By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Partial solar eclipse over Britain: timelapse from Greenwich
Britain experienced its most significant solar eclipse since 1999, with over 90% of the Sun obscured in some areas. In London, the sky dimme
Germany grants spy agencies new powers to counter hybrid threats
Germany's cabinet has approved a major overhaul of its intelligence services, granting them new powers for covert operations. The reforms re
Spanish rents average €1,131 for 80 m², with Madrid and San Sebastián priciest
Renting an 80-square-metre home in Spain costs €1,131 a month on average, but regional gaps are stark. Madrid and the Balearic Islands top €
FIFA's governance crisis: lessons beyond Infantino
The withdrawal of FIFA's Forward Enterprise proposal ends one controversy but not the governance debate. Football's leaders must embrace ind
Midday Europe briefing: August 12, 2026 – eclipse, politics, markets
A rare total solar eclipse crosses Spain and Iceland today, drawing millions of viewers. French presidential hopefuls face a wave of fake vi
Overnight drone exchanges kill four, including child, in Russia and Ukraine
Russian drones killed two in Kherson, while Ukrainian strikes on Novorossiysk killed two, including an eight-year-old. Moscow says it downed
Putin vows to seize European vessels in shadow fleet dispute
Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize European ships in response to EU measures against Russia's shadow fleet. Several European countries h
Morocco renews Ceuta and Melilla claims amid migrant abuse accusations
Morocco's CNDH report alleges Spanish security forces assaulted migrants during the July Ceuta border surge. Justice Minister Ouahbi reaffir
Alexandri sisters return to Greece with Paris golds after Austrian years
After 14 years competing for Austria, the Alexandri triplets returned to Greece and won two gold medals at the European Championships in Par
Europe's morning briefing: solar eclipse, French politics, market trends
A total solar eclipse crosses Spain and parts of Europe on 12 August, drawing crowds despite cloudy forecasts. French presidential hopefuls
Danube's low waters reveal two Wehrmacht soldiers, one from Waffen-SS
Exceptionally low Danube water levels in Budapest have revealed a WWII motorcycle and the remains of two German soldiers. One identity disc
Belarusian opposition figure Aliaksandr Milinkevich dies at 79
Aliaksandr Milinkevich, the physicist who united Belarus's opposition in the 2006 presidential election, has died at 79. A Sakharov Prize la