Oct 6, 2026, 04:30 AM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with severe tariffs and trade restrictions following European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's proposal to grant Canada associate membership in the bloc.

Speaking to reporters, Trump called the associate membership initiative "ridiculous" and warned it could be interpreted as a "hostile move." He indicated that Washington might impose "very severe tariffs" or halt certain trade with Europe if the EU pursues closer institutional ties with Ottawa out of "bad intention." However, he added that a move made in "good faith" would be acceptable.

The dispute follows remarks by Finnish President Alexander Stubb highlighting Ottawa's drift toward Europe amid mounting trade and diplomatic friction between the United States and Canada.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex.

A vote recount in Berlin's Spandau district following a transmission error has awarded a direct seat in the state parliament to Alternative for Germany (AfD) candidate Tommy Tabor instead of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician Bettina Meißner. The administrative correction reduced the overall size of the Abgeordnetenhaus by five seats due to adjustments in balance mandates.

The correction comes amid shifting voter dynamics ahead of the state election. A recent Forsa survey places Die Linke in the lead at 22 percent, propelled by strong youth backing, while the CDU and AfD follow at 18 percent each. Meanwhile, voter participation among residents with migrant backgrounds in districts such as Neukölln remains comparatively low, though reporting highlights growing interest in the AfD among some young voters of Turkish descent citing concerns over public safety and migration.

Sources: Correctiv, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Barcelona to protest soaring housing costs, with tenant advocacy groups calling for a nationwide general strike. Attendance estimates varied significantly, with municipal police reporting 20,000 participants while organizers claimed 120,000 attended.

Unrest broke out following the demonstration as some activists set fire to rubbish containers and threw objects at law enforcement, prompting police charges. Authorities made 18 arrests, including 10 minors, with nine police officers suffering minor injuries.

The public outrage over housing coincides with broader political instability. Opposition figures, including People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, claim Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is using potential early elections to shield his government from ongoing judicial inquiries.

Sources: Canarias7, El Mundo, La Provincia, La Vanguardia

European law enforcement agencies are investigating a series of violent crimes, including gang-related recruitment of minors and severe domestic attacks across several countries.

In Germany, police detained a 13-year-old Dutch national carrying a loaded firearm, suspecting a rivalry linked to the Hells Angels in Hamburg. This aligns with broader patterns in Sweden, where organized crime groups reportedly use digital platforms to recruit teenagers for contract killings, offering high financial rewards.

Meanwhile, Spanish police in the Madrid region are investigating two separate domestic homicides occurring within hours of each other, alongside a targeted shooting in Puente de Vallecas involving a known criminal figure. In northeastern France, prosecutors launched a murder inquiry after a father allegedly shot his wife and two young children before taking his own life.

Sources: Canarias7, El Día, El Mundo, La Vanguardia, Marca.

Following the recovery of 2.27 billion forints (€5.7 million) from a private equity fund linked to businessman Lőrinc Mészáros, Hungarian Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy has widened scrutiny over state infrastructure contracts.

Authorities are now auditing historical agreements with IT entrepreneur Gábor Emőri, who built and partially operated Hungary’s electronic toll network over a 12-year period.

The investigation builds on an ongoing asset recovery campaign reviewing a 64.5 billion forint transaction authorized during former minister János Lázár's tenure. Officials aim to determine whether additional public funds can be reclaimed from past procurement deals linked to the national toll infrastructure.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex.