World Leaders

Leaders at Davos hail 'constructive optimism' despite divisions in world

The European Central Bank's president responded Friday to US President Donald Trump's accusation of unfair trade treatment by the European Union by calling for negotiations and mutual respect rather than a focus purely on trans-Atlantic trade figures. The comments by Christine Lagarde alluding to a US-EU rift offered a fitting final note at the World Economic Forum's weeklong meeting: Trump's return to the White House on Monday was on everyone's lips, overshadowing traditional Davos talk about issues like climate change, free trade and economic development. Many business leaders, world-class academics, top government officials and other elites on hand sought to cast an upbeat tone about economic prospects, efforts to end wars in places like Ukraine and the Middle East, and technological progress. Some human rights advocates insisted that the poor, war victims and struggling migrants shouldn't be forgotten. Trump talks tariffs Trump, in an video address and question-and-answer sess

World Economic Forum: Leaders call for action on AI, regional reforms

Leaders from various countries called for action on artificial intelligence and reforms as they brainstormed here during the five-day World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, which ends on Friday. In a special address, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for a reform of social media governance across the European Union to curb misinformation and cyber harassment. He urged for stronger enforcement of the Digital Services Act and expanded powers for the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency. He emphasised that "the values of the European Union are not for sale" and called for increased funding for research into social media algorithms to ensure Europe's brightest minds address this critical challenge. United Nations Secretary-General Antnio Guterres issued a stark warning about two escalating global threats: the unchecked expansion of artificial intelligence and the climate crisis. These challenges, he warned, pose unprecedented risks to humanity and demand immediate, unifi

World leaders pour in wishes to Trump on his swearing-in as US President

Starmer said he hoped to meet Trump and continue the shared mission of peace between the US and UK

World leaders mourn passing of longest-serving former US Prez Jimmy Carter

According to the Carter Center's statement from February 2023, after a series of hospital stays, the former US President decided to stop further medical treatment and spend his remaining time at home

Great leaders: Balancing efficiency, effectiveness, and community impact

Leaders who extract extraordinary efficiency from resources are lionised during their times and criticised later

World leaders condemn Magdeburg Christmas market car attack in Germany

At least two people were killed and dozens injured in the attack at a Christmas market

Notre Dame reopens doors to Macron, world leaders in rare symbol of unity

France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is reopening its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is widely seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. Under the luminous stained glass, many world leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers will gather in the evening to mark the occasion a rare moment of unity against the backdrop of global divisions and conflicts. America's first lady Jill Biden, Britain's Prince William and President-elect Donald Trump, along with nearly 50 heads of state and government and personalities 1,500 guests in all will attend the reopening celebration under Notre Dame's soaring Gothic arches, led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich. Instead of starting from the .

US elections: World leaders congratulate Donald Trump on his victory

"Ukraine, as one of Europe's strongest military powers, is committed to ensuring long-term peace and security in Europe and the Transatlantic community with the support of our allies. I am looking for

Fitness app Strava gives away location of Biden, Trump and other leaders

An investigation by French newspaper Le Monde found that the highly confidential movements of U.S. President Joe Biden, presidential rivals Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and other world leaders can be easily tracked online through a fitness app that their bodyguards use. But the U.S. Secret Service told the newspaper that it doesn't believe the protection it provides was in any way compromised. Le Monde found that some U.S. Secret Service agents use the Strava fitness app, including in recent weeks after the two assassination attempts on Trump, in a video investigation released in French and in English. Strava is a fitness tracking app primarily used by runners and cyclists to record their activities and share their workouts with a community. Le Monde also found Strava users among the security staff for French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In one example, Le Monde traced the Strava movements of Macron's bodyguards to determine that the French leade

King Charles says past can't change as leaders urge UK to confront slavery

King Charles III told a summit of Commonwealth countries in Samoa Friday that the past could not be changed as he indirectly acknowledged calls from some of Britain's former colonies for a reckoning over its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The British royal understood the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate," he told leaders in Apia. But Charles stopped short of mentioning financial reparations that some leaders at the event have urged and instead exhorted them to find the right language and an understanding of history to guide us towards making the right choices in future where inequality exists." None of us can change the past but we can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to write the inequalities that endure," said Charles, who is attending his first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, or CHOGM, as Britain's head of state. His remarks at the summit's official opening ceremony echoed comments a day earlie

