The European Union has designated seven countries—Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—as 'safe countries of origin,' marking a major shift in its asylum policy. Under the new framework, asylum applications from these nations will no longer receive the same priority and will likely face higher rejection rates unless applicants can individually prove a credible threat to their safety. The decision, announced on International Migrants Day, follows the EU’s broader asylum system reform approved in 2024.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the move as an attempt to sidestep international legal obligations and endanger vulnerable migrants. Critics such as French MP Mélissa Camara and the Danish Refugee Council warned that the policy could lead to unmonitored deportation centers and increased risks of mistreatment. EU officials, however, argue that the classification will streamline migration management and strengthen border control.

The new asylum and migration pact is set to take effect in June 2026. The EU has indicated that the list may expand further, depending on future legislative reviews and geopolitical assessments.

European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan worth $105 billion over the next two years. The decision, announced by European Council President António Costa, aims to support Ukraine’s defense and budget needs without relying on frozen Russian assets. The financing will instead be raised from capital markets and secured against the EU budget, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the EU, noting that the funds will help cover Kyiv’s budget deficit and strengthen its defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The agreement was reached after lengthy late-night negotiations on December 18, marking a significant show of unity among EU leaders.

By opting for market-based financing, the EU temporarily steps away from the contentious plan to use seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort. Analysts say the move could ease internal divisions within the bloc while ensuring continued financial backing for Ukraine through 2027.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on the European Union to reduce its economic overdependence and strengthen its global competitiveness through a wider network of free trade agreements. Speaking in Brussels ahead of the European Council summit, she emphasized the strategic importance of finalizing the proposed trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc, describing it as a gateway to a market of 700 million consumers.

However, the Mercosur agreement has sharply divided EU member states. France and Italy, led by Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni, oppose the deal over concerns about environmental standards, agricultural safeguards, and regulatory clarity. Germany and Spain, in contrast, argue the pact would boost exports and diversify trade ties at a time of weak growth. Farmers’ unions across Europe have also voiced strong resistance, fearing cheap imports could undermine domestic producers.

Thousands of farmers were expected to protest in Brussels as leaders met, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding the deal. The outcome of the summit may determine whether the EU can balance trade expansion with internal protectionist pressures.

British police have announced that individuals carrying placards or chanting slogans such as 'Globalize the Intifada' will face arrest. The Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police issued a joint statement saying the move follows recent violent incidents targeting Jewish communities, including a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 16 people.

Authorities said the term 'intifada', historically linked to Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation, has become increasingly sensitive amid global tensions. The police cited community concerns about the slogan’s potential to incite hatred or violence. They also referenced an earlier stabbing at a Manchester synagogue that left two people dead.

Enhanced patrols and security measures have been deployed around places of worship, schools, and community centers in London and Manchester. Officials emphasized that while free expression remains protected, any speech perceived as promoting violence or communal unrest will be met with firm legal action.

The United Kingdom, long known for its cloudy and damp weather, experienced its sunniest year on record in 2025, according to the UK Met Office. By December 15, the country had recorded an average of 1,622 hours of sunshine, surpassing the previous record set in 2003. The agency attributed the unusual brightness to persistent high-pressure systems that reduced cloud cover and brought prolonged periods of clear skies, particularly during spring and summer.

The Met Office also confirmed that 2025 marked the warmest summer in UK history, with average temperatures reaching 16.10°C, exceeding the 2018 record of 15.76°C. While scientists have long warned that human-induced climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, the Met Office stated there is no clear evidence linking climate change to long-term increases in sunshine duration.

Officials noted that overall sunshine levels have been rising since the 1980s, though the exact cause remains uncertain. Possible explanations include natural variability and a reduction in atmospheric aerosols, which may have allowed more sunlight to reach the surface.

Several members of the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action have been hospitalized in the United Kingdom after more than 40 days of hunger strike. According to legal documents reviewed by Sky News, five of the eight detainees have been admitted to hospital, marking the country’s largest hunger strike since 1981. The protesters are facing charges related to break-ins at an Israel-linked defense firm and a Royal Air Force base attack that damaged two military jets.

