Latest News
- US President Threatens Strikes on Iran Over Repression of Protestors
- Man Utd held talks to sign ex-Leicester City star on loan in January transfer window
- French Authorities Warn of Russian Disinformation Targeting President Macron
- Mikel Arteta responds to Liam Rosenior complaint after Arsenal beat Chelsea
- More Infant Remains Discovered at Mother and Baby Home: Latest News in the UK
- European Commission Proposes New Sanctions Against Russia on Friday
- Additional baby formula batches recalled due to potential harmful toxins
- Dad-of-two tragically dies after hotel balcony fall in Costa del Sol, Spain
LIVE German 2025 Election Results as they come in and analysi on who will be the next German Chancellor.
Knowledge Hub
Global Reaction to DE Elections
US President Threatens Strikes on Iran Over Repression of Protestors
10:00 pm
TL:DR – US President Threatens Strikes on Iran Over Repression of Protestors
• The US president has threatened strikes on Iran due to the country’s violent repression of protestors.
• Former Israeli Prime Minister Olmert stated that regime change in Iran can only be achieved by the people.
• The threats were made in light of recent protests in Iran.
'Regime change in Iran should come from within,' former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says
The US President is threatening military strikes on Iran in response to the violent repression of protestors in recent weeks, according to reports on Tuesday. This escalation signals a significant shift in the US stance towards Iran amid ongoing unrest within the country.
The potential for military action underscores the Biden administration’s increased focus on human rights and the dire situation facing Iranian citizens. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has stated that if the objective is regime change, it will ultimately have to be achieved by the people of Iran themselves.
“
Man Utd held talks to sign ex-Leicester City star on loan in January transfer window
7:00 pm
Man Utd held talks to sign ex-Leicester City star on loan in January transfer window | Football
Two-minute read
Manchester United considered signing Wilfred Ndidi from Besiktas during the January transfer window. The 29-year-old midfielder, who previously spent nine seasons at Leicester City, was approached as a low-cost option, but United ultimately decided against the move. Following discussions with club officials, they opted to wait until the summer for further midfield reinforcements.
Source: Original report
Manchester United considered signing former Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi during the January transfer window, according to reports. The 29-year-old, who was part of the Leicester team that won the FA Cup in 2021, joined Besiktas last summer in an £8 million deal. United have been looking to bolster their midfield options but ultimately decided against adding a new player at this time.
The club’s interest in Ndidi was confirmed by talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, who stated that United explored the possibility of a short-term loan deal for the Nigerian international. He explained that: “Manchester United held talks with Michael Carrick, who had reintegrated Kobbie Mainoo, and they decided they didn’t want to sign another midfielder now and will wait until the summer.”
Jacobs added that discussions with Besiktas and Ajax regarding Ndidi’s terms took place, although no bid was ultimately made. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicated that Ndidi was keen on a move, noting that: “The player was very keen on the move, but United decided immediately not to proceed.”
Wilfred Ndidi will continue to play for Besiktas as Manchester United awaits the summer transfer window for potential reinforcements.
French Authorities Warn of Russian Disinformation Targeting President Macron
6:00 pm
TL:DR – French Authorities Warn of Russian Disinformation Targeting President Macron
• French authorities warned of a Russian disinformation campaign implicating President Emmanuel Macron in the Epstein files, reported by Viginum on 30 January.
• A false article claimed Macron attended parties at Epstein’s Paris residence, mimicking the media outlet France Soir.
• The claims were amplified on social media, with allegations that Macron organised parties with young men post-inauguration in May 2017.
• No evidence links Macron directly to Epstein’s wrongdoings, according to the latest tranche of files from the US DOJ.
• Jack Lang, tied to Epstein, has been summoned by the French foreign ministry for questioning.
Russian actors behind smear campaign to frame Macron in the Epstein files
French authorities have issued a warning regarding a Russian disinformation operation aiming to implicate French President Emmanuel Macron in the recently released Epstein files by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) on 30 January. The operation is marked by a false article that claimed Macron attended parties at Jeffrey Epstein’s Paris residence and suggests inappropriate interactions.
The false narrative began circulating on a website mimicking the fringe media outlet France Soir, according to France’s agency for tackling foreign information manipulation, Viginum. This development underscores concerns over the use of misinformation to manipulate political reputations, particularly in the context of upcoming national and European elections.
