Grzegorz Braun, a far-right Polish MP from the Confederation party, extinguished a Jewish menorah in Poland's parliament with a fire-extinguisher during a key policy speech by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The act, which occurred during Hanukkah, hit a Jewish woman with foam and delayed a parliamentary confidence vote. Braun's actions were widely condemned by politicians, including Speaker Szymon Holownia and Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich. Braun faces potential expulsion from parliament and a criminal investigation. Cardinal Grzegorz Rys apologized to the Jewish community on behalf of Poland's Catholic church.

Three police officers were attacked with a bicycle during an arrest on Villa Road in Lozells, Birmingham. The incident occurred in broad daylight as West Midlands Police responded to arrest two men outside a shop. During the arrest, one officer was left on the ground with a head injury. An onlooker assaulted the officers with a bike and threw a cabbage at them before being subdued by an elderly man, believed to be the shop owner, and then detained.

Israel plans to use 'sponge bombs' to combat Hamas tunnels under Gaza. These chemical bombs expand and harden to seal off tunnel entrances, preventing ambushes. The IDF has been testing these bombs and has developed specialized equipment for subterranean warfare, including thermal technology and novel radios. Some Israeli soldiers have been blinded by mishandling the 'sponge bombs.' Israel may also deploy robots and drones, such as the IRIS drone and MTGR robot developed by Roboteam. John Spencer of the Modern War Institute notes the unique challenges of underground fighting. Hamas's tunnels, used for military strategy, pose risks to civilian lives when targeted due to their integration into civilian infrastructure.

The main opposition party in Poland, led by Donald Tusk, is targeting women voters ahead of a contentious election, emphasizing women's rights and autonomy. The Civic Coalition's manifesto includes pledges such as the right to abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy and a monthly child care payment. This appeal comes in response to the socially conservative Law and Justice party's tightening of abortion laws, which now only allow abortion in cases of rape or risk to the mother's health. The opposition aims to attract undecided female voters, with a report noting a significant number of undecided women in the 18 to 45 age group. The government's shift in social spending towards pensioners, away from young female voters, and the high inflation rate are also factors that could influence the election outcome.

Poland's intelligence agency ABW has been called to investigate a cyberattack on the country's rail traffic management system, which caused train disruptions near Szczecin. Unconfirmed reports suggest railway workers heard the Russian anthem and announcements of stopped trains on a reserved frequency. The ABW, along with Polish Police and rail companies, will probe the incident, which follows recent train derailments near Warsaw. Security chief Stanislaw Zaryn noted ongoing attempts to destabilize Poland, attributing them to Russian and Belarusian efforts. The ABW is also investigating a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Rzeszow. Poland's support for Ukraine and its role as a conduit for Western arms has made it a target for Russian espionage, with Polish intelligence reporting sabotage plans against its railways.

Poland has discontinued the 666 bus route to the seaside town of Hel, changing it to 669 after complaints from Christian groups accusing it of 'spreading Satanism'. The route was popular for its scenic attractions but faced criticism from conservative Catholic groups, particularly the website Fronda, which in 2018 condemned the route number as undermining Poland's Christian foundations. The decision to change the number has been met with ridicule and disapproval on social media, with users calling the country 'absurd' and the offense taken at the number 'stupid in the extreme'.

Donald Tusk led a massive protest in Warsaw against a new law that could potentially target opposition leaders, including himself, by establishing a commission to investigate Russian influence in Polish politics. The law, known as 'lex Tusk,' has been criticized for potentially undermining free and fair elections. Despite President Andrzej Duda's amendment to reduce the commission's power to ban individuals from public office, concerns remain as the amendment must pass through a parliament controlled by the ruling Law and Justice party.

Donald Tusk led a massive protest in Warsaw against a new law that could potentially exclude opposition leaders from Poland's upcoming general election. The law, which allows for the investigation of Russian influence in Polish politics, is seen as a tool to target Tusk by the ruling Law and Justice party. Despite criticism from within Poland and the US, President Andrzej Duda signed the law but proposed an amendment to mitigate some of its powers.

Finland has joined NATO as its 31st member, enhancing the alliance's military capabilities with its strong artillery and large reserve army. The Finnish military, shaped by the legacy of the Winter War with the Soviet Union, is focused on defense with a force that can rapidly expand from 19,000 to 280,000 through conscription. Popular support for national defense is high in Finland, with heavy investment in artillery and armored vehicles, including 200 Leopard 2 tanks. The country has increased its defense budget in response to the Ukraine war, purchasing F-35s from the US. Finland's NATO membership strengthens the alliance's position in the Baltic Sea and improves the security landscape of eastern Europe, particularly for the Baltic states.

The UK is planning to send Challenger II tanks to Ukraine, marking the first time a Western country has provided such heavy armor to Kyiv. Poland and Sweden are also ready to send tanks, increasing pressure on Germany to authorize the export of Leopard II tanks. Ukrainian officials believe they need at least 300 tanks for an effective counter-offensive. Western officials concur, anticipating the need for heavy armor in spring offensives. Germany remains hesitant, fearing escalation with Russia. The issue will be a key topic at the upcoming Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Germany.

Poland's chief of police, Jaroslaw Szymczyk, was injured by an exploding grenade launcher, a gift from Ukraine's security services, at the police headquarters in Warsaw. The explosion caused extensive damage and also injured a civilian employee. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, was made public on Thursday. Poland's interior ministry reported the explosion, and the Warsaw prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation, seeking explanations from Ukrainian authorities.

Comedian Kevin Hart is at the center of an FBI extortion probe involving a steamy video where he is seen resting his head on a woman's chest and clutching her thigh. Hart has publicly apologized to his pregnant wife Eniko and his children for a 'bad error in judgment.' The extortionist has attempted to expose Hart and demanded a multi-million dollar payment. The FBI is investigating the situation, which involves a video of Hart and a woman in a sexually provocative situation, and believe the woman Hart interacted with is making the demands.