Whyย Zelenskyy wonโt wear a suit
All clothing sends a message, and the Ukrainian president’s is that he’s standing by his people as long as the war continues.
National
Denmark and Finland urge caution for US-bound transgender people
Travel advice updated amid reports of ordeals at US border after Trump said country would only recognise two gendersDenmark and Finland have updated their US travel advice for transgender people, joining the handful of European countries that have soug…
Prince William rides in tank during Estonia visit
The Prince of Wales has visited troops at a strategically important army base on Russia’s border
Turkey spends record $12bn defending lira after Erdoฤan rivalโs arrest
Central bankโs currency intervention came as officials โlost controlโ of market following Ekrem ฤฐmamoฤluโs detention
Peace through strength or war through weakness?
Despite the EU’s claims of “strength” at yesterday’s Council summit, its decision to delay retaliation against US tariffs exposes its fundamental weakness – and leaves it vulnerable to a two-front trade war with China.
Tackling under-investment in EU defence: Is the bloc putting its money where its mouth is?
Just about everyone in the EU institutions and national capitals can agree that business as usual is no longer an option when it comes to security. With the US stepping back from Europe and NATO, and Ukraine under great pressure, the EU is mulling wha…
The Guardian view on Trump and Ukraine: Putin has shown he does not want peace | Editorial
The Russian president is the impediment to US proposals for a ceasefire. But Europe knows that this administration is unlikely to act accordinglyAs attention focused on diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine this week, the UN human rights office …
Turkey’s CHP party urges peaceful protests after Istanbul mayor’s arrest despite ban
Ekrem ฤฐmamoฤlu was arrested in a dawn raid on his home on Wednesday over alleged corruption and links to a terrorist organisation, escalating a crackdown on opposition figures and dissenting voices.
No beauty, no beast for French children: Book sparks censorship row
France controversially pulls an order for a new illustrated version of Beauty and the Beast.
Trump is abandoning democracy and freedom. That creates an opening for Europe โ and Britain | Jonathan Freedland
Whether itโs sweeping up disgruntled US scientists or rejoining the EU, a bold Starmer must capitalise on Trumpโs extremismThanks to Donald Trump, a vacancy is opening up in the international jobs market. For decades, if not centuries, and always imper…
Military prepares to support Ukraine by โsea, land or airโ, says UK government
Thousands of troops needed to support Ukraine if ceasefire or agreement reached to end war with RussiaThe UK is to โaccelerate the pace and scaleโ of military planning to be ready to support Ukraine next week, with No 10 saying all options, including t…
Trump: โI love King Charlesโ
The U.S. president is interested in joining the club of former British colonies, if invited by the king.
Macron announces new Ukraine ‘coalition’ summit in Paris on March 27
The French President, together with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has been leading efforts to form a coalition in support of Ukraine since US President Donald Trump opened direct negotiations with Russia last month.
German customs seize ship from Russian ‘shadow fleet’, local media report
The oil tanker ‘Eventin’, believed to be part of Russiaโs efforts to evade sanctions, was already towed into safer waters by a German tugboat in January after it was discovered adrift in heavy seas off the Baltic coast.
Trump’s return is pushing India and the EU closer together
Despite differing positions on Russia, Brussels and New Delhi have resumed negotiations on a trade agreement that was suspended in 2013.
The EUโs funniest man
Belgian comedian (and Prime Minister) Bart De Wever’s 9 best quotes from the European Council summit.
Health is a strategic investment in human capital, not a cost, argues new report
Non-communicable diseases are costing the EU billions of euros annually. Increasing investment in detection, diagnosis, and treatment could save cash.
French court to rule on jihadist accused of holding journalists hostage in Syria
A court in France is to rule Friday on the case ofย Mehdi Nemmouche,ย a 39-year-old convicted French jihadist who was indicted forย allegedly holding four journalists hostage for the Islamic State group in war-torn Syria over a decade ago.ย Nemmouche is a…
Germanyโs latest hospital reform hangs over coalition talks
The CDU’s election manifesto states that the party will “correct the mistakes of the hospital reform” passed under the previous SPD-led government.
Who are the EUโs top iron and steel trade partners?
Turkey and the US are the biggest export partners.
German debt package clears final hurdleย
The new fiscal headroom gives Merzโs future coalition space to future-proof Germanyโs defence architecture.
Brussels rebrands ‘Rearm Europe’ plan after backlash from leaders of Italy and Spain
The new term, “Readiness 2030,” is a direct response to the complaints voiced by Giorgia Meloni and Pedro Sรกnchez in recent days.
Poland shuts asylum door at Belarus border with EU backing
Warsaw will suspend protection for new asylum seekers crossing into Poland from Belarus, PM Donald Tusk says.
Norwegian files complaint after ChatGPT falsely said he had murdered his children
Arve Hjalmar Holmen, who has never been accused of or convicted of a crime, says chatbotโs response to prompt was โdefamatoryโA Norwegian man has filed a complaint against the company behind ChatGPT after the chatbot falsely claimed he had murdered two…
In a spin: Storm Martinho turns Portugal’s turbines to break wind power records
According to energy company REN, wind production on Wednesday reached historic highs and supplied 56% of the country’s total electricity consumption.
European competitiveness depends on shape of our energy markets, says Polish minister [Advocacy Lab Content]
Wojciech Wrochna, Polandโs secretary of state of energy infrastructure, warned at a Brussels competitiveness and security summit that energy cannot take a back seat as the EU focus shifts to new priorities.
