By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Vienna Court Clears Former Austrian Diplomat in Case Involving Novichok Document
A Vienna criminal court acquitted former senior diplomat Johannes Peterlik of charges related to leaking a classified OPCW document containi
Sanna Marin Urges EU to Integrate Ukraine's Battlefield Lessons into Defence Strategy
Sanna Marin argues the EU is as dependent on Ukraine's military expertise as Kyiv is on Western aid. She warns that without applying Ukraine
Moldovan Court Sentences Oligarch Plahotniuc to 19 Years for $1 Billion Bank Fraud
A Moldovan court has sentenced oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison for fraud and leading a criminal organisation linked to th
EU Set to Release €90 Billion Ukraine Loan After Hungary Lifts Veto
EU ambassadors are expected to approve a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary lifted its veto. The breakthrough followed the repair of
EU Trade Chief Šefčovič Heads to Washington to Break Steel Tariff Deadlock
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič travels to Washington to unlock talks on removing 50% US tariffs on European steel and aluminium. The J
German Police Raid 50 Sites to Dismantle Syrian Trafficking Ring Using Fraudulent Residency Documents
Around 1,000 officers searched over 50 properties in and around Leipzig, targeting a ring that fraudulently used Syrian refugees' residency
Israeli Military Detains Two Soldiers for Vandalizing Jesus Statue in Lebanese Village
Two Israeli soldiers received 30-day detention and were removed from combat duty for smashing a Jesus statue in the Christian village of Deb
EU Ministers Reject Suspension of Israel Trade Deal Over War Crimes Allegations
Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia failed to secure support for suspending the EU-Israel trade deal over alleged war crimes. A separate proposal o
Meloni Slams Swiss Hospital for Billing Families of Crans-Montana Fire Victims
Giorgia Meloni condemned a Swiss hospital for billing families of victims of the Crans-Montana bar fire. The blaze killed 41 people, mostly
Athens Mayor Proposes Hotel Permit Freeze to Avoid 'Barcelona-Style' Overtourism
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas has raised the possibility of halting new hotel permits in the Greek capital's most saturated areas. The city has
Macron Hosts Lebanese PM as Ceasefire Strains and Israeli Tensions Mount
Emmanuel Macron will host Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris on Tuesday evening. The meeting comes as a UNIFIL peacekeeper was kil
Europe's Fracturing Ties with Israel: Trade Suspension Looms
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez renews efforts to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, citing grave violations in Gaza and the