By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens as Iran Seizes Ships, Diplomacy Stalls
Iran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz and seized two, escalating the maritime standoff. The US maintains its naval blockade, and
Second French UNIFIL Soldier Dies After Hezbollah Ambush in Lebanon
A second French soldier has died after a weekend ambush on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, which President Macron and the UN blame on Hezbollah.
Germany Unveils First-Ever Military Strategy: Speed, Deep Strikes, and Deterrence
Germany has published its first comprehensive military strategy, prioritising speed, long-range precision strikes, and technological superio
Czech Students Rally Against Government Plan to Defund Public Media
Thousands of Czech students marched in Prague against a government plan to eliminate public media fees and fund outlets directly from the st
Spain's Far-Right Vox Returns to Power in Extremadura Coalition with PP
Vox has returned to power in Extremadura as part of a coalition with the Popular Party. The agreement tightens immigration rules and priorit
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