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1. Drones Cause Majority of Ukraine War Casualties
Latvian intelligence reports indicate that drones are responsible for three out of every four casualties in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The report also reveals Russia’s plans to establish a drone production facility in Belarus, aiming for an output of up to 100,000 drones annually.
2. EU Approves Russian Gas Ban
European Union countries have finalized their approval to ban Russian gas imports by late 2027. This decision marks a significant step in the EU’s commitment to sever ties with Russia, nearly four years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
3. Disturbing Footage Emerges from Iran
Newly verified videos from Iran depict harrowing scenes, including bodies piled in a hospital and snipers positioned on rooftops. These images come amid a severe crackdown on protests, which have faced a near-total internet blackout since they began in late December.
4. EU Parliament Delays US Trade Deal Ratification
The EU Parliament has postponed its decision on ratifying a trade agreement with the United States, initially signed in July. This delay follows threats from the U.S. president regarding potential tariffs on European allies, with lead negotiators set to meet in early February to discuss the next steps.
5. EU and India Finalize Trade Agreement
The European Union and India have reached an agreement on a new trade deal, which is expected to significantly benefit the agricultural sector. EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič expressed optimism about enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including automotive and financial services.
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6. WhatsApp is facing renewed scrutiny from the European Union after being classified as a significant online platform. This decision comes as various countries, including France, are contemplating restrictions on social media use among children, particularly focusing on WhatsApp Channels that allow admins to broadcast messages.
7. In response to growing concerns over undersea cable security, Finland is launching a new maritime surveillance centre in the Gulf of Finland. This initiative is designed to safeguard critical infrastructure amid escalating tensions in the region, particularly in light of perceived threats from Russia.
8. Hungary and Slovakia are preparing to challenge the European Union over a recent ban on Russian gas imports. Both nations, heavily reliant on Russian energy, expressed their opposition during the vote, citing fears that the ban could lead to soaring energy prices. Hungary plans to initiate legal proceedings against the EU once the law is officially adopted.
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Keir Starmer will travel to China on Tuesday for the first British prime ministerial visit to the country in eight years, as confirmed by Downing Street. The UK prime minister will also fly to Japan this week. This visit marks a significant moment in Mr. Starmer’s efforts to build bridges with Beijing following a period of strained relations.
Elon Musk’s X is now under investigation by the European Union for failing to prevent its Grok AI chatbot from generating deepfake images that may constitute child sexual abuse material. The European Commission has initiated the probe, which could lead to further criticism from the White House, as it examines the social media platform’s compliance with regulations.
Turning to the weather. In Riga, -4 degrees with light freezing rain riga can expect a bitterly cold day. In London, 3 to 7 degrees with patchy rain possible. In Paris, 4 to 8 degrees with patchy rain possible. In Brussels, 0 to 4 degrees with sunny. In Berlin, -1 to 1 degrees with moderate or heavy snow showers. In Stockholm, -5 degrees with partly cloudy stockholm can expect a bitterly cold day. In Madrid, 2 to 8 degrees with patchy rain possible.
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