French justice minister says he’s open to adding consent to legal definition of rape – POLITICO

The Princess of Wales has been gradually returning to her royal duties after a challenging year marked by her cancer diagnosis in March and subsequent preventative chemotherapy treatment. Her husband Prince William also faced a cancer diagnosis during the same year, making 2024 a particularly difficult time for the royal family. Despite the health struggles, the princess confirmed her remission for cancer on January 14 and made a surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital...

Labour government MPs are urging for new employment laws that would grant women and their partners paid bereavement leave in the event of a miscarriage before 24 weeks. This call to action comes from both MPs and campaign groups who are advocating for the same level of support as those who experience baby loss after 24 weeks. Anna Malnutt, who suffered three miscarriages in 2018, shared that having bereavement leave would have allowed her and...

Manfred Weber of the EPP stated they wouldn't work with groups not pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, or pro-rule of law. While Meloni has moderated her anti-EU stance, Orbán and Fico still align with Putin and criticize Ukraine. Kickl is seen as a strict ideologue who may be harder to manage. The rise of right-wing populists at the European Council could impact EU policies, with a focus on nationalist positions and an EU à la carte approach. Raffaele...

Keir Starmer has vowed to collaborate with Elon Musk on AI growth following the billionaire's criticism of the government. Tulip Siddiq has resigned as Treasury minister amid a Bangladesh anti-corruption probe, with no evidence of improprieties found. The Independent is reporting on the situation, with Reeves denying economic turmoil as a crisis made in Downing Street and Mauritius rushing to sign a Chagos deal before Trump's inauguration. Full Article

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams may receive taxpayer-funded compensation if the government repeals sections of the Legacy Act, according to a think-tank. Mr. Adams, who was previously blocked from compensation due to the Act, won an appeal in the Supreme Court in 2020. The government's intention to repeal certain sections of the Act has been criticized by Policy Exchange and backed by 16 peers, including Shadow Attorney General Lord Wolfson KC. Full Article

Israel failed to marry military action with achievable political goals in Gaza, echoing past U.S. mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Intelligence failures and unrealistic strategies by the IDF led to a lack of concrete plans, creating a geopolitical split with more proxies involved. The U.S.-Iran rivalry and potential nuclear conflict highlight the need for evidence-based tracking of global security threats and a comprehensive understanding of nuclear threats. Full Article