ukrainian regime” to supply militants in the Sahel with drones and instructors to destabilise sovereign governments.

A primary target of this alleged "destructive attention" is Madagascar, where a military takeover in October 2025 ousted President Andry Rajoelina. 

The SVR claims that because the new government under Colonel Randrianirina is “committed to developing relations with BRICS,” Paris is actively “exploring ways to overthrow” the new president to “restore a loyal regime”.

The coup in Madagascar followed a period of intense domestic turmoil triggered by widespread economic discontent, with 80% of the population living below the poverty line and the country suffering from high levels of corruption. The immediate spark for the 2025 protests involved persistent power outages and water shortages in the capital, Antananarivo. 

The movement was largely driven by Generation Z activists, organised via the "Gen Z Mada" social media movement, which used symbols like the "Jolly Roger" flag from the anime One Piece to represent rebellion against oppressive systems. 

The transition of power was finalised on October 15, 2025, after the elite military unit CAPSAT aligned with demonstrators and Parliament impeached Rajoelina, who eventually fled into exile citing an assassination plot.

The SVR’s warnings of French-backed destabilisation coincide with a major security incident in Niger. 

On January 29, General Abdourahamane Tiani, leader of Niger’s military junta, accused France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of sponsoring a "terrorist attack" on the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey.

The assault, which involved gunfire and explosions, damaged the fuselage and wings of commercial aircraft belonging to ASKY Airlines and Air Côte d’Ivoire. During a televised address, General Tiani named President Macron as a primary sponsor of the operation. 

“We have heard them bark, they should be ready to hear us roar,” Tiani declared. He also extended specific gratitude to Russian troops stationed at the base for “defending their sector” during the skirmish.

The SVR report also links France to an attempted coup in Burkina Faso on January 3, which aimed to assassinate the country's military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. 

Russian intelligence asserts that “France’s involvement... has already been established,” and claims similar efforts are underway to overthrow President Assimi Goïta in Mali through city blockades and terror against civilians. 

Gunfire and explosions were reported shortly before midnight near the airport, and two security sources described the incident as a “terrorist attack.” Calm was restored by Thursday morning.

The airport area was cordoned off and patrolled, although schools and businesses in Niamey remained open.

Tiani named French President Emmanuel Macron, Benin President Patrice Talon, and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara as sponsors of the alleged attack. 

He made the statement after visiting an air base and warned that Niger would respond. “We have heard them bark, they should be ready to hear us roar,” he said. Niger state television reported that one of the attackers killed was a French national, but this claim was not backed by evidence.

Security officials told Reuters that an internal alert about a possible attack led to increased security measures around the airport prior to the incident. 

The officials also confirmed that a uranium stockpile, estimated at around 1,000 metric tons, was not affected by the attack. The uranium, stored at the airport since late last year, was previously moved from the Somair mine in Arlit after the Nigerien government took control of the site from the French company Orano.

Two commercial aircraft were damaged during the attack. ASKY Airlines reported minor damage to two of its planes. Air Côte d’Ivoire confirmed that its Airbus A319 sustained damage to the fuselage and right wing. “Its fuselage and right wing” were affected, the airline said, noting that the aircraft could be grounded for an extended period. No injuries were reported.

Tiani also expressed appreciation to Russian troops stationed at the base, thanking them for “defending their sector.” Niger, like neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, continues to experience violence linked to jihadist groups affiliated with al Qaeda and Islamic State.

Earlier this month, Burkina Faso reported that it had foiled a coup attempt funded by Côte d’Ivoire to destabilise its government and assassinate military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Former leader Lt Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was arrested after being extradited from Togo, where he had fled to after allegedly masterminding the failed coup plot.

More than 120 members of parliament supported the cross-party bill, which will now be debated in the Senate. “By allowing such a right or duty to persist, we are collectively giving our approval to a system of domination and predation by husband on wife. Marriage cannot be a bubble in which consent to sex is regarded as definitive and for life,” said the bill’s sponsor, Green MP Marie-Charlotte Garin.

France’s civil code currently lists four duties linked to marriage fidelity, support, assistance and cohabitation, but makes no mention of a sexual obligation. However, older court rulings have sometimes interpreted cohabitation as meaning a “shared bed,” allowing the concept of marital duty to persist in practice.

The issue drew renewed attention after a 2019 case in which a man was granted a divorce because his wife had stopped having sex with him.

Last year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of the woman, stating that a wife who refuses sex should not be considered “at fault” in divorce proceedings.

The bill comes as France continues to update its laws around sexual violence . In 2024, the country adopted the principle of consent in its legal definition of rape, following similar reforms in countries such as Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.

The United States

The United States Navy is the dominant force in this specialised arena. It operates 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, including both the classic Nimitz class and the newest Gerald R. Ford class. These vessels form the backbone of US power projection at sea, able to launch fighter jets, early-warning aircraft and support missions wherever needed in the world.

Ship names like USS Ronald Reagan, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS George Washington are part of this group. They routinely deploy across oceans as part of carrier strike groups, acting as floating bases with global reach and endurance.

This fleet isn’t just powerful but also huge. Nuclear propulsion lets these carriers remain at sea for extended periods, limited only by food and crew endurance rather than fuel. That’s a strategic advantage no other navy currently matches.

France

France stands alone in Europe with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in active service: Charles de Gaulle . Commissioned in 2001, it’s Europe’s only carrier of this kind, helping Paris maintain an expeditionary naval presence from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.

French defence officials have recently approved plans for a next-generation nuclear carrier to succeed Charles de Gaulle by the late 2030s. This new ship will be bigger and more capable, showing France’s continued commitment to carrier-based power projection.

A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier can operate for 20 to 25 years without refuelling its reactors. Conventional carriers, by contrast, need to refuel every few days or weeks. That difference is enormous.

It allows nuclear carriers to cross oceans, loiter in crisis zones, and respond instantly without depending on fuel tankers. What this really means is freedom of movement. No fuel lines to protect. No ports required.

The death toll from a landslide in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 17 on Monday, as search and rescue operations entered a third day, disaster officials said. The landslide, triggered by heavy rain, struck a village in West Bandung regency early on Saturday, burying homes and forcing dozens of residents to evacuate. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said around 80 people were still missing as of Sunday, with no updated figure provided. Rescuers are working cautiously amid unstable ground and ongoing bad weather, which have raised fears of further landslides. Thousands of personnel and heavy equipment have been deployed to locate victims.

Indonesia finishes second at ASEAN Para Games with 135 gold medals

Indonesia finished second in the final medal standings of the 2025 ASEAN Para Games , winning 135 gold, 143 silver and 114 bronze medals across 18 sports contested from January 19 to 25 in Thailand. The result exceeded the government’s target of 82 gold medals and surpassed expectations after consistent performances throughout the week-long competition. Para athletics led Indonesia’s medal haul with 44 golds, followed by para swimming with 29 golds. Strong contributions also came from para badminton, para powerlifting and para judo. Indonesia had aimed to finish at least in the top three.

Environment ministry sues six firms over North Sumatra disaster

Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment has filed a civil lawsuit against six companies in North Sumatra, seeking Rp4.9 trillion (US$282 million) in damages for allegedly worsening hydrometeorological disasters in the province. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the case is being processed in court and more lawsuits will follow against other entities. The ministry is also investigating possible criminal offences by companies in Aceh and North Sumatra with the National Police. Authorities are monitoring 68 companies across Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, all of which have received administrative sanctions requiring mandatory environmental audits as part of wider enforcement efforts nationwide.

