Cyprus holds the Council of the EU Presidency from 1 January to 30 June 2026, prioritizing effective migration management and security initiatives. The Presidency will advance the Pact on Migration and Asylum, strengthen return systems, and enhance cooperation with non-EU countries to address migration challenges comprehensively. It will also combat internal threats such as organized…

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data on deaths registered in England and Wales for December 2025. The release, dated 16 January 2026, includes statistics on the number of deaths by area of usual residence, broken down by region, county, health authorities, local and unitary authorities, and London boroughs. The data is part…

The IRS confirmed that supplemental basic allowance for housing payments made to uniformed services members in December 2025 are not taxable. These one-time payments of $1,776, funded by a $2.9 billion appropriation in the One Big Beautiful Bill, were distributed to approximately 1.45 million active-duty and Reserve Component members. Federal tax law excludes ‘qualified military…

A vulnerability in Microsoft Edge enables attackers to bypass security policies, according to a security advisory. The flaw affects Android versions of Microsoft Edge prior to 143.0.3650.97. The risk involves potential exploitation to circumvent security measures. Microsoft has issued a security bulletin (CVE-2025-62224) detailing the vulnerability and providing patches. Users are advised to apply updates…

His Majesty the King has approved the appointment of Major General (Maj Gen) Phil Prosser CBE as the next Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS), effective October 2026. Maj Gen Prosser, with experience in Defence operations and logistics, will lead the Defence Support organisation under the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. His role includes…

President of the Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni participated in a press conference organized by the Consiglio nazionale dell’Ordine dei giornalisti and the Associazione Stampa Parlamentare. The event, held at the Chamber of Deputies, marked the first official press engagement under her administration. Meloni addressed media inquiries on general governmental matters, emphasizing policy priorities and…

Italian President Giorgia Meloni stated on January 9, 2026, that she is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela. She expressed hope that President Delcy Rodríguez’s decision to release political prisoners, including Italians, marks the beginning of constructive relations between Rome and Caracas. Meloni thanked Venezuela for this step and urged continued progress in the same…

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is investigating a serious incident involving an ATR-72-212 aircraft (registration G-ISLM) that experienced multiple electrical system failures on departure from Guernsey Airport on 10 January 2025. The aircraft returned to Guernsey safely. Examination of the electrical system components identified the Starter/Generator fitted to the right engine as the source…

The Department for Education has lifted the notice to improve issued to Dorrington Academy Trust, which related to governance and financial management. The notice, applicable to England, was originally published on 28 February 2025 and last updated on 9 January 2026. The decision to lift the notice followed an assessment of the academy trust’s compliance.…

The Court Funds Office (CFO) has reduced interest rates for its special and basic accounts effective January 9, 2026, in response to the Bank of England’s base rate decrease on December 18, 2025. The special account rate dropped from 4.00% to 3.75%, while the basic account rate fell from 3.00% to 2.81%. The adjustment aims…

The King has approved the appointment of Josh Simons MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Simons will retain his role as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office. The appointment, announced by the Prime Minister’s Office on 9 January 2026, follows formal approval processes. The document states the…

On January 8, 2026, the European Union and Jordan held a first‑ever bilateral summit in Amman, marking the anniversary of the EU‑Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership (SCP) signed in January 2025. The summit was attended by EU Commissioners Ursula von der Leyen and Luis Costa and by King Abdullah II of Jordan. Leaders reviewed the…

On January 8, 2026, President Donald J. Trump signed a continuing resolution that extends federal funding for the Department of the Treasury through January 30. The resolution allows the Treasury to resume normal operations after a period of partial shutdown. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measure during a press event, noting that the funding…

France will vote against signing the EU‑Mercosur trade agreement. The government says the deal, negotiated since 1999, offers only a 0.05 % increase to EU GDP by 2040 and could expose sensitive French agricultural sectors to market volatility. Brussels has accepted three French requests: a safeguard clause that allows an emergency stop of Mercosur agricultural imports…

The National Bank of Belgium will conduct a roadshow across the country to present its annual report on March 5‑17, 2026. The roadshow will start in Antwerp on March 5 with Director Pierre Wunsch, then Brussels on March 6 with Wunsch, Hasselt on March 9 and Kortrijk on March 10 with Tom Dechaene, Liège on March 11 with Wunsch, Ghent on March 11…

