The Dispatch

Holiday firm Thomas Cook agrees key terms of rescue deal

Thomas Cook Group said on Wednesday it had agreed the key commercial terms of a rescue package with investor Fosun Tourism, its banks and a majority of its bondholders. The…

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British Government asks Queen to suspend Parliament

The government has asked the Queen to suspend Parliament just days after MPs return to work in September - and only a few weeks before the Brexit deadline. Boris Johnson…

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Pound falls on report Britain’s Queen could be asked to suspend parliament

Sterling fell on Wednesday after a BBC journalist said that Britain’s Queen Elizabeth could be asked as early as Wednesday to agree to suspend parliament. The pound, already trading lower…

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Switzerland’s first crypto banks receive licences

The Swiss financial regulator has awarded banking and securities dealer licences to two new “crypto banks”. SEBA and Sygnum have been cleared to operate, a major milestone for the fledging…

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British musicians and baby daughter killed in Swiss plane crash

Two leading British musicians and their baby daughter have been killed in a plane crash in the Swiss Alps. The award-winning composer Jonathan Goldstein, his wife, Hannah, a prominent saxophonist,…

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Marijuana legalisation has not removed crime: Dutch police lecturer

Canada’s decision to legalise cannabis has not resulted in removing organised crime from the chain, a Dutch police academic warned Police Academy lecturer Pieter Tops, who visited Canada as part…

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Ireland says UK proposals to replace backstop not good enough

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said Ireland is open to suggestions to break the Brexit stalemate over the backstop but Britain has not provided any alternative arrangements that "do…

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EPA’s Eye in The Sky: Haltern am See, Germany

An aerial view showing people enjoying a sunny and hot day at a lake in Haltern am See, Germany. Haltern am See is a town and a municipality in the…

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Banksy’s Brexit mural mysteriously disappears from Dover

Banksy's mural of a workman chiselling away at a star in the European Union flag mysteriously disappeared from the side of a building in Dover, England, over the weekend. The…

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Photo Story: The horse races on the Wadden Sea in Germany

Horses compete in various events during the Duhner Wattrennen horse race near the beach of Cuxhaven-Duhnen, northern Germany. The races take place during low tide on the sea ground of…

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Notting Hill Carnival marred by violence and arrests

Almost 100 people were arrested by the end of the first day of Notting Hill Carnival, police have said. Almost 12,500 police officers and some 1,000 stewards are at the…

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Beachgoers suffer breathing problems on Essex beach

Essex Police said they were investigating the reason why persons coughed and struggled to breathe at a packed beach on the hottest late August bank holiday weekend on record. Police,…

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Photo Story: The Marksmanship Festival in Neuss

Marksmen and music corps pass the town hall square during the traditional marksmen royal parade in Neuss, Germany, on Sunday 25 August 2019. Every year for five days beginning with…

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Joint Statement following meeting between the British PM and the US President in Biarritz

The Joint Statement following the meeting of US President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the G7 meeting in Biarritz France. Today, President Donald J. Trump…

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UK offers education lifeline to 600,000 children living in conflict zones

Children in the world’s most dangerous countries will be given the chance to go to school for the first time thanks to £90m of UK aid funding, the British Prime…

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The UK sends another warship to Gulf

A third British warship is heading to the Gulf, the Royal Navy announced, amid heightened tensions in the region. Britain has already sent the HMS Kent to cover for frigate…

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Photo Story: The Rally of Germany 2019

Daniel Sordo of Spain drives his Hyundai i20 WRC during day 3 of the Rallye Germany 2019 or the ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2019, in Bostalsee, Germany This rally was first held…

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UPDATED: Trump and Johnson in bilateral meeting in Biarritz

US President Donald J. Trump (R) and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) pose as they arrive for a bilateral meeting during the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, 25 August…

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All major UK airports to introduce 3D baggage screening

