Photo : French troops arrive at the Ivorian Ministry of Defence in Abidjan. Source: Issouf Sango/AFP
By Samrudhi Pathak
FRANCE
Military troops withdraw from African republic Ivory Coast
On 02 January, France24 reported on the withdrawal of French troops from Ivory Coast in Africa. The country’s President Alassane Ouattara said that the 600 French troops at the 43rd BIMA marine infantry battalion in Abidjan’s Port-Bouet suburb would hand over the base to Ivorian forces. He added: “We can be proud of our army, whose modernisation is now complete.” The French colonies such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger saw several military coups since 2021. Afterwards, the new leaders broke the defence agreements between France, leading to its withdrawal. French troops left Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in 2022 and 2023. It started withdrawing its troops from Chad in 2024. The leader of Senegal had also requested its withdrawal in November 2024. One of the main reasons cited behind this is, growing relations with Russia. However, the Ivory Coast and Senegal portrayed a more collaborative approach by promising cooperation with their strategic partners like France. Since France’s influence over Africa is reducing, it attempts to renew its defence strategies with them through “technical assistance and training-focused partnerships.” Some of the countries like Mali and Burkina Faso have also criticised France’s withdrawal as an attempt to “destabilise their countries.” However, France would continue to curb the spread of terrorism from the Sahel to West Africa’s coastal nations. (“Time to move on': France faces gradual decline of influence in Africa,” France24, 02 January 2025)
GREENLAND
Prime Minister Egede calls for independence from Denmark
On 03 January, Euronews reported on Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede’s speech, calling for independence from country. A previous Danish colony, Greenland became a self-governing territory under Denmark in 1979. From 2009, it has the right to hold an independence referendum. Egede said: “The history and current conditions have shown that our cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark has not succeeded in creating full equality. It is now time for our country to take the next step.” He added that the people should remove the obstacles of colonialism and move forward. His statements came after Donald Trump expressed his interest in buying the island from Denmark. Responding to this, Egede said that Denmark was not for sale and would never be. Egede added that the next parliamentary elections in April might include an independence referendum as works on this were progressing. (“Greenland's PM pushes for independence from Denmark amid Trump's interest,” Euronews¸ 03 January 2025)
ITALY
Milan bans public smoking
On 02 January, France24 reported on the latest ban on smoking imposed in the city of Milan, Italy. Those who break the law could face fines between EUR 40 and 240. This was in connection to Milan’s air quality ordinance which was passed in 2020 by the city council, demanding rigorous laws on smoking. Following this, smoking in parks, playgrounds, bus stops and sports facilities was banned in 2021. However, it is now extended to all public places including streets. Isolated areas where people could maintain at least 10 metres from others were exempted. This ban did not apply to e-cigarettes. The tobacco companies expect at least a 20 to 30 per cent drop in their businesses. The crowd had mixed reactions to the new ban which took into consideration the pollution in the city. (“Milan prohibits all outdoor smoking in Italy's toughest ban to date,” France24, 02 January 2025)
SWITZERLAND
Scientists lead a project to explore microbial diversity in glaciers
On 02 January, Swissinfo.ch reported on the microorganism diversity found in glacial streams in the world. A team led by scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) conducted research by collecting samples from around 170 glacial streams around the world. The project known as “Vanishing Glaciers” attempted to explore the characteristics and strategies imbibed by microorganisms to develop in the glacial ecosystems. The results showing “high microbial diversity” were published as studies in the journal “Nature and Nature Microbiology.” The scientists said that the uncovered diversities were under threat. (“Researchers find high microbial diversity in glacial streams,” Swissinfo.ch, 02 January 2025)
Records an increase in the number of bankruptcies and new startups
On 03 January, Swissinfo.ch reported on the increase in the number of bankrupt companies in Switzerland in 2024. According to the creditors' association Creditreform, 2024 saw more bankruptcies than 2023. It rose by 15 per cent to 11,506 in 2024. The cantons of Nidwalden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Zug, Geneva, Schwyz, Vaud and Graubünden saw a sharp increase. While trade and business services had 18 per cent of bankruptcies, hospitality industries accounted for 11 per cent. Creditreform expects an increase in this number in the coming year as well. Meanwhile, 2024 also had an increase in the number of new startups. According to the Institut für Jungunternehmen (IFJ), around 53000 new companies registered under the commercial register. (“Swiss company bankruptcies rise to record high in 2024,” Swissinfo.ch, 03 January 2025)
REGIONAL
Foreign Minister of Germany and France visit Syria
On 03 January, France24 reported on the visit of Foreign Ministers of France and Germany- Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena Baerbock to Syria, representing the EU. They visited Syria’s Sednaya prison in the north of Damascus. This was the place of extrajudicial killings, torture and forced disappearances for the previous ruler Bashar al-Assad’s opponents. After the visit, Barrot spoke about the hopes of establishing a "sovereign, stable and peaceful" Syria. However, he added that this was a “fragile hope.” On the other hand, Baerbock said that the visit was "a clear signal to open the way for a "new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria.” She also said that the actions of the new rulers would be monitored and judged. She noted the talks held with US-allied Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and expressed her hope for moderation and understanding in the country. She also asked the authorities to stop vengeful actions against groups within the same population. (“French, German FMs visit Syria, tour notorious Sednaya prison,” France24, 03 January 2025)