On Friday 9 January 2026, the northern provinces of Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe experienced prolonged snowfall. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) issued an orange warning, forecasting 5–10 cm of snow, with some areas possibly receiving 10–15 cm. Strong easterly winds may produce snow drifts, reducing visibility. Rijkswaterstaat advised motorists in these provinces to avoid traveling unless…

Rijkswaterstaat is building ramps on both sides of the Zuidhorn bridge to restore partial use after steel cable fractures cut pedestrian and cyclist access. The bridge suffered broken cables linking the ballast box to the deck, mainly affecting pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities. Bridge lowered 2 m to 7.4 m clearance, allowing navigation and…

Stats NZ has released the estimated working-age population benchmarks for the December 2025 quarter of the Household Labour Force Survey. The table provides the population figures used to produce estimates in the forthcoming Labour Market Statistics release scheduled for 4 February 2026. Data can be downloaded as an Excel spreadsheet (47 KB) and includes definitions…

On January 8, 2026, the White House announced that the Department of Justice will create a new division dedicated to national fraud enforcement. The division will investigate and prosecute fraud targeting federal programs, federally funded benefits, businesses, nonprofits, and private citizens. Its head, an Assistant Attorney General, will oversee multi‑district investigations, advise U.S. Attorneys, coordinate…

Since New Year’s Day, Rijkswaterstaat has intensified its efforts to counter road slipperiness across Dutch highways, deploying spreaders and snow pushers around the clock amid continuing winter weather. The agency’s teams have been active on major routes such as the A28, using salt and mechanical spreaders from its Zwolle depot. Photo evidence shows the spreaders…

EU agriculture ministers met on January 7, 2026 to discuss strategies for food security and the competitiveness of European farmers amid global market volatility. The meeting, convened at the invitation of the European Commission and the Cypriot Presidency, was attended by Commissioners Hansen, Šefčovič and Várhelyi. Participants reviewed challenges facing farmers, noted the importance of…

Joint Task Force Southern Guard hosted a Marine Corps corporals course for service members deployed at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from December 9–22, 2025. The two‑week program combined classroom instruction and physical training. Participants learned noncommissioned officer duties, tactical communication, navigation, career progression, leadership fundamentals, drill and ceremonies, and counseling techniques. Daily group physical training prepared…

On January 8, 2026, the Federal Reserve Board announced it had approved the application of Prosperity Bancshares, Inc., a Houston‑based bank holding company, to acquire Southwest Bancshares, Inc. The approval also enables Prosperity to indirectly acquire Texas Partners Bank, both subsidiaries of Southwest in San Antonio, Texas. The decision was issued at 4:00 p.m. EST and follows the Board’s review of the transaction’s compliance with federal…

On 8 January 2026, the French Cybersecurity Agency (CERT‑FR) issued a security alert describing several vulnerabilities in GitLab. The vulnerabilities affect GitLab Community Edition (CE) and Enterprise Edition (EE) versions 18.6.x earlier than 18.6.3, 18.7.x earlier than 18.7.1, and all releases older than 18.5.5. Attackers could exploit the bugs to cause remote denial‑of‑service, compromise data…

President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the first EU‑Jordan Summit in Amman, stressing the strategic partnership and outlining three main pillars: political, economic and humanitarian cooperation. She thanked King Abdullah II, described the Pact for the Mediterranean, and announced €3 billion in EU support for 2025‑2027, alongside an investment goal of €1.4 billion. Von der Leyen welcomed the…

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released new statistics showing a more than 1,300% rise in assaults on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% rise in death threats during the first year of the Trump administration. From January 20 to December 31, 2025, DHS officials reported 275…

Rijkswaterstaat has announced a ban on small vessels – those under 20 metres – operating on the Lemmer–Delfzijl waterway that do not carry out commercial work. The prohibition applies immediately and covers the stretch between Lemmer and the Gaarkeuken sluice, primarily affecting recreational traffic. The measure follows the formation of an ice jam on the…

