By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Sánchez rebukes EU partners over Ceuta, citing prejudice and political attacks
In a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, Pedro Sánchez laments a lack of EU solidarity over Ceuta, blaming prejudice and political attacks. He d
Midday Europe Update: Key Stories for August 1, 2026
From Brussels to Berlin, here are the midday updates shaping Europe on August 1, 2026. Key political shifts, economic moves, and cultural mo
Russian ballistic missile barrage on Kyiv kills nine, wounds dozens
Russian ballistic missiles hit Kyiv overnight, killing nine and wounding more than 30. The city's ambulance agency was struck twice, destroy
US Senate sanctions bill could hand Trump new tariff weapon against Europe
A US Senate bill aimed at Russia could give Trump new tariff powers over allies. The EU, a major buyer of Russian LNG, may face punitive dut
Morning Briefing: Key European Stories for August 1, 2026
From EU policy shifts to cultural highlights, here are the stories shaping Europe this August morning. Stay informed with our roundup of key
EU says Ceuta migrants cannot move to mainland as Schengen pressure grows
The European Commission says migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly will not be able to move to mainland Europe. EU countries including Ital
Trump seizes on Ceuta migrant surge to warn US, as EU downplays wider risk
Trump invoked Ceuta's migrant surge to warn Americans about immigration, blaming 'far-left globalist policies.' Spain's PM Sánchez condemned
Ceuta border crisis: Spain returns 25,000 migrants to Morocco
Spain's Interior Ministry says nearly half of the 60,000 migrants who entered Ceuta since Friday have been returned to Morocco. The mass arr
EU weighs emergency energy talks as Danube drought shuts Hungary's Paks plant
Hungary faces a potential energy crisis after record-low Danube water levels forced the shutdown of the Paks nuclear plant, which supplies n
UK seeks extradition of dual national accused of spying on Cyprus base for Iran
A 44-year-old man with British and Azerbaijani citizenship is held in Cyprus pending extradition to the UK. He is accused of conducting host
Ceuta surge may be EU's largest single irregular border crossing
Around 60,000 people may have entered Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco since Thursday, potentially the largest single irregular border cro
Ceuta border surge fuels Europe's right-wing criticism of Spain's migration approach
Thousands of migrants stormed Spain's north African enclave of Ceuta, triggering a national emergency and a wave of right-wing criticism acr