ATM numbers fall as digital banking accelerates

Indonesia’s ATM network is expected to keep shrinking as digital banking and cashless payments gain ground, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) said. OJK chief banking supervisor Dian Ediana Rae said banks are cutting physical infrastructure in response to changing customer behaviour driven by financial technology. OJK data show the number of ATMs and related machines fell to 89,774 units in the third quarter of 2025, from 91,173 a year earlier, a net drop of nearly 1,400 machines. Rae said mobile and online banking have reduced the need for cash withdrawals, while banks are prioritising efficiency by expanding digital services. The shift supports Indonesia’s move towards a more cashless economy.

Indonesia receives first batch of fighter jets from France

Indonesia has received three Rafale fighter jets from France, marking the first delivery under a 2021 defence deal, the defence ministry said on Monday. The aircraft arrived on Friday, with a formal handover ceremony to be held later. Three additional jets are expected to arrive this year. Indonesia has ordered 42 Rafales worth $8.1 billion as part of efforts to modernise its military amid rising regional tensions. Jakarta has also agreed to buy two French-made Scorpene-class submarines, to be built domestically with technology transfer.

“Competition from the United States aims to undermine our export interests, demand maximum concessions and openly weaken and subordinate Europe,” Macron said. “This endless accumulation of new tariffs is fundamentally unacceptable.”

Macron also warned against what he described as a return to imperial-style economic dominance, saying global challenges required cooperation rather than confrontation.

“This is not a time for new imperialism or new colonialism,” he said. “It is a time for cooperation to address global challenges for our citizens." 

China investment push

Against that backdrop, Macron said Europe should deepen economic engagement with China, particularly through increased Chinese investment in key sectors.

“China is welcome,” he said, adding that Europe needs more Chinese foreign direct investment that contributes to growth and technology transfer. He cautioned, however, against projects that rely heavily on subsidies or fail to meet European standards.

Macron also criticised trade wars and protectionist policies , warning they could damage global growth. “Economic coercion and tariff retaliation do not create winners,” he said. “They only produce losers,” he emphasised.

Trump rejects G7 meeting

Macron’s remarks come after President Trump dismissed a call by the French leader for an emergency G7 meeting, amid rising tensions over Washington’s interest in acquiring Greenland.

In the message, Macron said France and the United States were aligned on Syria and could work together on Iran, but expressed confusion over Trump’s position on Greenland.

“My friend, we are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” Macron wrote. He proposed hosting a G7 meeting in Paris and holding bilateral talks with Trump during the visit.

Speaking to reporters to mark the completion of his first year of a second term, Trump said he would not attend the proposed meeting and questioned Macron’s political future.

“No, I wouldn’t do that,” Trump said. “Because Emmanuel is not going to be there very long and there’s no longevity there.” 

Trump later posted a screenshot on Truth Social of a message sent by Macron inviting him to Paris for talks following the World Economic Forum.

In practical terms, it is designed to lower barriers to trade and investment, set common rules for doing business, and create a more predictable framework for political and economic cooperation between the two regions.

Two structural details that explain both the ambition and the political pain:

What’s actually in it

At its core, the agreement targets tariff and non-tariff barriers across a large share of goods trade:

The Council’s own framing is that this would create the world’s biggest free trade zone, covering over 700 million consumers, and it points to substantial existing EU-Mercosur trade flows (over €111 billion in goods trade in 2024, plus significant services trade).

Why was it contested?

The opposition has not been about a single clause. It has been a collision between three politically hard issues to reconcile: farm economics, environmental credibility, and trust in enforcement.

EU farmers fear being undercut, especially in “sensitive” sectors

European farming organisations and several member states argued that increased market access for Mercosur products could push down prices for EU producers, particularly in sectors like beef, poultry and sugar. This is why “farmers on tractors” became the recurring image around the agreement across multiple EU countries.

Even where quotas and safeguards exist, farmers and their political allies often focus on the direction of travel, and that is more competition from producers they believe face lower costs and different regulatory burdens.

Environmental groups and some governments worry about deforestation and climate enforcement

Critics argue the deal risks incentivising expansion of beef and soy production, with knock-on effects for deforestation and biodiversity, particularly in sensitive ecosystems such as the Amazon. This line of criticism has been especially influential in France and among environmental NGOs.

In response, the European Commission’s Q&A document stresses that the updated deal makes the Paris Agreement an “essential element” of the relationship, and that this can allow suspension if a party seriously breaches or withdraws from the Paris framework. It also references commitments linked to halting deforestation after 2030 in line with Paris-related national plans.

Standards and “fair competition” arguments: pesticides, food safety, production rules

A persistent theme has been the claim that EU farmers face stricter requirements ( animal welfare , pesticides, traceability, environmental compliance) and that imports should be held to equivalent standards to avoid creating a two-tier system.

The Commission’s Q&A is explicit that EU sanitary and phytosanitary standards are non-negotiable , and it outlines plans for strengthened audits, checks, and an SPS dialogue/committee with Mercosur counterparts. It also flags an intention to pursue stronger alignment on production standards for imports, including certain pesticides.

When it is being signed, and what happens next

Here’s the timeline in plain terms:

After the signature, the agreement still needs to clear the legal and political gates that actually make it real:

“There’s no such thing as a Collective West. There’s no such thing as a Global South. There are, but nations that can dialogue for their mutual interests,” Barrot said on January 7. His comments come at a time when India is positioning itself as a leader in the Global South. During a recent visit to Ethiopia , Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “Global South is writing its own destiny.”

Their global spread is not a coincidence but the result of centuries of European exploration, colonisation, and Christian missionary activity that permanently reshaped the world’s maps.

From the 15th century onward, European empires used place-naming as both a religious expression and a political tool. Catholic explorers from Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy frequently named newly charted lands after Christian symbols, saints, or religious feast days. The cross, as the central symbol of Christianity, became one of the most common references.

According to Britannica , European colonial powers routinely imposed familiar religious names on foreign landscapes as a means of asserting ownership and spiritual authority over newly acquired territories. Naming was part of the broader colonial system that linked faith, empire, and governance.

The Spanish version, Santa Cruz, dominates the map largely because of Spain’s vast colonial reach. At its height in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Spanish Empire controlled most of Latin America, large parts of the Caribbean, and territories in Asia, including the Philippines.

Cities such as Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), Santa Cruz (California), and Santa Cruz (Tenerife, Spain) were named during different waves of Spanish expansion and missionary settlement. Many of these places were established near missions , forts, or religious outposts where Catholic clergy played a central role in administration and education.

The French equivalent, Sainte-Croix, appears most prominently in the Caribbean and parts of Europe. The best-known example is Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Originally inhabited by Indigenous Taíno peoples, the island passed through Spanish, French, and Danish control before being sold to the United States in 1917.

The name reflects France’s Catholic heritage and its colonial presence in the Caribbean during the 17th century, when sugar plantations and transatlantic trade drove European settlement.

Santa Croce, the Italian form, is most closely associated with Europe, particularly Italy itself. The Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence , one of the most important Franciscan churches in the world, helped popularise the name.

While Italy did not establish overseas colonies on the same scale as Spain or France until much later, Italian missionaries and religious orders still carried Catholic naming traditions abroad.

From Breton to Walloon in southern Belgium, from the fading echoes of Picard in the north to the bold resilience of Occitan in the south, these linguistic zones tell a story far older than either republic.

According to UNESCO , several languages are classified as “severely endangered” or “definitely endangered,” including Breton, Alsatian, Provençal and Picard, reflecting a decline in use among younger generations.

For France, this linguistic diversity has long been a delicate topic. The country’s strict approach to linguistic unity dates back to the 19th century, when the government promoted French as the sole national language, at times forcefully.

