The Dispatch

In the UK, A-level English is in decline, as students opt for subjects which guarantee jobs in the future

In the UK, A-level results day this week confirmed an alarming trend, that the study of English is in serious decline. Entries fell by 22%, while almost 3,500 fewer students…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Scheveningen, the Netherlands

An image taken with a drone shows beach umbrellas and deck chairs as beachgoers enjoy the hot weather in Scheveningen, the Netherlands. Photo: EPA-EFE/SEM VAN DER WAL

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Monaco: One of Europe’s smallest nations is going green

The Principality of Monaco is one of Europe's smallest nations, and indeed 20% of the country has been reclaimed from the sea. A new reclamation project is under way at…

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Germany ready to ditch balanced budget in case of recession

Germany’s coalition government would be prepared to ditch its balanced budget rule and take on new debt to counter a possible recession, according to a report in Der Spiegel magazine.…

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Veteran British politician Ken Clarke doesn’t rule out becoming prime minister

Conservative MP Ken Clarke has said he would not reject an offer to become caretaker prime minister if it was "the only way" to stop a no-deal Brexit. Liberal Democrat…

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British PM ‘deeply shocked and appalled’ by murder of police constable

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is 'deeply shocked and appalled' by the death of the 'brave' officer. PC Andrew Harper, of Thames Valley Police, has been killed while…

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Photo Story: Flowertime 2019 in Brussels

A floral structures on display at the City Hall for the floral event 'Flowertime' in Brussels, Belgium. Every other summer, in alternation with the Flower Carpet, the City Hall of…

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Merkel calls for restarting EU migrant rescue mission, emphasizes need to fix root cause of migration

Several months after the EU's migrant rescue mission in the Mediterranean was suspended, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for the operation to be resumed once more. The operation was…

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Switzerland introduces higher fees for Schengen visas

Switzerland has moved into line with European Union changes to Schengen visa applications that will raise the costs for adults and children aged between six and 12. Although Switzerland is…

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Photo Story: Grand Tattoo farewell ceremony for Ursula von der Leyen

Former German Defence Minister and President-elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (C), is handed a certificate from a German soldier, during a Grand Tattoo military ceremony in…

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German police smash child pornography ring on darknet

German cybercrime experts brought down a child pornography platform on the darknet following months of intensive investigation, authorities in the German state of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania announced. German police were first…

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Trump says progress being made in trade deal with UK

President Donald Trump said that the United States and UK were moving rapidly towards a deal on trade that would be “fantastic and big.” “I think we’ll make a fantastic…

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Gibraltar to release Iranian vessel (Updated)

Update: Gibraltar has said it will allow a detained Iranian oil tanker to be released after Tehran gave the territory’s government an assurance that it would not allow its cargo…

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Flights at Shannon airport suspended after emergency incident

Operations at Shannon Airport in the Republic of Ireland have been temporary suspended after an "incident" involving a Boeing plane. The airport said emergency services are at the scene and…

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Over 3,000 Britons have obtained Belgian citizenship since the Brexit referendum

Since voters in the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a referendum held in June 2016 3,454 British nationals living in Belgium have obtained Belgian citizenship. The…

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Corbyn plans to call no-confidence vote to defeat no-deal, ask to be as caretaker PM

Jeremy Corbyn has urged the leaders of the other opposition parties and Tory rebels to install him as caretaker PM in order to stop a no-deal Brexit. The Labour leader…

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Swedish activist Greta Thunberg sails to New York

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg waves to well-wishers while leaving Plymouth, Britain, 14 August 2019. Greta Thunberg is making her way from Plymouth to New York aboard the Malizia II to…

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Ryanair’s Irish pilots to proceed with strike

Directly employed Ryanair pilots based in Ireland, who are members of the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA), are to strike for 48 hours from midnight on 22 August. The move comes after…

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Photo Story: Preparations for Oktoberfest 2019

Various instances at the Theresienwiese fair ground during preparations for the Oktoberfest 2019 in Munich, Germany, 14 August 2019. The traditional Munich Beer Festival, the world's largest beer festival that…

