By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
France's political season opens with budget fight and 2027 jostling
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu promises a reversible budget to avoid stalemate. Socialist leader Olivier Faure threatens censure, while Jo
Pogačar crashes out of Vuelta lead with shoulder injury
Tadej Pogačar has abandoned La Vuelta a España after a heavy crash 33km from the finish of stage 8. The Slovenian, who led the general class
Kazakhstan's new Kurultai convenes as government steps down
Kazakhstan's newly elected unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, convened for the first time on Friday in Astana, marking a pivotal shift in
Bundeswehr expands Schakal fleet to bolster NATO's eastern flank
Germany is adding 35 Schakal infantry fighting vehicles to its fleet, part of a broader effort to build rapidly deployable Medium Forces. Th
Overnight Russian drone strike on Bucha warehouse forces mass evacuation
A Russian drone strike on a warehouse in Bucha caused a massive fire and explosions, leading to the evacuation of over 200 people. At least
Lausanne Grand Slam 2026 opens with adaptive judo on the same mats
Lausanne hosted its first IJF Grand Slam, with adaptive judo athletes sharing the mats with World Tour stars. Marina Vorobeva, Yamato Fukuda
Canada's EU overture: could the Atlantic border shift?
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to address the European Parliament, signaling a deeper EU-Canada rapprochement. But the EU's foun
Morning briefing: key European stories for August 29, 2026
From Brussels to the Balkans, here are the stories shaping Europe this morning. EU funds for Hungary, Alpine tensions, and cultural highligh
Ceuta on the brink as Spain calls for EU border reinforcements
Ceuta's leaders say the city is on the brink of collapse after a mass migrant influx. Spain has asked the EU for Frontex, Europol, and asylu
Brussels prosecutor urges EU-wide action as gang shootings surge
Brussels has seen 69 shootings this year, linked to a turf war between rival drug gangs. The city's chief prosecutor is calling for more res
Four plead guilty to arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances in London
Four men pleaded guilty to an arson attack that destroyed four ambulances run by the Hatzola charity in Golders Green, London. The attack, v
Iceland's EU referendum: what the vote means for Reykjavík and Brussels
Icelanders head to the polls on 29 August to decide whether to restart EU membership negotiations. The vote is too close to call, with secur