Alliances

• Chinese President Xi Jinping called for international cooperation and an end to power politics during this month's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. • Xi stated that most countries do not want conflict or confrontation and instead seek an equal place on the world stage through their own development. • Middle powers are seeking new alliances to maintain stability as they face a disruptive American presidency and shifts in the global order.

• Gulf nations are intensifying competition for influence in the Horn of Africa through strategic military agreements and significant port investments. • The geopolitical struggle centers on competing alliances and differing diplomatic positions regarding Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan. • According to analyst Aly Tarek Metwally, the region's location at the intersection of Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean makes it critical for international trade and maritime security.

Candidates look for deals with rivals to boost chances as major seats including Paris, Marseille and Lyon look closePolitical parties in France are hastily attempting to negotiate strategic alliances ahead of the final round of local elections this weekend, after a strong showing by the far right and the radical left.This Sunday’s final-round vote for mayors and local councillors in major cities including Marseille, Lyon and Paris will be close. Continue reading...