The Dispatch

German cabinet agrees on law to incentivise post-retirement work

Germany's cabinet agreed a draft law on Wednesday to encourage work after retirement by allowing those who do so to earn up to 2,000 euros a month tax-free in an…

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UK ‘Not Ready’ for 2C of Global Warming by 2050, Climate Advisers Warn

The UK must prepare for more extreme weather as global temperatures are expected to rise by at least 2°C by 2050, the government’s independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned.…

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Germany to order over 600 short-range air defence systems

The German government plans to order more than 600 Skyranger 30 short-range air defence systems from Rheinmetall before the end of the year, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Friday, citing…

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At least a third of EU citizens in UK report discrimination by public bodies

A significant number of EU citizens living long term in the UK post Brexit are experiencing discrimination in work and in public services, a report by the UK’s statutory Brexit…

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Belgium says it thwarted group planning to attack country’s prime minister

A suspected terrorist cell was dismantled by Belgium's federal prosecutor's office on Thursday, believed to have been planning an attack on Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Local media reported that…

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German parliament votes to get rid of fast-track citizenship

The Bundestag voted to get rid of a fast-track citizenship law put in place under the previous government led by center-left Social Democrat (SPD) Olaf Scholz. The vote passed with…

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Tories in Turmoil: Britain’s Once-Dominant Party Faces Existential Crisis

Once proud of being “the world’s most successful political party,” Britain’s Conservatives are now struggling for survival. After their crushing 2024 election defeat, the Tories have shifted sharply to the…

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Germany to allow police to shoot down drones

Germany will grant police the power to shoot down rogue drones like those that have disrupted airports across Europe and that some European leaders have attributed to a hybrid war…

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Britain not seeking visa deal with India

Britain will not pursue a visa deal with India, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, as he aims to deepen economic ties with the country following this year's trade agreement. Starmer…

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Harrods sets aside more than £60m for abuse compensation

Harrods has set aside more than £60m in its plan to compensate alleged victims of historical abuse. More than 100 employees of the luxury department store are expected to claim…

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Storm Amy Brings Chaos to Europe With Hurricane-Force Winds and Heavy Rain

Storm Amy swept across Europe over the weekend, unleashing strong winds and heavy rain that killed at least three people, damaged infrastructure and left tens of thousands without electricity, authorities…

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Berlin Faces Calls to Let Police Shoot Down Rogue Drones

Drone sightings overnight at Germany's Munich airport led to the cancellation and diversion of dozens of flights on the eve of a national holiday, leaving nearly 3,000 passengers stranded and…

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Sarah Mullally named as new Archbishop of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury designate - the first woman to be chosen for the role. A former NHS chief nurse, the 63-year-old…

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Knife Assault Stokes Concern Among UK Jews Over Escalating Antisemitism

The attack on a synagogue in northern England on Thursday sent fear through a Jewish community already dealing with a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, bringing warnings about the need…

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UK’s Prince William opens up about family fears and plans to change monarchy

Prince William has said protecting his family was the most important thing for him when his wife Kate and father King Charles became ill, and revealed that he will seek…

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Munich airport reopens after drone sightings halt flights

Germany's Munich airport reopened on Friday after shutting overnight due to drone sightings that forced the cancellation or diversion of dozens of flights on the eve of a national holiday…

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UPDATED: London police boost patrols near synagogues after deadly Manchester attack

Police said on Thursday it had deployed additional officers around synagogues and Jewish community sites in London on Thursday, following a deadly attack at a synagogue in Manchester earlier in…

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British PM tells BBC he wants to change how international law used in asylum cases

Sir Keir Starmer wants to change how international law is interpreted, to stop unsuccessful asylum seekers blocking their deportation on the grounds they could be sent to worse prisons or…

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Northern Ireland Weighs Free Public Transit for Disabled and Seniors

Northern Ireland’s government is considering expanding free public transport to people with disabilities and older adults, part of a wider debate over how to make travel more inclusive despite tightening…

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UK plans tougher residency rules based on English skills, civic conduct

Britain plans to tighten the rules over how migrants can settle permanently by making applicants prove their value to society, including being able to speak a "high standard" of English,…

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Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

Britain on Friday said it would introduce a mandatory digital ID scheme for British citizens and residents starting a new job as a measure to deter illegal immigration. "It will…

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Starmer says Labour shied away from illegal immigration concerns

Sir Keir Starmer has publicly acknowledged "where some on the left went wrong" on immigration, saying that his party needs to tackle "every aspect of the problem". Writing in the…

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Clouds loom on German economy as demand weakens

German business confidence slipped unexpectedly in September, raising fresh doubts about the government’s ability to deliver the promised economic turnaround. The Munich-based Ifo institute reported Wednesday that its closely watched…

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Germany plans for 1,000 wounded troops per day in case of conflict with Russia

Germany's armed forces are planning how to treat a potential 1,000 wounded troops per day should a large-scale conflict between NATO and Russia break out, and amid long-standing warnings by…

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Old Email Emerges of Duchess of York Calling Epstein a ‘Supreme Friend’

Two British newspapers have published an email said to have been sent by the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, calling him a "supreme friend" - despite…

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European airports struggle to fix check-in glitch after cyberattack

Some of Europe's biggest airports battled to restore normal operations on Sunday after hackers disrupted automatic check-in systems, with Brussels asking airlines to cancel half of Monday's flight departures due…

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Starmer, Trump hail renewal of ‘special relationship’, skirt difficult issues

Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the renewal of their nations' "special relationship" on Thursday, drawing the U.S leader's unprecedented second state visit to a close with…

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Lead Figure in Madeleine McCann Investigation Set for Release From Prison

The main suspect in the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann is due to be released on Wednesday from the German prison where he has been serving a seven-year…

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Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK

