Blog
-
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced plans to restrict benefits for Ukrainian refugees who are unwilling to work in Germany. The government is considering reducing monthly benefits from €563 to €441 for Ukrainians arriving after April 1, 2025.
-
Germany has committed to tightening welfare benefits for Ukrainian refugees unwilling to work, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticising the country’s low employment rate among this group. The government is also considering reducing monthly benefits for Ukrainians arriving after April 2025.
-
Germany has been one of the primary destinations for Ukrainians since the conflict with Russia erupted in 2022, with an estimated 1.1 million residing in the country as of mid-November. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to overhaul the system of benefits, stating that the employment rate among Ukrainian refugees is unacceptably low.
-
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to restrict benefits for Ukrainian refugees who are unwilling to work, citing low employment rates among Ukrainian refugees in Germany. The current system provides a basic allowance of €563 per month, but Merz aims to reduce it to €441 for those arriving after April 2025, affecting around 83,000 people.
-
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to tighten welfare restrictions for Ukrainian refugees who refuse to work, citing an unacceptably low employment rate of below 30% among Ukrainians in Germany. He urged Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to ensure that military-age men remain in their home country to address the issue of conscription evasion.
-
Scientists are uncovering how the brain senses internal bodily processes and how disruptions in this system may contribute to psychiatric disorders. The research highlights potential pathways for understanding conditions like depression and anxiety.
-
School advocacy groups are suing to block the Trump administration’s plan to transfer key education functions to other agencies. They claim the restructuring endangers educational standards and federal oversight.
-
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman accuses the BBC of censoring his comments criticizing Trump, claiming his label of ‘most openly corrupt president’ was removed before a lecture broadcast.
-
Rep. Eric Swalwell has filed a lawsuit against Bill Pulte, alleging privacy law violations. The suit claims Pulte’s disclosures were intended to damage prominent Democrats, including Swalwell, over mortgage fraud allegations.
-
The dismissal of indictments that President Trump sought against his perceived foes opens the door for federal judges to pick a new U.S. attorney to replace a Trump loyalist. Legal experts warn that various scenarios could impede Trump’s efforts for retribution.
-
President Trump, 79, is the oldest U.S. president, facing challenges as his stamina and energy levels wane, raising concerns about his ability to effectively lead amid the complexities of his age.
-
The FBI has launched an investigation into Democrat lawmakers over a video featuring alleged illegal orders. The inquiry is led by the bureau’s counterterrorism division, following a Pentagon probe into Senator Mark Kelly’s involvement.
-
Penny Oleksiak, a 25-year-old Canadian swimmer and seven-time Olympic medalist, faces a two-year suspension due to a violation of antidoping rules. The suspension is set to conclude before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
-
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a planned meeting between his envoy, Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss a potential peace deal. European leaders expressed doubt about the prospects of the negotiations, despite the White House’s optimism.
-
A federal judge recently dismissed indictments against two of President Trump’s adversaries, yet his administration continues to expand retribution efforts through a whole-of-government approach. The Pentagon’s ongoing investigation of a prominent Democrat highlights this strategy, underscoring the administration’s commitment to political retaliation.
-
Alexander Shtefanov, an anti-war political blogger in Russia, takes a unique stance by opposing both the war and Putin’s government, while frequently diverging from other exiled anti-war opposition figures.
-
Former GSA workers claim the government violated the law by refusing to rehire them after the shutdown ended. They argue that reinstatement is mandated by the spending law that concluded the shutdown.
-
European leaders are facing critical decisions on military power as President Trump’s peace plan pressures them to reassess their commitments. The G20 summit in South Africa has brought together Britain, France, and Germany to discuss these challenges.
-
European Solidarity urges Batkivshchyna to unite in restoring parliamentary subjectivity. The faction believes the first step out of the political crisis should be the resignation of the government.
-
Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a prison term for conspiring to remain in power after losing the last election. The conviction marks a significant moment in Brazil’s political landscape, as it represents the first time a former president has been sent to prison for high-level charges.
