France’s Bayrou buys himself time with overture to Socialists – POLITICO

France’s Bayrou buys himself time with overture to Socialists – POLITICO

Another no-confidence vote The real test is further down the line when the 2025 budget bill returns to parliament, which could lead to another vote of no-confidence in late January. It’s likely then that the far right will vote against the government, so Bayrou needs to pick off enough left-wing MPs to survive without alienating … Read more

Good Friday-era politician picked to review Northern Ireland’s Brexit rules – POLITICO

Good Friday-era politician picked to review Northern Ireland’s Brexit rules – POLITICO

But Murphy built a reputation for even-handedness and attention to detail during his previous career at Stormont, where he served as Mo Mowlam’s deputy as Northern Ireland secretary during the 1997-98 negotiation of the Good Friday deal. While the outspoken and eccentric Mowlam garnered the headlines, Murphy spent months away from the spotlight leading the … Read more

The heart of British democracy is a crime hotspot – POLITICO

The heart of British democracy is a crime hotspot – POLITICO

“We’ve seen a deterioration in the sense of control of the public realm,” said Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, who served as deputy mayor of London for policing between 2008 and 2012. “If a city gets a reputation for being high crime, it puts a lot of people off.”  Everyone POLITICO interviewed agreed that more active … Read more

Who is Peter Mandelson, Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ US ambassador pick?

Who is Peter Mandelson, Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ US ambassador pick?

LONDON — Peter Mandelson looks set for a new life in the United States after a long and sometimes-controversial career in British public life. An announcement confirming him as the government’s choice for next U.K. ambassador to Washington is expected from No.10 Downing Street Friday. It’s a remarkable next chapter for Mandelson, who is staunchly … Read more

Franziska Brantner elected co-leader of German Greens going into snap elections – POLITICO

Franziska Brantner elected co-leader of German Greens going into snap elections – POLITICO

Brantner wants to “make Green great again,” she said, adapting the slogan of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whom she has criticized as a threat to global climate policy. Brantner will remain state secretary in the German economy ministry, headed by Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice chancellor. He is expected to be nominated as the Green Party’s … Read more

bold and speedy steps needed from allies – POLITICO

bold and speedy steps needed from allies – POLITICO

The plan is “a bridge to any stage of ending the war. A bridge that strengthens Ukraine. Strengthens it politically, in terms of weapons, and in understanding what our future will be after the war,” the Ukrainian president said. On his U.S. trip next week, Zelenskyy will meet with Biden as well as Vice President … Read more

Central Europe battles severe rain, flooding – POLITICO

Central Europe battles severe rain, flooding – POLITICO

The heavy rains moved over Central Europe from Italy in a phenomenon known as the Genoa low — from a low pressure area typically forming near the northern Italian city. The downpours led to increased runoff of water in the rivers, some of them overflowing dams and embankments, washing away bridges and inundating towns. The … Read more

3 Israelis killed at Jordan-West Bank crossing – POLITICO

3 Israelis killed at Jordan-West Bank crossing – POLITICO

“IDF soldiers were dispatched to the scene and are currently operating to rule out the suspicion of the truck being rigged with explosives,” the IDF said on X. All three of the Israeli men were in their 50s and succumbed to gunshot wounds, said Israeli emergency services organization Magen David Adom on Telegram. CNN reported … Read more

Israeli strike in southern Lebanon reportedly kills at least 10 – POLITICO

Israeli strike in southern Lebanon reportedly kills at least 10 – POLITICO

Hezbollah responded by launching a barrage of rockets into northern Israel on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces said more than 50 missiles crossed into Israel from Lebanon. The attack is the latest in an escalation of violence in the region, weeks after a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 people. Israel accused … Read more

Gaza cease-fire talks to resume next week – POLITICO

Gaza cease-fire talks to resume next week – POLITICO

The mediators insisted that all parties are nearer to a final deal after this week’s negotiations. “We’re much, much closer than we were three days ago,” U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will head to Israel this weekend in an effort to advance the push … Read more