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1. Ukraine to meet Russia and US for talks this weekend
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a three-way meeting with Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi this Friday and Saturday. This summit marks the first time the three nations have convened since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago.
2. UN to take over al-Hol camp for IS families in Syria after unrest
The United Nations will assume control of the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, which houses thousands linked to the Islamic State group. This decision follows the withdrawal of Kurdish-led forces amid advancing Syrian government troops, leading to unrest within the camp.
3. No going back? Europeans seek unity as transatlantic ties hit new low
As the world focused on US President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding Greenland, a significant concern emerged about the deteriorating transatlantic relationship. During a recent address in Davos, Trump criticized European allies, highlighting a growing rift in traditional partnerships.
4. EU must remain vigilant and ready to respond to threats, Macron says
In Brussels, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for the European Union to stay alert and prepared for potential threats. His remarks came ahead of an emergency summit to address concerns over Trump’s intentions regarding Greenland.
5. EU must ‘move towards creating European army’, Spanish FM tells Euronews
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares urged the European Union to consider establishing a European army. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he stressed the importance of Europe asserting its values, particularly in light of rising military threats from certain nations.
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6. France has successfully seized the oil tanker Grinch, believed to be part of Russia’s sanction-busting fleet. The vessel, which set sail from Murmansk, is suspected of violating international sanctions aimed at curbing Russian oil exports.
7. In a stark address at Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Europe for its lack of decisive action against authoritarian regimes like Iran. He emphasized that Europe’s reliance on symbolic gestures instead of tangible power is exacerbating global security threats.
8. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has survived a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament. The motion, which aimed to dismiss her over the EU–Mercosur trade deal, failed to secure the necessary support, marking the fourth unsuccessful attempt to challenge her leadership in recent months. Next.
Three Belgian football fans have been sentenced to prison in Kazakhstan after dressing up as the fictional character Borat. The Belgian foreign ministry is currently monitoring the situation and providing consular support to the individuals involved. The character, created by British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, is known for its satirical portrayal of Kazakhstan.
In a separate development, Japan has halted operations at the world’s largest nuclear power plant just hours after it was restarted. An alarm was triggered during the reactor start-up procedures at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, although officials have stated that the reactor remains stable. The restart had been delayed by a day prior to the incident.
Turning to the weather. In Riga, -8 degrees with sunny riga can expect a bitterly cold day. In London, 7 to 9 degrees with patchy rain possible. In Paris, 5 to 9 degrees with patchy rain possible. In Brussels, 5 to 9 degrees with patchy rain possible. In Berlin, 0 degrees with sunny berlin can expect a bitterly cold day. In Stockholm, -2 degrees with light snow stockholm can expect a bitterly cold day. In Madrid, 3 to 7 degrees with moderate rain.
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