European stock markets closed lower on Friday as heightened tensions in the Middle East rattled investors, overshadowing optimism from improving US-China trade relations.
The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index dropped 0.89% to finish at 544.94 points. Germany’s DAX 40 fell 1.07% to 23,516.23, France’s CAC 40 declined 1.04% to 7,684.68, and Italy’s FTSE MIB 30 tumbled 1.28% to 39,438.75. In the UK, the FTSE 100 slipped 0.39%, ending the session at 8,850.63.
Investor sentiment deteriorated sharply after Israel launched a large-scale military strike on Iran, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. The attack, which killed dozens including top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists, prompted Iran to request an emergency UN Security Council meeting and pledge severe retaliation.
The euro also lost ground amid the uncertainty, declining 0.181% against the US dollar to trade around 1.156 as of 7.20 p.m. local time (1620GMT).
While markets had been buoyed earlier in the week by signs of progress in US-China trade talks, the sudden spike in geopolitical tensions shifted investor focus toward safe-haven assets and away from equities.
“Geopolitical shocks like this tend to spike volatility and reduce risk appetite,” said one analyst. “Even positive news like easing trade friction takes a backseat when investors are concerned about military escalation and energy market disruption.”
Market participants will be closely monitoring developments over the weekend for further clues on how the conflict may evolve and its potential impact on global markets.
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Ford Motor Company said on Monday it will take a $19.5 billion writedown and scrap several electric vehicle (EV) models, marking a major retreat from its battery-powered ambitions amid declining EV demand and changes under the Trump administration.
Schools across Cambodia and Thailand were forced to close on Monday as border clashes between the two countries escalated, with the death toll reaching at least 40 and hundreds of thousands of people displaced, according to officials and local media.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” after talks in Berlin, stressing that decisions on Ukraine’s future and territorial issues must be taken by Kyiv itself.
Russia’s human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, has said that Ukraine has not provided Moscow with a list of thousands of children it alleges were taken illegally to Russia, despite the issue being discussed during talks in Istanbul.
An explosive device found in a vehicle linked to one of the alleged attackers in Bondi shooting has been secured and removed according to Police. The incident left 12 people dead.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has offered condolences to President Donald Trump following an ISIS attack near the ancient city of Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, Syrian and U.S. officials said Sunday.
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At least 14 people have died and 32 others were injured after flash floods swept through Morocco’s Atlantic coastal city of Safi on Sunday, authorities said.
Ford Motor Company said on Monday it will take a $19.5 billion writedown and scrap several electric vehicle (EV) models, marking a major retreat from its battery-powered ambitions amid declining EV demand and changes under the Trump administration.
Schools across Cambodia and Thailand were forced to close on Monday as border clashes between the two countries escalated, with the death toll reaching at least 40 and hundreds of thousands of people displaced, according to officials and local media.
Police in Providence are going door to door for home surveillance footage as the hunt continues for the shooter who killed two Brown University students and injured seven others. Authorities have released fresh video and say a detained "person of interest" is now free.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in high-level talks in Berlin from December 14 to 15, 2025, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.S. envoys, and European leaders, focusing on security guarantees and the framework for a potential peace deal with Russia.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” after talks in Berlin, stressing that decisions on Ukraine’s future and territorial issues must be taken by Kyiv itself.
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