Browsing: Politics

It was just past 5:00 pm on Friday, December 13, when France’s new prime minister, François Bayrou, walked alone across the courtyard of the Hôtel…

The United Kingdom became the 12th member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, as of Sunday. 

In a significant move for global religious freedom, the UK Government has appointed David Smith MP as its new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion…

In rocky circumstances, a name finally came out of the hat on Friday, December 13: François Bayrou, the president of the Macron-aligned MoDem party, became France’s new prime minister at 73.

Welsh public bodies ‘could be shortchanged on NI hike’ Mark Drakeford told the Senedd’s finance committee the cost of workers within the Office for National…

Why did Macron pick Bayrou? A long-time centrist ally François Bayrou as the country’s new prime minister after MPs voted to oust the previous government…

  As Germany faces significant economic challenges, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has taken the rare step of submitting a vote of confidence to parliament. The decision,…

Friday’s front pages lead with various domestic and international stories. There is ongoing coverage of the latest across the Middle East as G7 nations prepare to hold a virtual meeting on Friday to discuss the fast-moving developments. For Syrians, many have taken to the streets in celebration, marking the end of the Assad regime. 

Amid ongoing war in the Middle East and Europe, as well as the return of Donald Trump to world politics, several front pages lead with stories regarding NATO. European members of the alliance are holding talks about increasing the spending target to 3% of GDP. There is also a warning from the new head of NATO, Mark Rutte, that European members need to spend more on defence. 

A little closer to home, Prince Andrew has found himself on the front pages again, this time regarding a close confidant to the Duke who has reportedly been banished from Britain over claims he is a Chinese spy.

Syria is witnessing mass celebrations as citizens gather to mark the end of five decades of rule by the Assad regime. Images from Damascus show large crowds assembling for the first Friday prayers since Islamist rebels seized control of the capital on Sunday.

After 17 years as European Union members, Romania and Bulgaria will officially join the EU’s border-free Schengen travel zone on January 1, 2025. The decision allows citizens from both countries to travel to other Schengen countries like France, Spain, or Norway without requiring a passport.

President Joe Biden has issued pardons to 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 others, marking the most acts of presidential clemency in a single day, according to the White House.

President Emmanuel Macron will reveal his choice for France’s next prime minister on Friday, the Elysée Palace confirmed, as the country grapples with months of political instability.

In a traditional custom for lame-duck presidents, Joe Biden announced he would grant a record-breaking 1,500 commutations and 39 pardons on Thursday, weeks after he…

Opposition leader John Draman Mahama’s win in last weekend’s presidential election in Ghanais a significant milestone in African politics. Ghana’s Electoral Commission confirmed late on Monday…

Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother have been convicted of the 10-year-old’s murder. Police said Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, had subjected Sara to “horrific suffering” before her body was found at the family’s home in Surrey last year.

Keir Starmer has unveiled sweeping changes to the planning system that could see councils forced to consider building on green belt land in England. The prime minister has vowed to override “blockers” standing in the way of building the new homes needed to solve the housing crisis. However some locals in the areas where these houses will need to be built are steadfast in their opposition to more housing.

Manchester City are in danger of Champions League elimination, while Liverpool made it six wins from six and Arsenal and Aston Villa are flying.
Two games remain in the revamped Champions League’s new 36-team league phase. The top eight automatically progress to the last 16 and, crucially, skip the two-legged knockout play-off round.

Thursday’s headlines are dominated by the conviction of a father and stepmother who killed 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Police said Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, had subjected Sara to “horrific suffering” before her body was found at the family’s home in Surrey last year.

As more details emerge about the life and death of the young British girl, the newspapers react with horror at the brutality Sara lived – and died – under. Many of the newspapers pick up on the state’s failure to save her, pointing the finger at the courts, police, social services and teachers, who reportedly missed at least 15 chances to save her life.

Several domestic political stories also find space on the front pages with reports on Labour’s plans to build new houses, potential strikes this winter and ongoing reactions to the October Budget.

The back pages cover last night’s Champions League action – including yet another loss for Manchester City and the news that Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the 2030 World Cup hosts.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, widely known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared that the former regime’s notorious security apparatus would be dismantled. The statement, reported by Reuters, came after the fall of Assad’s government.

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has defended his decision to declare a short-lived martial law, saying it was a measure to protect the country’s democracy.

“We are going to see very big changes,” said Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Stefanishyna said the spoke with…

US President-elect Donald Trump defended his choice of Charles Kushner for US ambassador to France, describing him as a “family member” and a “very successful man” in an interview released on Wednesday, December 11.

  South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday defended his decision to declare short-lived martial law saying it was a measure to protect the country’s democracy.…

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday urged the release of protesters “arbitrarily” arrested in a crackdown on pro-EU demonstrations in Georgia, in telephone talks with the billionaire former premier Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Elysée said.

  The embezzlement trial threatening Marine Le Pen with a ban from running for public office is not deterring her far-right Rassemblement National (RN) from…

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly passed on Wednesday a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the devastated Gaza Strip. The ongoing…

The South Korean president has defended his martial law decree as an act of governance and denied rebellion charges.