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Barclays no longer banking cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase

Barclays is no longer providing banking services to cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, ending a relationship that started in March last year as the exchange…

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Germany releases gross domestic product quarterly results for 2019

Germany's Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt) announced on 14 August 2019 that the country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.4 percent in the first quarter of 2019, shrinking by…

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Former Chancellor Hammond accuses British PM of trying to wreck the chance of a new Brexit deal, Commons speaker will resist Parliament closure

Former Chancellor Philip Hammond has accused the PM of trying to wreck the chance of a new Brexit deal, by making demands the EU could never accept. In a Times…

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Talks to avert Ryanair’s Irish pilots strike

Ryanair’s directly employed pilots in Ireland agreed to attend mediated talks starting on Wednesday to avert a strike their trade union said would go ahead next week if the airline…

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UK: Medical companies and government to face legal action over claims about damaging pregnancy drug Primodos

Sky News reports that "parents who say their babies were damaged by a pregnancy test drug have warned manufacturers and the government that they are preparing to take legal action."…

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£100 million crackdown on crime in British prisons

Prison security will be boosted by a £100 million investment as part of a crackdown on crime behind bars, the government announced today (13 August 2019). The investment will target…

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Police officer poisoned by Salisbury on way to recovery

The police officer who was poisoned by novichok as he responded to the attack on a former Russian spy in Salisbury has told of his rollercoaster physical and mental recovery.…

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Bolton courts Britain with a trade deal talk

U.S. President Donald Trump wants to see a successful British exit from the European Union that Washington will support with a U.S.-UK free trade agreement, national security adviser John Bolton…

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British MPs running out of options to block no-deal Brexit

Stopping the UK from leaving the European Union without a deal is "very unlikely" due to the lack of time to secure a new agreement and reduced opportunities for lawmakers…

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Six-year-old girl missing after violent storm in Switzerland

A six-year-old girl is among the two persons who are missing after their car was swept away by a torrent of mud triggered by a flash flood in southwestern Switzerland.…

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Britons have spent £4bn stockpiling goods in case of no-deal Brexit

Britons have spent £4bn stockpiling goods in preparation for a possible no-deal Brexit, new research suggests. One in five people are already hoarding food, drinks and medicine, spending an extra…

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Photo Story: Red Bull Race Day

Raimund Riedmann (L) of Austria in the plane P38 Lightning and Philipp Haidbauer of Austria in the plane T28 Trojan perform during the Red Bull Race Day at Grenchen Airport…

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Gambling site Bwin fined €350,000 by Dutch regulators

The Dutch gambling authority Ksa imposed a fine of 350 thousand euros on the company behind gambling site Bwin.com, because the site offered gambling services and sports betting to Dutch…

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UK is ‘sleepwalking into oblivion’, says ex PM Gordon Brown

Former British prime minister Gordon Brown has said that the UK, having previously been admired around the world for being inclusive and outward-looking, now presents a picture of division, intolerance and introversion.…

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UK government confirms Glasgow nominated to host its largest ever summit

Glasgow has been chosen to host a major UN climate change summit next year, if the country’s bid is successful. Glasgow has been chosen as the UK city to host…

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Boris Johnson to increase prison places, vows to come down hard on crime

The new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to introduce a series of tougher policing measures, more draconian sentencing practices, and build new prisons to crack down on violent…

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Juncker tells Britain: no-deal Brexit will hurt you the most

A no-deal Brexit would hurt Britain more than the rest of Europe no matter how much Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government pretends otherwise, outgoing European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said…

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Police worried for survival of Irish girl missing in Malaysia

Police in Malaysia said they were concerned about the survival of an Irish teenager who went missing on holiday as search efforts continued into their eighth day on Sunday. In…

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Plan to mint millions of special 50p Brexit coins for 31 October

Millions of 50p Brexit coins are to be minted in time to mark Britain's departure from the European Union. The coins will still carry the words "Friendship with all nations"…

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Major power cut disrupts London and other parts of UK

