By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Iran Imposes Strait of Hormuz Transit Fees, Escalating Tensions with Gulf States and Europe
Iran's foreign ministry confirms fees for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, claiming navigational and environmental services. Five Gulf
Young Europeans Pay Into Pension Systems They Distrust, Study Finds
Nearly half of young Europeans aged 18-35 are already paying into pension schemes, but only 17% believe their pension will be enough. The Fr
Flotilla Activists Return to Spain Amid Clashes and Diplomatic Fallout with Israel
Four activists were arrested at Bilbao airport after clashes with Basque police. Israel summoned a Spanish diplomat over the incident, while
Turkish Police Storm CHP Headquarters with Tear Gas in Ankara
Over 100 police officers cut through the gate of the CHP building in Ankara and deployed tear gas against party members. The raid enforces a
Cyprus Votes in Tense Parliamentary Election Amid Political Fragmentation
Cypriots are voting today in one of the most closely contested parliamentary elections in decades. The campaign has been dominated by debate
UK Police Chiefs Call for Ban on Under-16s Using Social Media and Messaging Apps
UK police chiefs say the internet is unsafe for children and call for a ban on under-16s using social media, gaming, and AI apps with privat
Trump Claims Framework Deal with Iran to End War 'Largely Negotiated'
Trump announced on Truth Social that a deal with Iran to end the conflict is 'largely negotiated' and includes reopening the Strait of Hormu
Zelenskyy Rejects Merz's Associate EU Membership Plan, Demands Full Rights
President Zelenskyy has dismissed a German proposal for associate EU membership without voting rights. He argues Ukraine's role in defending
Portuguese Court Orders Pretrial Detention for French Couple in Child Abandonment Case
A Portuguese court in Setúbal has ordered pretrial detention for a French couple accused of abandoning their two young children on a roadsid
Paris Attacks Coordinator Mohamed Bakkali Granted Prison Leave, Sparking Outrage
Mohamed Bakkali, sentenced to 30 years for coordinating the 2015 Paris attacks, has been granted six 36-hour prison leaves by a Belgian cour
EU Delays Sanctions on Patriarch Kirill Despite Hungarian Policy Shift
The EU is preparing a limited sanctions package targeting Russia's military-industrial complex, but Patriarch Kirill is not included. Hungar
EU Considers Limited Fiscal Flexibility Amid Energy Crisis After Meloni's Push
The European Commission is reviewing fiscal policy options to tackle the energy crisis, following a request from Italian Prime Minister Gior