By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Council of Europe Backs New Migrant Returns Policy, Italy Claims Credit
The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers approved a declaration reinterpreting Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Ri
Andalusia Election Campaign Ends with Controversy and Tight Political Calculations
Andalusia's election campaign ends after two weeks of messages and controversies. The outcome could shift Spain's national political balance
Norway Stands Firm on Canceling Missile Sale to Malaysia, Cites Security Policy
Norway's foreign ministry has defended canceling a missile system sale to Malaysia, saying exports of its most sensitive defense technologie
UK Bars Far-Right MEPs and Influencers from London Rally: Who and Why
The UK government barred seven individuals, including Polish MEP Dominik Tarczyński and Dutch influencer Eva Vlaardingerbroek, from entering
Merz Admits Coalition Failures, Criticizes US, Then Holds Call with Trump
Merz admits the conservative-SPD coalition is arguing too much and achieving too little. He criticizes the US social climate, advising again
Women's Rights and Demographics Dominate Central Asian Forum in Bukhara
World Bank data shows less than 5% of women globally live in countries with full legal equality. Uzbek President Mirziyoyev highlighted his
US-Brokered Deal Sees Ukraine and Russia Exchange 205 Prisoners Each
Ukraine and Russia exchanged 205 prisoners of war each on Friday, with Kyiv confirming most had been held since 2022. The swap is the first
Five EU States Resist Brussels' Centralized Grid Plans, Push Regional Approach
Five EU countries push back against the European Commission's centralized electricity grid plans. They argue a top-down approach ignores reg
Iraq's New PM Vows State Monopoly on Arms Amid US Pressure on Iran-Backed Groups
Iraqi lawmakers have approved Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister, with his government program vowing a state monopoly on weapons. The move comes
Russian Drone and Missile Barrage Kills 24 in Ukraine, Hits Kyiv Hard
Russia launched 675 drones and 56 missiles at Ukraine, killing 24 people, including a 12-year-old girl in Kyiv. EU leaders condemned the att
North Korea Condemns UK Sanctions on Children's Camp Over Alleged Ukrainian Abductions
North Korea has criticised UK sanctions on its Songdowon International Children's Camp, which London suspects of supporting Russia's forced
Latvia's Government Collapses After Drone Incursion; US-China Summit Ends
Latvia's government collapses after a drone incursion near the Russian border exposes air defence failures, leading to the prime minister's