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1. UK Prime Minister Starmer seeks support for international X ban
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is engaging with Canada and Australia to gather support for a potential international ban on social media platform X. This initiative follows the platform’s use of its AI assistant, Grok, to create sexualised deepfakes of women and children.
2. Denmark warns of ‘decisive moment’ as Trump renews threat of force over Greenland
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has described the current situation regarding Greenland as a “decisive moment” in diplomatic relations with the United States. This statement comes after Donald Trump reiterated his suggestion of using force to acquire the Arctic territory.
3. Thousands of tourists stranded in Lapland as cold grounds flights
Severe cold weather has left thousands of tourists stranded in Finland’s Lapland, with flights from Kittila airport cancelled due to freezing temperatures. Travelers hoping to return to cities like London, Bristol, and Amsterdam faced disruption as the mercury failed to rise above freezing.
4. Fires in Argentine Patagonia destroy over 15,000 hectares
In Argentina’s Patagonia region, forest fires have ravaged nearly 15,000 hectares of land since Monday. Hundreds of firefighters and volunteers are working tirelessly to contain the blazes that erupted near the seaside resort of Puerto El Hoyo.
5. EU seeking ‘Farage clause’ in Brexit ‘reset’ agreement with UK
The European Union is reportedly pushing for a clause in the Brexit “reset” agreement that would ensure the UK compensates the bloc if a future government fails to uphold the terms. This demand serves as a reminder of the costly separation, with the EU establishing a €5.4 billion fund during the divorce.
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6. Five skiers tragically lost their lives in avalanches across France over the weekend, with two fatalities reported on Sunday in the Savoie ski resorts of Courchevel and La Plagne. This follows three deaths in the French Alps on Saturday, highlighting the ongoing dangers posed by winter sports in the region.
7. In Sudan, the military-led government has returned to Khartoum after nearly three years of operating from Port Sudan due to ongoing conflict. Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced the return on Sunday, stating that the government aims to enhance services for the capital’s residents as stability is sought.
8. Activists report that the death toll from the crackdown on protests in Iran has risen to at least 538, with over 10,600 individuals detained. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency indicates that among the deceased, 490 were protesters while 48 were security personnel, warning that the numbers may continue to climb as the situation evolves.
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In other news, US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Cuba, urging the island nation to negotiate a deal before it is too late. This comes in the wake of the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, highlighting the shifting dynamics in the region.
Meanwhile, the EU is set to finalize its long-awaited trade agreement with Mercosur this Saturday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to Paraguay for the signing ceremony, accompanied by European Council President António Costa.
Turning to the weather, cool conditions are expected across Europe today. In London, temperatures will range from 0 to 6 degrees, with heavy showers likely. Brussels will see similar cool weather, with temperatures between 1 and 7 degrees and strong winds reaching 33 km/h. Berlin and Stockholm are both facing bitterly cold days, with temperatures not exceeding freezing and mixed precipitation expected. Meanwhile, Madrid will experience temperatures between 3 and 10 degrees, while Riga remains cold with a chance of light snow.
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