The Dispatch

Britain imposes new travel permit requirement on Europeans

European visitors to Britain will have to purchase an electronic permit in advance for trips from Wednesday, as the UK government follows other countries in seeking to strengthen immigration security…

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King Charles experiences temporary side effects of cancer treatment

King Charles III spent a short period of time in hospital on Thursday after experiencing temporary side effects during cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace said. The King returned to Clarence House,…

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King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Vatican visit postponed due to Pope’s health

King Charles and his wife Queen Camilla's state visit to the Vatican has been postponed because of medical advice that suggested Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of…

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Mysterious Luminous Spiral Stuns Observers Across Europe

People across the UK and most of Europe have taken to social media after spotting a mysterious large, glowing spiral in the night sky on Monday. Stargazers across the UK,…

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The Netherlands wants to double army personnel

All 18- to 27-year-olds in the Netherlands are to be asked to take part in a survey to assess their interest in working for the defence ministry, junior armed forces…

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First case of bird flu in sheep found on UK farm

The first case of bird flu in sheep has been found in the UK, the nation's chief veterinary officer has confirmed. The exact location of the farm has not been…

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Norway’s oil fund to invest in Covent Garden

In a strategic move reflecting strong confidence in the future of central London, Norges Bank Investment Management, which oversees Norway's sovereign wealth fund, has secured a £570 million deal to…

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More than 1,000 flights disrupted at Heathrow airport after nearby fire

A fire at an electrical substation in London has triggered a power outage, forcing Heathrow Airport to shut down for an entire day. According to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, at…

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Putin would breach Ukraine deal if it is not defended, says PM

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would violate a peace deal with Ukraine if it is not properly enforced. His remarks came after…

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Britain beefs up travel warnings over US border enforcement

Britain has in recent weeks revised its advice for citizens travelling to the United States to include a warning that anyone found breaking its entry rules could face arrest or…

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Germany’s military faces severe staffing shortages and aging personnel

An official report on the state of the German military painted a grim picture this week, with a whopping 28% of positions among the lower enlisted ranks unfilled as of…

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NHS England to be abolished, Keir Starmer announces

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced he will abolish NHS England as part of his plans to overhaul the public sector. NHS England leads the NHS in England - which means the…

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Arrested captain of ship involved in North Sea crash is Russian national

The arrested captain of the Solong - the container ship involved in the crash in the North Sea - is a Russian national, the vessel's owner has said.The rest of…

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‘Multiple explosions’ as tanker and ship crash in North Sea

All 37 crew have been accounted for after a tanker laden with jet fuel and a cargo ship burst into flames when they collided in the North Sea, an MP…

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Germany’s Merz wants European nuclear weapons to boost US shield

German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz on Sunday said he would like talks with France and Britain about sharing their nuclear weapons, but not as a substitute for U.S. nuclear protection of…

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Germany’s next government wants to do ‘whatever it takes’ to boost defence

The prospective partners in Germany’s next government have said they will seek to loosen rules on running up debt to allow for higher defence spending. Centre-right election winner Friedrich Merz,…

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UK expands its Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme to EU citizens

Starting from today, EU citizens planning to visit the UK can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, which will be required to enter the country from 2 April…

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Mannheim attack: ‘It’s daily news now, here in Germany’

Like many towns and cities in Germany's western states this week, Mannheim should be full of revelers celebrating the final colorful and joyous days of the annual Carnival season. Though its…

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Trump invited to the UK for a second state visit

US President Donald Trump has been invited to the UK for a second state visit by the King. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer used his trip to the White House…

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Brexit boost for Britain as Donald Trump targets EU with massive 25% tariffs

Britain has been handed a massive Brexit boost after Donald Trump vowed to clobber the EU with 25% import tariffs. The US president took revenge on the bloc after saying…

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German police on alert after ISIS calls for carnival attacks

Police are on high alert ahead of Germany’s traditional carnival celebrations this week after social media connected to the ISIS militant group called for attacks targeting revelers in Cologne and…

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British PM Starmer to Meet Donald Trump in Washington Following Defence Spending Announcement

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to travel to Washington to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump after announcing plans to increase UK defence spending to 2.5% of…

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German election: Merz’s CDU wins election, AfD second

Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU conservative alliance has won the general election with 28.6% of the vote, according to preliminary results announced by Germany's federal electoral body. The far-right Alternative for Germany…

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German voters demand change as Europe’s biggest economy stalls

Germany's economic model, once driven by cheap Russian gas and strong exports to China, is no longer sustainable, leaving the country in stagnation and uncertainty. Developing a new growth strategy…

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UPDATED: Man drives into crowd in Munich, Perpetrator must be punished and leave the country, German leader says

Munich police said Thursday afternoon there was no public danger after a car drove into a group of people earlier in the day in the capital city of Germany's southern state…

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Another gangland shooting in Brussels leaves one person dead

One person died after a shooting in Brussels that was likely linked to clashes between rival drug gangs, the local prosecutor's office said on Friday, highlighting rising crime in the…

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King Charles and Queen Camilla to make state visit to Italy, meet Pope Francis

King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to Italy and the Vatican in April to meet with Pope Francis, as the Catholic Church celebrates a special Jubilee year, which takes…

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Brussels metro reopens as police continue to hunt shooting suspects

The Brussels metro faced major disruptions Wednesday morning after a shooting near Clemenceau station in Anderlecht around 6 a.m., triggering a police manhunt. The Brussels prosecutor's office said no arrests…

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Doubt cast on on convictions of UK baby killer Lucy Letby

The convictions of child serial killer Lucy Letby are to be reviewed, as her legal team continues its campaign protesting her innocence. Her case will go to the UK's Criminal…

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Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform party leads for first time in new UK poll