Today, regional languages remain legally recognised as cultural heritage but not as official languages of education or public administration. A 2021 attempt to expand regional-language immersion schools triggered a national debate, eventually reaching France’s Constitutional Council, which struck down parts of the reform.

Belgium, however, offers a contrasting picture. There, language defines political organisation itself as Dutch (Flemish), French, and German, and each shapes the borders of the country’s federal regions.

Walloon and Picard, although less dominant than French today, continue to carry cultural influence in Wallonia. The Belgian government’s long-standing language policies and protections aim to keep multilingualism at the heart of national identity.

UNESCO’s report on AI and endangered languages argues that technological tools may play a key role in revitalising traditions once feared lost.

Meanwhile, political debates in France over decentralisation, rural identity, and cultural autonomy have intensified in the run-up to next year’s European elections. Several regional groups argue that cultural heritage, including language, should be part of broader European policies on diversity.

Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to international law and sovereignty when addressing US policies in the region. “France is committed to the sovereignty of states,” he said, “and the fight against drug trafficking is a shared matter that must take place with mutual respect and within the framework of international law.” He added that France seeks to strengthen cooperation in customs and security, “always fully respecting national sovereignty.”

The French leader also commented on trade issues, reiterating his opposition to the current version of the EU–Mercosur agreement. “This agreement, in its current form, is not acceptable for France,” he said, “as it does not guarantee the protection of the agricultural sector as we require.” Macron noted that Paris has urged the European Commission to propose a new version with stronger safeguards. He also announced the relaunch of the Franco-Mexican Strategic Council to boost investment and “give greater visibility to investors on both sides.”

President Sheinbaum highlighted the economic and historical importance of the alliance, noting that next year Mexico will renew its trade agreement with the European Union while celebrating 200 years of diplomatic relations with France. “This will provide many opportunities for cooperation in technological and innovation development such as digital and renewable energy ,” she said.

Cultural diplomacy also took centre stage, with both leaders announcing a reciprocal exhibition of the Codex of Azcatitlan in Mexico and the Boturini Codex in France. “These codices are the written voice of our ancestors and the deep root of our identity,” Sheinbaum stated. The meeting concluded with a call to continue expanding collaboration between Mexico and France, reinforcing a partnership grounded in shared values of freedom, dignity and mutual respect.

At the heart of the crisis is the Jama’at Nusrat al‑Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an affiliate of Al‑Qaeda operating in the Sahel region. Since early September, the group has imposed a blockade on fuel imports into Mali, particularly targeting convoys coming from neighbouring countries.

The landlocked nature of Mali makes it especially vulnerable: fuel is fundamental not just for transport but for power, commerce and daily life. The blockade has triggered long queues at petrol stations, widespread power outages and a sharp slowdown in economic activity.

As a result of the fuel blockade, the Malian government announced the nationwide suspension of schools and universities for several weeks, citing that staff and students cannot reliably commute or that transport is disrupted.

Meanwhile, analysts warn that the blockade is part of a broader JNIM strategy to undermine the state’s authority, starve the capital city of resources, and force the government into a weakened position.

For foreign nationals, these developments translate into rapidly escalating risks. Beyond the direct threat of terrorist attacks or kidnappings, the breakdown of infrastructure means that escape routes may become compromised, flights and ground transport may be disrupted, and basic services may cease unexpectedly.

Indeed, the United States Embassy in Bamako has urged Americans to leave via commercial flights because overland travel is considered hazardous. Given these conditions, the governments of France, the US and the UK judge that their citizens’ safety cannot be guaranteed and therefore are advising departure “as soon as possible”.

What was once a challenging security environment has turned into one where the advisories now recommend immediate exit rather than just caution.

From numeric scales of 0–20 in France to 1–5 in Austria, and 12-point systems in Ukraine, the continent’s grading landscape is vast and varied.

Take France, where students are assessed on a 0–20 scale and 10 marks the pass threshold, with anything above 15 considered excellent. In Austria, the system flips the logic: 1 is the best grade, 5 the fail, a setup that can confuse outsiders where high numbers usually mean top marks.

Meanwhile in Eastern Europe , such as in Ukraine, students operate on a 1–12 scale with 4 considered the minimum pass, while a 12 is reserved for exceptional work.

This diversity matters. With more students studying abroad, chasing scholarships or engaging in international mobility, understanding each country’s system isn’t just trivia, it can shape study plans, diploma recognition and job prospects.

What’s perhaps most striking is how these systems reflect more than academic standards, they reflect national identity. The fact that a Swedish student might get a “VG” (väl godkänd) rather than a letter grade, or that Norway uses letters A–E, shows how education is deeply rooted in culture.

One visual breakdown shows that in countries like Ireland, France and the Netherlands, the tax portion of a 20-cigarette pack reaches as high as 90 % of its retail price.

Why this matters

According to the Commission’s guidance , EU Member States must apply a minimum excise duty on cigarettes equivalent to €90 per 1,000 cigarettes and at least 60 % of the weighted average retail selling price of cigarettes in that country.

In practice, most countries go beyond this baseline. A recent overview by the Tax Foundation notes that the tax share of the retail price in many states exceeds 80 %.

For example, according to data compiled via the “Taxes as a Share of Cigarette Price” dataset, many EU countries show tax shares of over 80 %.

Key take-aways

The EU is considering a revision of the Tobacco Tax Directive to raise the minimum excise duty (to €215 per 1,000 cigarettes) and increase the share of tax for new nicotine products like heated tobacco and e-liquids.

There are concerns that overly high taxes may drive illicit cigarette markets, something noted in several EU states.

From a public-health standpoint, higher taxes are one of the tools used to curb smoking, especially in younger or lower-income populations where price sensitivity is stronger.

It’s a simple yet powerful visualisation that reframes how we think about influence, identity, and demography in a region where population trends are becoming as geopolitically significant as politics itself.

This demographic approach exposes a fascinating balance: while France, Italy, and the United Kingdom each form roughly one “population bloc” of about 80 million, a cluster of Central and Eastern European nations must combine to reach a similar total.

Europe’s demographic puzzle

Europe’s total population stands at about 744 million , according to Worldometer . But beneath that large number lies a stark reality: the continent’s population is ageing and shrinking in many regions.

Data from Eurostat shows that the EU’s natural population change — the difference between births and deaths — is now negative. In 2024, deaths outnumbered births across most EU countries, with migration becoming the only reason the population continues to grow.

In its Demography of Europe 2025 report , Eurostat revealed that the share of people aged 80 and over has risen from 3.8% in 2004 to 6.1% in 2024, and the median age across the bloc has climbed to nearly 45 years. The implications are profound — shrinking workforces, heavier social welfare burdens, and economic slowdowns that threaten long-term stability.

Migration as the balancing act

With declining fertility rates and an ageing population, migration has become Europe’s demographic lifeline. According to Reuters , the EU reached a record population of 450.4 million in 2024, but only because of net migration gains of about 2.3 million, offsetting a natural loss of 1.3 million.

Without immigration, Europe’s population would already be in steady decline.

This reality has made migration both a necessity and a political flashpoint. Countries like Germany, France, and Spain depend on migrant labour to sustain their economies, while Eastern and Southern European nations are grappling with emigration, the steady outflow of young workers seeking better opportunities abroad.

The World Health Organisation estimates that about 73 million abortions occur each year, where laws are restrictive, unsafe procedures rise and account for an estimated 4.7–13% of maternal deaths, while deaths from safe, regulated abortion are exceedingly rare.

In Europe, the European Abortion Policy Atlas compares 49 countries and territories, grading both the letter of the law and real-world access by providing availability, waiting periods, and cost barriers.