-
European officials emphasize that the decision on frozen Russian assets rests with the EU, not the US. Experts call for swift action to provide Ukraine with critical financial support.
-
Canadian wineries are experiencing a notable increase in sales as tensions between the U.S. and Canada escalate, with restrictions on American wine and liquor imports playing a key role. At the Cannon Estate Winery in Abbotsford, British Columbia, sales have jumped by 33% this year, reflecting a growing preference among consumers for locally produced wines.
-
A small group of politically vulnerable Republicans in Congress is defying party lines to champion the extension of health care subsidies, a program the GOP has traditionally opposed. Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey advocates for maintaining these credits, arguing that voters facing rising premiums are not to blame.
-
Russia has launched an attack on Ukraine, killing at least seven people in Kyiv, according to authorities. Moscow has indicated it will resist changes negotiated by Ukraine.
-
Heavy monsoon rains have triggered catastrophic flooding in southern Thailand, killing at least 13 people and displacing nearly 2 million across ten provinces. The worst-affected area, Hat Yai, saw record-breaking rainfall and is struggling with infrastructure collapse, with over 7,000 tourists stranded.
-
Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has declared that the EU can no longer consider the U.S. an ally after the Trump administration bypassed the bloc to present a direct Ukraine peace plan. European leaders have rejected the proposal, which demands territorial concessions and limits Ukraine’s military, calling the U.S. approach unconsultative and ineffective.
-
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska to discuss PURL results and energy security, emphasizing Ukraine’s strategic priorities in international partnerships and regional security challenges.
-
APK-Inform reports that high demand for Ukrainian soybeans on international markets, improved processing of export duty refunds for farmers, and strong domestic demand from processing companies have driven further price growth.
-
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged the Coalition of the Willing to maintain support for Ukraine. He emphasized that achieving lasting peace requires sustained international cooperation.
-
Thailand is grappling with catastrophic monsoon flooding that has claimed over a dozen lives. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate stranded residents across multiple provinces, with the deployment of an aircraft carrier marking a significant response effort to the disaster.
-
Alawite minorities in Syria are taking to the streets in protest following reprisal attacks against their community in Homs. The demonstrations, which began in Latak, reflect growing sectarian tensions in the country.
-
Joan Branson, wife of Richard Branson, has died at 80. Mr. Branson shared the news on Instagram, crediting Joan for her influence on his major decisions.
-
Governors of Washington and Oregon have waived regulations to address fuel shortages. The Olympic Pipeline, which has been out of service since November 17, requires urgent repairs.
-
China has successfully launched a replacement transport vessel to its Tiangong space station, marking its first emergency space launch. The mission was conducted without any issues, ensuring the crew on board can now return safely.
-
German Christmas markets face potential closure due to escalating security costs, with organizers warning of financial strain. Security expenses have risen 44% over three years following deadly attacks in Berlin and Magdeburg.
-
Emergency rescue operations in Kyiv have been finalized following Russian shelling, resulting in seven fatalities and 21 injuries. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Ukrainian authorities in responding to attacks on civilian populations.
-
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) is proposing updates to the procedure for revoking licenses for foreign currency operations issued to nonbank financial institutions. These measures aim to enhance regulatory oversight and international compliance.
-
Ukraine, Slovakia, and Slovenia have been elected to the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the 2026-2028 term. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andri, Sybiha noted Russia’s third consecutive defeat in the council elections.
-
Sweden seeks long-range missiles to counter perceived Russian threats, according to a military report. The country has increased defense spending and joined NATO following the Ukraine conflict.
-
Republican lawmakers accuse the Trump administration of compromising with Russia, citing concerns over long-term instability. McConnell claims Putin attempted to manipulate Trump during Ukraine talks.
-
Satellite images have revealed the location of 210 re-education and military camps across Russia where Ukrainian children are being held. The discovery has intensified international concern, with calls for immediate diplomatic action and possible military intervention to secure the release of the children.
-
Ukraine’s civilian casualties have nearly quadrupled in the first 02 months of 2025 compared to the full 2024 total. The UN reports this surge is due to intensified Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and increased use of long-range weapons.
