Day: January 8, 2026

Austria: Decline of German Language Skills Reveals Failure of Migration Policy

Austria: Decline of German Language Skills Reveals Failure of Migration Policy

Officials are tinkering around the edges to ‘fix’ educational problems, when they should be doing more on border control.

January 8, 2026
Big Words, No Plan: Sánchez Floats Troops for Palestine

Big Words, No Plan: Sánchez Floats Troops for Palestine

Spain’s latest peacekeeping offer highlights the gap between lofty rhetoric and the lack of concrete plans or diplomatic weight behind it.

January 8, 2026
Berlin’s Blackouts: Dark Streets, Dim Management

Berlin’s Blackouts: Dark Streets, Dim Management

We Berliners now know what life without fossil fuels looks and feels like.

January 8, 2026
U.S. Halts Aid to Somalia and South Sudan Over Misuse of Funds

U.S. Halts Aid to Somalia and South Sudan Over Misuse of Funds

Washington stressed that continued support depends on the Somali government acting to resolve the reported issues.

January 8, 2026
127 Hours of Silence: Merz Avoids Calling Berlin Blackout Left-Wing Terrorism

127 Hours of Silence: Merz Avoids Calling Berlin Blackout Left-Wing Terrorism

Merz described the Berlin blackout an “attack” and praised local authorities and the Bundeswehr for their response, citing their “excellent work.”

January 8, 2026
French 2026 Budget May Be Adopted Bypassing Parliament

French 2026 Budget May Be Adopted Bypassing Parliament

Budget minister Amélie de Montchalin says all options remain on the table as France starts the year without an agreed state budget.

January 8, 2026
FPÖ Criticizes Cheaper Public Transport for Vienna ‘Queers’

FPÖ Criticizes Cheaper Public Transport for Vienna ‘Queers’

The QueerCityPass offers 24-hour unlimited travel at a lower price than several existing public transport tickets.

January 8, 2026
Russia and France Swap Jailed Researcher for Basketball Player

Russia and France Swap Jailed Researcher for Basketball Player

Moscow released French academic Laurent Vinatier, who was imprisoned on espionage-related charges.

January 8, 2026
Swiss Prosecutors Question Bar Owners After Deadly Fire

Swiss Prosecutors Question Bar Owners After Deadly Fire

Authorities are examining possible safety failures and the owners’ financial background following one of Switzerland’s deadliest nightlife disasters in recent years.

January 8, 2026
Macron Accuses U.S. of “Breaking International Rules”

Macron Accuses U.S. of “Breaking International Rules”

The French president is attacking Donald Trump instead of dealing with his own political problems at home.

January 8, 2026
No Ukraine Trips, No Arms: Babiš and Fico Set New Line

No Ukraine Trips, No Arms: Babiš and Fico Set New Line

Meeting in Bratislava, Babiš and Fico ruled out arms deliveries to Ukraine, revived plans for joint cabinet meetings, and criticised Brussels’ emissions agenda.

January 8, 2026
Circular Economy: A Recipe for European Decline

Circular Economy: A Recipe for European Decline

With its ‘circular’ vision, the European Commission demonstrates its complete detachment from economic reality.

January 8, 2026