France made global headlines in March 2024 by explicitly protecting abortion in its Constitution, a move described by the government and international media as a world first for constitutional stature.

In the United States , the Supreme Court in June 2024 rejected a high-profile challenge to the abortion pill mifepristone on standing grounds, leaving federal access rules in place while other litigation continues.

In Mexico, a September 2023 ruling ordered federal decriminalisation, requiring national facilities to provide care, an inflexion point in Latin America’s “green wave” as implementation spreads across states.

Elsewhere in Europe, Poland remains one of Europe’s most restrictive jurisdictions despite a change in government; 2025 has seen intensified civil-society pressure and new services opening to support those seeking care, underscoring the legal stalemate.

In Germany, debate over removing abortion from the criminal code (Section 218) has gathered momentum, with the governing coalition studying reforms in 2024–2025 and public discussion intensifying this summer.

According to the Country Similarity Index , a data-driven ranking that compares nations across five major dimensions, the United States’ closest cultural cousin is its neighbour to the north, Canada, with a striking similarity score of 79.2.

Trailing behind Canada are fellow English-speaking democracies Australia (71.8), New Zealand (70.5), and Great Britain (69.7), with Puerto Rico tying Britain at 69.7, which is unsurprising given its political connection to the U.S.

Ireland (67.3) rounds out the top five before the ranking widens to include European partners like Germany, France, Norway, and Switzerland. These nations share much of the United States’ institutional, infrastructural, and political framework, even if geography and some cultural elements diverge.

Canada and the U.S. not only share the longest undefended border in the world, but their economies are closely integrated under the USMCA trade agreement, their media and entertainment industries cross-pollinate, and both societies are shaped by waves of immigration and shared democratic norms.

The inclusion of Australia and New Zealand reflects a similar pattern, countries built on British colonial legal systems, English language dominance, and comparable political models. Even across the Atlantic, Germany, France, Norway, and Switzerland land on the list thanks to their high standard of living , advanced infrastructure, and liberal democratic traditions, making them natural partners for Washington on global issues.

This cultural and institutional proximity carries weight in today’s geopolitical climate. It explains why the U.S. often finds it easier to coordinate policy and form coalitions with these nations, whether in trade negotiations, climate summits, or military alliances.

Canada and the U.S., for example, are currently negotiating joint energy and security frameworks, while Australia and New Zealand are playing central roles in the U.S.’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

Across the Atlantic, Germany and France continue to collaborate with Washington on everything from NATO’s security posture to AI governance frameworks, even amid occasional tensions over industrial policy.

“Since the removal of its troops from Niger in 2023, the government has implemented a sneaky and subversive destabilisation plan, informing, training, financing, and equipping terrorists, with unfortunate attempts to create the conditions for an inter-ethnic conflict in Niger and the Sahel,” he remarked.

Zeine accused France of running a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Niger’s institutions, political leaders, and army, while also trying to create permanent political tension between Niger and its neighbours.

“This is accompanied by an unprecedented economic and financial war, notably in France’s hateful intent to sabotage all our development projects by demobilising investors and systematically voting against Niger in international financial institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank , and the IMF,” he said.

Since the military-led government in Niamey forced French troops to withdraw last year, relations have soured further, with Niger accusing Paris of meddling in its internal affairs and undermining its sovereignty.

The French president said his decision was rooted in France’s longstanding ties to both Israel and the Palestinians. 

“This recognition is a way of affirming that the Palestinian people are not a people in excess,” he said, adding that it did not diminish Israel’s right to security.

Macron stressed that France’s commitment to Israel’s security remained firm, pointing to its support against Iranian missile attacks. But he said the ongoing bombardment of Gaza was destroying lives without offering a path to peace .

“Nothing, nothing more justifies the pursuit of war in Gaza. Nothing,” he told the Assembly. “To save lives, we must do everything to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.”

The President also invoked Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish in describing Palestinians as a people with dignity and history, and warned against abandoning the UN’s original promise of two states living side by side in peace.

Macron said the recognition aimed to restart serious negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. 

“This path is the path of peace and security for all,” he said, urging others to follow France’s lead.

Several countries did so. Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and San Marino would also recognise a Palestinian state, after the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal made the same announcement on Sunday. 

Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia recognised Palestine in 2024.

Macron warned against “the peril of endless wars,” telling the Assembly: “Right must always prevail over might. The time has come.”

“For years, I have prevented the establishment of this terrorist state in the face of enormous pressure both from home and abroad. We did it with determination, and we did it with political wisdom. Indeed, we doubled Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria – and we will continue on this path,” he added.

The recognition comes amid mounting domestic and international pressure, as Israel's military campaign in Gaza intensifies.

The growing group of countries formally recognising Palestine as a state includes Canada and Australia .

French President Emmanuel Macron, who also announced yesterday, along with UK’s Keir Starmer, that Palestine would be formally recognised as a state at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today, said, “This recognition is the beginning of a journey.”

“A path for peace , to save lives and to try together to live up to the human dignity we owe each other," he added.

However, Japan announced it will not recognise Palestinian statehood at the UNGA, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya announced on Friday, September 19. 

French officials protested that the arrest violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which grants diplomats immunity. The French foreign ministry called his detention "unjustified."

The two Malian diplomats have until Saturday to leave French territory. In a retaliatory move, Mali declared five staff members of France’s embassy in Bamako persona non grata, who departed the country last Sunday, according to French officials.

Mali’s junta, led by President Assimi Goïta, insists that “foreign states” are seeking to destabilise the country, pointing to Vezilier’s alleged role alongside two generals and several others arrested in what authorities described as a coup attempt.

France has warned that further measures will follow if its envoy is not released quickly.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply since back-to-back coups in Bamako in 2020 and 2021. Mali cut military ties with France in 2022 and has since deepened cooperation with Russia , which the junta frames as a bid for sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Mali continues to grapple with a grinding security crisis. Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, along with criminal networks, have waged an insurgency since 2012. In recent weeks, militants have tried to blockade the country by attacking a key supply corridor to Senegal, Mali’s main access to the sea.

The latest statement builds on proposals raised at an earlier AES meeting in Bamako, where ministers discussed creating a Sahelian Criminal and Human Rights Court and establishing a high-security prison to try terrorism cases locally, reducing what they described as “dependence” on international justice institutions.

The AES, which brings together military-led governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, has frequently accused Western governments and media of undermining its security campaigns. Alongside the allegations against France and Ukraine, AES authorities have suspended broadcasts by France 24, RFI, and TV5Monde, and launched an investigation into a France 24 journalist over alleged ties to jihadist groups.

A map shared by The World in Maps visually captures the moment: a sea of green stretches across much of the globe, with nations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America largely backing the resolution. Only a handful of countries, including the United States, Israel, and Argentina, voted against.

A small cluster abstained or did not vote, underscoring how isolated the opposition has become.

The resolution is ambitious. Drafted by France and Saudi Arabia, it calls for “timebound, tangible, irreversible steps” toward Palestinian statehood alongside Israel.

It condemns the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, demands the release of hostages, and urges an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The text also envisions reforms to strengthen the Palestinian Authority and limit Hamas’s role in governance .

Several Western countries, including Belgium, France, Canada, and Australia, have announced plans to formally recognise Palestine in the coming months. Germany publicly backed the resolution, calling it “a step toward lasting peace".

The vote has also rippled through global markets. Oil prices have ticked upward as traders weigh the potential for renewed instability in the region, and safe-haven assets such as gold and U.S. Treasuries are seeing increased demand.

Emerging market currencies in the Middle East have faced pressure, as investors brace for potential sanctions, new aid flows, or shifts in trade routes. Defence and security stocks have climbed on expectations of heightened security spending.

