Germany expands border checks to tackle irregular migration

British-Israeli woman Emily Damari, held captive by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months, revealed in a call with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer that she was detained at a UN facility and denied medical treatment, receiving only an outdated bottle despite losing fingers and being shot. Damari and her mother urged Starmer to pressure Hamas and UNRWA to allow Red Cross access to the remaining 82 hostages, while expressing gratitude to the UK for campaigning...

Police in London will increase their presence this weekend due to protests both for and against Tommy Robinson, who was sentenced to prison for breaching a court injunction. Stand Up To Racism is organizing a counter-demonstration against Robinson's supporters, aiming to bring an anti-racist stance to the streets of London. The 'Stop the Isolation' protest in support of Robinson will start at Waterloo Station and march to Parliament Square, with a static assembly planned. Full...

Rachel Reeves' hopes to regain business confidence suffered a blow as AstraZeneca cancelled a £450 million investment in a vaccine plant in Merseyside, amid concerns over promised subsidies. This setback came after failed attempts to attract major investments and job losses at companies like Lloyds Bank and Tesco, with criticism focused on national insurance hikes and new employment rights. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith criticized Labour's handling of the situation, highlighting the impact of tax...

Milder weather has given Britons relief from recent storm damage, but the UK is cautioned to prepare for more wet and windy conditions leading up to spring, with northwestern areas likely to experience heavy rain and strong winds from 4-13 February. Southern England will see fewer weather disruptions, with periods of dry weather expected, although some rain may occur. After 14 February, brief cold spells are anticipated between weather systems, with the south facing potential...

In 2024, Eeklo's city council launched a pilot project for swimming at 'Kop van de Vaart,' led by Alderman Gertjan Blomme, emphasizing safety and environmental cleanup, with plans for full development by 2026. Blomme highlighted the importance of having a lifeguard on duty and monitoring water quality to ensure swimmers' safety. The city chose 'Kop van de Vaart' as the best location for outdoor swimming due to minimal environmental issues and no boat traffic, aiming...

A new YouGov poll shows that fewer than half of Brexit voters can point to any positive outcome of the decision, with just 8% stating it has had a positive effect on them. The survey, conducted on the five-year anniversary of Brexit, revealed that while 31% believe leaving the EU has benefited the UK's control over its own laws, 67% feel it has been detrimental to the cost of living. Additionally, 65% think Brexit has...