Lib Dems to force vote on creating new customs union with EU

Labour faced a historic defeat in the Caerphilly by-election, marking its first parliamentary loss in the constituency in a century, where it came in third place despite significant campaign spending.

The French government successfully navigated two no-confidence votes from hard left and far right parties, which criticized its handling of the EU-Mercosur trade deal approved last week. French farmers have expressed concerns that the deal will undermine local agriculture by introducing cheaper imports from South America.

The Labour Party's Northern Powerhouse Rail plan is set to advance, with a focus on prioritizing planning before implementation, as highlighted by Faisal Islam. This strategic shift aims to address previous delays and ensure the project's viability.

For the first time since the end of World War II, France has reported more deaths than births, with 651,000 deaths compared to 645,000 births in 2025, indicating a significant demographic shift. This trend suggests that France's historical demographic advantage within the EU is diminishing as the nation grapples with an ageing population and declining birth rates.

The European Union has committed to providing Ukraine with a substantial $105 billion loan, aimed primarily at enabling the country to purchase weapons and military platforms from European manufacturers, reinforcing its defense capabilities amid ongoing conflict.

Ukraine is set to gain access to a €90 billion EU loan, enabling the purchase of military equipment from non-European suppliers, as outlined by the European Commission. This financial support is contingent on Russia paying reparations, with discussions about utilizing frozen Russian assets still ongoing.

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2025 has been recorded as the third hottest year, following 2024, with no significant cooling anticipated. The report highlights that the last 11 years have been the warmest on record, underscoring the ongoing climate crisis. In India, the national meteorological department noted that 2025 experienced the warmest winter in over a century.

The Labour Party, under leader Keir Starmer, has faced significant backlash following a series of policy reversals, including the recent abandonment of a compulsory digital ID plan for new job starters. This marks one of over a dozen U-turns made by the party in its first 18 months in power, raising questions about its commitment to previously stated policies.