-
After more than 20 years in the U.S., an Eritrean mother and nurse tried to self-deport to Canada. She found herself in a Texas detention center instead. Rahel Negassi, an Eritrean asylum seeker who worked as a nurse for over two decades in the United States while undocumented.
-
Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro will remain in a special room at police headquarters in Brasilia, beginning his 27-year prison sentence for a coup bid. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the charges against him, which include attempted subversion of Brazil’s democratic institutions.
-
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aims to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump as soon as possible to finalize a joint agreement on ending the war. The potential meeting could focus on ceasefire terms, troop withdrawals, and territorial boundaries.
-
The Humanitarian Demining Center has allocated UAH 4.476 million for farmland clearance in Kherson, compensating a farmer for de-mining land he cleared independently. This marks the first contract under the Center’s initiatives, highlighting civilian efforts in post-war land rehabilitation.
-
The United States is intensifying diplomatic efforts to encourage Sudan’s warring factions to accept a ceasefire plan, as regional allies work to broker a humanitarian truce after two years of violence. Washington has been stepping up diplomatic pressure as its regional partners attempt to push Sudan’s warring commanders toward a humanitarian truce after two years…
-
The Trump administration has been investing billions of dollars to acquire ownership stakes in major companies, with MP Materials, a company owning rare eath mines in California, being one of the notable private firms involved. This unusual practice shows no sign of slowing down.
-
Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland, Norway’s Miss Universe representative, made a bold statement with her salmon-themed national costume. The design, which captured the essence of Norway’s rich fishing heritage, quickly became a viral sensation on social media.
-
European and African leaders gathered in Angola to discuss raw materials, security, and the Global Gateway initiative, highlighting the EU’s efforts to counter China’s growing influence on the continent. The meeting underscores the EU’s strategy to enhance economic cooperation and security ties with African nations.
-
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted progress in talks on peaceful efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine and colleagues from the Coalition of the Willing ‘reaffirmed’ their commitments to a ‘multinational force.’
-
CISA has issued a warning about state-backed cyber operations using spyware to target Signal and WhatsApp users, particularly high-value individuals. The agency is tracking multiple groups that exploit vulnerabilities in messaging apps to conduct surveillance and data extraction.
-
Andrei Karpov was arrested in June on charges of bribery and abuse of power after he was accused of providing sensitive documents to his journalist nephew. The case highlights issues of ethical misconduct and abuse of power within law, and the boundaries of journalistic freedom versus institutional confidentiality.
-
Leaders from the Ukrainian and British Red Cross organizations convened to discuss collaborative projects and enhance cooperation between the two entities. Both organizations expressed commitment to working together on humanitarian efforts, particularly in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
-
The U.S. has proposed establishing tent camps to house displaced Palestinians in the Israeli-held portion of Gaza, aiming to provide relief for tens of thousands affected by prolonged conflict. The initiative raises concerns about whether it could entrench the partition of Gaza into Israeli- and Hamas-controlled zones.
-
Hamas has returned the body of another hostage from Gaza, though the remains have not yet been identified. Israel stated that the bodies of three other captives remain in the enclave.
-
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the potential for significant progress toward lasting peace in Ukraine, with the key condition being reliable security guarantees for the Ukrainian people. During a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, Macron highlighted the importance of these guarantees as a foundational element for achieving peace.
-
Kylie Kelce has called online criticism over her daughters’ names ‘rage bait,’ defending the couple’s decision to use gender-neutral names on her podcast. The former NFL player and his wife have faced unsolicited opinions about their parenting choices, but they remain committed to raising their daughters as they see fit.
-
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a swift ceasefire and a just, durable peace for Ukraine following discussions with President Zelenskyy. The emphasis on European security highlights the diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.
-
Paige Spiranac has received ‘tens of thousands of death threats’ following a cheating controversy at the Internet Invitational golf tournament. The incident, which involved improving a lie during the final match, has sparked intense backlash and prompted Spiranac to seek mental health support.