Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf elected as head of the African Union took centerstage on Saturday, 15 February 2025 among all major events across the globe, and remains the highlight of this week's list of center stage events.
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Centerstage events of week 2
France secures €109 billion in private investment ...
France secures €109 billion in private investment for artificial intelligence, with President Emmanuel Macron declaring the country “back in the AI race” at a summit in Paris. Macron urges businesses to choose Europe, emphasizing France’s clean energy advantage over fossil fuel dependence. Leaders from around 100 countries, including US Vice President JD Vance and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, join tech giants like Google and Microsoft to discuss AI’s future in health, education, environment, and culture.
Monday, 10 February, 2025
Google removes cultural events like...
Google removes cultural events like Black History Month, Pride Month, and Women’s History Month from its Calendar, citing sustainability issues. The company states maintaining global cultural dates manually is no longer scalable. Google now displays only public holidays and national observances from timeanddate.com, while users can add other events themselves. The move, first reported by The Verge, aligns with broader shifts in Google’s approach following the start of Donald Trump’s second presidency, prompting concerns about diversity efforts.
Tuesday, 11 February, 2025
In two major events spanning two countries...
In two major events spanning two countries, Jotham Napat becomes the new prime minister of Vanuatu after securing 50 votes unopposed in Port Vila. He leads a coalition government formed by five political parties, with his Leaders Party holding the most seats after January’s snap election. Konstantinos Tasoulas is elected Greece’s new president, winning 160 votes in Parliament. Representing the ruling New Democracy party, Tasoulas secures victory in the final voting round, surpassing the 151-vote majority.
Wednesday, 12 February, 2025
Porsche announces plans to cut 1,900 jobs ...
Porsche announces plans to cut 1,900 jobs at its Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen and Weissach plants in Germany by 2029, adding to 2,000 temporary contract cuts revealed last year. The luxury carmaker cites economic challenges, slowing electric vehicle production, and geopolitical uncertainties. Germany’s rising unemployment, nearing three million in January, adds pressure. Porsche offers part-time retirement for employees born in 1970 or earlier and voluntary redundancies. The company guarantees employment security until 2030, ruling out compulsory layoffs while adjusting its workforce gradually.
Thursday, 13 February, 2025
President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk ...
President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk accelerate their campaign to shrink the U.S. bureaucracy, firing over 9,500 federal employees across departments like Interior, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services. The cuts target mainly probationary staff with fewer protections. Additionally, around 75,000 workers accept buyouts, reducing the federal workforce by 3%. Trump defends the move, citing government bloat, waste, and rising debt, though internal frustrations over coordination emerge within the White House.
Friday, 14 February, 2025
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud ...
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf is elected as the new head of the African Union Commission after securing two-thirds support from regional leaders in Addis Ababa. Youssouf, serving as foreign minister since 2005, pledges to focus on peace and security as Africa grapples with conflicts and aid reductions. Considered an underdog against Kenyan politician Raila Odinga, Youssouf’s quiet campaign wins praise. Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh hails the election as a proud moment for both Djibouti and Africa.
Saturday, 15 February, 2025
Russian drone strikes damage a thermal power...
Russian drone strikes damage a thermal power plant in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine, cutting heating for over 100,000 residents as temperatures drop below freezing. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemns the attack as targeting civilians, while Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal calls it an attempt to create a humanitarian crisis. Ukraine downs 95 of 143 drones, though houses near Kyiv sustain damage, and one person is injured. Zelenskiy urges more air defense support from the West, as Russia holds 20% of Ukrainian territory and advances in the east. U.S. President Donald Trump unsettles allies by initiating peace talks with Vladimir Putin without consulting Europe or Kyiv.
Sunday, 16 February, 2025