Russian Disinformation Campaign Identified
Viginum has stated that the campaign bears similarities to the Russian operation known as Storm-1516, notorious for spreading fabricated stories and deepfakes to advance Kremlin interests, as reported by French media. The misleading article, which was signed with the byline of a journalist from the French newspaper Le Parisien, has been characterised as a tactic commonly employed in Russian propaganda.
The article’s claims were disseminated widely on social media, particularly through a doctored video that purported to show Macron hosting a party shortly after his inauguration in May 2017. The French authorities responded by clarifying that the documents featured in the video were created using artificial intelligence, adding a critical perspective on the nature of the misinformation.
Claims Centre on Fabricated Correspondence
The narratives in the article and accompanying video are based on altered email exchanges purportedly between Epstein and model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, dated 20 May 2017. However, there is no verifiable evidence of these exchanges in the DOJ’s official records.
Additionally, many mentions of Macron in the Epstein files relate to discussions of French politics or other personal connections rather than direct communications between him and Epstein. The Centre for Countering Disinformation in Ukraine reported that the false narratives were amplified by the “Matryoshka” bot network, one of the Kremlin’s major propaganda efforts designed to spread misinformation rapidly across social media platforms.
Macron’s Name Mentioned in Epstein Files
While Macron is named in the latest batch of Epstein files, there is no evidence suggesting any wrongdoing on his part. Reports show that Epstein demonstrated interest in connecting with Macron, with some documents dated from 2018 indicating attempts by Epstein to establish contact through various intermediaries.
Other mentions of Macron highlight interactions with figures in French and international politics, but again, there is no indication that Epstein attended any of these meetings. The situation persists as authorities continue to scrutinise the links between individuals in the Epstein files and the broader implications for France as allegations of misinformation circulate.
“
Mikel Arteta responds to Liam Rosenior complaint after Arsenal beat Chelsea
4:00 pm
Mikel Arteta responds to Liam Rosenior complaint after Arsenal beat Chelsea | Football
Two-minute read
Mikel Arteta confirmed that his coaching staff apologised to Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior following complaints of disrespect before their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. Rosenior expressed his frustration over an Arsenal staff member encroaching on Chelsea’s half during the warm-up, leading to a heated exchange before the match.
Source: Original report
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal ‘respect everybody’ after Liam Rosenior’s complaints
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, confirmed that his coaching staff apologised to Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior following accusations of ‘disrespect’ ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Rosenior was displeased with Arsenal’s backroom staff for encroaching into Chelsea’s territory during a warm-up drill involving goalkeepers, resulting in a heated exchange captured by Sky Sports cameras.
In a press conference on Friday, Arteta responded to Rosenior’s concerns, stating, “I don’t know, it’s his opinion, and obviously we respect everybody.” He added that at no point did any staff member venture into the opposing half without acknowledgement, confirming, “we apologised and that’s it.”
Rosenior’s frustration stemmed from Arsenal’s actions during the warm-up. He clarified, “It wasn’t the players… I didn’t think it was right where they were operating,” emphasising that such encroachment affected his team’s warm-up routine. He acknowledged that he has immense respect for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal Football Club but felt the moment lacked the respect he expected.
No further incidents were reported following the apology, and both clubs will likely focus on their upcoming fixtures.
More Infant Remains Discovered at Mother and Baby Home: Latest News in the UK
3:33 pm
TL:DR – More Infant Remains Discovered at Mother and Baby Home: Latest News in the UK
- Recent excavations at the former mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway, have uncovered 22 additional infant remains, bringing the total to 33 since July.
- The site is investigating the burial of infants from 1925 to 1961, based on earlier research indicating 796 children were interred there.
- ODAIT plans to build a replica of the sewage system to refine excavation methods.
- They are also processing family DNA samples to assist in identification efforts surrounding these infant remains.
More infants remains are found at the site of a mother and baby home | News World
Photo from the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention Tuam (ODAIT) shows a well shaft which has been dug (Credits: ODAIT/PA Wire)
### Remains Found at Former Mother and Baby Home in County Galway
Several more remains of infants have been found at the site of a former mother and baby home in County Galway. A further 22 sets have been found at the site in Tuam, meaning the total number of remains uncovered by the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention Tuam (ODAIT) since it began work at the site in July is now 33. The excavation of the site of St Mary’s mother and baby home in Tuam is attempting to identify the remains of infants who died at the home between 1925 and 1961.
