Government and politics

France’s 2026 budget to be a ‘demanding’ undertaking, French economy minister warns
World

France’s 2026 budget to be a ‘demanding’ undertaking, French economy minister warns

Ironing out the 2026 budget of the euro zone’s second-largest economy will prove a “demanding” task, French Economy Minister Eric Lombard told CNBC’s Charlotte Reed, after lawmakers earlier this month finally adopted 2025’s financial plan after a spate of tumultuous, government-toppling attempts. France has charted a trajectory to reduce its public deficit, aiming to reach […]

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CNBC Daily Open: Europe pushes for a role in Ukraine’s peace talks
World

CNBC Daily Open: Europe pushes for a role in Ukraine’s peace talks

European officials attend extended Weimar talks on Ukraine at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Quai d’Orsay) in Paris on Feb. 12, 2025. Christophe Petit Tesson | Afp | Getty Images As the U.S. took a break (from wild overhauls in government policies and its bureaucracy), across the Atlantic, Europe was springing into action […]

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CNBC Daily Open: Europe wants a say in Ukraine peace plan
World

CNBC Daily Open: Europe wants a say in Ukraine peace plan

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (L) talks with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affair)in Paris, on Feb. 12, 2025. Christophe Petit Tesson | Afp | Getty Images As the U.S. took a break (from wild overhauls in […]

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As Europe ramps up defense spending talks, analysts name the stocks set to benefit
World

As Europe ramps up defense spending talks, analysts name the stocks set to benefit

Global officials gathered in Munich, Germany, over the weekend for the Munich Security Conference, with talk focused on defense spending and the war in Ukraine. European officials appeared to signal a willingness to ramp up spending following pressure to do so from U.S. President Donald Trump. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said defense […]

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Singapore court finds opposition party leader guilty of lying to parliament
World

Singapore court finds opposition party leader guilty of lying to parliament

Pritam Singh, leader of Singapore’s main opposition Workers’ Party, arrives at its State Courts on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Lionel Ng | Bloomberg | Getty Images A court in Singapore on Monday found opposition Workers’ Party leader Pritam Singh guilty of two counts of lying to parliament, a verdict that could see him barred from contesting a general election this year. Singh had pleaded not guilty and his sentencing was due […]

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New downloads of DeepSeek suspended in South Korea, data protection agency says
World

New downloads of DeepSeek suspended in South Korea, data protection agency says

Deepseek’s logo on Jan. 29, 2025. Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images South Korea’s data protection authority on Monday said new downloads of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek had been suspended in the country after DeepSeek acknowledged failing to take into account some of the agency’s rules on protecting personal data. The service of […]

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Europe must take a stand when it comes to Ukraine’s future in NATO, foreign ministers say
World

Europe must take a stand when it comes to Ukraine’s future in NATO, foreign ministers say

(L-R) British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sit on the panel during the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany on February 15, 2025.  Thomas Kienzle | Afp | Getty Images Europe is facing an “existential” moment in […]

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Russia’s Putin could be NATO’s ‘Man of the Year’ as he’s strengthened the alliance, Trump ally says
World

Russia’s Putin could be NATO’s ‘Man of the Year’ as he’s strengthened the alliance, Trump ally says

Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles during his meeting with workers, while visiting the AvtoVAZ automobile plant, January 28, 2025, in Togliatti, Russia.  Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin has done more to strengthen and unite NATO than member states have done, U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told the Munich […]

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Without Europe a Russia-Ukraine peace deal wouldn’t work, EU foreign policy chief says
World

Without Europe a Russia-Ukraine peace deal wouldn’t work, EU foreign policy chief says

If Europe is left out of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, a deal wouldn’t work, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told CNBC at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. “For anything to work it has to have Ukrainians and Europeans as a part of it, because Ukrainians and Europeans are the ones who […]

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Eric Adams denies quid pro quo, urges New Yorkers to put this ‘episode behind us’
Politics

Eric Adams denies quid pro quo, urges New Yorkers to put this ‘episode behind us’

New York City Mayor Eric Adams leaves the federal court after being charged with bribery and illegally soliciting a campaign contribution from foreign nationals, in New York City, U.S., October 2, 2024.  Shannon Stapleton | Reuters New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Friday denied offering the Trump administration a quid pro quo deal in […]

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