By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
US-Brokered Deal Sees Ukraine and Russia Exchange 205 Prisoners Each
Ukraine and Russia exchanged 205 prisoners of war each on Friday, with Kyiv confirming most had been held since 2022. The swap is the first
Five EU States Resist Brussels' Centralized Grid Plans, Push Regional Approach
Five EU countries push back against the European Commission's centralized electricity grid plans. They argue a top-down approach ignores reg
Iraq's New PM Vows State Monopoly on Arms Amid US Pressure on Iran-Backed Groups
Iraqi lawmakers have approved Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister, with his government program vowing a state monopoly on weapons. The move comes
Russian Drone and Missile Barrage Kills 24 in Ukraine, Hits Kyiv Hard
Russia launched 675 drones and 56 missiles at Ukraine, killing 24 people, including a 12-year-old girl in Kyiv. EU leaders condemned the att
North Korea Condemns UK Sanctions on Children's Camp Over Alleged Ukrainian Abductions
North Korea has criticised UK sanctions on its Songdowon International Children's Camp, which London suspects of supporting Russia's forced
Latvia's Government Collapses After Drone Incursion; US-China Summit Ends
Latvia's government collapses after a drone incursion near the Russian border exposes air defence failures, leading to the prime minister's
Israel and Lebanon Hold Third Round of Direct Talks in Washington Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israel and Lebanon are in Washington for a third round of direct talks, with discussions described as productive. The talks aim to renew a c
Latvia's Ex-Defence Minister Admits No Quick Fix for Drone Threats Amid Political Crisis
Former Latvian defence minister Andris Sprūds acknowledges there is no easy solution to stop rogue drones after multiple incursions near the
Warsaw Registers First Same-Sex Marriage After EU Court Ruling
Warsaw registered its first same-sex marriage on Thursday, following EU court rulings that oblige Poland to recognize same-sex unions from o
Russian Duma Passes Law Authorizing Military Intervention Abroad
Russia's State Duma passed a law authorizing the use of armed forces to protect Russian citizens abroad, a move that effectively legalizes f
Pope Leo XIV Warns AI-Driven Warfare Risks 'Spiral of Annihilation'
Pope Leo XIV denounced AI-driven warfare as leading to a 'spiral of annihilation' during a speech at Rome's La Sapienza University. He criti
US Scraps 4,000-Troop Deployment to Poland Amid Broader NATO Drawdown
The United States has cancelled the deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland, part of a broader plan to withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany. Th