What happens next could be decisive. A high-level UN General Assembly meeting scheduled for later this month is expected to bring more nations to the table, with some potentially formalising recognition of Palestine.

Whether these moves lead to meaningful negotiations or further polarisation will shape not just Middle Eastern politics but also energy markets, global supply chains, and diplomatic alliances.

A day later in Paris, lawmakers voted no confidence in Prime Minister François Bayrou, a centrist ally of President Emmanuel Macron. Observers see his ouster as a reflection of mounting frustrations with Macron’s turbulent presidency.

By September 9, the unrest had reached Kathmandu, where days of mass demonstrations over corruption and a government ban on social media platforms culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.

Here’s what you need to know about this rapid succession of departures sweeping through Europe and Asia.

Ishiba resigns after devastating loss in Japan elections

Politics were a crucial factor behind the resignation of Shigeru Ishiba, Japan’s prime minister since October 2024 and the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, a dominant force in Japanese politics that recently suffered a bruising defeat in the July elections.

Having ruled Japan for all but five of the last 70 years, the Liberal Democrats surprised many when they lost 19 of 66 seats up for re-election in July. This, on top of an earlier hit to their majority in October 2024, weakened the party’s hold on government .

Ishiba said he felt “a great sense of regret” over the election results, adding he was ready to “pass the baton to the next generation.”

Beyond electoral setbacks, he faced headwinds from rising inflation, a fraught trade relationship with the United States, and a growing anti-foreigner sentiment among the public.

Likely contenders to succeed him include veteran politician Sanae Takaichi, an advocate of economic opening and looser fiscal and monetary policy, and Shinjiro Koizumi, the farm minister.

Despite losing ground, the Liberal Democratic Party remains the largest bloc in the lower house.

France’s Bayrou loses confidence vote

François Bayrou’s tenure as French premier ended after just nine months, when lawmakers passed a no-confidence vote. His removal — the fourth change of prime minister in just two years — pushes France into yet another period of political volatility.

In part, Bayrou’s removal is tethered to the elections, too. President Emmanuel Macron in 2024 called a snap parliamentary election in hopes of securing a “clear majority” after a defeat for his party. Instead, the vote left parliament even more divided, making it harder for any prime minister to garner the numbers needed to pass legislation or budgets.

Bayrou more directly stumbled over his response to France’s mounting debt crisis. Public debt has climbed to 114% of GDP as of early 2025. His proposal for a €44 billion ($51 billion) budget cut ran into fierce opposition, especially from the left, which called instead for higher taxes.

With Bayrou out, Macron must now either appoint a new premier or dissolve the National Assembly and call new parliamentary elections.

Possible contenders for the premiership include Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure, former premier Bernard Cazeneuve, ex-minister Pierre Moscovici, Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Labour and Health Minister Catherine Vautrin. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin are also in the frame.

Though unlikely, some critics have even called for Macron himself to resign.

Protests over corruption, social media ban force Oli out

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli was forced to step down after a wave of anti-corruption protests left 19 people dead and more than 100 injured, with tens of thousands of demonstrators defying curfews and setting fire to parliament and other government buildings.

“In view of the adverse situation in the country, I have resigned effective today to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution,” Oli wrote in his resignation letter to President Ramchandra Paudel on Tuesday. His administration was blamed for presiding over Nepal’s bloodiest unrest in more than a decade.

The demonstrations — dubbed the “protest of Gen Z” — began after the government blocked Facebook, X and YouTube, citing the companies’ refusal to register with regulators. The ban reignited frustrations over corruption and inequality, particularly among young Nepalis angered at the privileges enjoyed by the children of political elites while most struggle to find work.

Even after the government reversed the ban, protests spread from Kathmandu to cities across the country. Demonstrators torched tyres, ransacked politicians’ homes and set fire to the Singha Durbar government complex, which houses parliament and several ministries.

The turmoil marked Nepal’s most serious upheaval since 2008, when mass protests toppled the monarchy. Despite democratic reforms, the country of 30 million has struggled with weak governance, endemic corruption and an economy that forces more than 2,000 young people to leave daily in search of work abroad.

Oli, 73, had been in office since July 2024, serving his fourth term and becoming the 14th prime minister in the post-monarchy era. Two cabinet ministers resigned on Monday, citing “moral grounds.”

As protests spread, military helicopters evacuated ministers from their homes, while social media footage showed senior officials, including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, attacked by crowds before soldiers intervened.

Paudel and army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel have both appealed for calm, while the United Nations and press freedom groups urged protesters not to target journalists or media outlets. 

Looking ahead, one figure gaining traction among demonstrators is Balendra Shah, 35, a former rapper and composer whose outsider image helped propel him to the Kathmandu mayoralty in 2022 after a campaign centred on cleaning up the capital.

The first partition (1659) – Treaty of the Pyrenees

The Treaty of the Pyrenees concluded the long-running Franco‑Spanish War and marked the rise of France as a dominant European power. Spain gave up key fortresses like Montmédy, Stenay, and Thionville to France after this treaty. Luxembourg lost roughly 1,060 km², or 10% of its territory, too.

The second partition (1815) – Congress of Vienna

After Napoleon’s downfall, European powers met at the Congress of Vienna to redraw the continent’s borders and restore equilibrium. Luxembourg was elevated to a Grand Duchy, placed in a personal union with the Dutch crown, and made part of the German Confederation. Prussia gained strategically important northeastern areas, including Bitburg, Saint‑Vith, Schleiden, and Waxweiler, a loss totalling around 2,280 km², or 24% of Luxembourg’s contemporary territory.

The third partition (1839) – Treaty of London

Following the Belgian Revolution of 1830, much of Luxembourg aligned with Belgium, prompting diplomatic resolution via the 1839 Treaty of London. This resulted in the loss of the western, French-speaking portion, approximately 65% of its territory, to Belgium, becoming what is now the Belgian province of Luxembourg. The remaining rump Grand Duchy, smaller but sovereign, persisted under Dutch rule but gradually embraced its national identity.

The combined effect of the three partitions reduced Luxembourg from approximately 10,700 km² to 2,586 km², with the “lost” territories now parts of France, Germany, and Belgium. This resizing sculpted the geography and politics of modern Luxembourg, leaving behind a resilient, independent duchy.

This also translates into Israel agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza, halting annexation plans, allowing aid delivery, and committing to a two‑state solution.

Starmer, on July 29, 2025, described Palestinian statehood as the “inalienable right” of the Palestinian people , emphasising that a ceasefire would pave the way toward recognition and a viable peace process.

The government presented this as a conditional, diplomatic tool to accelerate change rather than a symbolic gesture with no impact.

Domestically, more than 200 MPs, including around 60 Labour MPs, support immediate recognition and have argued that delaying undermines the UK’s stance on a two‑state solution. Civil society groups and a petition demanding statehood plus a ceasefire have also gained traction.

Israel's Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said, "Israel rejects the statement by the prime minister of the United Kingdom. The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages."

Just a few days earlier, on July 24, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would officially recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

He framed the decision as part of France’s historic dedication to a just, sustainable peace, emphasising that ending the war in Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid are priorities ahead of formal statehood recognition.

Macron’s move makes France the first major G7 nation to take this step, joining more than 140 UN member states that already recognise Palestine.

Just like the UK, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned France's move as rewarding terrorism and claimed it would incentivise militants.

Footage from the protest shows participants holding placards that read “Stop the Gaza genocide” and chanting slogans such as “Boycott Israel .” The protest took place at the Invalides metro station in Paris.

