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| What The World is followingEU lays out a plan to fund Ukraine using frozen Russian assets Harry Nakos/AP The European Union on Wednesday revealed details of its plan to use billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's needs over the next two years, but Belgium rejected the scheme and insisted that it poses major financial and legal risks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU would cover two-thirds of Ukraine’s financial and military needs for 2026 and 2027, which the International Monetary Fund puts at 137 billion euros ($160 billion), by providing 90 billion euros ($105 billion). Von der Leyen said that using the frozen assets would strengthen Ukraine's position in peace negotiations with Russia and the US, but it would also send a message to Moscow. If the loan plan doesn’t pass muster, the bloc could borrow the money on international markets in a scheme underpinned by its long-term budget. The problem, however, is that it would require the approval of all 27 member countries, and Hungary has consistently blocked aid to Ukraine. The largest pool of ready funds is frozen Russian assets. Most of the money is held in Belgium — around 194 billion euros — and outside the EU in Japan, with around $50 billion, and the US, UK and Canada with lesser amounts. A total of 210 billion euros ($245 billion) is held in Europe. Chile
Chile has passed a bill outlawing the use of mobile phones and other smart devices during classes at elementary and middle schools. The new law will take effect next year, making Chile the latest country to restrict smartphone use among young students to reduce its harmful effects and curb classroom distractions. Other nations with various levels of restrictions on smartphone use at schools include France, Brazil, Hungary, the Netherlands and China. The Senate already approved the school cellphone ban in principle earlier this year, but made several changes that were put to a vote late Tuesday in Chile's lower house of Congress. After a debate, lawmakers overwhelmingly endorsed the updated legislation banning smartphone use during class hours — except during emergencies and for educational and other purposes specified under the law. The bill must be signed by President Gabriel Boric before taking effect nationwide at the start of the 2026 school year. In response to rising concerns about young people and their mental health, parents and teachers in Chile have lobbied for such a law for years, arguing that the use of smartphones impairs students’ learning and emotional development. India
India’s telecoms ministry on Wednesday rolled back its order for smartphone manufacturers to preinstall a government-run cybersecurity app on new devices. The Ministry of Communications on Monday asked smartphone makers to install the government’s “Sanchar Saathi” app within 90 days and to prevent users from disabling it. It also required manufacturers to push the app onto older models through a software update. Monday’s directive led to widespread criticism and concerns of violation of data privacy and user consent in one of the largest handset markets in the world. That order also clashed with policies of companies like US-based Apple, which prohibits preinstalling third-party apps on its devices, including those developed by governments. The ministry said in a statement Wednesday that 600,000 new users had registered to download the app in the last day. While noting its increased acceptance, it said the government “has decided not to make the preinstallation mandatory for mobile manufacturers.” On Tuesday, India’s telecom minister, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, had called the app voluntary after privacy advocates said it could erode user privacy and consent. |
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| From The WorldJeremy Siegel/The World Forty years ago, Shenzhen, China, was little more than a cluster of villages, home to a few hundred thousand people. Today, it holds roughly 20 million residents and ranks among the world’s fastest-growing megacities. Yet, unlike other urban centers that have ballooned at similar speeds — Mumbai or Lagos, for example — Shenzhen has largely sidestepped the air pollution, overcrowding and failing infrastructure that often accompany rapid expansion. In the second of a five-part series, The World’s Jeremy Siegel explores how the city has avoided the problems typically associated with megacities. |
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| Tune in 🎶Spotify Wrapped is here! And Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny has been named its most-played artist for a fourth time, dethroning Taylor Swift. On Wednesday, the streaming giant unveiled its annual overview of individual and global listening trends. Users can now access their top artists, songs, genres, albums and podcasts, as well as uncover which artists had the biggest year on the platform. Bad Bunny was 2025’s most-streamed artist globally, having earned more than 19.8 billion streams. He is followed by Swift, The Weeknd, Drake and Billie Eilish, in that order. Chris Pizzello/AP/File | |
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Welcome to my geopolitics blog site. This is a Hawaii Island news site focusing on geopolitical news, analysis, information, and commentary. I will cite a variety of sources, ranging from all sides of the political spectrum.