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1. Greek animal airlift evacuates pets and owners from Middle East war
A flight carrying dozens of cats, dogs, and their owners arrived in Athens on Wednesday, marking a successful government initiative to evacuate pets from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Greece’s interior and foreign ministries collaborated for days to coordinate this operation, ensuring Greek nationals could return home with their beloved animals.
2. Switzerland in the top 10 – Finland remains number 1
Finland has once again been named the happiest country in the world in the World Happiness Report 2026. Switzerland has improved its ranking, moving up several places, while researchers noted that excessive social media use could negatively impact overall happiness levels.
3. Slovenia urges EU to probe reports that Israeli spies meddled in election race
As Slovenia prepares for elections on Sunday, the country is calling on the European Union to investigate allegations of Israeli interference. Leaked recordings suggest that prominent figures discussed attempts to link the liberal candidate, Robert Golob, to corruption, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
4. EU pulls funding for Rwandan force amid murky scramble for gas in Mozambique
The European Union has decided to withdraw funding for a Rwandan military operation that was safeguarding a major natural gas project in Mozambique. This decision comes as Rwanda announced it would pull its forces from northern Mozambique, where they have been engaged in fighting an insurgency.
5. EU summit: Leaders set to challenge Orbán’s veto on €90bn Ukraine loan
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has caused frustration among EU leaders by reversing his support for a previously agreed €90 billion loan to Ukraine. Tensions are expected to escalate as leaders gather on Thursday to address this setback.
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6. Costa Rica has officially severed diplomatic relations with Cuba, with President Rodrigo Chaves stating that the government does not recognize the legitimacy of the Cuban regime. This decision has drawn criticism from Havana, as Costa Rica aligns itself more closely with U.S. policies in the region.
7. In response to Russia’s recruitment efforts targeting Kenyans for the Ukraine conflict, Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi has publicly condemned the practice. He emphasized that the military’s tactics of luring foreigners under false pretenses will not be tolerated, marking a significant stance against foreign interference.
8. Estonia is signaling its willingness to engage in discussions regarding support for the United States in its ongoing tensions with Iran. Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated that he is in talks with U.S. officials, expressing readiness to explore potential collaboration in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Moldovans in the northern city of Bălți are facing a severe water crisis following the impact of the Russian attack on Ukraine, which has disrupted the local river supply. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu reported that residents have been without running water for several days. Authorities are mobilizing resources to restore the water supply, but the situation remains critical.
In Slovakia, the government has taken measures to combat “fuel tourism” by approving higher diesel prices for vehicles with foreign registration plates. This decision aims to address the issue of local fuel stations running dry as foreign drivers take advantage of lower prices. The new pricing strategy is expected to be implemented soon, impacting cross-border motorists.
Turning to the weather. In Riga, 0 to 9 degrees with patchy rain possible. In London, 6 to 16 degrees with sunny a slightly cool ambiance awaits london on today. In Paris, 6 to 17 degrees with sunny mild temperatures are expected in paris. In Brussels, 5 to 15 degrees with partly cloudy a slightly cool ambiance awaits brussels on today. In Berlin, 5 to 14 degrees with sunny a slightly cool ambiance awaits berlin on today. In Stockholm, 3 to 8 degrees with patchy rain possible. In Madrid, 8 to 17 degrees with sunny mild temperatures are expected in madrid.
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