“The Americans are the main participants in this war, in this ongoing genocide. They have killed more than 500 Palestinians with their forces as they came seeking humanitarian aid. Today, the American statement saying that they will move on to another plan to recover Israeli prisoners in Gaza means an acceleration of this ongoing genocide,” Salah Hamouri, a Franco-Palestinian lawyer and member of the Emergency Palestine association, stated.

The protest comes after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would officially recognise the State of Palestine in September. If implemented, this would make France the first permanent member of the UN Security Council and the first G7 country to take such a step.

“Because of its position and its ability to influence international policy , but also because of its responsibility to sell arms and help the State of Israel continue to bomb the Gazans in the Gaza Strip,” Ali, one of the protesters, commented on France's role in the conflict. “So France has a great responsibility. Today, we hear talk of recognising the State of Palestine. For me, this is just a way of relieving the pressure felt domestically, but for me it's a responsibility in total,” he added.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP) , the hunger crisis in Gaza has reached critical levels. One-third of the population reportedly goes multiple days without food, and one in five people is facing starvation. The WFP also warns that nearly 100,000 women and children are experiencing severe acute malnutrition and are in urgent need of treatment.

In a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron declared:

“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine … I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.”

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called France's decision a “reward for terror,” and warned it threatens Israel’s national security by risking the creation of a hostile Iranian proxy on its borders.

Adding his voice, Defence Minister Israel Katz also described the move as “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism,” asserting Israel will not allow the establishment of a destabilising Palestinian entity.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, July 25, also rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative to formally recognise Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, calling the move misguided and counterproductive to peace efforts in the Middle East.

"What he says doesn't matter. He's a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn't carry weight," Trump told reporters.

As of March 2025, over 140 of the 193 UN member states have recognised Palestinian statehood, alongside EU countries such as Ireland, Spain, Norway, Slovenia, and others.

According to data provided by Parrot Analytics and created in a map by The World in Maps, while Japan remains the undisputed home of anime, countries as diverse as the United States, Philippines, France, and India are emerging as significant anime powerhouses. Here's a deep dive into the global landscape of anime enthusiasm.

The map shows that countries shaded in deep red represent regions where anime enjoys the highest levels of demand and cultural integration:

Countries shaded in orange, like the United States, India , and Brazil, show "very high" anime engagement:

Countries marked in pink and light pink, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Mexico , and Morocco, show consistent demand and growing fandoms. These regions host frequent anime screenings, cosplay events, and manga festivals, proving anime's soft power in shaping youth culture.

Countries in yellow and grey, such as parts of Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East , show “low” or “untracked” levels of anime engagement. This may reflect a combination of limited streaming access, cultural barriers, or different entertainment preferences.

Scoring an impressive 97.94 out of 100, France edged out global style powerhouses like Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom to secure the top spot.

The annual ranking, based on expert reviews, consumer fashion preferences, global influence, and cultural impact, reaffirms the enduring reputation of countries that have shaped the modern fashion landscape.

Top 10 most fashionable countries

France's top ranking comes as no surprise. Paris, often referred to as the “fashion capital of the world ,” is home to elite fashion houses like Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy.

From Paris Fashion Week to the influence of streetwear chic in Le Marais, France's dominance in luxury and ready-to-wear fashion remains unshaken.

According to the magazine , France scored highest in cultural influence, designer reputation, innovation and global appeal, fashion education and modelling institutions.

Close behind France is Italy, with a score of 97.67, bolstered by iconic labels like Gucci, Prada, and Versace. Milan continues to be a top destination for buyers and influencers alike.

The United States ranks third, with 97.46, thanks to New York's influence, thriving streetwear culture, and rising labels that define Gen-Z and millennial style. With global celebrities often setting fashion trends, American style mixes luxury, diversity, and accessibility.

'He admits to being the perpetrator of the act, but does not really explain it', said the Chaumont public prosecutor at a press conference. 'In police custody, the person concerned showed himself to be detached, both with regard to the seriousness of the alleged acts and the consequences for himself', he added.

His remarks came during a high-profile gathering of Europe’s far-right leaders convened by French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen in the Loiret region south of Paris.

The meeting, held to commemorate the first anniversary of Le Pen’s National Rally’s best-ever performance in European elections, served as a rallying point for anti-immigration forces emboldened by Donald Trump ’s return to the White House and recent electoral gains across Europe.

Joining Orban were prominent right-wing figures, including Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the League party, Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s Vox party and Andrej Babis, former Czech Prime Minister.

Speaking at the meeting, Orban reaffirmed his longstanding position that Europe’s migration policy is fundamentally flawed.

"We will not let them destroy our cities and the safety of our streets. We will not let them violate our daughters and our women. We will not allow peaceful citizens to be killed. My friends, we will not stand idly by, pointing at Brussels and international law like losers. We will act. What is happening is not migration, it is an organised exchange of populations intended to replace the cultural bedrock of Europe," he said.

The European Union has long sought to manage migration through a mix of border controls, humanitarian resettlement, and burden-sharing among member states. Key elements include:

Representative Zakaria Belkheir, a member of the drafting committee, confirmed that the draft is nearly complete. The final steps include a legal review with specialists and a historical verification process with expert historians to ensure both legal soundness and historical accuracy, Echorouk reports.

He again noted that particular care was taken to craft the law in a way that would not conflict with international treaties, particularly the 1962 Evian Accords, which marked the end of the Algerian War of Independence.

As part of its consultation process, the committee met with Mohamed Lahcen Zeghidi, head of the Algerian Committee for History and Memory. He provided a detailed overview of Algeria’s national memory and the historical crimes committed during the colonial period.

A former delegate for the draft law criminalising colonialism, Moussa Abdi, was also consulted during the drafting process. He noted that the earlier version of the law, which gained parliamentary approval in 2010, was ultimately rejected by the government due to concerns over its alignment with the Evian Accords. Abdi argued that the accords only cover a limited time frame, the years of the Algerian War, and do not encompass the full scope of colonial abuses, many of which occurred outside the framework of the agreement.

The draft law draws from a wide range of sources, including archival records, academic research, eyewitness video testimonies, and official declarations.

"In March, the Ukrainian president said in Jeddah that he agreed to an unconditional ceasefire. And yesterday, the Ukrainian president said he had decided to meet (with Vladimir Putin) in Istanbul. This is the second time he has made major concessions. We must all be reasonable now. Either Russia, Mr Putin, is serious and wants peace, or it is not serious and we must impose even tougher sanctions ," Macron told the press on Monday, May 12.

Western leaders, including those from the United States , issued a firm demand on Saturday, May 10, for Moscow to implement an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine beginning Monday, warning that failure to comply would trigger intensified sanctions targeting Russia’s banking and energy sectors.

Putin, however, on the same day, countered with a proposal to engage in talks in Istanbul.

“We are committed to serious negotiations with Ukraine … to remove the root causes of the conflict,” he said at a news conference. “I do not exclude that during these negotiations it will be possible to agree on some new ceasefire.”

A full house—and a political message

Over 20,000 attendees packed the arena, with thousands more outside unable to enter. They were draped in Congolese flags, chanting and singing. On stage, more than thirty top artists—Fally Ipupa, Gims, Dadju, Youssoupha, and Soolking—performed without fees. The goal was to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC and reframe the country’s global image.

A deliberate soft power strategy

The event aligned with a broader strategy by Congolese leadership to reposition the country internationally. President Félix Tshisekedi, whose name was cheered from the stands, is emerging as a promoter of Congo’s cultural diplomacy. Key to the initiative was Chantal Chambu Mwavita, Minister of Human Rights , who was decisive in organising the event. Her presence reflected more than political support—it signalled the state’s understanding that soft power can be a strategic asset.

