Europe

ECJ limits detention for rejected asylum seekers to 18 months

The European Court of Justice has ruled that rejected asylum seekers in the Netherlands must be released from detention after a maximum of 18 months, clarifying that this period covers…

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UK foreign minister Cooper cuts short diplomatic tour

British foreign minister Yvette Cooper will cut short an intensive diplomatic tour designed to build consensus around making a ceasefire in the Iran war permanent and on the ‌next steps…

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Bulgaria’s former President Radev wins parliamentary election

Progressive Bulgaria, ‌the party of Bulgaria's pro-Russian former ⁠President Rumen Radev was leading in Sunday's parliamentary election with ‌44.7% ⁠of votes, after 91.68% of ⁠votes were counted, official ⁠results showed.…

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19

Apr

A new, forceful Pope Leo steps onto the world stage

Pope Leo has debuted a new, forceful speaking style on his four-nation Africa tour this week, issuing sharp denunciations of war and inequality that have sparked repeated attacks on the…

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Two arms brokers on trial in UK for missiles and fighter jet deals with Libya and Sudan

Two arms brokers arranged illegal deals to supply ex-Soviet surface-to-air missile systems to South Sudan and fighter jets to Libya during its civil war, British prosecutors told a London court…

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Leading Balkan Cartel member arrested in Montenegro

On 15 April 2026, Europol supported law enforcement authorities in Montenegro in conducting a large-scale operation targeting a significant cell of the Balkan Cartel. Europol also supported law enforcement authorities…

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Far-right AfD overtakes German conservatives in new poll

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has edged ahead of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for a second time this week. The survey published by broadcaster ZDF on Friday showed…

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Italy urged by IEA chief to rethink nuclear power

Italy should reconsider its rejection of nuclear energy as it seeks greater energy security and economic stability, the head of the International Energy Agency said in an interview published on…

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Netherlands migration bills face backlash over “illegal stay” offence clause

A proposal in the Netherlands to make it a criminal offence to remain in the country without valid residence documents has triggered concern among lawmakers, with critics warning it could…

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Diplomatic strain between Washington and Rome deepens amid Iran and NATO row

United States President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying their relationship has deteriorated over Rome’s stance on US policy toward Iran. In comments to Fox…

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Deadly Russian strikes across Ukraine mark worst escalation of the year

Russia unleashed its deadliest attack so far this year on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and ‌other cities overnight, killing 16 people, including a 12-year-old child, and wounding scores, in drone…

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Russia warns drone plans for Ukraine are pulling Europe deeper into war

Russia's defence ministry warned on Wednesday that European plans to step up drone supplies to Ukraine are dragging ‌those countries deeper into a war with Russia. The ministry said it…

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Portugal rejects separate European army

Portugal is against the creation of a separate European army and instead backs strengthening and modernising its armed forces within the U.S.-led NATO alliance, the country's defence minister said, contrasting…

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Italian PM condemns ally Trump over ‘unacceptable’ Pope criticism

Giorgia Meloni has described Donald Trump’s comments about Pope Leo XIV as “unacceptable”. The US president had accused the pontiff of being “WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy”…

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UK sets up Brexit-style crisis team to deal with Iran conflict

Keir Starmer is setting up a Brexit-style “Middle East response committee” to reshape how Britain handles the Iran conflict. The prime minister is expected to chair the group for the…

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Mediterranean Sea at centre of Pope’s warning against ‘sea of despair’

Pope Leo XIV has placed the Mediterranean at the heart of a powerful appeal, describing it and the Sahara Desert as crucial geographic and spiritual crossroads that embody both history…

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Trump launches sharp attack on Pope Leo XIV

President Donald Trump launched a sharp and highly unusual attack on Pope Leo XIV, saying the US-born pontiff was “not doing a very good job” and describing him as “very…

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UK pauses its plan to cede Chagos Islands

The UK government has put on hold plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, after intensive opposition by the United Sttes. The proposed legislation underpinning the agreement…

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Germany’s far-right AfD adopts ‘radical’ manifesto ahead of key polls

Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is leading polls in Saxony-Anhalt ahead of September’s regional elections, raising the prospect of the first far-right state government since World War Two. At…

