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Hungarian-Serbian friendship helped us through Brussels' pro-war policy and sanctions - FM Szijjarto hails Belgrade ties

Hungarian-Serbian friendship helped us through Brussels' pro-war policy and sanctions - FM Szijjarto hails Belgrade ties

"Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto underscored the strategic importance of Hungarian–Serbian cooperation for regional energy security, warning that EU policies have exacerbated Central Europe's energy challenges. "Without Hungarian–Serbian friendship, we would not have been able to overcome this difficult situation," Szijjarto said at a joint press conference with Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Dedovic Handanovic in Belgrade on Thursday. He added that during 'the very difficult weeks and months behind us', cooperation between the two countries ensured energy supply across the region. "The past months have again proven that without Hungary there is no energy security in Serbia and without Serbia there is no energy security in Hungary," Szijjarto emphasised. Criticising the European Union policies, he said, "The war in Ukraine, Brussels' pro-war policy, and the sanctions have led to the fact that we here in Central Europe have been forced to face an energy crisis." He further accused Brussels of wanting to worsen the situation by closing off reliable sources and established transport routes. Addressing energy company MOL's intention to acquire a majority stake, Szijjarto clarified, "The specification of all other numerical data depends on MOL. This is a business matter for MOL, but there is no doubt that we are talking about a majority stake." The foreign minister also confirmed Hungary will immediately submit it for approval to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), hoping that they will receive the permit through a fast-track procedure. Meanwhile, Dedovic Handanovic confirmed, "We have comprehensive cooperation in the gas sector," noting, "Serbia is a transit country through which Hungary is supplied with gas, as well as Slovakia and other countries in Central Europe." According to Energy Minister, two countries are also in talks for the construction of new power lines between them to enable "additional interconnection in the power sector and more stable electricity exchange." Serbia is seeking the US license to allow the refinery to continue operating during negotiations over the sale of NIS (Naftna Industrija Srbije) by its Russian owners. In January 2025, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on the country's sole oil company. Washington granted waivers before sanctions took full effect in October, prompting banks to halt payments and stopping crude supplies via the JANAF pipeline."

'Increasingly severe strategic environment' - Japan and Philippines strike defence pacts amid rising regional tensions

'Increasingly severe strategic environment' - Japan and Philippines strike defence pacts amid rising regional tensions

"In a significant effort to counter escalating regional tensions, Japan and the Philippines signed two major defence agreements in Manila on Thursday, aimed at substantially upgrading their security partnership. Footage shows the pacts signed between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro during the former's visit to the country. The agreements are a direct response to shared concerns over stability in the East and South China Seas. The timing is strategically significant. Officials from both nations cited an 'increasingly severe strategic environment' characterised by unilateral actions that challenge the status quo. Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi stated, "As the regional strategic environment has grown severe, the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law has become more critical. The Philippines is an indispensable partner for Japan in realising the void." Motegi emphasised that, given the growing complexity of the international environment, ASEAN countries are expected to play an increasingly vital role in maintaining and enforcing international order based on the rule of law. Moreover, the Japanese FM highlighted that both sides agreed on the necessity of opposing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China Seas. Both nations underscored the significance of trilateral cooperation with Washington. Motegi reiterated the importance of this trilateral bond, stating, "The secretary and I also confirmed the importance of the Japan-Philippines-US trilateral cooperation in the face of an increasingly severe strategic environment." Meanwhile, he expressed high hopes for the Philippines as a strategic partner connected by the sea, noting that this year, the Philippines bears the important responsibility of chairing ASEAN. Philippine FS Lazaro underscored Manila and Tokyo's alliance during these challenging times, mentioning, "Driven by shared values and principles, the Philippines and Japan have worked together bilaterally and multilaterally with like-minded states to reinforce our positions and broaden our capabilities amidst today's dynamic security environment." The centrepiece of the pacts is an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), a logistical framework that officially permits the two military forces to exchange essential supplies and services. This includes fuel, ammunition, and food during joint exercises, humanitarian missions, and other authorised activities, thereby streamlining cooperation and enhancing interoperability. Complementing this, Japan committed a US$6 million Official Security Assistance (OSA) grant to fund maritime infrastructure for the Philippine Navy, directly enhancing Manila's naval capabilities through the construction of facilities to house rigid-hulled inflatable boats donated by Japan. These agreements build upon a landmark Reciprocal Access Agreement enacted last year, which facilitates the deployment of forces within each other’s territories, creating a comprehensive framework for seamless bilateral military collaboration. Collectively, the agreements signify a substantial step towards deeper military integration between two of Washington’s closest Asian allies. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the normalisation of their diplomatic ties."

