Europe
Everything that does not fit a single desk: the continent in its full contradictory complexity.
Midday Europe Bulletin: September 1, 2026
Spain ties September heat record at 45.7°C. EU border checks tighten as EES flexibility ends. Other developments across the continent.
France launches voluntary national service pilot for young recruits
France has started a voluntary national service programme, with the first cohort undergoing military training. Volunteers receive €800 per m
Europe's evening briefing: key stories for August 31, 2026
German inflation cools to 2.9% in August, easing pressure on ECB hawks. Portugal's car market sees EVs take over a third of sales. Spain's j
Berlin and Paris propose folding EU foreign policy under von der Leyen
Germany and France have floated a plan to bring the EU's High Representative Kaja Kallas under the direct supervision of Commission Presiden
German inflation hits 2.9% in August, easing pressure on ECB hawks
German inflation accelerated to 2.9% in August, but came in below expectations. The data offers modest relief to the ECB ahead of its Septem
Iceland's No vote undercuts EU's security-driven enlargement pitch
Icelandic voters rejected EU membership talks, dealing a blow to Brussels' security-driven enlargement strategy. The result highlights that
EU presses Greece and Spain to send Patriot interceptors to Ukraine
Ukraine is running out of Patriot interceptors needed to counter Russian missile attacks. The EU is pressuring Greece and Spain to donate so
Swiss man arrested after fatal shooting at Aarau rave
A 43-year-old Swiss man was arrested on suspicion of opening fire at an annual rave in Aarau, killing an Italian woman and wounding five oth
Iceland's No vote puts EU enlargement ambitions to the test
Iceland narrowly voted against resuming EU accession talks, with 52.8% against. The result complicates Brussels' enlargement push, which now
UN panel: states must pay broad reparations for slave trade
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has issued a landmark legal interpretation. It says states must implement compr
Hoekstra urges EU to invest in climate prevention and confront China on trade
After a summer of wildfires and heatwaves, EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra urges more investment in prevention. He also warns that Europe ha
Iceland's referendum rejects EU membership talks, dimming enlargement hopes
Icelanders voted 52.8% to 47.2% against resuming EU membership negotiations. The result freezes the island's EU bid and raises questions abo