All major UK airports must introduce 3D baggage screening equipment before the end of 2022, the government says. Announcing the new plans, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the scanners would…

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Johnson warns Trump to compromise to get UK trade deal, clash with Tusk over Brexit blame

The US must lift restrictions on UK businesses if it wants a trade deal with the UK, Boris Johnson has said. Travelling to the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, the…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Les Crosets, Switzerland

A picture taken with a drone shows a giant biodegradable landart painting by French-Swiss artist Saype, titled 'The Smugglers of Friendship!' ('Les contrebandiers de l'amitie!' in french) in front of…

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Prince Andrew clarifies his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

Prince Andrew has commented on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, saying he did not “see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to [the] arrest and conviction”…

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Germany : Social Democrats mulling wealth tax

Germany's ailing Social Democrats are mulling a move to push for the introduction of a wealth tax that would be used to fund public infrastructure and climate protection measures, according…

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Trump and Johnson to hold talks during G7 meeting

Boris Johnson is heading to his first international summit as prime minister - and meetings with Donald Trump, the EU and other world leaders on the agenda, Sky News reports. International…

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Prince William and family take budget airline flight week after Prince Harry criticised for use of private jet

Prince William, his wife Catherine and their three children took a budget airline flight on Thursday -- just days after his brother Prince Harry and wife Meghan faced criticism for…

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Ireland to try block Mercosur trade deal because of concerns over Amazon fires

As wildfires rage through the Brazilian Amazon, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said Dublin will vote against a trade deal between the European Union and South American trade bloc…

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Switzerland adopts EU laws on drones and post-Brexit aviation

Switzerland has taken over a EU security framework laying out new rules for drones and guarantees the continuation of aviation activities between Bern and London after Brexit. The Swiss Federal…

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Experts warn that ending free movement for EU citizens on day one of Brexit is impossible

The Migration Observatory at Oxford University said that ending free movement on day one of a no deal Brexit is impossible because it “can’t be enforced. The plan, confirmed by ministers on Monday, was dismissed…

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UK and France to discuss Channel migrant crossings after dozens rescued

Home secretary Priti Patel will hold talks with her French counterpart after dozens of migrants were rescued on Thursday while trying to cross the Channel. In four separate events along…

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Gas is on its way out in Dutch kitchens

Dutch research by environmental lobby group Natuur en Milieu announced that the use of gas is on its way out in Dutch kitchens. Last year, gas hobs accounted for just…

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Photo Story: Red Arrows over New York

Handout pictures provided by the British Ministry of Defence showing aircraft from the British Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows streaming the Red, White and Blue joined by…

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Johnson’s foot steals the limelight in meeting with Macron

A photo of Boris Johnson sticking his foot on a table during talks in Paris with the French president triggered unflattering comments on social media. But users on both sides…

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UK and Iraq agree future defence relationship

The UK has cemented its commitment to continued military support to Iraq, after an agreement was signed in London today. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met with his Iraqi counterpart, His…

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Macron tells Johnson backstop indispensable

Boris Johnson arrived in Paris for Brexit talks with French president Emmanuel Macron. Macron said that while the UK's vote to quit the EU must be respected, he added that…

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Maybe finally the Loch Ness mystery is close to a solution

After a thorough scientific analyses of Loch Ness in Scotland, scientist believe they are close to solving this age-old mystery. Scientists who have completed a DNA investigation of the waters…

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British government ditches non-disclosure agreements for Brexit preparations

Organisations working with the British government on Brexit will no longer be routinely required to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The use of NDAs - legally binding contracts to maintain confidentiality…

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German captain of migrant rescue vessel refuses honour from Paris

Pia Klemp, the German captain of rescue ship Iuventa, that saved hundreds of migrants’ lives in the Mediterranean has turned down Paris’s highest civilian award, accusing the city of hypocrisy…

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Photo Story: After Merkel, Johnson to meet Macron

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel talk on a balcony over a glass of wine at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 21 August 2019. Prior…