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Orbán era swept away by Péter Magyar’s Hungary election landslide

Viktor Orbán’s 16-year grip on power has come to an end, with a system often labelled an “electoral autocracy” collapsing after a decisive defeat by 45-year-old former insider Péter Magyar,…

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Easter truce falters as Ukraine and Russia trade violation claims

Ukraine and Russia traded accusations of widespread violations of an Orthodox Easter ceasefire just hours after it came into force. Kyiv said its forces recorded 2,299 breaches by early Sunday,…

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Ukraine, Russia move towards potential peace deal

Ukraine and Russia are moving towards a potential deal to end the war, Bloomberg News reported, citing the top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Kyrylo Budanov, a former head…

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Trump officials deny threatening Vatican over Pope Leo’s criticisms

The Trump administration has sought to contain backlash over reports that it pressured the Vatican’s ambassador to Washington in an attempt to align the Holy See more closely with US…

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From Dubai to Milan: Tax Policy Drives New Wave of Elite Migration

Wealthy British nationals are increasingly reconsidering their ties to Dubai as geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, including recent Iranian threats, raise concerns about long-term stability. The emirate, long known for…

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US Ambassador Denies Trump and Vance Interfered in Hungary Election

Returning to Hungary, Donald Trump’s EU ambassador told AFP that neither the former president nor his vice-president were “meddling” in Hungary’s election, despite publicly endorsing nationalist incumbent Viktor Orbán. Speaking…

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UK Tracks Russian Submarines Conducting Covert Cable Surveillance

The UK has detected three Russian submarines conducting a covert operation over critical undersea cables and pipelines in waters north of the country, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed. A British…

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Meloni Distances Italy from Trump Amid Political and Economic Pressures

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly distanced herself from US President Donald Trump during a parliamentary address on Thursday, following a referendum defeat widely seen as a rebuke to her…

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From Vietnam to the EU by air: 8 arrested in a migrant smuggling sting across Europe

On 30 March 2026, a coordinated international French-led operation, which was supported by Europol and involved law enforcement and judicial authorities from Germany and Hungary, led to the dismantling of…

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Zelenskiy, welcoming Iran de-escalation, says Ukraine ready for ceasefire with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday he welcomed the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, adding ‌that Kyiv was ready to "respond in kind" if Moscow ceased strikes. "Ukraine…

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Italy says EU should consider pausing budget rules if Iran crisis persists

European Union authorities should consider a temporary suspension of budget deficit rules if the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran flares up again, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told parliament on Thursday. Meloni…

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Ukraine renews attacks on Russian energy sites

Ukraine has increased attacks on Russian energy facilities in recent weeks as peace talks have failed to make progress. Following is a summary of the attacks and their impact: NORSI…

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Russian Hackers Infiltrate Wi-Fi Infrastructure to Monitor Western Targets

Russia's elite hacking group Fancy Bear is behind a large-scale campaign to spy on militaries and governments by hacking Wi-Fi routers, security agencies in the United States and Europe have…

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Greece to ban social media for under-15s from 2027

Greece will ban access to social media for children under the age ‌of 15 from January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, citing rising anxiety, sleep problems…

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‘At your service’: Hungary’s Orban offered help to Putin, Bloomberg reports

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban offered last year to help Russian President Vladimir Putin "in any way", such as by hosting a summit in Budapest to settle the war in…

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Three killed in shooting near Israeli consulate in Turkiye’s Istanbul

At least two attackers were killed and one was seriously injured in an extended gun ‌battle between police and assailants directly outside the building housing the Israeli consulate in Istanbul…

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Jet Fuel Squeeze Spreads Across Italy as Airlines Brace for Disruption

Italy is facing growing pressure on aviation fuel supplies, with several regional airports introducing restrictions that are raising concerns ahead of the peak summer travel season. New aviation notices (NOTAMs)…

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UPDATED: Germany works to clarify new rules on fighting-age men leaving country

Germany's armed ‌forces are working on clarifying a provision in a recently updated military service law that requires fighting-age men to gain permission to leave the country for more than…

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Extreme weather batters Italy’s Adriatic regions, cutting roads and rail lines

