Author: Olga Winter - EU Newsdesk

Cliff Notes – Ursula von der Leyen is battling another war Ursula von der Leyen faces unprecedented political pressure, with two no-confidence votes scheduled within three months, indicating deepening fragmentation in the European Parliament. Critics from both the far-right and radical left accuse her leadership of lacking transparency and cooperation, asserting that her centralised approach is eroding trust among EU parties. As dissatisfaction grows among centrist parties regarding her policies, von der Leyen must navigate…

Cliff Notes – Takaichi set to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister Japanese stocks, particularly the Nikkei 225 Index, surged by 4.6%, marking a historic high above 46,000 points. The yen depreciated significantly, hitting 149.76 against the dollar and a record low against the euro, following Sanae Takaichi’s election to lead the ruling party. Takaichi, expected to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister, aims to continue expansionist fiscal policies amid efforts to tackle inflation and…

Cliff Notes – Drone sightings disrupt Munich airport Munich Airport suspended operations due to drone sightings on Thursday evening, leading to the cancellation of 17 flights. Nearly 3,000 passengers were affected, with 15 arriving flights diverted to other airports in Germany and Austria. This incident follows similar disruptions in Denmark and Norway last week, coinciding with the busy final weekend of Oktoberfest. Drone sightings disrupt Munich airport Munich Airport said early on Friday that drone…

Cliff Notes – At least 4 dead in shooting at Mormon church A gunman opened fire inside a Mormon church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, killing at least four people and injuring eight others, one critically. The attacker, a 40-year-old former US Marine, was shot dead by police within eight minutes of the incident, which included him ramming a vehicle through the church doors and setting the building ablaze. Investigators are seeking a motive for the…

Cliff Notes – Italian movie star Claudia Cardinale dies at age of 87 Claudia Cardinale, the iconic Italian actress, passed away at the age of 87 in Nemours, France, surrounded by family. Renowned for her captivating performances in classics like 8½, The Leopard, and Once Upon a Time in the West, she starred in over 100 films throughout her career. Celebrated as one of Italy’s greatest post-war icons, Cardinale received numerous accolades, including lifetime achievement…

Cliff Notes – Jair Bolsonaro hospitalised after feeling ‘unwell’ after losing his legal battle Jair Bolsonaro was hospitalised while under house arrest due to severe hiccups, vomiting, and low blood pressure, as reported by his son Flavio. The former president was recently convicted of attempting a coup and sentenced to 27 years in prison, with plans to appeal the verdict. Jair Bolsonaro hospitalised after feeling ‘unwell’ Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, who was recently convicted…

Cliff Notes – Trump deploys National Guard to Memphis, control is everything for Trump President Trump has signed an order to deploy the National Guard to Memphis, claiming it has the highest violent crime rate in the US. Is this is a fascist move from the United States He indicated plans to extend similar actions to other Democrat-run cities, including Chicago and St. Louis, as part of a broader law enforcement effort. Trump deploys National…

Cliff Notes – Germany crowned EuroBasket champions Germany triumphed over Turkey 88-83 to secure the EuroBasket 2025 title, marking their second European championship win in history. Captain Dennis Schröder scored the final six points and ended the match with 16 points and 12 assists, earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) honour. Isaac Bonga led Germany’s scoring with 20 points, while German officials and President Steinmeier praised the team’s dedication and performance. Germany crowned EuroBasket…

Cliff Notes – Netanyahu vows ‘there will be no Palestinian state’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “there will be no Palestinian state” during a visit to the Maale Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank, reinforcing his government’s commitment to expanding Israeli settlements. Netanyahu’s announcement coincided with the formal signing of a proposal to build approximately 3,400 new homes in the controversial E1 settlement project, which critics argue will further isolate Palestinian territories.…

Cliff Notes South Africa’s Constitutional Court has overturned a law prohibiting husbands from adopting their wives’ family names, ruling it discriminatory and a remnant of colonialism. The court suspended the existing legislation and has granted the government two years to revise the Births and Deaths Registration Act to reflect this decision. Reactions on social media are mixed, with some viewing the ruling as progressive while others, predominantly men, express concerns about cultural implications. South Africa’s…

Global patterns show that democracy around the world continued to weaken last year, according to a new report. Democracy is failing worldwide and one of worst times of from press freedom in history, supercharged by Israel’s and America’s actions. Democracy is failing worldwide The Global State of Democracy 2025, published by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), analysed democratic performance in 173 countries in 2024. In the report, 94 countries —…

Cliff Notes – Floods kill at least 23 people in northeastern Nigeria Flash floods in Adamawa state have resulted in at least 23 fatalities and left over 5,500 individuals displaced, according to the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA). As rescue efforts continue, a camp has been established at Aliyu Musdafa College in Yola to provide shelter and basic materials to those affected. Meteorologists advise residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate as further heavy rainfall is anticipated,…

