Greek firefighters on Thursday battled a fast-moving wildfire that burned holiday homes and forest land near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia, 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Athens.
Author: Olga Winter - EU Newsdesk
Blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a prominent Belarusian political prisoner, was released after five years, attributed to diplomatic efforts linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Ukraine.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticises EU members for not suspending a trade deal with Israel despite a recent review citing major human rights violations in Gaza.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an agreement to establish a special tribunal with the Council of Europe to prosecute Russian leaders for the war in Ukraine, emphasising the importance of holding them accountable.
Jose Adolfo Macias, known as “Fito,” has been recaptured after escaping prison in 2024, with authorities confirming his arrest in Manta, Ecuador.
Hugo Carvajal, former head of Venezuela’s military intelligence, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and narcoterrorism charges, facing a maximum life sentence.
A civil court in Nantes has ruled the French government partially liable for the 2016 death of jogger Jean-Rene Auffray, attributing 60% of the responsibility to state negligence related to agricultural pollution.
Kirsty Coventry made history on March 20, 2025, by being elected as the first woman and first African president of the International Olympic Committee, officially taking office on June 23, 2025.
Iran has implemented an internet shutdown and throttled speeds to control information flow, limiting access to news to state-controlled sources only.
Greenpeace and anti-tourism activists protested Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding, highlighting billionaire tax inequalities and environmental concerns with banners in St Mark’s Square.
A large-scale assault overnight targeted Kyiv and surrounding areas, with Russia deploying over 350 drones and 16 missiles.
Ramping up NATO members’ defence spending has gained momentum, supported by Germany and driven by the US administration’s objective to enhance military budgets across Europe.
The 21 Arab and Muslim-majority countries collectively condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Iran, expressing concern over escalating tensions in the region.
A fake wedding involving a 9-year-old Ukrainian girl at Disneyland Paris sparked a police investigation after staff suspected illegal child marriage.
Cliff Notes – US-led DRC-Rwanda peace deal not a guarantee Justice is crucial in the US-led DRC-Rwanda peace deal but it’s not a certainty with US involvement. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda will primarily sign the peace agreement, largely excluding rebel groups from negotiations. Analysts highlight potential challenges in implementation and the risk of renewed conflict if justice is not adequately addressed. Historical precedents indicate that past peace deals have faltered due…
A Kenyan police officer has been arrested following the shooting of an unarmed civilian during protests against police brutality linked to the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in custody.
Prime Minister Modi expressed optimism for renewed cooperation with new Canadian PM Mark Carney following a strained diplomatic period over the assassination of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Cliff Notes – Is Bangladesh ready for an election? Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, met Tarique Rahman of the BNP to discuss potential election dates amid ongoing political tensions and calls for reforms, with a tentative agreement for February polls if sufficient progress is made. The BNP demands elections by December 2025, while the interim government cites the need for constitutional and electoral reforms to ensure judicial independence and press freedoms before proceeding. A critical…
Russia and Ukraine conduct a fourth POW swap in a week, with both sides remaining silent on the number of prisoners involved.
Amnesty International reports that over 100 individuals were killed in Yelewata village, with many more still missing and dozens injured lacking medical care.
Germany’s BfV has classified the AfD as “confirmed right-wing extremist,” leading other parties to distance themselves and calls for a potential ban.
President Trump claims a deal with China is finalised, though specifics on tariff reductions remain unclear, highlighting ongoing negotiations.
South Korea’s military ceased loudspeaker broadcasts aimed at North Korea, fulfilling President Lee Jae-myung’s campaign promise to ease tensions between the two nations.
Protests against ICE in Los Angeles have escalated, prompting a curfew and the deployment of 700 active-duty Marines to protect federal personnel.
Cliff Notes – Electric car sales rebound in Europe, with a catch Europe’s electric vehicle market rebounded in early 2025, with over 2.2 million electrified vehicles registered, up 20% from the previous year, driven by strong BEV sales. The recovery is primarily attributed to a new EU mandate requiring automakers to reduce fleet-wide CO2 emissions by 15%, incentivising corporate EV sales to avoid fines. Car manufacturers have thus subsidised sales of EV cars and increased…