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of several individuals described as “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens, including those convicted of child sexual assault, rape, and aggravated manslaughter. ICE reported a more than 1,300% rise in assaults on its officers and an 8,000% increase in death threats. The arrests include Jose…

Today, the White House commemorated the Battle of New Orleans, the last major engagement of the War of 1812. The presidential message celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States and honored the historic conflict that took place on January 8, 1815, near the mouth of the Mississippi River. According to the statement, British forces…

EU agriculture ministers met in Brussels on 7 January 2026, where Commissioners Marianne Hansen, Maroš Šefčovič and Olivér Várhelyi highlighted new policy measures aimed at supporting farmers and simplifying agricultural rules. Hansen reiterated that the Common Agricultural Policy will continue to guarantee farmers’ income, noting a minimum €300 billion earmarked for farmers in the next budget…

European Commission President Ursula von Leyen welcomed the new Cypriot Presidency in Nicosia on 7 January 2026, emphasizing Cyprus’s role in reinforcing EU unity and security. She praised the island’s sunny climate, thriving tech start‑ups and humanitarian aid to Gaza, noting the courage of Cypriot firefighters and the creation of a regional firefighting hub. Von Leyen highlighted the EU’s…

EU and Jordan hold first summit in Amman to strengthen strategic partnership The leaders of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the European Union met on 8 January 2026 in Amman to launch a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, building on an Association Agreement and Partnership Priorities. The joint statement highlighted commitments to peace, security, prosperity,…

Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on January 8, 2026, to discuss Euro‑Atlantic security and the need to deter an increasingly aggressive Russia in the High North. The leaders agreed that European allies have stepped up in recent months to defend Euro‑Atlantic interests, but Starmer said more could be done to…

Retail trade employment is projected to decline by 2.5 percent over the 2024–2034 period, driven largely by a shift toward e‑commerce. Grocery sales account for 34 percent of the 2024 retail share, with self‑checkout technologies expected to rise 34 percent in 2025, and a 6.5 percent increase in grocery sales anticipated in 2024. Warehouse automation is poised to reduce…

On 8 January 2026 the Bank of England issued a Market Notice that amended the schedule for Asset Purchase Facility (APF) gilt sales in the first quarter of 2026. The short‑maturity auction that had been set for 16 March was moved to 23 February, while the medium‑maturity auction scheduled for 9 March was shifted to…

On 8 January 2026, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom spoke with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The Prime Minister thanked Frederiksen for her strong support at the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris, where coalition partners made good progress, the leaders said. Turning to Denmark, the Prime Minister reiterated the United Kingdom’s…

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the success of Operation Buckeye, a targeted enforcement effort carried out across Ohio from December 16–21, 2025. More than 280 illegal aliens were arrested, including individuals convicted of aggravated assault against a police officer, robbery, criminal possession of a firearm, and drug trafficking. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said…

On 8 January 2026, the Prime Minister held a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The leaders first paid tribute to United Kingdom personnel operating in the North Atlantic and Syria, noting recent efforts to protect UK and Euro‑Atlantic security. They then discussed the Coalition of the Willing meeting on Tuesday, welcoming strong…

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) will attend a European Commission working group meeting in Brussels from 13 to 14 January to discuss the implementation of the EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. FRA will contribute insights in a session focused on challenges faced by Jewish communities. In addition, FRA…

Federal Reserve Financial Services (FRFS) announced it will resume accepting pennies from banks and credit unions at commercial coin distribution sites on Jan. 14, after previously suspending these arrangements. The move is intended to better support penny circulation for commercial transactions. While FRFS will continue to accept penny deposits, inventory limits at some sites have constrained…

À l’Elysée Intervention du Président de la République devant les Ambassadrices et Ambassadeurs de France. Je souhaite tout d’abord adresser mes remerciements les plus sincères à chacune des ambassadrices et ambassadeurs qui,  en ce moment de grande tension internationale, œuvrent chaque jour à la sauvegarde de nos valeurs et à la défense de notre image…

Provisional data released by Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) show that real new orders in manufacturing rose 5.6% month‑on‑month in November 2025, after seasonal and calendar adjustment, and were 10.5% higher than the same month a year earlier. When large‑scale orders are excluded, the increase was 0.7%. The growth was largely driven by a 25.3%…

