WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE Eu - euobserver daily news - Tuesday 10 February 2026.

 

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Good morning. The far-right in Europe is drawing inspiration from raids carried out in Minneapolis by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the shadowy but heavily-militarised police force that led to the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Among them is the Bavarian chapter of Alternative for Germany (AfD), which had last month proposed creating a specialised unit modelled after ICE in the hopes of rounding up and deporting migrants. Belgium’s far-right party Vlaams Belang recently also called for specialised units tackling “illegal immigration” — but downplayed any comparison to ICE. And figures in Slovenia’s Democratic Party (SDS), led by former prime minister Janez Janša, have reportedly proposed similar ICE-like forces, leading some to call for the SDS to be expelled from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP). At least six have died in ICE custody in the first three weeks of 2026 alone, amid plans to convert industrial warehouses into detention facilities for up to 80,000 people. Now the issue is set to be discussed this Wednesday in the European Parliament, after a proposal by the Socialists & Democrats (S&D). The idea for the plenary debate on Minneapolis was initially scuppered by the EPP and the far-right, says Utta Tuttlies, the S&D’s spokesperson. However, the EU itself is preparing a legal framework which echoes similar tactics against migration found in the US, with a 'get-tough' rhetoric that strips away humanity. This includes setting up deportation centres abroad, turning back people who haven’t even had a chance to file an asylum claim and the setting up of a digital surveillance infrastructure. An article inserted into the EU’s new deportation bill late last year had also proposed allowing police to force their way into people’s homes suspected of hosting an undocumented migrant. The erosion of such rights, often framed as a necessary security issue to regain control of migration and borders, is likely to lead to further abuse. And when used by leaders with an authoritarian bent, such as Donald Trump, it can quickly turn against its own people. Nikolaj Nielsen, home-affairs editor Top story EU Parliament set to adopt tougher asylum laws amid far-right pressure New anti-asylum laws are likely to be rubber-stamped by the European Parliament on Tuesday, amid further alarm over the far-right influence on migration What else you need to know Israel’s ‘de facto annexation’ of West Bank earns only mild EU rebuke Israel pledged to “kill” the EU and UN-backed two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, as the EU “condemned” new anti-Palestinian laws. EU says ‘concerns’ raised with UAE over its role in Sudan war The EU says it has challenged the UAE over its role in Sudan’s civil war, despite being in trade talks with Abu Dhabi. EU leaders’ retreat needs to hear less about ‘deregulation’ from Draghi Big and small European companies are most concerned about the lack of skilled staff.  So why is this not a key topic at the EU leaders’ retreat on 12 February in the Alden Biesen castle, when ‘simplification’ of legislation is? Brussels warns WhatsApp to stop blocking alternative AI services The European Commission has warned US tech giant Meta that it intends to implement measures to prevent a policy change on WhatsApp that would prevent third-party AI assistance — a move the executive sees as a potential antitrust violation. Moscow spokeswoman mocks EU diplomat over freezing Kyiv conditions The head of the EU delegation in Kyiv, Katarína Mathernová, says the Ukrainian capital is facing a winter humanitarian catastrophe, due to Russian attacks on the heating supplies. Listen: Can a European social platform compete with X? After Elon Musk’s X, could Europe finally build its own social media powerhouse? In this episode, Léa Marchal explores the “W” social media platform, Anna Zeiter’s bold alternative — its ambitions, challenges, and whether Europe can truly rival US tech giants. Europe’s empty homes are the missing piece in the EU’s ‘Affordable Housing Plan’ Europe’s housing crisis is both social and environmental. Rents continue to rise, homelessness is increasing, and millions of households are trapped in energy poverty. Yet across the continent, a striking contradiction persists: entire buildings stand empty or under-used, even as people struggle to find a place they can afford to live in. Against this backdrop, […] In case you missed it THIS WEEK: EU leaders’ retreat on competitiveness, Munich Security Conference, and Ukraine This week, EU leaders will meet in Alden Biesen to discuss economic reforms and competitiveness, while the Munich Security Conference takes place from Friday to Sunday. In Strasbourg, MEPs will vote on housing, defence, climate, migration, and Ukraine aid. EU goes tactical, as Trump lets START nuclear arms deal expire Any new US-Russia deal on strategic nuclear bombs would have mostly “symbolic” value, as France and Germany focus on tactical threats instead. EU calls foul on FIFA’s Russia reinstatement bid The European Commission has voiced opposition to Russia’s reinstatement in international football, following FIFA’s announcement that it is ready to lift the ban imposed in 2022 after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Out of the cold: Growing number of EU capitals seek talks with Russia The move would de facto end Russian president Vladimir Putin’s diplomatic isolation by the West over his full invasion of Ukraine. Debt: Europe’s biggest financial advantage over US is also its weakness Europe is the largest holder of US debt, which it could use as leverage. But even if governments could coerce investors into selling trillions in US holdings, Europe would be first to suffer. How the Kremlin turns schoolchildren into future soldiers in occupied Ukraine When Russian forces occupy a Ukrainian town, schools are often targeted first. An investigation into hundreds of Telegram posts from Russian propaganda channels operating in occupied Ukraine since 2022 reveals a systematic campaign to militarise and indoctrinate children through schools.