Latest News
- US issues shoot-to-kill order against Iranian boats in Strait of Hormuz
- Police detain alleged Pahlavi perpetrator
- Day Three of Tube Strike Sees 4,000 Cyclists on Embankment in Just Hours
- Italian police arrest 35 members of Sicilian Cosa Nostra in major crackdown
- Airlines cancel thousands of flights as EU faces jet fuel shortages
- EU approves €90bn loan for Ukraine as pipeline dispute resolves.
- Iran seizes two foreign vessels in strategic Strait of Hormuz incident
- Mum fraudulently claimed £75,000 in benefits by alleging partner was homeless | News UK
EU
Scandinavian Airlines has cancelled around 1,000 flights, while Lufthansa has eliminated 20,000 routes amid soaring jet fuel prices, attributed to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The European Commission contends these cancellations stem from airline profitability issues, not fuel shortages.
EU DEVELOPMENTS
This morning, Europe addresses economic strategies amid rising geopolitical tensions
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has unveiled a new military strategy for the Bundeswehr aimed at enhancing operational readiness in response to evolving threats, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Key elements include a focus on capabilities over numbers and increased emphasis on “deep strike” capabilities, such as long-range precision weapons.
The European Commission has proposed a new round of sanctions against Russia, aiming to weaken its war economy, according to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The plan includes a full ban on maritime services linked to Russian crude oil, aiming to increase pressure on Moscow ahead of the war’s fourth anniversary.
The US Department of Justice’s release of 3 million pages of files on Jeffrey Epstein has prompted misinformation, including fake images linking New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to Epstein. Mamdani condemned the fabrications as damaging in light of their viral spread.
Ahead of critical nuclear talks in Oman, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned the US against underestimating Iran’s negotiating tactics, highlighting the significance of these discussions in shaping future relations and security dynamics in the region.
Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, warned that proposed reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights regarding migration could threaten broader human rights protections. His comments follow an open letter from nine EU countries advocating for changes by May 2025.
Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski stated that the outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine will significantly affect global perceptions of Western resolve. He emphasised the need for a peace agreement reflecting Ukrainian priorities and warned against initiatives perceived as rewarding Russian aggression.
European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño urged European Council President António Costa to prioritise the Savings and Investments Union, stressing the need for new frameworks to redirect savings into innovative businesses, aiming to enhance Europe’s competitiveness ahead of the informal European Council on 12 February.
© 2026 WTX News.