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Greek MEP Nikos Pappas, a Syriza party member and former basketball player, faces expulsion from his political group following allegations of assaulting a reporter at a Strasbourg bar. The incident, involving Pappas and a delegation of Greek journalists, escalated when Pappas reportedly struck the reporter twice from behind, causing him to fall. The journalist filed a complaint, leading to Pappass expulsion from Syriza and the Left groups formal procedure to determine his group status.

European Parents Protest Christmas Holiday Schedule Change: Cultural Identity and Family Traditions at Stake European parents are voicing their discontent over proposed changes to the Christmas holiday schedule for the 2026-2027 academic year. The new plan would require children to attend school on January sixth, a significant holiday for many cultures, particularly for families celebrating Three Kings Day. Parents advocate for a holiday period from December twenty-third to January sixth, allowing their children to observe this important cultural and family tradition. The secretariat general, managing the school system, has downplayed the issue, suggesting Three Kings Day could be discussed in the classroom as cultural content. This response has further frustrated parents, who feel their cultural identity and family values are being disregarded. Spanish parents have sent a letter to their countrys permanent representation to the European Union and gathered signatures from Members of the European Parliament to urge the European Commissioner for Budget and Public Administration to recognize the special importance of Three Kings Day and find a solution that respects cultural diversity.

Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, adopts a more confrontational approach, initiating legal battles, criticizing FIFA, and challenging the Reform party. This shift aims to showcase government values and priorities, as urged by Labour MPs. Starmer announces a license to transfer funds from Chelseas sale to Ukraine, criticizes World Cup ticket prices, and approves a review into foreign interference in politics.

Unexpected Turn: UK Ambassador to Washington Role Shifts; Chandra Out, Casey and Turner in Contention In a surprising twist, Varun Chandra, the frontrunner for the UK ambassador to Washington, has been removed from the final list of candidates. Instead, Nigel Casey and Christian Turner have moved ahead in the selection process. This decision comes amidst a push for a career diplomat and a fresh dispute with the Trump administration over a Tech Prosperity Deal. Chandra will remain in Downing Street in an enhanced role.

In a recent address, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized European leaders as little pigs seeking to profit from Russias collapse, and blamed former U.S. President Joe Biden for the Ukraine conflict. He highlighted Russias stability and military prowess, dismissing the current European political landscape, and echoed similar rhetoric used by former President Dmitry Medvedev. This underscores the ongoing tensions and divisions between Russia and many European nations.

French intelligence is probing a suspected foreign operation after high-tech spyware was found on a ferry in Sète. The vessels IT system was breached, leading to a judicial investigation led by DGSI. Two crew members, one Bulgarian and one Latvian, were arrested, with the Latvian suspect charged with conspiring to penetrate the system for a foreign power. Russia is suspected, but not confirmed, to be involved.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has thrown a wrench in the EUs 25-year-old trade deal negotiations with South American countries, demanding significant changes to protect Italian farmers. Her stance could potentially give France, which has also expressed concerns, enough allies to veto the deal. Despite this, European leaders are still scheduled to sign the agreement in Brazil this weekend, which would cover a market of 780 million people. However, farmers from across Europe are protesting, fearing the deal could negatively impact their livelihoods.

U.S. Threatens Retaliation Against European Companies in Trade Dispute The U.S. administration has escalated trade tensions with the EU by threatening direct retaliation against nine major European companies. The targeted firms, including Accenture, Amadeus, Capgemini, Publicis, Mistral, DHL, SAP, Siemens, and Spotify, have enjoyed extensive market access in the U.S. The U.S. claims these companies have benefited from unfair EU rules, suggesting their access could now be at risk. This is the first time specific European companies have been publicly identified in this dispute. The EU has defended its digital laws, stating they are not discriminatory and apply equally to all companies. The combined market capitalization of the listed companies, excluding Mistral, is over eight hundred billion euros. This development is seen as unhelpful for ongoing negotiations between the EU and the U.S.