The deteriorating health of detainees, including Kamran Ahmed and Qaiser Zuhrah, has drawn urgent appeals from lawmakers. Labour MP John McDonnell called the situation an emergency, urging Justice Secretary David Lammy to intervene, while MP Zarah Sultana warned the government could face moral responsibility if deaths occur. In contrast, Conservative MP Rupert Lowe dismissed the strikers, saying he had “no sympathy” for them.

The escalating crisis has intensified political divisions over protest rights and the UK’s handling of pro-Palestinian activism, with growing public scrutiny of the government’s response.

The European Union is preparing to withdraw its landmark 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, a move expected to be part of a broader reform package aimed at supporting Europe’s struggling automotive sector. The European Commission may instead propose a 90% reduction in carbon emissions from new vehicles, replacing the full ban initially adopted under the EU’s Green Deal.

The shift follows intense lobbying from car manufacturers and member states such as Germany and Italy, who argue that slow electric vehicle (EV) adoption and competition from China make the original target unrealistic. According to industry data, only about 16% of new cars sold in Europe during the first nine months of 2025 were battery-powered. Environmental groups warn that relaxing the ban could undermine climate goals and discourage EV investment.

The Commission is also considering new incentives for small and affordable EVs and measures to green corporate fleets. The final proposal is expected to test the EU’s balance between industrial competitiveness and environmental commitments.

Arsenal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League on Saturday night, thanks to a late own goal in stoppage time. The Gunners initially took the lead through a deflected Bukayo Saka corner that rebounded off goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, before Wolves equalized in the final minute through Nigerian striker Tolu. However, a last-gasp header from Wolves defender Mosquera turned Saka’s cross into his own net, sealing Arsenal’s win.

Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah made his long-awaited return for Liverpool, coming on as a substitute in the 26th minute. Though he did not score, Salah assisted Hugo Ekitike, who netted twice in a 2-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield. The Egyptian forward’s contribution brought his total goal involvements for Liverpool to 277, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s record for most goal involvements with a single Premier League club. Chelsea also returned to winning form after four matches, defeating Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. In France, PSG reclaimed the Ligue 1 top spot with a 3-2 win over Metz.

European Union Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has warned that Russia could create a real conflict scenario in Europe within the next three to four years. Speaking after a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Kubilius described the situation as a potential 'conflict test' for Europe and urged rapid strengthening of the continent’s defense capabilities.

Kubilius emphasized that Russia’s economy has effectively become a wartime economy, posing a long-term security threat to Europe. He identified two major challenges: the potential for Russian aggression and the United States’ call for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security as Washington shifts focus toward the Indo-Pacific. He noted that while progress is being made through new financial tools and strategic planning, Europe still heavily depends on U.S. intelligence and satellite systems.

Kubilius also proposed initiating discussions on a European Defense Union that could include the UK, Norway, and Ukraine, stressing that Europe must prepare for greater responsibility within NATO and consider the long-term goal of a unified European army.

A new report by the Runnymede Trust and human rights group Reprieve warns that nearly nine million British Muslims—mostly of Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani heritage—could lose their citizenship under the UK Home Office’s broad and secretive powers. The study claims that these powers, which allow the government to revoke citizenship if an individual is deemed eligible for another nationality, disproportionately endanger people linked to South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The report argues that the policy has created a racial hierarchy in citizenship, where non-white Britons face conditional nationality. Reprieve’s Maya Foa criticized successive governments for expanding these powers for political gain, while Runnymede’s Shabna Begum described the trend as a “chilling current” within the Home Office. Data show that three in five non-white Britons are at risk, compared with one in twenty white citizens.

Analysts warn that the policy undermines equality before the law and could deepen mistrust among minority communities. The Home Office has not yet commented on the findings.

