By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Europe's education spending: who invests most and does it pay off?
EU governments spent €806bn on education in 2023, 4.7% of GDP. Sweden tops the list at 6.8%, while Romania spends just under 3%. Yet higher
Morning briefing: key European stories for August 28, 2026
From Brussels to Berlin, here are the stories shaping Europe this morning. Key political shifts, economic updates, and cultural highlights a
French presidential hopefuls clash over economy in first debate
Seven candidates in France's presidential race faced off in a debate focused on the economy, public debt, and pension reform. Divisions emer
Trump dismisses NATO attack fears after CIA chief's Moscow visit
President Trump said Putin is not going to attack NATO territory, pushing back on media reports. EU officials see no imminent Russian threat
Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing one
Russian drone and missile attacks hit Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Odesa on Thursday, killing one and wounding at least a dozen. Ukrainian Pr
Eastern EU commissioners push von der Leyen for Baltic security coordinator
Five EU commissioners from Eastern Flank states have called on Ursula von der Leyen to create a high-level coordinator for the region. They
UK asylum claims fall 21% as Labour touts border strategy
Asylum applications in the UK fell 21% in the year to June, the lowest since 2022. Small boat crossings also dropped, but the equality watch
Cyprus leaders agree to weekly talks after UN chief's push
The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders have agreed to meet weekly after UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged progress. The tal
Polish Olympic chief arrested in crypto-linked corruption probe
Polish police arrested Olympic Committee chief Radosław Piesiewicz on suspicion of taking bribes from a crypto trader for sponsorship deals.
Ratko Mladić, convicted Bosnian Serb commander, dies at 84 in The Hague
Ratko Mladić, the former Bosnian Serb army commander, died on Tuesday in a prison hospital in The Hague. He was serving a life sentence for
Russian lawmaker threatens to cut Hungary's oil and gas after Budapest shifts stance
Hungary's new government has declared Russia a security threat, breaking with the Orbán era. Moscow warns this could jeopardize oil and gas
Ex-Estonian president: CIA chief's Moscow trip was about Iran, not Baltics
Former Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves doubts the CIA director's Moscow trip was a warning to Russia over the Baltics, saying Washin