France: tit-for-tat expulsion of Algerian diplomats

17 Apr 2025
France has announced the expulsion of twelve Algerian diplomats and recalled its ambassador from Algiers, in response to Algeria’s decision to expel twelve French consular staff. The tit-for-tat expulsions were triggered by the arrest of three…

Asylum applications: EU issues list of ‘safe’ countries

17 Apr 2025
The EU has proposed a new list of seven ‘safe countries of origin’ - Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia - to fast-track asylum applications from citizens of those nations. The assumption is that…

Spain: new emphasis on caring for geriatric animals

17 Apr 2025
At Barcelona Zoo, African elephants Susi (52) and Bully (40), and other older animals at the zoo, including a 15-year-old wolf and two 17-year-old big cats, are receiving specialised geriatric care designed to support their health…

‘Germany is back’ after Merz secures coalition agreement

11 Apr 2025
Germany's conservatives, led by Friedrich Merz, have formed a coalition with the Social Democrats, ending five months of political uncertainty. Merz, 69, promised strong leadership, reforms, and renewed international confidence, declaring, ‘Germany is back on track’.…