Europe
France: files on all three presidential candidates
As the French presidential race heats up, WikiLeaks archives contain potentially sensitive files on the three main contenders - the republican Francois Fillon, the right-wing hardliner Marine Le Pen, and the liberal Emmanuel…
Brexit: results of Supreme Court’s decision
On Tuesday the Supreme Court gave the responsibility for Brexit back to Parliament. The consequences of that ruling are making themselves felt, the most important being the bill on triggering Article 50 that…
NHS data used to find illegal immigrants
Thousands of National Health Service (NHS) patients have had their data accessed by the Home Office as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. The data are made up of non-clinical information, which…
First woman bishop in Wales
Last Saturday Canon Joanna Penberthy was consecrated as Bishop of St Davids - the first female bishop in Wales. Her consecration marks the end of a journey that the Archbishop of Wales, Dr…
PM refuses to comment on Trident
It has been reported that Theresa May was told about the test of a Trident missile that misfired less than a week before she held a House of Commons vote on renewing the…
Clegg: PM should speak to Dáil
Theresa May will visit Dublin next week, but will not address the Dáil. This shows her ‘completely wrong list of priorities’, former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has said. He tweeted on Wednesday,…
Problems for diocese due to Brexit
The C of E’s Diocese in Europe has begun exploring the implications that Britain’s decision to leave the EU might have on British-national clergy deployed to the continent. At present, as members of…
Germany: integration of refugees
‘One of the most important issues of our time is how to integrate refugees into German society. Integration works best by involvement in everyday life - in a day-care centre or school, in…
Turkey: American pastor held in prison for his faith
Efforts to free an American pastor held in a Turkish prison for his Christian faith have failed. Andrew Brunson was arrested on 8 December and charged with ‘membership in an armed terrorist organisation’.…
Lithuania: preparing for potential Russian invasion
Lithuania has been investing in defence, introducing conscription, and rebuilding a standing army in preparation for the worst. It may have started well before the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency, but has…