The Dispatch

Suspected people smugglers to face severe curbs under new UK laws

Suspected people smugglers will face severe curbs under new laws in Britain, the government said, as it steps up efforts to fight illegal migration and strengthen border security. Those suspected…

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Belgian mayors call for Europe-wide ban on sale of fireworks

After a series of injuries on New Year’s Eve, Belgium is debating prohibiting the sale of fireworks to individuals, though disagreement persists over whether a nationwide ban is sufficient or…

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Dutch online archive identifies suspected WW2 Nazi collaborators

A Dutch project called 'War in Court' digitally released a list of names of nearly half a million suspected wartime Nazi collaborators on Thursday after the expiry of a law…

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Two police officers in Berlin injured in explosion

Two police officers have been injured, one seriously, following an explosion on Thursday night outside a police building in Berlin. Authorities in the German capital said the officers were on a routine security…

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Ice and flooding warnings across the UK cause severe travel disruptions

An ice warning is in force for much of the UK as temperatures dropped after a major incident was declared due to flooding. The yellow Met Office warning indicates there…

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Dutch Citizens Prefer Domestic Focus Over International Issues

Some 63% of people in the Netherlands want the government to focus more on domestic problems rather international issues, a survey by socio-cultural think-tank SCP has shown. Nevertheless, just 10%…

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Olaf Scholz: German election ‘will not be decided by social media owners’

The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has urged voters not to let the “owners of social media channels” decide next year’s snap election, after Elon Musk repeatedly endorsed the far-right party…

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Switzerland adopts more EU sanctions on Russia and Belarus

Switzerland adopted the latest EU sanctions package on Russia and Belarus, the government said on Monday. The move came one week after the European Union targeted Moscow's vessels and Chinese…

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Former Scottish Justice Secretary Believes Masud Is Lockerbie Bomber

Former Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said he had "always believed" a Libyan national, who will go on trial in the US next year, is the Lockerbie bomber. The terror…

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What is known so far about the Magdeburg market attack

Here is what we know so far about the man who was arrested as the suspected driver in a car-ramming attack on Friday at a Christmas market in the German…

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Brexit cost UK £27bn in lost trade in first two years, review finds

The damage from Brexit to trade links with the EU cost the UK £27bn in the first two years, but the overall impact was more limited than forecasters first estimated,…

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Scotland bans WhatsApp on government phones

Scotland's devolved government will stop using WhatsApp on official phones, it announced. All "non-corporate mobile message apps" will be removed from official devices from spring next year — in the…

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Scholz loses confidence vote against his government, triggering early elections

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a confidence vote in parliament, leading to its dissolution and the call for fresh national elections. The result clears the way for snap elections…

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Netherlands to hire private firms for North Sea security amid Russian threats

The Netherlands plans to temporarily enlist additional personnel and equipment from private companies to strengthen security in its part of the North Sea, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, confirming…

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Switzerland plans revamp of Cold War-era nuclear bunker network

Switzerland wants to update its network of ageing nuclear shelters, which are increasingly seen as an asset at a time of greater global uncertainty, notably since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.…

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Poll: Brexit voters would accept free movement for EU single market access

A majority of Brits who voted to leave the European Union in 2016 would now accept the return of free movement in exchange for EU single market access, according to…

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German Christmas markets get creative as prices hit new highs

For Eva Henschke, Germany's Christmas markets are a chance to temporarily forget about the colder, darker days with a hot mug of mulled wine or eggnog and a bratwurst off…

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Three parties combine to keep victorious far-right at bay in east German state

Three parties in the eastern German state of Thuringia joined forces on Thursday to keep the election-winning Alternative for Germany out of power, electing as state premier a conservative who…

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Human trafficking rises sharply after dropping during pandemic, UN says

Human trafficking has risen sharply due to conflicts, climate-induced disasters and global crises, according to a United Nations report published on Wednesday. In 2022, the latest year for which data…

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Netherlands starts border controls to curb illegal migration