Cliff Notes – Ivory Coast President Ouattara seeks fourth term President Alassane Ouattara confirmed his candidacy for a fourth term in the October 25 presidential election amid rising tensions over the exclusion of notable opposition candidates. Critics argue that his bid for another term is unconstitutional, as two of his main rivals have been barred from the race under controversial legal rulings. Ivory Coast President Ouattara seeks fourth term Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said…

Cliff Notes – US and EU reach trade deal to avoid tariffs The US and EU have agreed on a trade deal imposing a 15% tariff on goods, averting a potential 30% tariff threatened by Trump. The agreement includes a significant energy purchase from the US by the EU, aimed at enhancing energy security and diversifying supply sources. What does the US and EU trade deal mean? Are we now dependent on the US more…

Cliff Notes – Protest against Israeli cruise ship sparks debate in Greece Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis condemned protests against Israeli tourists in Syros, affirming that antisemitism has no place in Greece and highlighting the country’s hospitality. The protests, sparked by a ship carrying Israeli tourists, featured demonstrators opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza, which led to heated debates among locals regarding racism and support for Palestine or Israel. Current opinion polls indicate a significant shift…

Cliff Notes – Tunisians call for the fall of authoritarian regime Hundreds of protesters marched in Tunis, denouncing President Kais Saied’s authoritarian leadership, chanting slogans for regime change. The demonstration marked four years since Saied’s controversial power grab, with demands for the release of political prisoners amid claims of an oppressive atmosphere. Tunisians call for the fall of authoritarian regime Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the capital on Friday to denounce President Kais Saied’s increasingly…

Cliff Notes – Bus crash in Peru kills at least 15 and injuring at least 30 A bus travelling from Lima to La Merced crashed in Palca, resulting in 15 fatalities and around 30 injuries, with the vehicle overturning into a ravine. Authorities are in the process of identifying the deceased, while local media have reported the bus was carrying over 60 passengers at the time of the accident. Fatal bus crashes are common in…

UN to hold emergency meeting – Cambodia and Thailand conflict intensifies Ongoing clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have resulted in fatalities, with the Thai Interior Ministry reporting 14 deaths and over 100,000 residents displaced. The conflict, driven by a long-standing border dispute centred around the Emerald Triangle, escalated with both sides accusing each other of aggression and heavy artillery use. The international community has expressed concerns, with calls for restraint from the US, France, and…

Cliff Notes – Amid Gaza’s forced scarcities, Palestinians fight to survive. The ongoing Israeli bombardment and rampant scarcity have left many families in Gaza, like Raed al-Athamna’s, struggling to find basic food supplies. According to international aid organisations, hunger levels have escalated dramatically, with a third of Gaza’s population going without food for several days. Access to medical care is critically hampered, compounding the humanitarian crisis as malnutrition-related deaths soar among vulnerable populations, including children.…

Cliff Notes – Columbia to pay $221 million in deal with Trump Columbia University will pay $221 million to settle federal investigations, including $200 million over three years for anti-semitism inquiries and $21 million to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The agreement allows Columbia to maintain authority over academic decisions, while reinstating most federal grants that were halted earlier this year. The settlement follows disciplinary actions against students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, amid pressure…

Cliff Notes – New law curtails anti-corruption bodies’ powers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law limiting the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), provoking widespread protests across several cities. The law allows the Prosecutor General to access NABU cases and issue instructions, undermining the independence of these anti-corruption bodies and raising concerns about political influence. Criticism has emerged from various political factions, including EU officials, highlighting…

Cliff Notes – President Trump accuses Obama of ‘treason,’ without providing evidence President Trump has accused former President Obama of “treason” regarding the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, citing unverified claims. Obama’s office responded, labelling the accusations as “bizarre” and a feeble distraction, while emphasising their commitment to not dignify misinformation. A 2017 intelligence assessment confirmed Russian interference in the election but found no evidence that it altered the outcome, contradicting Trump’s…

Cliff Notes – Trump announces Japan trade deal with 15% tariff on imports US President Donald Trump announced a new trade deal with Japan, reducing a previously threatened 25% tariff on imports to 15%. Trump claimed Japan would invest $550 billion in the US and open its markets to American autos and rice, anticipating job creation. Trump announces Japan trade deal with 15% tariff on imports US President Donald Trump said he had reached a…

Cliff Notes – Tributes Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath frontman, dead at 76 Ozzy Osbourne, renowned frontman of Black Sabbath, passed away at the age of 76, with his family confirming he was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death. Tributes poured in from music icons, including Elton John and Gene Simmons, who expressed their admiration and grief over the loss of the “Godfather of Heavy Metal.” Osbourne, who revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis…

Cliff Notes – White House cuts WSJ from Scotland trip over Epstein story The White House excluded The Wall Street Journal from the press pool accompanying President Trump to Scotland due to allegations of “fake and defamatory conduct” linked to a report about a birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s lawsuit against the WSJ seeks $10 billion in damages, claiming the publication has caused significant financial and reputational harm through its allegations. This incident marks…