### Historical Context of the Findings
In 2014, research led by local historian Catherine Corless indicated that 796 babies and young children were buried in a sewage system at the Co Galway institution across that time period. All remains are of infants that were buried in coffins during the period of operation of the mother and baby home between 1925 and 1961, according to the ODAIT’s opinion following radiocarbon dating.
The excavation of the site of St Mary’s mother and baby home in Tuam is attempting to identify the remains of infants who died at the home between 1925 and 1961 (Credits: ODAIT/PA Wire)
### Investigation of Burial Ground
These remains were found in part of the area labelled as ‘burial ground’ in historical documents referenced by the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation (MBHCOI). The ODAIT said it believes a further seven sets of human remains from the area adjacent to the boundary wall were buried during the Workhouse era of the site (1841 to 1918).
This is a partial replica of the subsurface multi-chambered tank (Credits: ODAIT/PA Wire)
### Methodologies in Excavation
Meanwhile, the team is constructing an artificial replica of the historic sewage system at the site to test different methodologies. It said the excavation of the comingled infant remains identified during the 2016/2017 excavations in the subsurface concrete chambers in the Memorial Garden presented a ‘unique combination of forensic and engineering challenges.’
Forensic officers are seen working at the site (Credits: ODAIT/PA Wire)
### Advancements in DNA Sampling
To test varying methodologies and ensure adherence to international standards and best practice, the ODAIT is constructing an above-ground replica of a section of the tank. Since the last update, eight more family reference DNA samples have been taken and delivered to Forensic Science Ireland – bringing the total to 28. The team is engaging with a further 175 people who have contacted ODAIT to inquire about providing a DNA sample. To date, over 65 cases are being processed for determination of eligibility, with arrangements being made to take their samples in the coming weeks.
European Commission Proposes New Sanctions Against Russia on Friday
3:00 pm
TL:DR – European Commission Proposes New Sanctions Against Russia on Friday
• The European Commission proposed new sanctions against Russia on Friday to pressure its war economy, with President Ursula von der Leyen stating that Russia only responds to pressure.
• The main element includes a full ban on maritime services for Russian crude oil, aimed at reducing energy revenues.
• The EU seeks approval for the 20th package of sanctions by 24 February, aligning with the fourth anniversary of the war.
• The sanctions also target 20 Russian regional banks and cryptocurrency platforms to prevent circumvention of existing measures.
• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that additional sanctions against Russia are being considered.
EU proposes new sanctions to weaken Russia’s oil and gas revenues
The European Commission has proposed a new round of sanctions against Russia on Friday, aiming to intensify pressure on Moscow’s war economy and compel concessions in ongoing negotiations. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that as “Ukraine continues to defend itself with extraordinary courage,” the Kremlin has intensified its war crimes, necessitating this increased pressure.
The significance of these sanctions lies in their potential to disrupt Russia’s energy revenues substantially. The main aspect of the proposed package is a full ban on maritime services for vessels carrying Russian crude oil, which will be implemented in coordination with G7 partners following a decision at that level.
Details on Proposed Sanctions Measures
The full ban includes prohibiting EU companies from offering any service, such as insurance or shipping, to Russian oil-carrying vessels. This measure aims to replace the current allowance for servicing tankers that comply with the G7 price cap of $44.10 per barrel, which was recently adjusted in light of market trends.
Ursula von der Leyen indicated that the full ban would effectively negate the cap within EU jurisdiction, as companies would no longer be permitted to provide services to any Russian vessel. Additionally, the proposals include a similar ban on the maintenance of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers and further blacklisting of vessels from Moscow’s “shadow fleet.”
Additional Focus on Sanctions Enforcement
Beyond energy, the sanctions package targets 20 Russian regional banks and cryptocurrency trading platforms to clamp down on circumvention of existing sanctions. The EU aims to restrict imports of various materials from Russia, valued at approximately €570 million, and invoke the Anti-Circumvention Tool for the first time to prevent the re-export of certain goods.
As the war approaches its fourth anniversary on 24 February, Brussels is keen to have the 20th package of sanctions approved. Ursula von der Leyen has urged member states to swiftly endorse the new measures, emphasising the EU’s unwavering commitment to a free and sovereign Ukraine.
US Considers Further Sanctions
The announcement of the sanctions follows trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi involving Ukrainian, Russian, and American officials, aimed at facilitating peace negotiations. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that additional punitive measures against Russia are “under consideration,” depending on the outcome of peace talks. Washington‘s prior sanctions had already impacted Russia’s oil sales, forcing discounts on its exports.
“
Local insights
Related Election News
© 2026 WTX News.