Why Paris matters

Staging the event in Paris - both a global diplomatic capital and home to a large African diaspora - gave Congo maximum exposure. The symbolism was powerful: an African nation using one of the West’s most prestigious stages not to beg, but to perform, to assert, to unite.

A model for the Global South

The success of the concert shows how countries in the global south can reclaim the narrative, not through formal summits or reactive diplomacy, but by creating emotional resonance. Where many countries still passively endure their media image, the DRC has shown that cultural pride, backed by institutional intent, can actively shape it.

The power of symbols

Diplomacy is increasingly emotional. The most influential moments today are those that resonate across screens, borders, and hearts. A concert, when carefully orchestrated, can move minds more effectively than a press release. On that April night in Paris, the Congo sang. But more importantly, it was heard.

According to the Armenian National Institute , more than 30 nations, primarily in Europe and the Americas, have passed resolutions through either national or regional parliaments acknowledging the 1915 mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire (Turkish Empire) as genocide.

Widespread recognition across the West

Countries including France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Russia, and much of South America—from Argentina to Chile—have adopted national-level declarations. These recognitions reflect not only a historical judgment but also a contemporary call for human rights, justice, and remembrance. In the United States , recognition was formalised in 2019 through congressional resolutions after decades of advocacy from Armenian diaspora communities.

Regional support and symbolic actions

The map also highlights areas where regional parliaments, such as those in Australia , parts of Spain, and Switzerland, have adopted similar positions, often ahead of their national governments. These subnational recognitions carry moral and educational significance, amplifying awareness at the grassroots and local legislative levels.

Why recognition matters

Labelling the 1915 atrocities as genocide is not merely a symbolic act. It serves as a bulwark against denialism, sets legal and moral precedents, and contributes to international norms on genocide prevention. Scholars estimate that between 1 million and 1.5 million Armenians were systematically exterminated. Turkey, the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, continues to reject the genocide label, framing the deaths as part of broader wartime casualties.

A divided world

Despite increasing recognition, several countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East remain absent from the list, often citing geopolitical alliances with Turkey or fears of disrupting regional stability. In the Middle East, where historical tensions remain sensitive, diplomatic caution often overrides humanitarian acknowledgement.

According to analysis by Reuters and Political Pulse, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto tops the chart with an overwhelming 81% approval rating. Sworn in just months ago, Subianto has benefited from a post-election honeymoon period, strengthened by promises of continuity and decisive leadership following Joko Widodo’s tenure. Analysts note that his early efforts to strengthen domestic food security and military modernisation have played well with the Indonesian electorate.

In second place, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoys a robust 75% approval, evidence of his continued popularity as India approaches another general election cycle. Modi's approval is supported by recent economic resilience, expanding digital infrastructure, and a strong nationalist narrative that resonates with his base. His leadership of the Global South and diplomatic assertiveness on the world stage have also solidified his domestic image.

A surprise entrant in the third spot is Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico , with a 66% approval rating. As Mexico's first female president-elect, Sheinbaum's popularity is fueled by her affiliation with ex-President AMLO's (Andrés Manuel López Obrador ) social welfare policies and her technocratic credibility as a former scientist and mayor of Mexico City.

Javier Milei, Argentina's libertarian president, holds a 65% approval rating, slightly behind Sheinbaum. His high rating is remarkable given his radical economic reforms and confrontational political style. Milei’s early austerity measures have been divisive, but a portion of the population sees him as a necessary disruptor after years of economic instability.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has returned to office, sits at 52%. This middling figure reflects a deeply polarised electorate. Trump's economic populism and border policies continue to energise his base, but his approval is constrained by ongoing legal and ethical controversies.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese follows at 46%, reflecting moderate public satisfaction amid cost-of-living challenges and housing affordability debates. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni holds a 42% approval rating, benefiting from her nationalist tone and fiscal conservatism, though tensions with EU partners may affect her future standing.

In the lower tier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan both sit at 35% and 33% respectively, hampered by economic sluggishness and domestic unrest. French President Emmanuel Macron trails the list with 30%, a reflection of widespread dissatisfaction over pension reforms and recurring labour strikes.

Tensions between Algeria and Mali intensified after Algerian forces downed a Malian drone, leading to diplomatic expulsions and the closure of airspace between the two nations. According to The New Arab , observers note that this incident reflects deepening strategic disagreements and a failure of previous mediation efforts, particularly following Mali's withdrawal from a critical peace agreement with Algeria. As reported by various experts, Algeria's concerns over the security vacuum along its borders have been exacerbated by Mali's growing military alliances, including ties with Russian forces.

France Expels Algerian Diplomats Amid Bilateral Strain

In a significant diplomatic move, France expelled 12 Algerian diplomats and recalled its ambassador, amidst escalating tensions attributed to Algeria's condemnation of perceived internal interference by France. MENAFN reports that this action follows Algeria's earlier expulsion of French embassy staff, with both governments entangled in disputes over past grievances, military relations, and recent arrests involving Algerian officials. The deteriorating relationship persists despite prior attempts at dialogue between leaders from both nations.

Algeria Seeks Turkish Investment in Renewable Energy

Algeria has formally invited Turkey to invest in its renewable energy sector, aiming to enhance bilateral trade, which reached a record high of nearly $6 billion in 2024. As reported by Zawya , the two nations discussed ambitions to increase this figure to $10 billion, highlighting Turkey's significant role as a foreign investor in Algeria across various industries, including energy and textiles. The Algerian Foreign Minister expressed potential for increased cooperation in renewable energy projects, aligning with the global push for sustainable energy sources.

Mass Expulsions of Migrants from Algeria to Niger

Algerian authorities expelled over 1,000 migrants to northern Niger, prompting concerns from local NGOs regarding the treatment of these individuals. Reports indicate the migrants, from 17 different countries, were abandoned without food or water in harsh desert conditions. Organisations like Alarme Phone Sahara report that such deportations have intensified, raising alarm over humanitarian conditions and violations of international law, particularly concerning migrants with valid documentation, Info Migrants reports.

Algeria Enacts New Law on General Mobilisation

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune presided over a cabinet meeting, during which a draft law on general mobilisation was adopted, guided by Article 99 of the Constitution. According to Constitution Net , this law outlines the procedures for mobilisation in response to national security threats, signifying a formal framework that includes prior declarations of a state of emergency or war. This legislative move reflects Algeria's strategic preparedness and aligns with constitutional stipulations regarding national defence.

"The only thing we have to do, the only thing, I reiterated to President Trump whom I had two days ago at night, the only thing, is for President Putin finally to stop lying," Macron said.

The map displays Holocaust victim counts by country, revealing the disproportionate scale of loss across Europe and the human cost of state-sponsored antisemitism, war, and complicity.

Poland and the Soviet Union: Epicentres of the Holocaust

With a staggering 3 million Jewish lives lost, Poland bore the heaviest burden of the Holocaust. This is no accident of geography alone—Poland had the largest Jewish population in Europe before World War II and became the hub of the Nazi extermination machinery. Camps like Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Sobibor, all situated in occupied Polish territory, were central to the Nazi regime’s “Final Solution”.

The Soviet Union follows with 1.34 million victims, reflecting mass executions, forced deportations, and systemic annihilation campaigns particularly in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Many were killed during the German invasion of the USSR in 1941, when mobile killing squads known as Einsatzgruppen swept across Eastern Europe, leaving countless mass graves in their wake.

Hungary, Germany, and Romania: State collaboration and timelines of death

Hungary’s toll—564,507 victims—speaks to the tragic speed and efficiency of Nazi deportations in 1944, following years of growing antisemitic legislation. Once Germany occupied the country, over 400,000 Jews were deported to Auschwitz in just eight weeks—one of the fastest mass extermination operations of the Holocaust.

