Author: Olga Winter - EU Newsdesk

Olga Winter is a specialist editor writing about current affairs on the EU news desk for WTX News. Based in Brussels she ideally suited to the address the domestic and global affairs of the European continent, with assignments that include expose and In Review features for specialist reports..

Cliff Notes – Islamic State kills dozens in mosque attack Islamic State kills dozens in Mosque attack in Niger Suspected ISGS militants massacred 44 worshippers using American weapons, during Friday prayers in southwestern Niger, also attacking a market and setting houses on fire. The rising incidence of terrorist attacks since a 2023 coup has intensified following Niger’s severance of military ties with former counter-terrorism partners. The region’s security continues to deteriorate, exacerbated by military coups…

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Cliff Notes – Heathrow Airport closes due to nearby fire Heathrow Airport is closed for the entirety of Friday due to a significant fire at a nearby electrical substation, which disrupted global flight schedules. Around 120 aircraft were in the air at the time of the closure, with many diverting to alternate airports or returning to their points of origin. The London Fire Brigade is actively combating the blaze that caused local power outages and…

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Cliff Notes – Is Cambodia serious about ending organized cyber scams? The National Bank of Cambodia revoked the banking license of Huione Pay due to noncompliance with regulations, amidst allegations that its parent company facilitated the largest online illicit marketplace globally. The cyber scam industry in Cambodia, reportedly worth €11 billion annually, is under scrutiny as the government faces pressure from both China and Western nations to take decisive action against fraudulent operations. Despite the…

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Cliff Notes – Afghan women activists in Pakistan fear deportations Zahra Mousavi, who fled the Taliban in Afghanistan, now lives in hiding in Pakistan amid fears of arrest and deportation due to strict visa policies. Other Afghan female activists report similar fears, with Pakistan’s deportation drive posing a significant threat to their safety and human rights activism. Afghan women activists in Pakistan fear deportations Zahra Mousavi, a women’s rights activist, fled from Afghanistan to neighboring…

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Cliff Notes – Trump admin vows unrelenting strikes on Houthis in Yemen The US Defence Secretary announced a continued military campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels until they cease attacks on international shipping. President Trump threatened “overwhelming lethal force” against the Houthis, insisting that attacks must stop immediately or face severe consequences. The Houthis have escalated their retaliation by launching missiles and drones at US naval vessels, warning of continued aggression as long as US strikes…

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Cliff Notes – Trump stalled by judge after using 1798 deportation law A US federal judge paused deportations of Venezuelans following President Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, stating that the ACLU presented reasonable success arguments. Trump’s deportation order allowed for expedited removal of Venezuelans linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, bypassing conventional immigration processes. Critics deemed Trump’s use of the 18th-century law an unprecedented abuse of power, leading to legal challenges against…

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Cliff Notes – US launches deadly strikes on Yemen President Trump authorised strikes on Yemen targeting the Iran-backed Houthi group in response to their attacks on cargo ships, with at least 19 fatalities reported. Explosions in residential areas of Sanaa have resulted in civilian casualties, with the Houthis labelling the attacks as a “war crime” and vowing to persist in their maritime assaults. This operation marks an escalation following the Houthis’ resumption of hostilities, which…

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Cliff Notes – Greenland parties unite to reject Trump’s annexation plans All five parties in Greenland’s parliament issued a joint statement rejecting US President Donald Trump’s remarks on the potential annexation of the island. Emphasising their commitment to self-determination and friendship within NATO. Greenland’s outgoing prime minister, Mute Egede, asserted that “Greenland will never be the USA,” reinforcing the sentiment of national identity among the predominantly indigenous Inuit population. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen…

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Cliff Notes – Economy finds reverse gear in January The Economy finds reverse gear in January it contracted by 0.1% in January 2025, contrary to expectations of a modest growth of 0.1%, primarily due to a decline in manufacturing output. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing significant challenges, including impending tax hikes and a £40bn bill from increased employer national insurance contributions, which threaten job security and economic stability. The Office for Budget Responsibility is expected to…

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Good Morning, Germany! Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron are leading much of the global conversations this morning as the American president is considering a u-turn on pausing US military aid to Ukraine, and the French President’s televised speech last night regarding the crisis in Ukraine is being discussed by global publications. A little closer to home, Germany reports on upcoming healthcare strikes, the public backing for huge investment into infrastructure and defense, ongoing coalition discussions…

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Good Morning, Poland! Throw open those curtains as a wave of spring-like weather is sweeping the country. It’ll start getting chilly this evening, however, so make the most of the warm and sunny day. In global news, politics continues to dominate the conversation as European leaders are set to meet in Paris. The French President delivered a speech yesterday calling for Europe to unite, and Donald Trump is considering a u-turn on the pausing of…

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Buenos días, España! – or Good Morning, Spain – for the English readers. Spanish politics is front and centre of the local news today, a day after former PM Mariano Rajoy faced rigorous questioning over his government’s alleged corruption during his time in office.


In global news, the French president’s televised speech last night, Donald Trump’s potential U-turn on suspending arms to Ukraine and the pope’s health dominate the headlines. For Spanish news, several publications look at how Spain will be affected by the increase in defence spending. “Spain is the country that will pay the most for the shift in defence, with 8.8% of state revenues.”

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A huge blast at Toyota city kills one as the roof was blown off. The explosion at Chuo Spring Co’s plant in Japan’s central city of Toyota, has killed one person and left two injured, officials said on Thursday. The plant where the blast took place produces auto parts and supplies to Toyota Motor. What do we know about the blast? A fire department official said the blast stemmed from a dust collector inside the Fujioka…

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Good Morning, Poland! Politics is dominating the global conversations today, with US tariffs, Europe’s scramble to replace the US in supporting Ukraine and Trump’s address to Congress leading much of the news. But there’s some heartwarming news coming from Poland after American actor and director Jesse Einsenburg was granted Polish citizenship. It comes off the back of his recent film, which explores the journey of two Jewish American cousins reconnecting with their heritage in Poland.…

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