PR disaster? UK ‘woke’ anti-racism campaign spawns right-wing icon
A controversial computer game in the UK, backed by the Home Office and designed to steer young minds away from the dangers of far-right extremism, has backfired, with the…
UK union leader caught fraternising with ‘anti-fascist’ Russians in occupied Ukraine
The leader of Britain’s biggest railway trade union joined pro-Russian chants and posed with a Communist Party flag during a visit to occupied parts of Ukraine in 2015,…
EU criticised for funding €1.6 million study on Muslim women’s hair
The European Union has come under fire from Italian MEP Silvia Sardone over its funding of academic research projects, which she deems "wasteful".
Compromise proposal on tobacco ‘is opposite of harm reduction’
A leaked compromise proposal from the Cypriot presidency on the European Union’s Tobacco Excise Directive has drawn sharp criticism for undermining harm reduction.
Scientists question alarming claims of microplastics in human bodies
A wave of alarming headlines about microplastics and nano plastics accumulating in human brains, testes, placentas and arteries may have been built on shaky scientific ground.
Italy’s privacy watchdog hit by probe into alleged corruption
The Italian Data Protection Authority (GPDG) is under criminal investigation following raids on its Rome headquarters by the country's Financial Guard (GdF).
Portugal to pay €8.4 million to keep 420 asylum seekers out under EU migration pact
The Portuguese Government has agreed to make a financial contribution of €8.4 million to the European Commission under the European Union's pact on migration and asylum.
German military mission to Greenland just 13-strong
In response to heightened US pressure, including repeated statements from President Donald Trump emphasising the strategic necessity of US control over the Arctic island,…
UK says Dutch right-wing commentator Vlaardingerbroek ‘not welcome’ after critical Starmer post
A Dutch right-wing political commentator and activist is no longer welcome in the UK.
Fast-food giant KFC to offer 24 halal-only restaurants in France
US fast-food chain KFC has announced that 24 of its restaurants in France will switch to offering exclusively halal-certified chicken from January 21.
Farage’s Reform UK dropping in polls
Nigel Farage's Reform UK party is experiencing a setback in British polls.
Algerian President calls on nationals abroad in ‘precarious’ situations to return
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has issued an appeal to young Algerians living abroad in precarious and irregular circumstances, encouraging them to regularise their…
Moldovan President favours unification with Romania
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has publicly stated that she would vote in favour of unification with Romania if a referendum were held on the matter.
Council of Europe wants to make questioning gender identity illegal
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) wants to make it illegal to question someone’s self-chosen gender via a new proposal criminalising 'conversion…
“Bonsai armies” no more: EU chief wants standing military force
The European Commission is urging member states to consider establishing a standing military force of 100,000 troops.
Prominent French centre-left MEP discovers grandfather was spy for Stalin
French centre-left MEP Raphaël Glucksmann has learnt during the making of a forthcoming family documentary that his grandfather, Rubin Glucksmann, served as a secret agent…
Spanish National Court opens proceedings against ex-PM Zapatero over ties with Venezuela
Spain's National Court has initiated proceedings against former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero following a complaint filed by the Spanish conservative Catholic…
Dutch court invalidates marriage after use of ChatGPT to ‘liven up’ ceremony
A Dutch court ruled a couple's marriage was invalid after a civil registrar used ChatGPT to draft a "lighter" ceremony speech–which omitted legally required declarations.
Kyiv Mayor urges evacuation to find warmth as infrastructure war escalates
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has called on residents to temporarily leave the Ukrainian capital for places with alternative sources of electricity and heat.
Asylum-related immigration to Sweden at lowest in 40 years
Sweden's asylum-seeker numbers fell by approximately 30 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest level of asylum-related immigration in 40 years.
UEA cuts funding to its students in UK fearing ‘Islamist radicalisation’
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has restricted government scholarships and funding for its citizens wishing to study at British universities over longstanding concerns about…
More than a million Ukrainians without water or heating after Russian attacks
Last night Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, plunging large parts of the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk (Dnipro)…
US leaves 66 ‘anti-American, useless, or wasteful international organisations’
In a sweeping move, the United States has formally withdrawn from 66 international organisations deemed "wasteful, ineffective or harmful" by the US President Donald Trump…
Former Greek finance minister Varoufakis faces probe after he admits drug use
Yanis Varoufakis, who served as Greece's finance minister at the height of the country's debt crisis in 2015, has come under scrutiny for candid remarks about his past drug…
UK’s Metropolitan Police employed child rapists as officers ‘to improve diversity’
The UK's Metropolitan Police is facing fierce criticism after a damning review revealed it allowed highly problematic and serious dangerous criminals to enter its ranks due…
French Council of State authorises ‘inclusive writing’ on commemorative plaques
France's Council of State, the country's highest administrative court, has upheld the use of inclusive writing (écriture inclusive) on commemorative plaques at Paris City…
Euro MP De Masi sues von der Leyen over contacts with arms dealers
Fabio De Masi, an MEP and chair of Germany's left-wing Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) party, filed a lawsuit January 7 against the European Commission over Ursula von der…
Slovenian leader of the Left defects to the Social Democrats
Two months before Slovenia's next parliamentary elections, long-time leader of the Left (Levica), Matej Tašner Vatovec, defected to the rival Social Democrats (SD).
German Chancellor warns of ‘very critical’ economic situation
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a stark warning about his country's economy in a New Year's letter to his governing coalition, describing its situation as "very critical"…
Head of Ukraine’s Security Service ousted after corruption scandal
Vasyl Maliuk, the former head of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), has been removed from his position amid a widening corruption scandal that has rocked President Volodymyr…