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On September 17, 2025, the European Commission proposed suspending parts of its trade agreement with Israel and sanctioning far-right Israeli ministers over the Gaza conflict. The EU plans to freeze €20 million in bilateral support to Israel, targeting exports worth €6 billion. However, divisions among member states, including Germany and Italy, threaten the adoption of these measures amid escalating violence in Gaza and recent Israeli strikes in Qatar.
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The European Commission announced a comprehensive strategy to deepen ties with India, aiming for a free trade agreement by 2025, and expanding cooperation on security, digital innovation, and global governance. The move signals a shift towards greater EU independence amid geopolitical tensions, with the framework awaiting approval from all member states.
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Péter Magyar, leader of Hungary’s opposition Tisza party, is gaining ground in polls against Viktor Orbán ahead of April elections. The European Parliament recently upheld Magyar’s immunity, blocking efforts by Orbán’s government to disqualify him. The political landscape in Hungary is shifting, with implications for EU democracy and Orbán’s rule.
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As of late September 2025, Super Typhoon Ragasa caused severe flooding and destruction across Taiwan, southern China, and the Philippines. At least 14 people died in Taiwan after a barrier lake burst in Hualien County, flooding Guangfu township. Millions were evacuated in southern China, with widespread damage reported in Guangdong and Hong Kong. The storm has weakened but remains a rain threat to Southeast Asia.
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On September 30, 2025, Dresden court sentenced Jian Guo, former aide to AfD politician Maximilian Krah, to four years and nine months for spying for Chinese intelligence from 2019 to 2024. Guo passed sensitive EU parliamentary documents and monitored AfD leaders and Chinese dissidents. Krah faces separate corruption probes amid allegations of Chinese ties.
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Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen addressed the European Parliament, describing 2025 as an 'eventful' year. He emphasized Greenland's need for cooperation with the EU, highlighted its mineral resources, and rejected US threats of military action amid ongoing tensions over the island's future.
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EU lawmakers have approved a proposal to restrict the use of meat-related terms like 'burger' and 'steak' for plant-based foods, aiming to protect livestock farmers. The legislation still requires approval from EU member states and will impact food labeling, especially in Northern Ireland, amid ongoing debates over consumer clarity and farming interests.
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President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky are set to meet in Budapest as discussions on military aid and peace efforts in Ukraine intensify. Trump considers selling long-range missiles to Kyiv to pressure Russia, despite opposition from Moscow. The meeting follows recent diplomatic developments and ongoing war concerns.
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The European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize to Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut and Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, both imprisoned on charges seen as politically motivated. The award highlights ongoing struggles for press freedom and human rights amid authoritarian regimes in Belarus and Georgia.
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Colorado has been releasing wolves since 2023 following voter approval in 2020. About 30 wolves now roam the state, with plans for more. The program faces opposition from rural communities and potential federal restrictions on wolf sourcing, raising legal and political questions. Recent federal guidance suggests wolves must come from northern U.S. states, complicating plans.
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EU leaders are preparing to discuss potential measures against China’s recent export restrictions on rare earths and battery materials. The European Commission signals readiness to activate its anti-coercion tools, amid concerns over supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions. A new plan aims to diversify critical material sources and strengthen technological independence.
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The EU has imposed sanctions on Belarus, with a watered-down statement removing direct accusations against Lukashenko's regime to secure Hungary's support. The move follows recent balloon incidents and highlights ongoing tensions over Belarus's role in regional security and disinformation. EU diplomats see the statement as a compromise amid diplomatic negotiations.
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Tanzania's recent elections have led to violent protests, with reports of hundreds of deaths amid security crackdowns. The opposition claims around 700 killed, while authorities deny excessive force. International groups call for investigations as internet blackouts and curfews persist.
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Taiwan is increasing diplomatic efforts with Europe and Israel, dispatching officials to strengthen trade and security cooperation. Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim visited Brussels, urging EU support, while Taiwan's foreign minister emphasized closer relations with Israel amid regional tensions. The moves reflect Taiwan's strategic diplomacy amidst China’s opposition.
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On November 21, 2025, Nathan Gill, former Reform UK Wales leader and ex-MEP, was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for accepting at least £40,000 in bribes from pro-Kremlin Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn between 2018 and 2019. Gill made scripted pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament and media, compromising legislative integrity and implicating other MEPs. The case raises concerns about Kremlin influence in UK politics and scrutiny of Nigel Farage's party.
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Poland and Germany are set to meet in Berlin to discuss the return of cultural artifacts looted during WWII, including a sculpture from Malbork Castle and Teutonic Order archives. The meeting also addresses security issues amid ongoing tensions over Holocaust memory and Polish-German relations.
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The European Parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for an EU-wide ban on social media access for children under 16, with stricter limits for those under 13. The move aims to address concerns over mental health and addictive design features, amid ongoing debates and Australia's upcoming social media ban for under-16s.
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Germany's parliament approved a pension package maintaining current benefits until 2031, with abstentions from the far-left and some conservative youth members. The vote highlights coalition fragility and ongoing debates over future pension reforms amid political disagreements and demographic challenges.
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Several Tunisian opposition figures, including prominent critics of President Kais Saied, received lengthy prison sentences on charges of conspiracy and terrorism. Rights groups condemn the trials as politically motivated amid ongoing crackdowns on dissent following Saied's 2021 power grab. The sentences range from 5 to 66 years, with many defendants in absentia.