Minas Tirith Reports

🇪🇺🇭🇺EU Softens Stance on Orbán Before Hungarian Election The European Commission is reportedly softening its criticism of Viktor Orbán's government ahead of Hungary's April 12 election to avoid accusations of interference. Brussels is considering releasing up to €2.4 billion in EU funds, despite €17 billion remaining frozen due to rule-of-law concerns. Both Orbán and the opposition Tisza Party have urged the EU to show restraint during the campaign, fearing political exploitation of any action or inaction. The Financial Times reports that the opposition Tisza Party is currently leading in the polls. Orbán continues to accuse the EU of meddling, while officials fear any action, or inaction, will be politicized during the campaign. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel | Updated

🇨🇳🇬🇧🇨🇦China Extends Visa-Free Entry to UK & Canada China has granted visa-free entry for British and Canadian passport holders for tourism, business, and family visits, effective February 17th through December 31st. This policy permits stays of up to 30 days. The United States remains the sole 'Five Eyes' nation excluded from this visa-free arrangement. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇺🇸🇬🇧Trump Meets with Former UK PM Liz Truss President Trump met with former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss at his Palm Beach golf course. Truss became the shortest serving British PM after succeeding Boris Johnson. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇸🇩🇦🇪🇨🇳SAF Destroys UAE-Backed RSF Air Defense System in Sudan The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) successfully destroyed a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) air defense system in Abu Zabad, West Kordofan. Footage confirms the SAF drone strike targeted what is likely a Chinese-made FB-10A surface-to-air missile system. The RSF is allegedly backed by the UAE. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇺🇸🇳🇱🇪🇺Dutch Minister Hints at F-35 'Jailbreak' Potential Outgoing Dutch Defence Minister Gijs Tuinman suggested the possibility of 'jailbreaking' F-35 fighter jets to bypass potential US software restrictions. Tuinman likened the process to jailbreaking an iPhone, implying European nations could modify the aircraft's software independently. It is unclear whether European nation's sales agreements for the F-35 jets signed with the US even allow unilateral modifications like that. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇪🇹Ethiopian Forces Retake Wereta From FANO Rebels FANO rebels briefly seized Wereta, a major town in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Ethiopian federal forces successfully launched a counter-offensive. Wereta has been returned to Ethiopian military control. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇬🇧Tommy Robinson Exiles Himself From England Tommy Robinson, a prominent figure on the English right, has reportedly fled England with his family, citing threats. Reports suggest this departure signals a growing crisis related to the rise of Islamic influence within Britain and a perceived failure of the government to address it. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇺🇸🇩🇪🇮🇷Graham Attends Iranian Opposition Rally in Munich Senator Lindsey Graham attended an Iranian opposition rally in Munich, Germany. Reports indicate the rally, held during a security conference, included participants from Ukraine and Syria. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇵🇱🇧🇾🇺🇸Poland Completes Belarus Border Fence, Cites US Inaction Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski highlighted the completion of a border fence with Belarus, costing nearly a billion euros. The fence aims to protect Europe from forced migration, a goal Poland shares with the United States. Sikorski pointedly noted the U.S. has yet to complete its own border fence project. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇳🇱Netherlands Approves 36% Tax on Unrealized Gains The Dutch House approved a law imposing a 36% tax on unrealized gains from savings, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. The tax, slated to begin in January 2028, is still pending Senate approval. If approved, investors could owe significant taxes even without selling assets. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇪🇸🇺🇸Spain's PM Urges Nuclear De-escalation, Cites Defense Spending Increase Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez voiced strong opposition to nuclear rearmament at a Munich conference, citing the immense financial burden and risks. He highlighted that the US is projected to invest $946 billion in nuclear weapons over the next decade, a sum he argues could eradicate extreme global poverty. Sánchez emphasized the historical understanding that nuclear deterrence poses greater risks than benefits to peace, urging a return to nuclear disarmament efforts. Sánchez also called for a strengthening of deterrence capabilities in a coordinated and targeted manner, advocating for a true European Army to be built now. He reiterated that the US needs to accept a more integrated European Union in the future. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel | Updated

🇺🇸🇨🇳US Clarifies Stance: No Attempt to 'Strangle' China Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby has reiterated the US is not actively attempting to economically 'strangle' China. This statement aims to clarify US policy amidst ongoing trade and geopolitical tensions. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel