Author: News Desk

Keir Starmer plans to unveil drastic benefit cuts despite growing opposition from Labour MPs and campaigners. Economists warn of significant impacts on claimants.

Germany’s Bundestag is poised to vote on a significant fiscal package that proposes amendments to longstanding debt policies, aiming to facilitate increased defence spending and establish a €500 billion infrastructure and climate fund.

The vote is seen as a response to Russia’s advances in Ukraine as the United States makes clear Europe can no longer rely on US protection from Russia.

Supporters of lifting the debt restrictions to boost defence spending say it’s essential for European security but there is also opposition. The decision could influence broader European defence initiatives, like the EU’s proposed €800 billion ReArm Europe fund.

Cliff Notes – Government credit cards used as personal piggy banks Government credit cards used as personal piggy banks Thousands of government credit cards are being cancelled because some of the expenditure is “not justified”, a cabinet minister has said. Appearing on Sky News’ Breakfast with Pat McFadden was asked if the crackdown on government procurement cards (GPCs) was because civil servants are “fiddling their expenses”. He said he would “not use that phrase”, but added: “I don’t think some of the lines of expenditure I’ve seen are justified.” “This is public money – I think people need to take…

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said the UK’s 2050 net zero target, a legally binding commitment established by a previous Conservative government, is “impossible.” Badenoch argued that achieving net zero by 2050 would necessitate “a serious drop in our living standards or by bankrupting us,” but did not offer an alternative plan.

The UK government is set to announce significant welfare reforms today, aiming to reduce welfare spending by approximately £5 billion annually. These measures are part of an effort to address rising welfare costs, which are projected to surpass £100 billion by 2030.

Almost all the UK newspapers lead on the story, focusing on different angles from political turmoil within the party, to potentially pushing the poor into poverty.

Cliff Notes – King and Queen set to meet Pope next month State Visit Confirmed: King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla’s state visit to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis is scheduled for early April, despite the Pope’s ongoing health challenges. Significant Milestones: The King will become the first British monarch to visit the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and will address both houses of Italy’s parliament during this visit. Commencement of Jubilee Celebrations: Their Majesties will participate in the 2025 jubilee celebrations with Pope Francis, focusing on the theme of ‘care for creation’ amid ongoing prayers…

The headlines dominating the UK news cover domestic and international politics, overnight terror in Gaza, protests over corruption and some lighter stories covering the upcoming Nations League matches and St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Cliff Notes – Afghan women activists in Pakistan fear deportations Zahra Mousavi, who fled the Taliban in Afghanistan, now lives in hiding in Pakistan amid fears of arrest and deportation due to strict visa policies. Other Afghan female activists report similar fears, with Pakistan’s deportation drive posing a significant threat to their safety and human rights activism. Afghan women activists in Pakistan fear deportations Zahra Mousavi, a women’s rights activist, fled from Afghanistan to neighboring Pakistan in March 2022 after months of fighting and protesting the oppressive Taliban regime.   She now lives in hiding and constant fear of being apprehended…

The ban was triggered by the death of a 14-year-old boy, who was stabbed by a fellow pupil at his school in Tirana and shared on social media.

The opposition are suggesting this is politically motivated and labelling it a form of censorship.

Cliff Notes A British couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, were detained by the Taliban on February 1 and have now been transferred to a maximum-security prison in Kabul amid concerns for their wellbeing. Their family reports that Mr Reynolds, aged 79, is in “urgent” need of medical treatment for multiple health issues, with both individuals being separated while held without charges. The family criticises the detention as “cruel and unjust,” calling for their immediate release and highlighting concerns over basic human rights violations, particularly during Ramadan. British couple detained by Taliban ‘moved to maximum security prison’ as family raise health…