Socialist former Belgian PM Elio Di Rupo accused of corruption and influence peddling
The criminal complaint centres on a 2018 transaction involving the sale of shares in the property company Land Invest.
EU top court adviser: Commission failed to grant public enough access to COVID vaccine contracts
The Commission had released only heavily redacted versions, citing commercial confidentiality and personal data protection.
Scottish ax-wielding girl vindicated, Bulgarian man convicted
These images went viral worldwide, with many people commenting on the matter and the girl becoming an internet meme.
Italy reports dramatic fall in illegal immigration as repatriations surge under Meloni government
Since the Meloni government took office in October 2022, the total number of repatriations has increased by more than 40 per cent.
UK Defence Secretary unexpectedly resigns in major blow to Starmer over ‘inadequate’ defence spending plan
Healey announced his departure in a resignation letter, submitted to Starmer amid a deadlock between the defence and finance ministries.
Belgium cracks down on radical climate activists
Several activists were taken into custody for questioning, with at least some remaining in detention.
Sweden backs down on jailing 13-year-olds
This marks a significant retreat from one of the government’s flagship proposals to tackle youth gang crime.
British military chief takes rare step of writing directly to Starmer, warns defence investment plans are underwhelming
The letter was sent ahead of a long-awaited announcement on the Defence Investment Plan.
Council and Parliament strike deal on ETS2 Market Stability Reserve ahead of 2028 launch
The deal aims to provide greater price stability, particularly to combat sharp price spikes, and predictability for the controversial system.
Tomas Tobé: EU Democracy Shield must get much tougher on Russia and foreign interference
He stressed that troll farms in Saint Petersburg and bot networks are not protected free speech.
France bans Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich for promoting ‘recolonisation’ of Gaza
France also banned four leaders of settler organisations and 21 violent settlers.
South Wales Police pauses controversial plan to record ‘hostility’ towards Muslims
The internal guidance directed officers to record non-criminal speech or behaviour deemed hostile towards Muslims as anti-social behaviour incidents.
US urges Europe to tighten Ebola travel measures, most EU states push back
The current consensus favours enhanced exit screening in affected African countries, contact tracing, and public health advice.
Germany’s flagship rail megaproject delayed to 2031 after over 1,000 km of cables laid incorrectly
The errors occurred because cabling work began before the final technical planning for the new digital signalling system was complete.
Left-wing violence surges over 42 per cent in Germany
Attacks on police officers were also driven almost exclusively by left-wing perpetrators.
Binding CO2 minimum price risks undermining EU green goals, warns leading think tank
“Intervening into one market creates the need for complementary interventions in others,” the study notes.
ICC suspends chief prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations
The unprecedented decision leaves the court’s high-profile investigations into conflicts including Ukraine, Gaza and the Philippines.
No smart AI assistant on Apple in EU due to DMA regulations
The company said it spent months proposing solutions, including a “Trusted System Agent”.
Horrific knife attack shocks Belfast
One voice is heard shouting “He’s trying to cut his head off!” while others urge intervention.
Dutch immigration service stops searching asylum seekers’ phones
The move has sparked alarm among security experts who warn of reduced visibility into potential risks entering the country.
Uber opens sign-ups for London robotaxis ahead of launch ‘in months’
Customers in London can now join an “interest list” directly in the Uber app to get priority access when the service launches.
Royal Navy has no available nuclear submarines at sea as entire fleet sits in port
HMS Agamemnon has been officially commissioned but is still in the testing phase.
Left-wing media billionaire accused of organising paparazzi sting against critical French MP
The images showed Alloncle with his collaborator Shéhérazade Khandani in a private moment.
States increasingly rely on nuclear weapons as instruments of national power, SIPRI warns
Of the total global inventory of an estimated 12,187 warheads in January 2026, about 9,745 were in military stockpiles for potential use.
Hampshire police drafted statement portraying stabbed teen Henry Nowak as aggressor after his death
The force only abandoned this wording after strong objections from Nowak’s grieving family.
Dutch thieves sentenced to 47 months for stealing priceless Romanian gold treasure
The court in Assen handed down the sentences today to the three main suspects, aged 21, 35 and 36, from Heerhugowaard.
Far-left activists threaten violence and block visit of Defence Commissioner Kubilius in Belgium
It is the first time a visit by Commissioner Kubilius has had to be cancelled for security reasons.
Péter Magyar says he won’t take in illegal immigrants and criticises exclusion of hard-right parties
Such a stance was one of the main reasons that his predecessor, Viktor Orbán, was in loggerheads with the EU.
EU talks on tobacco taxation hit a Swedish brick wall
Brussels wants to keep those taxes for its own budget and it is aiming for several billion euros in revenues.
EU air passenger rights reform on the brink of collapse
A marathon overnight trilogue session earlier this week ended without agreement deep in the night.