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Six European Economies Push to Advance Stalled EU Projects

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Ministers from six major European economies, including Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, pledged to take the lead in advancing projects stalled by the EU’s slow decision-making processes. The virtual meeting followed criticism from the Trump administration over the EU’s lengthy deliberations, with leaders emphasizing the need to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and defense capabilities amid geopolitical uncertainty. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil described the group as a flexible coalition, open to additional countries joining in the future.

While no concrete decisions were made, the ministers agreed to focus on key areas such as creating a capital markets union, enhancing the international role of the euro, coordinating defense investments, and securing critical minerals through joint purchasing and trade partnerships. The discussions underscored the growing emphasis on European sovereignty in light of global challenges from the U.S., Russia, and China. Officials stressed that the initiative would allow faster progress on crucial projects without requiring unanimous agreement from all 27 EU members.

The move reflects a broader push within Europe to adopt a “two-speed” approach, enabling smaller groups of countries to act independently on policy areas where consensus is difficult. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French leaders have long advocated for this strategy to accelerate economic and strategic initiatives, including trade deals and energy policies. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domański noted that Europe must act faster to respond to ongoing economic and geopolitical changes, signaling a shift toward more agile and pragmatic decision-making within the EU.

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Gas Leak Triggers Explosion and Fire in Utrecht

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A large explosion followed by a fire in the Dutch city of Utrecht was caused by a gas leak, local officials have confirmed. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon at a house near Visscherssteeg, a narrow alley in the city centre. Four people were injured, though Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma said none of the injuries were life-threatening.

The exact cause of the gas leak remains unknown, but authorities have said it is not believed to be deliberate. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising above the area as emergency services secured the scene.

Eyewitnesses described hearing a “deafening bang” that left buildings damaged and streets littered with rubble and shattered glass. Several nearby shops and homes suffered structural damage, prompting evacuations. Residents were advised to avoid the area while safety checks continued.

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Dutch Court to Decide Control Battle Between Nexperia and Wingtech

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Dutch chipmaker Nexperia faces a public court battle in Amsterdam as European managers challenge its Chinese owner Wingtech over company control. The dispute has contributed to a shortage of chips used by car manufacturers and escalated last September when the Dutch government temporarily seized control of Nexperia over fears of transferring operations and intellectual property to China. The seizure was later revoked to ease tensions with Beijing.

Nexperia produces silicon wafers in Europe, which are shipped to China for cutting and packaging. In October, the Amsterdam Enterprise Court suspended Wingtech founder Zhang Xuezheng as Nexperia CEO and stripped Wingtech of control over the shares, citing concerns about mismanagement and potential conflicts of interest due to Zhang’s ownership of a Shanghai factory selling wafers to Nexperia. The current hearing will determine whether a full investigation into alleged mismanagement should proceed or if previous rulings should be reversed.

Wingtech is expected to argue that Zhang’s plans were in line with Chinese market opportunities, highlighting significant sales and growth prospects in China. Meanwhile, Nexperia has split operations between Europe and China, stopped shipments to China due to nonpayment, and is investing $300 million in Malaysia to serve non-Chinese customers. The Dongguan subsidiary has rebranded as “Nexperia China” and plans to replace European production with Chinese alternatives, including output from Zhang’s WingSkySemi plant.

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Western Europe Faces Fresh Snow and Ice as Storm Goretti Disrupts Travel

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Western Europe prepared for another bout of severe winter weather on Wednesday as storm Goretti, the first named storm of the year, swept in from the Atlantic. Heavy snow fell across parts of France, including the Paris region, while cold weather and ice warnings covered large areas of France and Britain. Authorities warned that conditions were likely to worsen in the coming days, particularly in southern Britain.

The storm triggered widespread transport disruptions, with flight cancellations, train delays and blocked roads reported across several countries. Dutch airline KLM cancelled around 600 flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, marking a sixth consecutive day of disruption, citing heavy snowfall and shortages of aircraft de-icing fluid. In France, bus services in Paris were suspended, and aviation authorities ordered airlines to significantly cut flights at the main Paris airports.

Governments urged caution as conditions affected daily life and supply chains. French officials banned trucks and school buses from roads in many northern regions, while Dutch authorities advised people to work from home if possible. Retailers warned of potential supply disruptions, especially for fresh produce, as snowfall heavier than usual for the region continued to strain transport networks.

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Nestle Recalls Infant Formula in 25 Countries Over Toxin Risk

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Nestle announced a major recall of some batches of its infant nutrition products, including SMA, BEBA, and NAN formulas, across Europe, Turkey, and Argentina due to potential contamination with cereulide, a toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus. The recall, which began on a smaller scale in December, comes after testing revealed an issue with an ingredient supplied by a leading vendor. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products.

The Swiss food giant is activating alternative suppliers for the affected ingredient, ramping up production at multiple factories, and accelerating the distribution of unaffected products to maintain supply. Cereulide cannot be destroyed by boiling water or typical formula preparation, and can cause rapid-onset food poisoning symptoms such as vomiting and stomach cramps, according to the UK Food Standards Agency.

Austria’s health ministry stated that the recall involves over 800 products from more than 10 factories, marking the largest recall in Nestle’s history. The company’s investigation traced the contaminated ingredient back to a factory in the Netherlands, though it was used across multiple production sites internationally. Nestle is working to minimize supply disruption while ensuring safety.