Elon Musk vs the world: Fights the tech titan has been picking up globally

Maduro to Zelensky: Here are all the world leaders Elon Musk has clashed with

PM Modi crosses 100 mn followers on X, becomes most followed world leader

PM Modi is far ahead of other world leaders including US President Joe Biden, who currently has 38.1 mn followers, HH Sheikh Mohammed, the present ruler of Dubai (11.2 mn) and Pope Francis (18.5 mn)

Global leaders condemn assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump

World leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on Sunday denounced the appalling assassination bid on former US president Donald Trump and asserted that violence has no place in politics and democracies. Trump, 78, survived an attempt on his life on Saturday when a young shooter fired multiple shots at him at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, injuring his right ear. The shooting left one person attending the rally dead and two others in serious condition. The 20-year-old suspected shooter was shot and killed by a member of the Secret Service. Prime Minister Modi expressed deep concern over the attack and said violence has no place in politics and democracies. Modi said on X, "Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him a speedy recovery." "Our thoughts and prayers are with the fa

Self-confident Asia charts its own course, diversifies ties beyond West

Desire to make an Asia for Asians, without the overbearing influence of the West, is not new

World leaders congratulate Modi ahead of third term as Prime Minister

Over 50 world leaders have congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he is set to take oath this week for a third straight term at the top office following the National Democratic Alliance's victory in the Lok Sabha polls. From India's neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood, presidents of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Iran, Seychelles and prime ministers of Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Mauritius have sent congratulatory greetings to Modi. In a post on X, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong described the victory of the NDA alliance as "historic" and said he was looking forward to working with his Indian counterpart to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations next year. "Congratulations @narendramodi on the historic victory by the NDA for the third consecutive term. Look forward to working with you to deepen the Singapore-India partnership and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year," Wong said on X. Among G20 ...

World leaders congratulate India on R-Day, laud progress in bilateral ties

Presidents, Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of several countries on Friday wished India on its 75th Republic Day and expressed their hope for progress in bilateral relations and close people-to-people ties. These leaders included those from the immediate neighbourhood in South Asia and some from far-flung nations such as Australia. Almost all of them posted their greetings on social media handles and some of them wrote letters or messages to Indian leaders. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended his warm wishes to the people of India on the same day as his country celebrates its national day and said, We have an opportunity to celebrate the depth of our friendship. Australia and India have never been closer. In a message to President Droupadi Murmu, the British King Charles III said he cherishes the close bond shared between the two countries. I am confident that our ties will continue to flourish in this very special seventy-fifth anniversary year of the ...

75th Republic Day: King Charles says he looks forward to working with India

King Charles III on Friday congratulated the people of India on its 75th Republic Day and said he looks forward to the UK and India working together to tackle the world's most pressing challenges. In a message to President Droupadi Murmu, the British monarch said he cherishes the close bond shared between the two countries and added: I am confident that our ties will continue to flourish in this very special seventy-fifth anniversary year of the Commonwealth a fitting reminder of the enduring values and aspirations that unite us. Incidentally, King Charles III is the same age as the Indian Republic. It was on January 26, 1950, that the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935, a legacy of the British Raj from the colonial times. Congratulating India on a successful G20 presidency last year, King Charles III said, I look forward to our countries continuing to work together to tackle the world's most pressing global challenges. He also said he

Sheikh Meshal: Everything you need to know about oil-rich Kuwait's new Emir

At the age of 83, Sheikh Meshal ascends to Emir of the state of Kuwait, one of the top ten largest oil-producing nations in the world

Joe Biden, Xi Jinping to meet at 30th APEC summit today: What to expect?

US President Joe Biden will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday in San Francisco on the sidelines of the 30th APEC summit

Biden looks to cement his world leadership at annual UN General Assembly

President Joe Biden will use his annual address before the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to make the case to world leaders and the 2024 US electorate that he's reestablished US leadership on the world stage that he says was diminished under former President Donald Trump. White House officials said Biden would make a robust case to members of the world body to continue to back Ukraine's effort to repel a nearly 19-month old Russian invasion that has no end in sight. Biden previewed his thinking in a pair of fundraisers on Monday evening, telling supporters that he stood up to Vladimir Putin's invasion, and questioning whether Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner, would have even attempted to help Ukraine stop the Russian land grab if he were in power. I will not side with dictators like Putin. Maybe Trump and his MAGA friends can bow down but I won't, Biden told supporters at a Broadway fundraiser. There will be notable absences as the president makes his case before the