Europe
Asylum applications: EU issues list of ‘safe’ countries
The EU has proposed a new list of seven ‘safe countries of origin’ - Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia - to fast-track asylum applications from citizens of those nations. The…
Spain: new emphasis on caring for geriatric animals
At Barcelona Zoo, African elephants Susi (52) and Bully (40), and other older animals at the zoo, including a 15-year-old wolf and two 17-year-old big cats, are receiving specialised geriatric care designed to…
Russian pastors risk prison to oppose war in Ukraine
A quiet yet courageous resistance is growing among evangelical leaders in Russia who are risking their freedom to oppose the war in Ukraine. Bishop Albert Ratkin, pastor of Word of Life Church near…
‘Germany is back’ after Merz secures coalition agreement
Germany's conservatives, led by Friedrich Merz, have formed a coalition with the Social Democrats, ending five months of political uncertainty. Merz, 69, promised strong leadership, reforms, and renewed international confidence, declaring, ‘Germany is…
Hungary: Orban welcomes Netanyahu, withdraws from ICC
Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Hungary for its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a four-day visit to Budapest, marking a rare foreign trip for him since the ICC issued…
France: Marine le Pen barred for five years
Marine le Pen has been barred from public office for five years due to EU fund embezzlement, jeopardising her 2027 presidential hopes. Though her four-year jail sentence (two years suspended) is pending appeal,…
Russia: Putin orders 160,000 conscripts
Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 160,000 new troops between April and July, targeting citizens aged 18 to 30. The spring draft is part of Russia’s biannual conscription cycle; the previous autumn…
Ukraine: Russia bombs hospital as naval ceasefire is negotiated
Russia and Ukraine have reached separate agreements with the USA on a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea, following peace talks in Saudi Arabia. Though indirect, the negotiations resulted in a promise to…
Turkey: over 1,400 arrested, protests continue
Protests have rocked Turkey for more than a week after the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and potential rival to President Erdogan. He was detained on corruption charges,…
Ireland: turmoil as motion of no confidence in Speaker is tabled
Ireland’s political landscape is bracing for a showdown over Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) Verona Murphy, whose role is under fire amid a prolonged row over speaking rights in the Dáil. Since January, tensions have…