Reform have topped a Sky News/YouGov poll for the first time as the party continues to shake up British politics. Nigel Farage's Reform UK has edged in front on 25%,…

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Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever sworn in as Belgian prime minister

More than seven months after the parliamentary elections in June 2024, political talks have resulted in the formation of a coalition government led by nationalist Bart De Wever. Flemish nationalist…

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5 years after Britain left the EU, the full impact of Brexit is still emerging

Five years ago Friday, two crowds of people gathered near Britain’s Parliament — some with Union Jacks and cheers, others European Union flags and tears.On Jan. 31, 2020 at 11…

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Germany offers maternity leave for women after miscarriage

The German Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, on Thursday evening passed a law that extends maternity leave protection to women who suffer a miscarriage after 13 weeks of pregnancy.…

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Britain implements delayed third phase of post-Brexit border rules

The delayed third phase of Britain's post-Brexit border regime for imports from the European Union will begin on Jan 31 - four years after Britain left the bloc's single market…

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Merkel Criticises Leader of Her CDU Party for Cooperating With German Far-Right

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised the leader of her Christian Democrats (CDU), Friedrich Merz, for drawing on support from the far-right to pass a motion in parliament, in a…

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Coca-Cola recalls drinks in Europe over ‘higher levels’ of chemical chlorate

Coca-Cola has recalled its drinks in some countries across Europe after detecting “higher levels” of the chemical chlorate. Cans and glass bottles containing elevated levels of the substance were distributed…

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As Holocaust is commemorated, Jewish groups warn of rising antisemitism

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, on January 27, people remember the six million Jews and millions of other victims of Nazi persecution during WWII. Monday marks the 80th anniversary of…

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WHO freezes hiring, restricts travel after US withdrawal

The World Health Organization is freezing recruitment and slashing travel in response to the withdrawal of the U.S., its biggest funder, according to an internal email seen by POLITICO. “As…

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Trump at Davos: Plans for EU and Economic Growth

President Donald Trump, in a conversation with global business leaders Thursday, provided the clearest picture yet about how he plans to deliver on the economic promises he campaigned on: He…

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Rare red warnings in UK and Ireland ahead of Storm Eowyn

Schools have been closed and people have been warned not to travel amid rare red weather warnings as Storm Eowyn brings winds of up to 100mph to the UK. Rail…

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Micheál Martin elected Irish prime minister after chaotic opposition showdown

Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin has been elected taoiseach (Irish prime minister) for the second time after chaos in the Dáil (lower house of Irish Parliament) subsided. The Dáil was…

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UK warns Putin after Russian spy ship seen near British waters

The Royal Navy has been monitoring a Russian spy ship after it was spotted around UK waters earlier this week, the defence secretary has told MPs. John Healey said the…

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Violent human traffickers halted in Germany and Hungary

The German Criminal Inspectorate (Karlsruhe Kriminalinspektion) and the Hungarian National Bureau of Investigation THB Unit (Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda Emberkereskedelem Elleni Osztály), supported by Europol, have dismantled a criminal network involved…

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UPDATED: Two killed in German park in stabbing attack; Afghan suspect arrested

A 28-year-old man from Afghanistan was arrested following a knife attack on Wednesday in a park in Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg in which two people were killed, including a toddler,…

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Germany and US have long been allies – that could change with Trump

By Sylvia Taschka, Professor of Teaching of History, Wayne State University Less than 24 hours after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States in November 2024, the German…

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Currently ‘no prospect’ of charges against Madeleine McCann suspect: German prosecutor

The German prosecutor investigating the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann has said there is currently no prospect of charges being brought against the main suspect in the case, Sky…

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UK anti-corruption minister resigns over ties to ousted Bangladesh PM

The British minister responsible for financial services and fighting corruption resigned after weeks of questions over her financial ties to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, ousted last year as prime minister…

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UK poll shows right-wing Reform in close second behind Labour Party

Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK is Britain's second most popular political party and sits just one percentage point behind the governing Labour Party, according to an opinion poll…

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Foot-and-mouth outbreak in Germany forces meat and dairy export ban

Germany is facing international restrictions on its meat and dairy exports following its first outbreak of highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease in over 30 years. As a result, the EU's largest…

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Starmer pledges to boost growth by making UK a ‘great AI superpower’

The British government announced plans on Monday to cut red tape hindering the construction of data centres critical for artificial intelligence, showcasing its “pro-innovation” approach to regulating the technology. Prime…

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AfD embraces mass deportation of migrants as German election nears

Germany's far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), is on the rise, buoyed by recent regional successes and its radicalised agenda. At its conference in Riesa, Saxony, the party outlined plans…

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German police investigate suspected Russian espionage at military bases

German police have launched an investigation into suspected cases of Russian espionage after drones were spotted over several military installations in Bavaria, according to a statement on Monday. Against the…

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Musk hosts German far-right leader on X, stirs angst about election meddling

Elon Musk urged Germans to vote for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in an upcoming national election during a broadcast he hosted with the party's leader on his social…

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Toxic powder incident hospitalized Belgian PM office staff member

A member of Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s office was hospitalized in late November last year after coming into contact with a toxic powder at his office. The incident…

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New UK Travel Rules: ETA Required for Visitors from 48 Countries Starting January 8, 2025

A significant shift in UK travel regulations kicks off today, as visitors from 48 countries, including Malta, are now required to secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before stepping onto…

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WHO says risk of bird flu ‘still low’ after US reports its first human death

The H5N1 virus has affected mainly farmworkers in that came into close contact with poultry flocks and cattle herds. However, the WHO has stated that the risk to the general…

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Britain to make sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’ a crime

Creating and sharing sexually explicit "deepfakes" will become a criminal offence in Britain, the government said on Tuesday, in a bid to tackle a surge in the proliferation of such…

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