Europe
Everything that does not fit a single desk: the continent in its full contradictory complexity.
Midday Europe briefing: key updates for August 28, 2026
From Brussels to Berlin, here are the top stories shaping Europe this midday. Stay informed with our concise briefing.
Austrian business park on former Nazi camp site draws outrage
A business park is being built on part of the former Nazi concentration camp in Leobersdorf, Austria. Activists and historians are demanding
EU revives debate on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine
Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland have asked the European Commission to explore new ways to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. T
Europe's education spending: who invests most and does it pay off?
EU governments spent €806bn on education in 2023, 4.7% of GDP. Sweden tops the list at 6.8%, while Romania spends just under 3%. Yet higher
Morning briefing: key European stories for August 28, 2026
From Brussels to Berlin, here are the stories shaping Europe this morning. Key political shifts, economic updates, and cultural highlights a
Norway mourns King Harald V as Crown Prince Haakon ascends throne
King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, ending a 35-year reign. Crown Prince Haakon now ascends the throne as King Haakon VIII. T
Israeli activists urge EU in Jerusalem: silence is complicity on Gaza
Israeli activists gathered outside EU offices in Jerusalem on 28 August, calling for stronger EU action on Gaza. They argue that silence amo
Switzerland to field drone battalion by 2028 as Europe rethinks defence
Switzerland will create a military drone battalion by 2028, the defence ministry announced. The unit will focus on reconnaissance, operation
Eastern EU commissioners push von der Leyen for Baltic security coordinator
Five EU commissioners from Eastern Flank states have called on Ursula von der Leyen to create a high-level coordinator for the region. They
Europe's evening briefing: key stories for August 27, 2026
Hungary is set to unlock €10bn in EU funds before the August deadline. An antisemitic video stokes tensions in the Alps. Greece opens 126 an
Two killed in school incident near Berlin, police arrest 19-year-old
Two people were killed in a violent incident at a secondary school in Gosen-Neu Zittau, near Berlin. Police arrested a 19-year-old man, repo
Ratko Mladić, convicted Bosnian Serb commander, dies at 84 in The Hague
Ratko Mladić, the former Bosnian Serb army commander, died on Tuesday in a prison hospital in The Hague. He was serving a life sentence for