Security experts have identified multiple vulnerabilities in Centreon products that could allow attackers to execute remote code, breach data confidentiality, or inject SQL commands. The CVE‑2025‑12511, CVE‑2025‑12513, CVE‑2025‑12519, CVE‑2025‑13056, CVE‑2025‑15026, CVE‑2025‑15029 and CVE‑2025‑5965 are listed in the official Centreon security bulletins dated 8 January 2026. Affected systems include AWIE versions 24.04.x prior to 24.04.3, 24.10.x prior to…

Alaska topped the nation in October 2025 with a 9.4 % hires rate, the highest among all states. Across the country, 3 states saw an increase in hires, 1 state experienced a decrease, and 46 states plus the District of Columbia reported little change from the previous month. Compared to the U.S. average of 3.2 %, 14…

On 8 January 2026, the European Banking Authority (EBA) released final‑draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) that establish rules for cooperation and colleges of supervisors overseeing third‑country branches operating in the EU. The standards aim to improve information sharing and coordination among national supervisory authorities, ensuring thorough supervision of all activities carried out by foreign banking…

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion has released a report summarising lessons and policy pointers from the Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Academy (YEPA). The academy, which began on 9 March 2023 and ran until October 2025, gathered more than 150 policy officers, programme managers, young entrepreneurs, networks and researchers across Europe. Participants…

European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen thanked Jordan’s King Abdullah II during the first EU‑Jordan summit in Amman on 8 January 2026. She described Jordan as a key partner for Europe in the Middle East and a cornerstone of regional stability, emphasizing the mutual interest to deepen the relationship. Von Der Leyen outlined three pillars of the partnership: a…

On 8 January 2026 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that warnings on the packaging and patient information leaflets for gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines and z‑drugs will be strengthened. The new warnings will state ‘May cause addiction, dependence and withdrawal reactions’ and provide clearer definitions of dependence and addiction, guidance on tapering and stopping…

On January 8, 2026, the Treasury and IRS announced proposed regulations that revise the backup‑withholding threshold for third‑party settlement organizations under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. The changes clarify that such organizations need not perform backup withholding on payments processed through third‑party payment networks unless the gross amount of reportable transactions to a payee exceeds…

A vulnerability has been discovered in Google Android that allows an attacker to trigger an unspecified security issue. The flaw affects all Android versions released before the security update issued on 5 January 2026. The issue is identified by CVE‑2025‑54957. Google has issued a security bulletin detailing the problem and the necessary fix. Users and…

New EU regulations will take effect on 10 January 2026, imposing additional requirements on UK fishing vessels operating in EU waters. The changes, announced by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on 8 January 2026, include compulsory marking of passive gear such as nets, pots and lines on all vessels. Vessels 12 metres overall or longer…

On January 8 2026, the CERT‑FR released advisory CERTFR‑2026‑AVI‑0012 alerting to multiple vulnerabilities in Trend Micro Apex Central. The flaws permit remote code execution and remote denial‑of‑service on installations running builds older than Build 7190. Three CVEs are cited: CVE‑2025‑69258, CVE‑2025‑69259, and CVE‑2025‑69260. The advisory references Trend Micro’s security bulletin KA‑0022071 (dated January 7 2026), which contains the required patches.…

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has launched a video segment on its website titled ‘Fundamental Rights Forum 2024 – Human Rights and Artistic Expression.’ Released on 10 March 2025, the clip explores how art can challenge oppression, amplify marginalised voices and represent diversity. It features performances and discussions from artists Cesár Sampson,…

The United Kingdom welcomed Syrian leadership’s commitment to eliminate chemical weapons, as stated by Deputy Political Coordinator Caroline Quinn at the UN Security Council on 8 January 2026. It has been a year since the fall of the Assad regime and a new Syrian government now aims to verify and remove the former regime’s chemical…

A security alert released by the French CERT on 8 January 2026 reports a vulnerability in Tenable Nessus Agent that could allow attackers to elevate privileges. The vulnerability, identified as CVE‑2025‑36640, affects Nessus Agent versions 11.x earlier than 11.0.3 and all versions earlier than 10.9.3. The issue permits an attacker to gain higher privileges on…