British police have confirmed that more than 600 historical artifacts were stolen from a museum in Bristol between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on September 25. CCTV footage captured four suspects carrying bags near the museum on Cumberland Road. The stolen items include military medals, jewelry, badges, carved ivory, silverware, bronze statues, and specimens from natural history collections.

Investigating officer Dan Burgan described the theft as a significant cultural loss, noting that many of the items were donations that help interpret complex periods of British history. Bristol City Council’s head of culture, Philip Walker, expressed deep regret, emphasizing that the collection was vital for understanding Britain’s imperial past and its connections with other nations.

The stolen collection had been under the care of the council since the closure of the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum in 2012. The incident comes amid a rise in museum thefts across Europe, following similar losses at the Louvre in Paris and the British Museum in London.

A major error in the British Council-administered IELTS English proficiency test has led to incorrect results for around 80,000 candidates worldwide, according to a report by The Telegraph on December 7. The technical fault caused some failing candidates to be marked as passing, allowing thousands of migrants, students, and healthcare workers to obtain UK visas despite insufficient English skills.

The report also revealed evidence of exam paper leaks in Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam. Conservative Party members in the UK have demanded that ineligible migrants be identified and deported. IELTS authorities attributed the problem to a technical malfunction affecting listening and reading scores, claiming only about 1% of tests were impacted. However, that percentage equates to roughly 78,000 exams. The organization has since contacted affected candidates and reissued corrected results.

The incident raises concerns about the reliability of international testing systems and the potential risks to UK education and healthcare sectors, where English proficiency is critical for safety and performance.

Scientists at University College London (UCL) and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) have reported promising results from a world-first clinical trial using base-edited CAR T-cell therapy (BE-CAR7) to treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a rare and aggressive blood cancer. The therapy, which uses genome-edited immune cells from healthy donors, achieved deep remission in most of the ten patients treated—eight children and two adults—who had previously exhausted standard treatment options.

The BE-CAR7 therapy employs base editing, an advanced form of CRISPR technology that alters single DNA letters without cutting the genome, reducing chromosomal risks. The modified T-cells target and destroy leukemic cells before patients undergo bone marrow transplants to rebuild their immune systems. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting, was led by Professor Waseem Qasim and supported by the UK’s Medical Research Council and NIHR.

Researchers say the results mark a major step toward “off-the-shelf” gene therapies for resistant cancers, though they caution that outcomes vary and further trials are needed to confirm long-term safety and efficacy.

The European Union has reached a consensus to tighten its migration and asylum policies in response to growing pressure from irregular migration flows. During a meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels on December 8, member states provisionally approved several measures proposed by the European Commission. These include stronger controls on migrant arrivals and returns, as well as the establishment of ‘return hubs’ outside the EU’s 27 member states to manage deportations more efficiently.

Officials say the proposals aim to make the EU’s migration system more streamlined and enforceable. The initiative comes as many European governments face increasing domestic pressure from right-wing parties gaining popularity over migration concerns. The new measures still require final approval from the European Parliament before implementation.

Human rights organizations have voiced strong opposition, warning that the tougher stance could undermine asylum rights and humanitarian protections. The debate highlights the EU’s struggle to balance border security with its commitment to international refugee obligations.

Britain is grappling with a threefold crisis involving economic, geopolitical, and political challenges. The Office for Students has warned that up to 50 UK universities could face bankruptcy within two years due to declining international student numbers and frozen tuition fees, forcing institutions to cut staff and merge programs. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government suffered a setback in its attempt to join the EU’s €150 billion SAFE defense fund after talks collapsed over financial contributions. The failure casts doubt on post-Brexit cooperation ambitions. Domestically, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has launched a new left-wing party, ‘Your Party,’ positioning it as an alternative to Labour but already facing internal divisions. The party’s rise reflects discontent among traditional leftists and could reshape Britain’s political landscape. Together, these developments test Starmer’s leadership as the country navigates economic strain, strained EU relations, and ideological fragmentation.