The Netherlands has stepped up checks at its borders with Germany and Belgium to stem illegal immigration into the country, Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber said. Speaking at the…

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King Charles’ coronation cost 72 million pounds

Last year's coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla cost 72 million pounds and showcased Britain to millions around the world, a government report said, with the event costing less…

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Germany’s SPD nominates Scholz as chancellor candidate

Germany's ruling Social Democrats officially made Chancellor Olaf Scholz their lead candidate for February's election, billing him as a safe pair of hands compared with the opposition conservatives contender who…

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Russia behind ‘staggeringly reckless’ sabotage in Europe, UK spy chief says

Russia is waging a "staggeringly reckless campaign" of sabotage in Europe while also stepping up its nuclear sabre-rattling to scare other countries off from backing Ukraine, Britain's foreign spy chief…

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UK transport minister quits in new blow to PM Starmer

Britain's transport minister Louise Haigh has resigned after pleading guilty years ago to an offence in connection with misleading police over a work mobile phone, in another blow to Prime…

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Irish coalition eyes re-election as rival Sinn Fein falters

Ireland's two main governing parties looked on course to return to power in an election on Friday thanks to a giveaway October budget and a loss of momentum by opposition…

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UK net migration hit record of more than 900,000 in 2023

Net migration to Britain hit a record of more than 900,000 in 2023, much higher than original estimates, although tougher visa rules have started to reduce the number of arrivals,…

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Irish PM’s party drops six points in pre-election polls

Ireland’s three main parties are almost neck and neck in the polls ahead of Friday’s general election, as the taoiseach, Simon Harris, struggles to contain the damage inflicted on his…

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UPDATED: US Air Force says drones still being spotted over bases in England

Unidentified drones are still being spotted over United States Air Force (USAF) bases in England on Wednesday, a USAF spokesperson said, confirming that a fourth base had also been targeted…

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Germany draws up list of bunkers amid Russia tensions

Germany is drawing up a list of bunkers that could provide emergency shelter for civilians, the interior ministry has said, at a time of rising tensions with Russia. The list…

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Simon Harris Faces Election Setback Amid Viral Controversy

When Ireland’s fresh-faced Prime Minister Simon Harris called an early election, his ruling Fine Gael party hoped for a “Harris hop” driven by his strong personal popularity. But the center-ground…

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Top NATO official calls on business leaders to prepare for ‘wartime scenario’

A top NATO military official urged businesses to be prepared for a wartime scenario and adjust their production and distribution lines accordingly, in order to be less vulnerable to blackmail…

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UK army chief: We’re ready to fight Putin in Eastern Europe

Britain's armed forces would be ready to fight their Russian counterparts "tonight" if Vladimir Putin invades another Eastern European nation, a top U.K. military chief said. "If the British Army…

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Britain imposes asset freeze, travel ban on Angola’s Isabel dos Santos

Britain has imposed a travel ban and an asset freeze on Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos under its global anti-corruption sanctions regime, the British government said on Thursday. Dos Santos,…

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Key facts about John Prescott, Britain’s former deputy PM, dead at 86

Here are key facts about John Prescott, Britain's combative former deputy prime minister, who has died after a battle with Alzheimer's disease, his family said on Thursday: Prescott, 86, served…

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At least 20 people were arrested in major European people smuggling sting

In a significant blow to human trafficking networks, authorities across Europe conducted a coordinated operation targeting a Syrian-organised crime group involved in one of the continent’s largest people smuggling rings.…

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Former UK deputy PM Prescott dies

John Prescott, a former British deputy prime minister in Tony Blair's Labour government, has died, his family said on Thursday. Prescott, 86, died following a battle with Alzheimer's, his family…

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Dutch MPs aiming to ban all online gambling ads, stop credit card access

Efforts are underway in the Dutch parliament to tackle the growing online gambling problem in the Netherlands by introducing a total ban on advertising. The Socialist Party and ChristenUnie are…

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Masked men break into UK’s Windsor Castle estate

