Macron Calls from Davos to Limit Negative Effects of Globalization

French President Emmanuel Macron. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron. (AFP)
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Macron Calls from Davos to Limit Negative Effects of Globalization

French President Emmanuel Macron. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron. (AFP)

French President Emmanuel Macron urged on Wednesday for increased efforts to limit the negative effects of globalizations.

Speaking from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, he urged for a “global compact” that would stand against globalization, warning against a race to the bottom on taxes and regulation.

Speaking a day before Donald Trump arrives at the annual gathering in the Swiss Alps, Macron did not mention the president by name, but joked about the heavy snowfall, saying it might lead some people to question climate change.

“Fortunately you didn’t invite anybody skeptical of global warming this year,” Macron said to WEF founder Klaus Schwab, on the stage with him.

Macron also revealed that France will set up a 10 billion euro ($12.4 billion) fund to finance innovation and research.

He said that he wants to make innovation the "centerpiece" of his economic policy.

In addition, he stressed that the European Union needs to reform itself this year to be able to compete with big powers like China and the United States.

Macron said that "more ambitious" EU countries must be able to move toward more European integration, even if other European countries don't want to join in.

He said: "The less ambitious should not block the more ambitious in the room."



Two Dead, Homes Burn in Massive Wildfire in Cyprus 

Smoke fills the air as firefighters battle a forest fire in the Cypriot village of Souni, in the Limassol province, on July 24, 2025. (AFP)
Smoke fills the air as firefighters battle a forest fire in the Cypriot village of Souni, in the Limassol province, on July 24, 2025. (AFP)
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Two Dead, Homes Burn in Massive Wildfire in Cyprus 

Smoke fills the air as firefighters battle a forest fire in the Cypriot village of Souni, in the Limassol province, on July 24, 2025. (AFP)
Smoke fills the air as firefighters battle a forest fire in the Cypriot village of Souni, in the Limassol province, on July 24, 2025. (AFP)

Two people were killed and hundreds evacuated as a massive wildfire tore through southern Cyprus, destroying homes and threatening communities amid an intense heatwave.

At least 100 square kilometers (39 square miles) was razed to the ground in a region north of the city of Limassol after the blaze broke out around midday on Wednesday, with several fronts still active on Thursday morning.

Two people were found dead in a burned-out vehicle, trapped by the fire. At least 10 people were injured, two of them seriously, police said.

As dawn broke, a red hue hung over Limassol, a sprawling coastal city where development in recent years has spilled over to its surrounding mountains. Firefighting aircraft were redeployed at first light after darkness forced a pause.

Authorities said it was too early to give a precise account of damage, or what started the fire.

"We are talking about very strong winds, with gusts, which were constantly interchanging," fire brigade spokesperson Andreas Kettis said.

Temperatures on the island peaked at 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, triggering an amber weather alert. A new amber warning was in place on Thursday, with highs forecast to hit 44 degrees Celsius - the hottest of the year so far.

Cyprus has requested help through the European Union's civil protection mechanism, with Spain expected to send two aircraft on Thursday, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said. Jordan has also pledged assistance.

Cyprus has struggled with a protracted drought, pushing scarce water resources to critically low levels. The affected area sits just north of Cyprus's Kouris reservoir, the island's largest. It was at just 15.5% of its capacity on Wednesday.