AI-identify as African! - Bambara replacing French language in schools as Mali reclaims sovereignty with advanced learning tech

AI-identify as African! - Bambara replacing French language in schools as Mali reclaims sovereignty with advanced learning tech

"Schools in the Malian capital Bamako are undertaking a historic shift, by introducing local language Bambara as the primary choice for education through the use of advanced learning technology powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The move aims to end the decades-long dominance of the French language — a colonial-era legacy — while helping to restore national identity and intellectual sovereignty within the country's education system. Footage captured on Tuesday shows a teacher discussing the changes with his students in the classroom. Other shots showcase digital learning applications dedicated to the Bambara language. "There are several apps that make it easier to learn the language, including RobotMali, which helps us learn Bambara easily without having to travel,” said student Couma Diane. The RobotsMali initiative has emerged as a key driver of this linguistic transformation, using artificial intelligence to produce more than 100 illustrated stories and educational materials in Bambara. “We have worked on two aspects of national languages. First, the audio aspect, which involves transcribing national languages and translating them into Bambara, French or English. Second, we have considered how we can help children take a greater interest in our language,” explained Mamadou Dembele, a specialist at RobotsMali. Beyond books, Dembele said the project is developing mobile apps to teach literacy, turning smartphones in Malian homes into interactive learning tools. Malian pupils have long struggled with French, a language foreign to most, while 70-80% already speak Bambara as their mother tongue. This linguistic gap has fueled high illiteracy and dropout rates, as children must study complex subjects in a foreign language. This shift aligns with Mali’s recent constitutional changes, including the 2023 constitution, which removed French’s status as an official language, redefining it as a working language, while granting official status too national languages like Bambara. The move is widely seen as an effort to break dependence on the country's former colonial power, and restore greater local identity within Mali’s education system."

'China and Canada are committed to advancing bilateral relations' - MOFA as Carney tries to mend ties following 2018 Huawei CFO arrest

'China and Canada are committed to advancing bilateral relations' - MOFA as Carney tries to mend ties following 2018 Huawei CFO arrest

"China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing and Canada are committed to advancing bilateral relations during a regular press briefing on Thursday, following the first meeting of the countries’ foreign ministers since a diplomatic fallout in 2018. "I believe we should pay more attention to the fact that both China and Canada are committed to advancing bilateral relations, ensuring they remain stable, progress steadily, and develop well under new circumstances," Mao told journalists. "We are both committed to fostering positive expectations for the development of bilateral relations and injecting greater confidence into this process,” she added. The renewed engagement follows years of strained relations after the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, at Vancouver airport in December 2018, at the request of the United States. Meng, who is also the daughter of Huawei’s founder, was detained while serving as the company’s board deputy chair. Her arrest marked the start of a prolonged diplomatic crisis between Beijing and Ottawa. US prosecutors claimed that Meng had misled financial institutions, specifically HSBC, about Huawei's relationship with Skycom Tech, a company doing business in Iran, causing the banks to inadvertently violate US sanctions against Iran. Meng’s legal team maintained that the charges were politically motivated and denied wrongdoing. Shortly afterwards, Chinese authorities detained two Canadian nationals, Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat and analyst with the International Crisis Group, and another Canadian consultant who had worked in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Both were detained on espionage charges. The US eventually dismissed all charges and released Meng in 2021. Within hours of Meng’s departure, the Chinese government released both Canadians. The diplomatic reset comes as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney undertakes a four-day visit to China aimed at diversifying Canada’s economy and reducing reliance on the United States, which currently receives nearly 80 percent of Canadian exports."