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Restrictions in Switzerland on blood donations from persons who visited certain southern European countries

Travellers who spend at least 24 hours in certain southern European countries face restrictions when donating blood in Switzerland. The reason is the increase in cases of West Nile virus,…

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Boris Johnson’s girlfriend blocked from visiting the US

British media is reporting that Boris Johnson’s girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, has been barred from visiting the US. She had applied for permission to go to the US in the next…

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Huge operation by German police against organized smuggling of foreigners into the construction industry

Police and customs officers launched a massive human trafficking raid in Berlin on Wednesday morning, prosecutors revealed. Around 1,900 officers are taking part in the operation and have searched over…

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Nearly 10,000 sign up for Dutch Brexit beach party

Nearly 10,000 people have said so far they will be going to a Brexit beach party at the Dutch seaside resort of Wijk aan Zee on October 31 to wave…

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Body found in search for boy who fell into river in Kent

A body has been found in the search for six-year-old Lucas Dobson who fell into a river in Kent on Saturday, police say. Lucas was swept away by the current…

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Liam and Emma most popular names for new-borns in Switzerland

Liam is the most popular name for male new-borns in Switzerland according to annual statistics published on Monday and Emma among females. For the 42,838 girls and 45,013 boys born…

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Marks & Spencer loses Saudi Arabian franchise partnership

Saudi Arabian retailer Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co. has pulled out of its franchise partnership with British store group Marks & Spencer and has ended similar agreements with a number of…

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Welsh Government would campaign for Remain in any future EU referendum

The Welsh Government would campaign for Remain in any future EU referendum, even under a Labour-led UK government, the first minister has said. It comes after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn…

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Britain to invest millions to support children and young people’s mental health

£3.3 million is being spent to expand 23 local projects to help prevent mental illness in children and young people. Thousands of young people across England will benefit from new…

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Boris Johnson to meet Angela Merkel today

Boris Johnson is set to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin later today, where he is expected to reiterate his call for the backstop plan to be scrapped. Johnson…

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Sir Elton John defends one of his dearest friend’s son and wife from relentless and untrue assassinations

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Corbyn calls for early recall of Parliament over Brexit

British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn on Monday said he supported recalling Parliament to deal with the Brexit crisis. The Labour Party leader, however, did not answer a question about whether…

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Police escape injury in bomb attack in Northern Ireland

Police officers have escaped injury in a bomb explosion in County Fermanagh, in Norther Ireland. The explosion happened at Wattle Bridge, near Newtownbutler, close to the Irish border, during a…

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Legal action by Ryanair to prevent Irish pilots’ strike

On Monday the High Court in Dublin will hear an application by Ryanair aimed at securing an order preventing industrial action by some of its Irish based pilots later this…

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Boris Johnson orders urgent action to boost vaccination rates after UK loses its measles free status

The British prime minister is demanding urgent action to improve the UK's declining vaccination rates. A steady fall in the uptake of the MMR jab means the UK has now…

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Prince Andrew ‘appalled’ over sex scandal claims

Prince Andrew has said he is "appalled" by recent sex abuse claims surrounding Jeffrey Epstein after footage emerged of the royal inside the convicted paedophile's Manhattan mansion in 2010. The…

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Germany, Hungary to mark end of the Iron Curtain

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will welcome German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the city of Sopron Monday to commemorate a pivotal moment in the fall of the Iron Curtain in…

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UK: 6-year-old who fell into river in Kent unlikely to be found alive (Update)

UPDATE: A six-year-old boy swept away after falling into a river in Kent is "unlikely" to be found alive, the police officer leading the search has said. Sonar equipment is being…

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Investigation shows how the British Home office increased UK visa profits by millions since outsourcing operations to Dubai based firm

The Home Office has increased its profit on UK visas by millions of pounds a week since outsourcing visa operations to a Dubai-based firm that has been deluged with complaints and…

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