Minister Catherine Vautrin will launch the national service recruitment campaign on 12 January 2026 at 9:45 a.m. during a press conference in Paris. The event will feature senior military chiefs, including Air Force General Fabien Mandon, Army General Pierre Schill, Naval Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, and Air and Space General Jérome Bellanger, who will also address…

A new research paper published by the Federal Reserve’s Finance and Economics Discussion Series examines how fluctuations in business formation and destruction influence inflation and the effectiveness of monetary policy. The study extends a standard New Keynesian model to allow for endogenous entry and exit of firms and heterogeneous producers. It finds that a decline…

The White House released new Dietary Guidelines on Jan. 8, 2026 that shift the federal nutrition framework toward whole, minimally processed foods and away from ultra‑processed items, added sugars and refined carbs. The guidelines underscore the importance of protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, while limiting sugary drinks, sodium and highly processed foods. The…

The European Union’s Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) has expanded to include defence technologies, following the entry into force of the Defence mini‑omnibus Regulation on 23 December 2025. The regulation extends STEP’s focus on digital, clean and bio‑technologies to a fourth sector – defence – and is complemented by the mid‑term review of the…

Border Force seized more than 250 endangered species and illegal wildlife products at UK airports, ports and mail depots between 13 September and 15 October 2025 as part of Operation Thunder, an annual international crackdown led by Interpol and the World Customs Organization. The seizures represented a 73% increase from 2023 and included a rainbow…

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) launched the Fundamental Rights Forum 2024, a series of videos released on 10 March 2025 that explore the intersection of climate change and human rights, business responsibility, and wealth distribution. The forum features eight videos on “Protecting democracy and civic space in Europe” and includes experts such…

On January 7, 2026, the Department of War marked the 20th anniversary of STARBASE Arizona, a STEM education program at Davis‑Monthan Air Force Base. The event honored two decades of hands‑on, 25‑hour STEAM instruction offered to students in the Tucson area. Attendees included leaders from the 355th Force Support Squadron, school district officials, and state…

Finland’s Foreign Affairs Committee heard the Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Baltic Sea security and Ukraine security arrangements on January 8 2026. The committee received a report from the Council of State on current foreign‑policy matters, including the Baltic Sea, Ukraine, Greenland, and Venezuela. Minister Valtonen discussed the Baltic Sea’s security, Ukraine’s security arrangements, and the situation…

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced today that it has retired ten Emergency Directives issued between 2019 and 2024, the largest batch retired at one time. The directives, which were created to address urgent cyber threats to Federal Civilian Executive Branch agencies, are now considered redundant after the required actions were implemented or…

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) marked the sixth anniversary of the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. The statement notes that Iran continues to refuse full legal responsibility, despite admitting that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down the aircraft. It describes the incident as an affront to the memory of the…

On January 26, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service announced the start of the 2026 filing season. Taxpayers have until April 15, 2026, to file 2025 returns and pay any balance. The IRS expects about 164 million individual returns, most filed electronically. New provisions from the One, Big, Beautiful Bill will be in effect, affecting federal…

Unemployment rose by 500 full‑time equivalents in November, bringing the total to 88,600 and an unemployment rate of 2.9 %. From October to November, the number of active job seekers increased by 300 and the number of non‑active job seekers by 200, all figures seasonally adjusted. In the same period, the number of recipients of unemployment…

UK Space Agency is co‑leading the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission, a partnership between ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The mission will image the Earth’s magnetosphere in three dimensions for the first time, studying how solar wind triggers geomagnetic storms and auroras. The UK contributes the core scientific instrument, the…

The Serious Fraud Office has recovered more than £400,000 for nine fraud victims after 24 years. Investigators used civil recovery action to reclaim money from a 2002 email fraud scheme run by Abdullah Ali Jammal, a former director of a retail‑depositor bank. Because no conviction was possible, the recovered funds would normally go to HM…

The UK government has released its response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation, granting local authorities new powers to prohibit pavement parking. The response emphasizes a devolved approach, allowing local transport authorities—such as strategic authorities outside London and unitary or county councils in non‑strategic areas—to enact prohibitions at the next legislative opportunity. In the interim,…