Two masked men broke into Britain's royal Windsor Castle estate last month and stole two vehicles from a barn, the Sun newspaper reported on Monday. King Charles and his wife…

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UK must rebuild post-Brexit relations with EU, says Bank boss

The UK needs to "rebuild relations" with the EU while respecting the 2016 Brexit vote, according to Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey. In a speech at the Mansion House…

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Brussels police arrest 40 after violent protests against Belgian, French far right

Police arrested 40 people after protesters attempted to storm the Brussels headquarters of the far-right party Vlaams Belang following a book signing by French far-right leader Jordan Bardella. Authorities said…

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Germany’s Scholz calls for compromise as opposition leader lays out election bid

During the first Bundestag session since the collapse of Germany's ruling coalition last week, the leader of the largest opposition party, Friedrich Merz, outlined his vision for the country's future…

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UK outlines National Health Service overhaul after budget uplift

Britain set out plans to overhaul its National Health Service (NHS) on Wednesday, aiming for better value for money and improved productivity, as it seeks to ensure 23 billion pounds…

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Justin Welby resigns as Archbishop of Canterbury over child abuse scandal

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of Anglicans worldwide, resigned "in sorrow" on Tuesday, saying he had failed to ensure a proper investigation into allegations of abuse by…

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Netherlands to impose land border controls from Dec. 9

The Netherlands will impose controls on its land borders, all of which are with fellow countries in the EU's Schengen border-free zone, and some flights from within the Schengen zone…

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Understanding the Assisted Dying Bill in England and Wales

Proposals to give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to choose to end their life have been discussed in Parliament for months. Now, the assisted dying bill…

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Germany’s SPD, Greens, conservatives propose Feb 23 for election

Germany's Social Democrats, Greens and conservatives have proposed Feb. 23 as a date for a new election, sources told Reuters on Tuesday. The Rheinische Post newspaper first reported the date.…

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Germany may hold election sooner than planned, Scholz says

Olaf Scholz could hold a vote of confidence in his leadership that would pave the way for new elections sooner than planned, he said Sunday night following pressure from across…

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Swiss ‘burqa ban’ to take effect from 2025

A contentious Swiss prohibition on facial coverings in public spaces widely known as the "burqa ban" will take effect on Jan. 1, the government said his week. Narrowly passed in…

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German voters and opposition keep heat on Scholz for early election

Germany's main opposition leader Friedrich Merz criticised Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday as "irresponsible" for delaying early elections, as an opinion poll also showed voters in favour of an early…

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Britain’s Prince William: It’s been the hardest year of my life

Prince William said the past year had probably been the "hardest" of his life after a difficult period for Britain's royal family in which both his father King Charles and…

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UPDATED: Dutch police investigating possible hostage taking of Israelis

Amsterdam Police said on Friday that they were also investigating reports of a possible hostage situation and of missing persons following the attacks on fans of the Israeli soccer team,…

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German coalition collapses: What comes next?

Germany's coalition collapsed on Wednesday as Chancellor Olaf Scholz sacked his finance minister and paved the way for a snap election, triggering political chaos in Europe's largest economy hours after…

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German President: I am prepared to call new elections

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday he was prepared to dissolve parliament and clear the way for new elections following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-way coalition, warning…

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Ireland set to hold general election on Nov. 29, PM says

Ireland plans to hold a general election on Nov. 29, Prime Minister Simon Harris said on Wednesday, as his centre-right coalition bids to capitalise on a popular budget and a…

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Germany faces snap election as Scholz’s coalition crumbles

Germany's ruling coalition collapsed on Wednesday as Chancellor Olaf Scholz sacked his finance minister and paved the way for a snap election, triggering political chaos in Europe's largest economy hours…

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Germany’s cabinet approves draft law on voluntary military service

Germany's cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft law that would allow the army to gauge the readiness of the country's 18-year-olds to serve in the Bundeswehr as it looks to…

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Irish PM to call general election this week

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said on Tuesday that he plans to call a parliamentary election later this week, likely setting up a polling date for the end of the…

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