By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Merz's 'Associate EU Membership' Plan for Ukraine Faces Skepticism in Brussels
Friedrich Merz's plan for Ukraine's associate EU membership draws mixed reactions in Brussels. Diplomats question its legal basis and timing
Italy Calls for EU Sanctions on Israeli Minister Over Flotilla Treatment
Italy has formally asked the European Union to sanction Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir over a video showing detained Gaz
Ukraine Drone Strike Hits Russian Oil Refinery in Samara Region
Ukrainian forces struck the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara region with a long-range drone attack. President Zelenskyy confirmed the
Latvia Warns Residents After Drone Incursion; Tensions Rise in Baltics
Latvia's National Armed Forces warned residents in eastern regions after detecting at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. The alert came a da
US Troop Withdrawal from Europe: Viral Claims Debunked
Social media posts falsely claim US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a complete troop withdrawal from Europe. In reality, Rubio crit
Merz Proposes Associate EU Membership for Ukraine with Mutual Defense Clause
Friedrich Merz has proposed an 'associate membership' for Ukraine, granting access to EU institutions without voting rights and a mutual def
Paris Nursery Abuse Probe Widens: 16 Staff Held as Investigations Expand
Sixteen staff from a Paris nursery school have had their police custody extended as part of a growing probe into sexual violence. The invest
Netanyahu Rebukes Minister After Video Shows Taunting of Gaza Flotilla Activists
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned his security minister after a video showed him taunting detained activists from the
Friedrich Merz's Chancellorship Hits Record Low Approval After Self-Inflicted Wounds
Friedrich Merz's approval has plummeted to 76% disapproval after a year of missteps, including scolding German workers and a failed swipe at
Two French Children Found Abandoned in Portuguese Forest, Mother Sought
Two French children aged three and five were found wandering alone on a rural road in Alcácer do Sal, Portugal, late Tuesday. A local couple
US Lifts Sanctions on UN Rights Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
The US Treasury Department has lifted sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian
EU Pledges Billions to Egypt for Migration Control, Cairo Demands More
Egypt says it hosts over 10 million migrants and refugees, costing more than €8.5 billion annually. The EU has pledged €7.4 billion through