EU and Jordan held their first bilateral summit on 8 January 2026, marking the anniversary of the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership (SCP) signed the previous year. The meeting brought together EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa and Jordan’s King Abdullah II to review progress on the SCP’s five pillars: political relations, security and defence, economic resilience,…

Capital cities led productivity growth across European metropolitan regions from 2001 to 2021, while other cities lagged, according to a recent analysis by the European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Regional and Urban Policy and the Joint Research Centre. The study examined productivity trends over two decades, revealing that capitals consistently posted the highest growth rates. However,…

UK regulators announce plans to upgrade pharmacovigilance systems, building on the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme and lessons from the COVID‑19 pandemic. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency highlighted that digitising the Yellow Card reporting platform and integrating AI has enabled rapid analysis of large volumes of safety reports. The agency said that the upcoming…

Local councils will receive new legal powers to restrict pavement parking, a move announced by the Department for Transport on 8 January 2026. The change follows a public consultation and aims to improve safety for people who rely on pavements, including parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users, blind or partially sighted individuals, and older people. The…

The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, and ESMA) published joint guidelines on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) stress testing on 1 August 2026. The guidelines provide national insurance and banking supervisors with clear instructions on integrating ESG risks into supervisory stress tests, whether using established frameworks or conducting complementary assessments of ESG impacts. They establish…

The French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans has signed a framework agreement with AI company Mistral to strengthen the country’s defence technology sovereignty. The agreement grants access to Mistral’s advanced AI models, software, and services for all Ministry entities, including public institutions under its control. It will be overseen by the Ministry’s Defence AI…

Nordic Council’s Finnish-led presidency continues support for Greenland’s autonomy as stated in a joint declaration by Finnish MP Ville Väyrynen and Swedish MP Kim Berg. The declaration, posted on the Council’s website, affirms that the right of self-determination belongs to Greenland and Denmark, and that international law obliges other states to respect that principle. It…

European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued an opinion on the European Commission’s proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 904/2010, which would grant the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the European Anti‑Fraud Office (OLAF) specific direct and centralised access to VAT data at EU level. The EDPS says the proposal is urgent to combat large‑scale…

The Federal Reserve Board’s Insurance Policy Advisory Committee (IPAC) was created in 2018 under section 211(b) of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. IPAC advises the Board on international insurance capital standards and other insurance matters. The committee currently includes 24 members from academia, insurance companies, law firms and consulting firms, such as…

The Department for Transport has launched a 12‑week consultation to reduce the number of bodies that issue taxi and private‑hire vehicle licences. Currently 263 organisations, including councils and Transport for London, can grant licences. The proposal would cut that number to 70 local transport authorities, the same entities that manage local transport planning. By consolidating…

On 15 January 2026, the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans will host the 2nd Armoured Brigade’s Innovation Day in Bitche, France. The event, themed “Furtiveness and Anti‑Drone Warfare,” will showcase the brigade’s recent technological advances and operational capabilities aimed at countering emerging threats. The agenda includes a media reception, a 30‑minute welcome by…

On November 4, 2025, CEO Govert van Oord and Director-General Martin Wijnen swapped roles for a day to observe each other’s operations, a trial that yielded valuable insights for future cooperation. The experiment began during recordings of the sixth episode of the podcast De Transitie, where the two discussed how the market and government can…

President Pedro Sánchez met with families of Spanish citizens detained in Venezuela. The meeting took place at Moncloa Palace in Madrid. Three Spanish nationals were reported to be imprisoned in Venezuela following arrests described by the Spanish government as arbitrary and without basis. During the session, Sánchez told the relatives that the Spanish government would…

The UK Government announced a £140 million Local Growth Fund to support economic prosperity in five Scottish regions over the 2026/27‑2028/29 period. Glasgow City will receive £60.9 million, Edinburgh & South East £37.8 million, Tay Cities £19.5 million, Ayrshire £11.8 million and the Forth Valley Region £9.8 million. The fund will finance projects such as infrastructure investment, business support and skills…