Germany, the perpetrator nation, accounted for 165,200 deaths. Despite being the epicentre of Nazi ideology, the number appears lower than in Eastern territories due to early emigration, assimilation, and differing timelines. German Jews faced legal and economic persecution long before mass deportations began.

Romania, another Axis-aligned state, saw 260,000 Jews killed, particularly in regions like Bessarabia and Bukovina. Local forces were responsible for several massacres, notably the Iași pogrom in 1941, emphasising that the Holocaust wasn’t perpetrated by Nazis alone but often with local collaboration.

Western Europe : A mixed record of resistance and tragedy

While France (74,000), the Netherlands (102,000), and Belgium (24,387) lost tens of thousands, the outcomes varied significantly by national policy, public resistance, and geography. The Netherlands had one of the highest Jewish death rates in Western Europe—approximately 75%—despite a robust civil society , reflecting the swift and brutal efficiency of Nazi occupation.

In contrast, Denmark—with only 116 Jews killed—is often cited as a rare example of widespread civic resistance. In 1943, Danish citizens and resistance fighters evacuated over 7,000 Jews to Sweden, a coordinated effort that remains one of the Holocaust’s few stories of collective rescue.

Southern and Northern Europe : Fewer numbers, not less suffering

Countries like Italy (7,858) and Greece (65,000) reflect the Holocaust’s spread into southern Europe, often under German occupation despite initial resistance or complicity by local governments. Albania, with only 100 reported victims, is another exception; most Jews were hidden by Muslim communities in acts of quiet defiance and solidarity.

In Scandinavia, Norway (758) and Sweden (unaffected due to neutrality) reveal minimal victim counts, again illustrating how geography, policy, and public sentiment shaped survival.

Since then, essential services such as water , electricity, and telecommunications have been restored. However, local residents continue to wait for major reconstruction projects to begin, as reported by AFP.

On his arrival in the capital, Mamoudzou, Macron addressed the challenges the region continues to face.

“I want to pay tribute to the resilience of the Mahoran people and of all our compatriots who knew how to, during all these months, withstand extremely difficult conditions ,” the president said.

“The situation before we even knew it was full of challenges. Water towers existed before the cyclone. The great economic and social difficulties were there. The period has been stabilised. I would say that we have responded to the extreme emergency. Now, I am here to see what has been done well and what is not done well enough to give a boost,” Macron added.

Macron faced criticism from residents during his December trip over the pace and scale of the government's response. He had promised a "full crisis response", but was met with frustration from the local population.

The French President responded to complaints, stating, "You are happy to be in France. If it wasn't for France, you would be 10,000 times worse off."

Without formal recognition, the revolutionary government risked isolation, lacked access to trade and military support, and remained vulnerable to Britain’s efforts to reclaim its rebellious colonies.

Securing international legitimacy was thus a critical step in establishing the United States as a sovereign entity in the 18th-century global order.

Morocco: First to recognise the United States (1777)

The first country to formally recognise the United States was Morocco . On December 20, 1777, Sultan Mohammed III issued a decree that opened Moroccan ports to American ships, making the kingdom the earliest foreign power to extend official recognition. This act was later formalised through the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship, signed in 1786 and ratified in 1787. Remarkably, this treaty remains the oldest unbroken treaty in U.S. history.

France: First major power and strategic ally (1778)

France, a longtime rival of Britain, was the first major European power to recognise the U.S., offering not only legitimacy but also crucial military and financial support. On February 6, 1778, France signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance with the United States. These agreements pledged mutual defence and solidified a Franco-American alliance.

French involvement—through military leadership like General Rochambeau and naval support under Admiral de Grasse—proved decisive in pivotal battles such as the Siege of Yorktown (1781), effectively ending major combat operations in the Revolutionary War.

The Netherlands: Diplomatic recognition and the first U.S. embassy (1782)

The Dutch Republic formally recognised the United States on April 19, 1782, when it accepted John Adams as the American Minister Plenipotentiary. This recognition marked a diplomatic milestone as the U.S. established its first official embassy in The Hague, a move that underscored growing international acceptance.

The Netherlands also extended loans to the U.S. government, helping stabilise the fragile post-war American economy.

Spain: Cautious support turned official recognition (1783)

Spain, though initially cautious and reluctant to directly confront Britain, eventually extended recognition to the United States on February 20, 1783, just months before the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Spain’s involvement during the war, particularly through operations in the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast, indirectly aided the American cause.

Recognition came after Spain’s strategic interests aligned with weakening British influence in North America .

Sweden: A neutral power with early commercial ties (1783)

Sweden, under King Gustav III, became the fifth country to formally recognise the United States. On April 3, 1783, the two nations signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce , establishing peaceful and profitable relations. Sweden’s early recognition illustrated the United States' growing credibility among even neutral European powers.

Algeria's state energy company Sonatrach has entered into two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with U.S. shale company Occidental Petroleum to enhance cooperation in hydrocarbon exploration and production. Club of Mozambique reports that these agreements were formalised during the US-Algeria Energy Forum 2025.

Release of Moroccan migrants by Algeria after detention period

Algerian authorities have released 23 young Moroccan men detained for over six weeks due to irregular migration attempts. This release occurred at the Zouj Beghal border centre, facilitated by the Moroccan Association for Assisting Migrants in Difficult Situations. According to Yabiladi , many young Moroccans remain under administrative detention, awaiting deportation.

Algeria-Russia military cooperation discussions

High-level officials from Algeria and Russia recently convened to discuss military cooperation, specifically within the Joint Committee on Military-Technical Cooperation framework. As reported by MEMO , the meeting, hosted by the Algerian Ministry of Defence, aimed to strengthen parliamentary relations between the two countries and mark their historical partnership.

Surge in Chinese investments in Algeria

Chinese investments in Algeria have surged, now estimated at nearly $4.5 billion across 42 projects primarily in the industrial sector. Zawya says this includes significant energy and vehicle production investments, such as Great Wall Motors' recent announcement to establish a car assembly plant in Algeria.

France and Algeria diplomatic tensions escalate

Following Algeria's decision to expel 12 French consular staff members, France responded by expelling 12 agents from the Algerian diplomatic network in France and recalling its ambassador to Algiers for consultations. This situation stems from allegations surrounding the arrest of an Algerian consular agent connected to the kidnapping of an opposition activist, WION reports.

The siege at Toulon involved armed individuals who fired upon the prison's entrance, with reports confirming the attackers displayed the acronym "DDPF," potentially linking the violence to prisoner rights activism or organized crime. Jessy Zagari from the FO Justice union provided information about the incident, underlining the serious risk to prison personnel and security within facilities.

The attack on Toulon was accompanied by incidents at other establishments such as Villepinte, Nanterre, Valence, and Aix-Luynes, where vehicle fires and vandalism occurred. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin pledged a robust government response, connecting the violence to ongoing anti-drug initiatives. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau echoed this declaration, committing to an unyielding approach to address these threats, as the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office investigates potential ties to organized crime and anarchist entities.

In light of these events, prison unions have intensified calls for enhanced security protocols to protect staff and facilities. The FO Justice union advocated for prison guards to have designated parking within prison grounds, indicating a pressing need for strategic measures in response to the potential destabilization of the prison system. The orchestrated nature of these attacks necessitates a reassessment of current security frameworks.

These critical incidents elevate the discourse surrounding prison safety in France and raise essential inquiries regarding the efficacy of criminal justice strategies. The outcomes of the investigations will significantly influence future security protocols and governmental actions against organized crime , making the upcoming weeks vital in shaping the trajectory of the French penal system.