Europe
Everything that does not fit a single desk: the continent in its full contradictory complexity.
Iceland's EU referendum closes with tight race expected
Icelanders have voted in a historic referendum on whether to resume EU accession talks. Polling stations closed at 22:00 local time, with ea
Finland charges mother with trafficking children to IS-held Syria
A Finnish-Russian woman faces two counts of aggravated human trafficking for bringing her children to IS-controlled Syria. The alleged crime
Ukrainian soldiers vanish during training in Germany, report finds
Die Zeit reports hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers have deserted after training in Germany. The federal government has not released official fi
Europe's evening briefing: August 20, 2026 – key updates
From Brussels to Berlin, here are the key developments shaping Europe this evening. Political shifts, market moves, and cultural highlights
UN aid chief warns Russian drones are crippling humanitarian work in Ukraine
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warns that intensifying Russian drone strikes are endangering civilians and aid workers in Ukraine. He sa
EU boosts Morocco migration funding after Ceuta border crisis
The EU is set to boost funding for Morocco's migration management after the Ceuta crisis. The move is part of a broader strategic partnershi
Ceuta begins moving migrants from beach to temporary shelters
Spanish police began moving migrants from a beach in Ceuta to temporary shelters on Thursday. The government plans to house 1,800 people ini
Europe's gas storage race falters as LNG cargoes shift to Asia
EU gas storage is far below target as winter approaches, with LNG cargoes increasingly heading to Asia. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz
Lagarde: EU must end market fragmentation or lose AI race
Christine Lagarde says Europe missed the first digital revolution and cannot afford to repeat that with AI. She urges completion of the sing
NATO scrambles jets as Russian drone crashes in Romania
A drone crossed into Romanian airspace early Thursday and crashed near Galați, prompting NATO to scramble Spanish F-18s. The incident occurr
How Europe's face veil bans differ from France to Sweden
Portugal has joined a growing list of European countries restricting full-face veils. But approaches range from total bans in France and Den
Russian missile barrage on Kyiv kills nine, wounds dozens
At least nine people died and 33 were injured in a Russian missile attack on Kyiv. The strikes hit residential areas, a medical facility, an