Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez has defied Trump’s threats, stating ‘no to war’ amid U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

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Today, approximately 800 US-made missiles have been deployed in the Middle East over the last three days. The utilisation rate surpasses that of Ukrainian forces during the preceding four winter months.

What’s going on?

Texas Representative Tony Gonzales has announced he will not seek re-election. This decision follows an ethics probe and personal admissions that have raised concerns among his constituents. The announcement comes amid a Democratic push to capitalize on this political shift.

The outlet with the LOWEST intensity score is BBC, which framed the situation with the headline, “Tony Gonzales: Texas lawmaker drops re-election bid after admitting affair with aide.” In contrast, The Daily Beast’s headline, “Why Cheating MAGA Rep’s Ouster Is a Problem for Trump,” leans into the implications for broader political dynamics. This juxtaposition shifts the focus from individual actions to potential consequences for the Republican party overall.

Coverage analysed: Politico | The New York Times | BBC | The Daily Beast

European leaders are responding firmly to Donald Trump’s demands, marking a shift in relations, as outlined in Why Europe is finally standing up to Donald Trump | US News.

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The European Commission has unveiled its intergenerational fairness strategy this morning. This initiative aims to ensure today’s policies enhance future opportunities for young Europeans and addresses long-term consequences of decision-making.

The US military killed an Iranian official linked to an assassination plot against Donald Trump, who “got the last laugh.”

Asif Merchant was convicted of plotting to kill Trump, amid allegations of Iran-backed conspiracies on US soil.

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This morning, European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib affirmed the European Commission’s commitment to address tensions in the Middle East and enhance repatriation efforts for stranded Europeans. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated for this purpose.

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Energy ministers from six EU nations express concern this morning over potential changes to market rules. They claim such changes could undermine investments in clean power and threaten the future of the bloc’s carbon market.

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This morning, the escalation involving Iran, Israel, and the US has led to the viral spread of misleading war footage online across Europe.
Many videos attributed to these events are inaccurately labelled or generated by artificial intelligence.