46 h. ago Germany sees migrant numbers halve to its lowest level in more than a decade after Chancellor Merz imposed tough new border controls

The record figures occurred under the watch of the country's conservative chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who pledged to tighten border controls when he came to power last May.

Events

1 week ago New UK laws coming in 2026 include bin rules, junk food ads and fresh DWP powers

A raft of new laws will impact Brits in 2026, from new border controls and a £17 fee to travel to Europe to four-bin recycling rules, a junk food ad ban from January, and DWP powers to tackle benefit fraud

Society

1 week ago More than 13,000 foreign nationals claimed asylum in Britain after first coming here on a work visa in the last year

In a growing loophole in Britain's border controls, Home Office data shows the number of work migrants who later claim they are refugees is soaring under Labour.

Economics

2 w. ago Urgent warning to parents over 'dangerous' fake Labubu dolls seized in UK

Fake Labubus, Jellycats and PlayStation controllers containing 'toxic chemicals' have been seized at the border

Events

2 w. ago Two women caught smuggling 115 balls of heroin in rectum for all

Two suspected female drug mules have been caught with 115 balls of heroin hidden in their bodies after border control quickly stopped them but were left shocked by the vast amount

Events

2 w. ago Christmas getaway? Not if Europe has got anything to do with it: Gridlock as IT glitch hits French border control

It comes as holiday-makers are already feeling the effects of strict new EU border checks at European airports.

Events

2 w. ago Christmas travel chaos at Port of Dover as IT issues cause long queues

There are queues of around 60 minutes on the approach to the Port of Dover as French border controls were hit with IT issues.

Events

2 w. ago Christmas getaway families are held up in massive queues at Dover as IT meltdown strikes French border control

Hundreds of cars were stuck in gridlock traffic and many passengers missed their ferry.

Events

2 w. ago Voices: ‘The UK got what it wanted’: Readers on long waits at EU borders

Our community clashed over the new border delays. While some railed against EU incompetence, most insisted Britain is now simply living with the consequences of Brexit

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine may need to cut drone production if no deal reached on frozen Russian assets, says Zelenskyy – Europe live

Ukrainian president says case for transfer of assets to fund war effort is ‘morally clear and just’ Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Polish independence could be under threat if Ukraine forced to capitulate, Donald Tusk warns – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders discuss sending frozen Russian assets to UkraineGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Polish independence ‘under threat’ if EU cannot come to decision on giving Russian assets to Ukraine, says Poland’s Tusk – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders attempt to reduce the risks from Russian retaliation against Belgium, which holds most of the €210bn of frozen Russian assetsGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Russia warns it will ‘recover damages’ as EU leaders begin debate on giving frozen assets to Ukraine – Europe live

Zelenskyy warns of ‘big problems for Ukraine’ if no deal reached to unlock €210bn in frozen Russian assetsGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago EU told to choose between ‘money today or blood tomorrow’ as leaders debate giving Russian assets to Ukraine – Europe live

European leaders meet in Brussels as Poland’s Donald Tusk issues warning to fellow EU statesGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Boost for London's black cabs as applications for taxi driver test The Knowledge hit highest level in a decade

The challenging test, which was introduced in 1865, requires drivers to learn 320 routes and 6,000 points of interest around London within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.

Events

3 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Peacekeepers could repel Russian forces under ceasefire plan, says Merz

German Chancellor says this remains a far-off prospect; Zelenskyy says negotiations on peace deal could soon be finalised. What we know on day 1,393Under post-ceasefire guarantees provided by the United States and Europe to Ukraine, peacekeepers could in certain circumstances repel Russian forces, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told ZDF public television in an interview, adding that this remained a far-off prospect. Pressed by interviewers for details on the possible security guarantees floated by the United States in Monday’s Berlin talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Merz said the guarantors would need to repel Russian forces should there be a violation of any ceasefire terms.“We would secure a demilitarized zone between the warring parties and, to be very specific, we would also act against corresponding Russian incursions and attacks. We’re not there yet,” he said. “The fact that the Americans have made such a commitment – to protect Ukraine in the event of a c...

Events

3 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 16 December: Rate cut seen as jobs market weakens, Brent Crude below $60

The rate of unemployment has risen to its highest level in almost a decade outside the pandemic as employers continue to shed jobs.

Society

3 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 16 December: Rate cut seen as jobs market weakens, index holds firm

The rate of unemployment has risen to its highest level in almost a decade outside the pandemic as employers continue to shed jobs.

Society

3 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 16 December: Rate cut seen as jobless rate rises, index holds firm

The rate of unemployment has risen to its highest level in almost a decade outside the pandemic as employers continue to shed jobs.

Society

3 w. ago European leaders gather in Berlin as US pushes to end Ukraine conflict

Zelenskyy to meet British, French and German leaders, with Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, also invitedEurope live – latest updatesEuropean leaders including Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron will meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday in a show of support hosted by the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, as the US pushes for a swift end to the war in Ukraine.The British prime minister, French president and the heads of Nato and the EU, who have criticised previous US proposals to end the Russian invasion as too favourable to Moscow, are set to convene with Zelenskyy on Monday evening at Merz’s offices in central Berlin. Continue reading...

Politics