Europe
Everything that does not fit a single desk: the continent in its full contradictory complexity.
EU urged to make green purchasing mandatory in €2.5tn public procurement
A coalition of 26 business and civil society groups, representing over 11,500 companies, is pressing the European Commission to make low-car
EU weighs sweeping tobacco tax overhaul to curb nicotine use
The EU is pursuing its biggest overhaul of tobacco taxation in a decade. The proposed Tobacco Taxation Directive raises taxes on cigarettes
Vienna woman sues city over gender-biased public toilet fees
Melanie Gradik has filed a lawsuit against Vienna's municipality, claiming that free public urinals for men while women must pay 50 cents fo
Ukraine's robot and drone parade signals a new era of warfare
Ukraine's latest military parade featured robots and drones, underscoring the growing role of autonomous systems in modern warfare. The disp
Helicopter crash on Sifnos kills three, including British couple
A private helicopter crashed near homes on the Greek island of Sifnos, killing three people, including a British couple. The aircraft burst
Norway's King Harald V hospitalised with blood disorder
Norway's King Harald V has been hospitalised and placed on sick leave, the royal palace announced. The 89-year-old monarch is being treated
Germany challenges EU electricity tax plan as sovereignty breach
Germany has formally objected to a European Commission plan to tax electricity below natural gas, arguing it bypasses EU tax law and nationa
EU plans tougher Russia sanctions this autumn, Kallas says
Kaja Kallas says the EU will propose its most far-reaching Russia sanctions this autumn, adding about 1,000 new listings. The move follows a
Brussels quietly tracks unidentified aerial phenomena, documents show
The European Commission has been quietly tracking unidentified aerial phenomena since at least 2023, according to internal documents. Pilots
EU's bold plan to tax vaping faces uphill battle
The European Commission wants to raise minimum excise duties on cigarettes by 139% and, for the first time, tax vapes and nicotine pouches.
Alpine towns on edge after antisemitic video stokes tensions
An antisemitic video has sparked concern across Alpine communities, prompting calls for vigilance. Local leaders and EU officials condemn th
Evening Update: Key European Developments on August 16, 2026
From Brussels to Berlin, today's news spans EU policy debates, market reactions, and cultural milestones. Here's what you need to know this