Update: "Large parts of England and Wales are without electricity following a major power cut, electricity network operators have said, with an immediate impact being reported on rail and road…

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Jeremy Corbyn asks for Boris Johnson to be blocked from forcing no-deal during an election

Jeremy Corbyn is demanding a block on Brexit during an autumn general election campaign, accusing Boris Johnson of plotting an abuse of power to force no deal. Corbyn has urged…

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Sterling, UK stocks register drop

Sterling fell to a one-week low on Friday and British stocks sold off after the UK economy unexpectedly contracted in the second quarter. The pound fell to the day’s low…

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Photo Story: New home for Konik horses

One of the first 50 konik horses are transported from the nature reserve of Oostvaardersplassen in Lelystad, the Netherlands to a nature reserve in Belarus,. A total of 150 konik…

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British scientist Natalie Christopher ‘died instantly’ after falling

No foul play is suspected in the death of British scientist Nathalie Christopher in Greece. She died instantly after falling from a height on the Greek island of Ikaria, a…

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Photo Story: The 29th Hanse Sail festival

A tall ship sails next to a lighthouse during the Hanse sail maritime festival, Rostock-Warnemuende, Germany. The 29th Hanse Sail maritime festival running from 08 to 11 August 2019.…

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Queen may cut short summer holiday because of Brexit crisis

The Queen may have to cut short her summer holiday if she is needed to carry out any of her constitutional duties amid speculation her new prime minister Boris Johnson…

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Legendary French actor Alain Delon recovered in hospital after stroke

Legendary French actor Alain Delon, 83, suffered a stroke a few weeks ago and is currently "resting" in Switzerland, his eldest son Anthony Delon revealed. His son said the actor's…

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The 50th anniversary of the iconic ‘Abbey Road’ Beatles album cover

Beatles fans dressed as band members of the Beatles walk across the zebra crossing outside the Abbey Road studios, in Central London, Britain, on the 08 August 2019 to mark…

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Photo Story: The Road Cycling European Championships

The Dutch rider Yara Kastelijn in action during the women's time trial under 23 at the European Cycling Championships in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, on the 08 August 2019. Ellen van…

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Debenhams names Stefaan Vansteenkiste CEO

Struggling British department store group Debenhams on Thursday named turnaround specialist Stefaan Vansteenkiste as its new chief executive, promoting him from the chief restructuring officer role he took on in…

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Rocket Launcher amongst items handed in for British nationwide firearms surrender

An undated handout photo made available by the British Cleveland Police, north east England, on 08 August 2019 showing automatic weapons that was amongst items handed in during a firearm…

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Warning that Beyoncé diet plan ‘could be dangerous’

The British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine warned that a diet endorsed by US pop singer Beyoncé "could be dangerous." The warning was made during a BBC programme. Nutritionist…

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Further problems expected for BA flights due to IT glitch

British Airways travellers have been warned of possible further delays to flights, despite fixing an earlier IT glitch that crashed online check-ins. The airline cancelled 117 flights at Heathrow and…

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Police officer critical after being stabbed in London

A British police officer is in a critical condition after being stabbed "a number of times" with a machete in east London late Wednesday evening. The injured officer was able…

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Greek police find corpse of female British scientist

Police searching for Natalie Christopher, a 35-year-old British woman who disappeared on the Greek island of Ikaria say they have found her dead in a ravine. Christopher, an astrophysicist from…

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Photo Story: The Silver Spitfire

A handout picture (above) provided by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) showing the Silver Spitfire (L), along with three other Spitfire aircraft, take off from Goodwood Aerodrome, Hampshire, southern…

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Thousands effected by British Airways IT glitch

Thousands of holidaymakers are facing travel chaos this morning after British Airways suffered an IT glitch. The Standard reports that British Airways passengers have reported delayed and cancelled flights due to IT…

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UK’s opposition Labour Party open to a Scottish independence referendum

Britain’s opposition Labour Party should allow Scotland to hold another independence referendum if the Scottish parliament votes for one, The comment was made by Labour’s John McDonnell, the second most…

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