Europe
Ukraine: Trump’s one-sided peace proposal
The USA has presented Ukraine with a controversial one-page peace framework, described as Donald Trump’s ‘final offer’, which would grant significant concessions to Russia, including recognition of its occupation of Crimea and of…
EU imposes fines on two US firms
The EU has fined Apple €500 million and Meta €200 million under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), its first enforcement action against Big Tech under the new law. Apple was penalised for limiting…
UK bans EU cheese and meat imports
The Government has introduced a temporary ban on travellers bringing cheese, meat, and dairy products from the EU, aiming to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. The new rules prohibit items such as…
France: tit-for-tat expulsion of Algerian diplomats
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…
Asylum applications: EU issues list of ‘safe’ countries
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…
Spain: new emphasis on caring for geriatric animals
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…
Russian pastors risk prison to oppose war in Ukraine
A quiet yet courageous resistance is growing among evangelical leaders in Russia who are risking their freedom to oppose the war in Ukraine. Bishop Albert Ratkin, pastor of Word of Life Church near…
‘Germany is back’ after Merz secures coalition agreement
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…
Hungary: Orban welcomes Netanyahu, withdraws from ICC
Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Hungary for its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a four-day visit to Budapest, marking a rare foreign trip for him since the ICC issued…
France: Marine le Pen barred for five years
Marine le Pen has been barred from public office for five years due to EU fund embezzlement, jeopardising her 2027 presidential hopes. Though her four-year jail sentence (two years suspended) is pending appeal,…