Italy has been effectively split along its Adriatic side after nearly 72 hours of severe weather battered central and southern regions, triggering floods, landslides and major transport disruption. A bridge…

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Britain eyes summer deadline for EU reset deal

A deal to re-align key parts of the U.K. economy with the European Union is on course to be reached by the early summer, according to the minister in charge…

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CDU/CSU calls for cannabis rethink 2 years in

Government ministers from Germany's conservative CDU and CSU parties on Wednesday called for changes to the 2024 partial legalization of cannabis introduced by the previous more left-leaning coalition government. They…

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Ukrainian drones strike Russian oil terminal

Ukrainian drones have hit Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga for the fifth time in 10 days, as Kyiv intensifies its campaign against Russian oil export infrastructure. Regional governor Alexander…

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Leaked Call Reveals Russia asked Hungary for Help on Sanctions

A newly released recording has intensified scrutiny of Hungary’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Péter Szijjártó, who is already facing backlash over reports that he shared sensitive information with Russia during EU…

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UPDATED: Italy blocks base use, Spain closes airspace, France denies transit over Iran war

Italy, Spain and France have moved to restrict military activity linked to the war in Iran, underscoring divisions among European allies as the conflict continues. Italian authorities denied the United…

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Friedrich Merz: Most Syrians to Leave Germany Within Three Years

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he and the Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa hope that 80% of the Syrians in Germany will return home in the next three years. During…

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Guns-for-cannabis network hit: Europol high-value target arrested in international action

A Europol high-value target has been arrested and key members of his criminal network targeted during a coordinated action on 23 March across Spain, Bulgaria and Greece. The network is…

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Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war

Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use ‌of jointly-operated military bases, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported…

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Nearly Two-Thirds of Estonians Contemplate Leaving the Country

A recent straw poll by Estonian newspaper Maaleht suggests growing unease among the country’s population, with nearly two-thirds of respondents saying they are considering leaving Estonia or would do so…

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Two drones enter and crash in Finland

Two drones entered Finland's airspace and crashed on Sunday, according to the country’s defense ministry, which said it is investigating the incidents. "Drones have strayed into Finnish territory. We are…

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Spain’s parliament approves €5 billion package to curb impact of war in Iran

Spain’s parliament has approved a €5 billion package aimed at cushioning the economic fallout from the Iran conflict, with a strong focus on cutting energy costs for households and key…

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Cyprus Seeks to Reassure Tourists Amid Regional Tensions

Cyprus is pushing back against security concerns linked to the Middle East conflict as it looks to safeguard its crucial summer tourism season. Officials stress the island remains far from…

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Italy’s PM Meloni plans closer cooperation with Algeria to boost gas deliveries

Italy, which produces over 40% of its electricity from natural gas according to the International Energy Agency, has been seeking alternative suppliers to replace lost LNG imports from Qatar. During…

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Frederiksen’s Social Democrats Win Amid Historic Low Vote Share

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats emerged as the largest party in Tuesday’s Danish general election, winning 21.9% of the vote—their weakest result since 1903. The left-leaning “red bloc,” made…

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Pope Leo: Life must be defended amid “madness of war”

Pope Leo XIV has said that in a world marked by the “madness of war,” life must be defended from conception to its natural end. Speaking during his Wednesday General…

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London house prices fall for sixth consecutive month

London house prices have fallen for a sixth consecutive month, marking the sharpest annual decline in nearly two years and signalling a sustained slowdown in the capital’s property market, official…

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European countries losing out on LNG cargoes – reports

Europe is losing out on liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes as Asian buyers outbid European utilities in an increasingly tight global market, with several shipments reportedly being diverted mid-voyage. Ship-tracking…

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UK Government Report Calls for Tigher Rules on Overseas Funding of Political Parties

A review commissioned by the British Government has recommended a temporary ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties, alongside tighter rules on overseas funding, in an effort to strengthen transparency…

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Oil Giants Push EU to Reconsider Arctic Drilling Ban

Oil and gas companies, including Norway’s Equinor and industry groups backed by Shell, TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips, are urging the EU to reconsider its position on restricting Arctic drilling. More than…

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