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Wingtech Invites Nexperia Custodians for Talks Amid Ongoing Governance Dispute

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Wingtech Technology, the Chinese parent company of Dutch chipmaker Nexperia, has invited the court-appointed custodians of Nexperia to discuss control of the company—seen as a potential first step toward easing months of internal tensions. The rift between Nexperia’s European management and its Chinese parent deepened after the Dutch government intervened in September, leading to a court ruling that removed Wingtech founder Zhang Xuezheng as CEO over concerns he intended to shift production to China.

Although both sides have signaled interest in dialogue, they disagree on the agenda. Nexperia says it wants talks focused on restoring normal supply chain operations, which have been hit by wafer shipment stoppages, unpaid invoices and growing chip shortages that have affected global automakers. Wingtech, however, insists discussions must first address the restoration of its ownership rights and lawful control over the company.

Court-appointed custodian Arnold Croiset van Uchelen confirmed receiving Wingtech’s invitation but declined to share details of any upcoming meeting. Meanwhile, Nexperia’s Chinese packaging arm has declared itself independent and is seeking Chinese-made wafers, while the European unit has halted shipments to China. With dwindling chip inventories, the auto industry fears fresh shortages may emerge as early as January.

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Eurovision Faces Major Rift as Israel Cleared to Compete, Prompting Multiple Withdrawals

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The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided not to hold a vote on Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, confirming the country’s entry and triggering an immediate backlash. Broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia announced their withdrawal from the contest, citing the mounting death toll in Gaza and accusing Israel of violating Eurovision’s neutrality rules. Israel dismissed these objections as part of a global campaign against it.

The EBU instead approved new rules intended to curb government influence and prevent undue promotion of performers, after concerns that Israel boosted its 2025 entrant. While Israeli officials celebrated the decision as a stand against cultural boycotts, critics—including Ireland’s RTE and Spain’s RTVE—said the move exposed Eurovision as deeply shaped by geopolitical interests. Additional countries like Iceland are now weighing their participation, underscoring the widening divide.

Amid the fallout, Germany welcomed Israel’s inclusion, saying it aligned with Eurovision’s founding values of unity after World War II. Contest director Martin Green acknowledged the turbulence but said the event remains committed to neutrality and international cooperation. With the contest set for Vienna in May, Eurovision faces one of the most significant crises in its history.

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Netherlands, China Seek Resolution Over Seized Chipmaker Nexperia Amid Export Block

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The Netherlands’ Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said on Tuesday that he had held talks with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao regarding Nexperia BV, the Dutch chipmaker the government seized control of last month. The seizure, which heightened tensions between the two nations, prompted China to block exports of Nexperia’s products, sparking concern among European automakers that rely heavily on its chips.

Karremans noted that both sides discussed “further steps toward reaching a solution” that would serve the interests of the company as well as both the Chinese and European economies. The move marks a potential step toward easing the diplomatic standoff that has disrupted semiconductor supply chains across Europe.

Meanwhile, Nexperia’s China-based operations have begun asserting autonomy in the wake of the dispute, informing employees they can reject “external instructions.” Nexperia remains a subsidiary of Shanghai-listed Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd. (600745.SS), which manufactures and packages most of the company’s chips in China.

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Russia Increases Hybrid Threats Against Netherlands, Warns Dutch Intelligence

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Russia is escalating its hybrid attacks aimed at undermining the Netherlands and its European allies, according to the latest annual report from the Dutch military intelligence agency (MIVD). MIVD Director Peter Reesink revealed that Russian hackers recently attempted cyber sabotage on a Dutch public service—marking the first known incident of its kind. Although the attempt was thwarted, the agency noted this as a significant escalation in Russia’s cyber activities targeting Europe.

The MIVD report further highlighted a Russian cyber operation against critical infrastructure in the Netherlands, potentially as groundwork for future sabotage. The intelligence agency also reiterated concerns about Russian espionage efforts in the North Sea, where infrastructure such as internet cables and energy supplies are being mapped for possible disruption. Western nations, including Britain, have recently echoed similar concerns, accusing Moscow of reckless acts of sabotage, though Russia has denied any involvement.

In addition to Russian threats, the report also flagged China’s continued espionage activities, particularly in the Dutch semiconductor sector. The MIVD warned of China’s increasing alignment with Russia’s war efforts and its pursuit of Western technological knowledge. Reesink called on European nations to accelerate military preparedness, noting that Russia’s rapid military buildup poses a growing risk that Europe must be ready to deter.

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Ukraine receives first F-16 jets, officials say

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The first batch of much-anticipated F-16 jets has arrived in Ukraine, according to Lithuania’s foreign minister and a U.S. official on Wednesday. This delivery is expected to aid Ukraine in restoring its weakened air force. The F-16s, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, have long been sought by Ukraine due to their significant firepower and widespread availability. Equipped with a 20mm cannon, these fighter jets can carry a variety of bombs, rockets, and missiles. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis remarked on X (formerly Twitter) that “F-16s in Ukraine. Another impossible thing turned out to be totally possible.” A U.S. official, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the delivery has been completed.

Denmark has pledged a total of 19 jets, while the Netherlands has committed to delivering 24 aircraft. Both nations have played a key role in forming an international coalition to supply Ukraine with F-16s. Norway has also announced it will donate six F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel have undergone training with the help of Western allies for several months.

As Ukraine has fought against Russia’s full-scale invasion that began in February 2022, it has relied on a limited fleet of Soviet-era aircraft. Ukrainian officials consider the addition of F-16s a crucial enhancement for their Air Force. However, analysts and officials indicate that while the F-16s will strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities, they are unlikely to be a decisive factor in the ongoing conflict.

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