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds delivered a speech at the 2026 Oxford Farming Conference, outlining new government commitments to support British farmers. She announced that the inheritance tax threshold for Agricultural and Business Property Relief will rise from £1 million to £2.5 million, allowing couples to pass on up to £5 million tax‑free. The Secretary also introduced a Farming…

The Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) has reopened the MaestraNatura competition for primary and lower secondary schools, inviting classes to creatively explore the theme “Food and planetary health, sustainability as a lifestyle: small actions that change the future.” The competition, free to enter, accepts graphic, multimedia, and practical sustainability projects. Entries must be original,…

New EU regulations to stop illegal fishing take effect on 8 January, with the UK Fish Export Service updating its system and the Marine Management Organisation offering extensive support. The regulations require exporters to provide new information for traceability and to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Fish Export Service will be unavailable…

On 8 January 2026, the European Commission released a summary of the public consultation on the ongoing review of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The consultation attracted more than 450 contributions from a wide range of stakeholders, including SMEs, gatekeepers, civil society organisations, academics and individual citizens. Respondents largely endorsed the DMA’s objectives and noted…

President Pedro Sánchez attended the swearing‑in ceremony of Milagros Tolón as Minister for Education, Vocational Training and Sports at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. The ceremony was presided over by King Felipe VI, and the new government spokesperson, Elma Saiz, also took her oath of office. Tolón swore her oath on a copy of the…

On January 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that the United States is withdrawing from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and stepping down from its seat on the GCF Board, effective immediately. The move follows President Donald J. Trump’s decision to withdraw from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).…

Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin visited Matra Electronics on January 9, 2026, to discuss the defense industrial base and the territorial and economic impacts of the army budget. Press accreditation began at 13:00 with site preparation, while the minister arrived at 14:00 for a republican reception. The schedule included a 14:10 presentation of Maltra…

National average 2% rise for condominiums, 1.8% for single-family houses, 0.7% for summer houses. Overall since 2022, 11.7% for condos, 7.0% for single-family, 8.0% for summer. Regional: all five regions up, highest 9.7% in Capital Region. Condominium prices up in four of five regions, highest 11.9% in Capital Region, decline 2.2% in North Jutland. Summer…

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced on 8 January 2026 that the Department for Education will introduce inspections of multi‑academy trusts under an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The move aims to give parents and communities greater confidence in the trust system that oversees most schools in England. Inspections will focus on leadership,…

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to India from 11 to 13 January 2026. In Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat, he will be received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders will discuss bilateral and international matters. After the meeting, Merz will continue to Bangalore to visit German companies, supported by a business delegation…

On 8 January 2026, the European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA) published joint Guidelines on ESG stress testing. The guidelines give national insurance and banking supervisors clear instructions on how to embed environmental, social and governance risks into supervisory stress tests, whether using existing frameworks or conducting supplementary ESG assessments. They establish common standards…

Water companies will now be required to publish Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs) every year, starting in April 2026, under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025. The plans, which must be made public, detail specific actions to cut pollution, including monitoring, clearing blockages and customer awareness campaigns, and must identify the root causes of incidents. Failure to…

Government launches the Education Record app to let every Year 11 student in England access their GCSE results on a mobile device from summer 2026. The app is being rolled out nationwide after pilots in Greater Manchester and West Midlands. Pupils will receive results in school on results day, after which they will appear on…

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Home Office, and relevant ministers announced on 8 January 2026 that cyberflashing will be treated as a priority offence under the Online Safety Act. Dating apps and social media platforms must now take proactive steps to prevent unsolicited nude images before they reach users, rather than reacting after the harm…

On 8 January 2026 the Office for National Statistics released the first official statistics on experiences of NHS healthcare services in England. The release covers experiences of local GP services, NHS treatment waiting lists, community health services, dentistry and pharmacy services, based on data from the Health Insight Survey commissioned by NHS England. The statistics…

The press conference addressed a range of topics such as Germany’s stance on the U.S. intervention in South America, the security of the federal chancellor, responses to recent protests in Iran, the status of the MERCOSUR agreement, hybrid attacks on Germany, and upcoming diplomatic meetings. It included statements from the spokesperson for the German government…