Europe
Everything that does not fit a single desk: the continent in its full contradictory complexity.
German police probe suspected sabotage at Cologne-area power substation
German police suspect a deliberate act caused a short-circuit at a substation in Bergheim, near Cologne. The incident follows the discovery
Iceland's No Vote Freezes EU Membership Bid for Years
In a non-binding referendum, Icelanders voted against resuming EU membership negotiations, which have been frozen since 2013. The result eff
Explosion at Augsburg station injures at least two, police say
At least two people were injured in an explosion at Augsburg's main train station. The blast occurred in a passageway, blowing out windows.
Midday Europe briefing: key stories for September 2, 2026
From Brussels to Berlin, here are the top stories shaping Europe this midday. Stay informed with our concise briefing.
Von der Leyen vows EU response to Russian hybrid attacks ahead of NATO talks
Von der Leyen expresses solidarity with Germany after Berlin blames Russia for a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle airport. She will meet NATO
Brussels stands by €90 billion Ukraine loan despite war's rising costs
The European Commission insists the €90 billion loan agreed for Ukraine will be disbursed over two years, despite doubts about its longevity
Iceland's No vote exposes EU's flawed silence strategy
Icelanders voted 52.8% to 47.2% against resuming EU membership talks. Brussels stayed largely silent, a strategy that failed before with Bre
Counterfeit goods cost Europe €83bn a year as crime networks expand
Nearly 5% of goods entering the EU are counterfeit, costing businesses €83 billion annually. At the port of Alicante, OLAF and Spanish Custo
Arctic becomes key front in EU's bid to break China's grip on critical minerals
The EU is increasingly looking to the Arctic for critical raw materials essential to its green and defence ambitions. Brussels wants to cut
Suspected rocket attack targets key substation in Brandenburg
A substation near the Jänschwalde coal plant in Brandenburg was hit by rockets on Tuesday. Emergency crews defused several improvised device
Fatal shooting in Dutch village leaves one dead, two officers hurt
A fatal shooting in the Dutch village of Overasselt left one person dead and two police officers injured. Police made multiple arrests and a
Montenegro manhunt ends as Russian triple-murder suspect dies in shootout
A 30-year-old Russian man suspected of killing three people at a shooting range in Danilovgrad, Montenegro, died after exchanging fire with