Andy Burnham is being urged to protect 4 million gig economy workers by prosecuting companies that use widespread “bogus” self-employment practices to deny people their rights. As the prime minister fleshes out his agenda, the Fabian Society and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have warned that millions of workers are missing...
Refugees’ contribution to Poland’s GDP outstripped official aid to Ukraine
Former Polish ambassador to Ukraine (2001–2005) Marek Ziółkowski has challenged official narratives around Warsaw’s support for Kyiv in a report titled “Polish Aid to Ukraine: Bare Facts and a Bitter Diagnosis,” prepared for the Stefan Batory Foundation. Ziółkowski acknowledges that Poland’s assistance after Russia’s full-scale invasion was substantial and unprecedented,...
Lithuania builds anti-tank ditches up to 150 meters wide on Its border with Russia
The Lithuanian government has decided to significantly strengthen security along its eastern borders. The country is establishing a large-scale counter-mobility barrier along its frontiers with Russia and Belarus, scheduled for full completion by the end of 2028. Under the approved project, anti-tank ditches will be dug along the border with...
Nearly half of EU under drought amid extreme heat
Nearly half of the European Union and the UK faced drought conditions in late July 2026, according to a report from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). Data from the European Drought Observatory (EDO) show critical and warning-level drought conditions persisted and intensified across western, central and parts of...
Poland faces massive medical data breach
Polish authorities have officially confirmed one of the largest personal data leaks in the country’s history. On 12 August 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski stated that a cyberattack on the systems of the company MyDr compromised the data of nearly 19 million people. MyDr...
UK responds to Putin’s threats
Following threats by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to respond “in kind” to actions against Russian vessels, the UK has stressed that the detention of Russia’s “shadow fleet” tankers is fully in accordance with international law. “The UK is disrupting and deterring shadow fleet vessels and their harmful maritime activity which...
German government approves major reform of intelligence services
The German cabinet, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on Wednesday approved a package of bills that significantly expands the powers of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). The reform, prepared by the Interior Ministry under Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), is intended...
Spanish and Dutch police dismantle cocaine-smuggling and money-laundering network
Spain’s National Police has dismantled a criminal organisation that smuggled large shipments of cocaine into Europe and laundered the proceeds. Officers conducted the investigation jointly with Dutch law enforcement authorities. The network based itself in Spain’s Málaga province and maintained links with various European countries as well as South America....
Slovak opposition demands Interior Minister’s resignation over Russian road cameras scandal
Slovakia’s opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party has called on Prime Minister Robert Fico to immediately dismiss Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok following a scandal involving road cameras containing Russian components. The party described the installation of the devices on Slovak roads as a “security scandal” and further evidence that...
Swiss government approves VAT increase to fund the Army
The Swiss Federal Council on Wednesday approved a decree on a temporary increase in the value-added tax (VAT) by 0.5 percentage points. This was announced by the Federal Council’s press service. The increase will apply to the standard VAT rate and remain in force for 12 years, starting in 2028....