By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
EU's maritime services ban on Russian oil stalls amid G7 deadlock
The EU's plan to ban maritime services for Russian oil tankers has stalled, blocked by G7 disunity, Greek and Maltese resistance, and market
Evening briefing: key European stories for August 4, 2026
From Brussels to Berlin, here are the key developments shaping Europe this evening. Trade tensions, climate policy, and cultural milestones
Smuggling networks shift migrants from Ceuta to Spain by sea
Spanish authorities are investigating a rise in suspected clandestine crossings from Ceuta to mainland Spain using speedboats and jet skis.
Ceuta still hosts thousands of migrants, including over 860 minors
Four days after the mass influx from Morocco, Ceuta still hosts between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants, including 862 minors. The city's reception
Ceuta protests expose Spain's border policy rift
Hundreds gathered in Ceuta's Plaza de los Reyes to demand stricter border controls after a mass migrant arrival. Far-right activists drew ba
Ceuta crisis: How Spain's border with Morocco collapsed
In May 2021, more than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in a single day. The border collapse triggered a
Italy to push EU-wide migrant return hubs based on Albania model
Italy will propose creating EU-funded migrant return centres in safe third countries, modelled on its Albania hubs. Uganda is among the most
Greenwich and Kent merge to create UK's first 'super-university'
Two UK universities have merged to create the country's first 'super-university' with more than 50,000 students. The new group, LASE, aims t
Spain demands EU solidarity as Ceuta crisis tests bloc's unity
Spain will demand EU solidarity at an emergency meeting of interior ministers over the Ceuta migrant crisis. Madrid rejects criticism from I
Reform UK pledges naval patrols to halt Channel migrant crossings
Reform UK has vowed to deploy the Royal Navy to prevent migrant boats from crossing the Channel. The plan comes amid a new UK-France deal wo
Estonia tops 2026 global relocation index, best for families
Estonia has been named the world's best country to relocate to in 2026, according to the Rumavi Global Relocation Index. The Baltic nation s
Heatwaves push European schools to rethink summer breaks
School summer holidays in the EU range from six weeks in Denmark to 14 in Italy. With more frequent heatwaves, countries like France and Spa