Donald Trump is set to fly to the UK today for an unprecedented second state visit. The US president and first lady Melania Trump will be hosted by the King…

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Ex-partner in crime says Brueckner knows truth of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance

A former associate of Christian Brueckner, the German man prosecutors say is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, said he is “100% sure” Brueckner was involved in…

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Labour in Turmoil, Conservatives in Decline as Reform Rises

Britain’s Labour government is reeling from a string of resignations and scandals that have weakened Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s authority, just as the opposition Conservative Party faces an unprecedented defection…

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US, Britain to announce more than $10 billion in deals during Trump visit, US officials say

The United States and Britain plan to announce more than $10 billion in economic deals this week as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit, senior U.S. officials said…

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Germany’s army needs to more than double in size, commander says

Germany's army needs to add 100,000 active troops to its existing 62,000 to meet new NATO targets intended to boost preparedness for the growing threat of Russian aggression, its commander…

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Britain sacks Mandelson as US ambassador over Epstein links

Peter Mandelson, Britain's smooth-talking ambassador to the U.S., was sacked on Thursday after his long-term association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became a further distraction for under pressure Prime…

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Britain could cut visas from countries that don’t accept migrant returns

Britain said it could cut the number of visas granted to countries that do not accept the return of migrants with no right to remain, after talks with allies including…

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London’s Tube network shuts as workers begin week of strikes

London's underground rail network came to a standstill on Monday as staff began a week of strikes over pay and working conditions, disrupting travel for commuters and tourists. Almost no…

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UK deputy PM Rayner quits over tax error

British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after she admitted underpaying property tax on a new home, in a new blow for her boss, Prime Minister Keir Starmer,…

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UK Deputy PM fights to save her career after admitting underpaying tax

British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is fighting for her political future after acknowledging she had underpaid property tax owed when she bought an apartment in a southern English seaside…

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Belgium to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly

Belgium will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly session opening on 9 September, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced. This move places Belgium alongside Australia, France, Canada and…

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German Chancellor Merz ‘mentally preparing’ for war in Ukraine to ‘drag on’

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he is “mentally preparing” for Russia’s war in Ukraine to drag on, warning that Moscow has no real interest in ending the conflict. Speaking to…

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Geert Wilders’ far-right party leads polls two months before Dutch vote

Migration, the economy, housing, and foreign affairs are expected to dominate the upcoming election campaign in the Netherlands. With two months to go before voters head to the polls, the…

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UPDATED: German cabinet passes bill for voluntary military service

Germany's cabinet passed a draft bill on Wednesday that would introduce a voluntary military service as the country seeks to bolster national defences over Russian security concerns. The text also…

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UK’s Farage warns of ‘civil disorder’, unveils plan to deport asylum seekers

Nigel Farage, leader of Britain's anti-migration Reform UK party, announced a plan on Tuesday to repeal human rights laws to allow for mass deportations of asylum seekers, action he said…

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Headphones Only: London Targets Noisy Commuters

A new public awareness campaign is being launched in London to discourage commuters from playing music or videos out loud on trains and buses. Starting this week, posters will appear…

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Flemish Government Launches Major Push to Promote Dutch in Brussels

The Flemish government has approved a sweeping plan to strengthen the role of Dutch in Brussels, marking the most ambitious effort in years to bolster the language in Belgium’s officially…

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Ten years on: Merkel reflects on 2015 refugee decision

It has been ten years since German Chancellor Angela Merkel made her famous "Wir schaffen das" ("We can do this") statement regarding her decision to accept hundreds of thousands of refugees into Germany.…

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Berlin courts tourists as Paris and Barcelona tire of the crowds

As many southern European cities grow tired of tourists, Berlin is pitching itself as an antidote to the crowds, blistering heatwaves and anti-tourism protests causing problems elsewhere. The German capital…

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Closing Chapter: Final Queen Elizabeth II Coins Enter Circulation

The final batch of Queen Elizabeth II's £1 coins is entering circulation across the UK, the Royal Mint has announced. More than 23 million coins depicting the late monarch are…

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EU citizens awaiting UK residency status have right to travel, Home Office told

EU citizens waiting for the Home Office to decide their pre-Brexit residency status should not be removed from the UK if they make a short return visit abroad for business,…

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Germany Stresses Importance of Security Pledges to Ukraine, Rules Out Troop Presence

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that his country can play an important role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, but that Berlin likely doesn't have the capacity to send…

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Geneva makes public transport temporarily free to combat pollution spike

Public transport will be temporarily free of charge in Geneva, in a first for Switzerland, as part of a series of measures aimed at tackling a spike in pollution in…

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Air conditioner sales up as heat wave hits Germany

A heat wave that has gripped Europe for weeks has now arrived in Germany, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday and national weather service DWD…

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UK homelessness minister resigns over rent hike claims

Britain's minister for homelessness resigned late on Thursday after claims that she evicted tenants from a property she owns and then increased the rent by hundreds of pounds. Rushanara Ali,…

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Aberdeen to introduce 7% ‘tourist tax’ on visitors

Councillors have given the green light for the introduction of a 7% visitor levy for Aberdeen, Scotland. The "tourist tax" will not come into force until at least April 2027,…

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Cosmetic Crackdown: New Licensing Rules for UK Botox Providers

The government has announced plans to crack down on dodgy cosmetic practitioners who it says are exploiting people and causing harm. Under the new proposals, only qualified health professionals will…

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Switzerland facing 39% US tariff as president leaves Washington empty-handed

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter left Washington empty-handed on Wednesday after a hastily arranged trip to avert a crippling 39% tariff on the country's exports to the United States, its biggest…

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UK to start implementing migrant returns deal with France

Britain said it will start work within days to implement a deal to return some migrants who arrive on small boats to France, a key part of its plans to…

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