Soviet-era dissident given โdraconianโ jail sentence in Russia for anti-war views
Alexander Skobov jailed for 16 years over social media post and alleged involvement in opposition groupA Soviet-era dissident has been sentenced to 16 years in prison in Russia for his anti-war views, in a case that observers say highlights how the cou…
Large Russian drone attack hits Ukraine’s Odesa
The strike came shortly before a visit from Czech Republic President Peter Pavel โ who committed further aid to Ukraine’s war-torn regions.
A turning point for Turkeyโs democracy
The Istanbul mayor’s arrest isnโt just about one man โ itโs about whether Turkey will slide further into authoritarian rule. The outcome will define the country for generations to come.
Beyond pesticides: the silent spread of PFAS in agriculture
In Belgium, “forever chemicals” are contaminating soil, water, and even organic farms.
Death toll from Serbia’s station roof collapse in November rises to 16
The collapse of a train station canopy in the city of Novi Sad in November 2024 killed 15 people. Now a 16th victim has died of his injuries.
UK should โideallyโ not have โanyโ troops in Ukraine, says Badenoch
Tory leader calls for Parliament to be given a vote on any military involvement
US-EU trade war could cost Ireland more than โฌ18bn, says report
Report co-authored by Irish government also finds tariffs could cause job losses and relocation of US multinationalsBusiness live โ latest updatesA trade war between the US and the EU could cost Ireland more than โฌ18bn (ยฃ15bn), trigger waves of job los…
Stash the cash: How burying money cost Portugal millions of euros in the last decade
Citizens hide money in case of emergency situations. In 2024, authorities recovered a record โฌ1.7 million in banknotes that were not fit for circulation.
French investigators seek further victims of paedophile surgeon
โTurning pointโ as man on trial for raping or sexually assaulting 299 mostly young patients admits guiltFrench investigators have begun a search for further victims of a paedophile surgeon on trial for raping or sexually assaulting 299 mostly young pat…
Russia continues strikes on Ukraine as drones hit Odesa overnight
Amid uncertainty as to when part-ceasefire will take effect, Kremlin says it will cover only โenergy infrastructureโWaves of Russian drones pounded the Ukrainian port city of Odesa overnight, setting it ablaze in an attack that underscored Moscowโs int…
UK says it has ยฃ25 billion in frozen Russian assets
The amount of frozen Russian assets in the U.K. has increased by 10 percent in a year.
Weather tracker: Tornadoes and wildfires kill at least 40 across US
Many people also left homeless or without power in midwest and south, while heavy rains bring flooding and landslides to ItalyExtreme weather has caused at least 40 fatalities across parts of the US through the past week, with a variety of hazards incl…
โJust wait until Trump takes away our unionsโ: Fionnula Flanagan on America, Ireland and acting silent
After almost 60 years in the US, the actor wants to quit the country. She talks about โhooligansโ in the White House โ and her new silent film role in Four Mothers Fionnula Flanagan, the veteran Irish actor, has been a star of stage and screen for more…
French regulator orders Eutelsat to drop EU-sanctioned Russian TV channels
More than 180 of Eutelsat’s frequencies are still broadcasting EU-sanctioned Russian channels, according to letters from the Diderot Committee.
Friday briefing: Why Europe is divided over how to defend Ukraine โ and itself
In todayโs newsletter: As Zelenskyy urges the EU to step up, divisions remain on how to secure the continentโs future amid Russian aggressionGood morning. Yesterday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed a European Council summit in Brussels, and emphasised th…
โThe ground keeps breaking and deformingโ: life in Italyโs volcanic Phlegraean Fields
Photojournalist Alessandro Gandolfi has been documenting the Phlegraean Fields in southern Italy, where a record 6,740 earthquakes were recorded in 2024, and the seismic swarm has continued in 2025. The volcanic field has been active for more than 80,0…
Crowds defy public protests ban after Istanbul mayor Ekrem ฤฐmamoฤlu detained โ video
Clashes have broken out between police and protesters in Turkey, as thousands took to the streets over what they call the undemocratic detention of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem ฤฐmamoฤlu. Turkish police had arrested the mayor of Istanbul, the primary challeng…
Europe is crying out for leadership. After years of drift, Germany is finally ready to answer | John Kampfner
A historic vote to boost spending on defence and infrastructure shows the country is shedding its excess of caution โ and its complacencyFew people outside Berlinโs political bubble will have heard of Lars Klingbeil. They will soon, though, as he is ab…
Post-Brexit reliance on NHS staff from โred listโ countries is unethical, Streeting says
Exclusive: NHS England has dramatically increased recruitment of workers from states with critical medical staff shortagesBrexit has left the NHS increasingly dependent on doctors and nurses from poor โred listโ countries, from which the World Health O…
Meta blames EU for AI rollout delay, Hungary, MEPs demand e-commerce action
And the Dutch parliament has voted to reduce dependence on US tech.
US seeks to reopen terms of Ukraine minerals deal
Trump administration wants to include nuclear plant under Russian control in broader economic agreement
Women in UK face HRT treatment โlotteryโ, doctors warn
Experts say there are regional disparities in medication access even as prescriptions rise
Calls grow in Serbia for investigation into claims โsound cannonโ targeted protesters
More than 500,000 people sign petition after โpowerful sonic impactโ allegedly directed towards rally in BelgradeMore than half a million people have signed an online petition calling for an independent investigation into whether security forces in Ser…
โPeople will dieโ: UN food aid agency warns Trump cuts will see millions starve
With an $8.1 billion shortfall and the U.S. leading other Western countries in pulling support, the World Food Programme is making drastic aid cuts and scrambling to find donors.
Londonโs Heathrow airport closed all day after nearby fire cuts power
Blaze at electricity substation causes โsignificantโ outage at UKโs main transit hub
Ukraine war briefing: Trump says minerals deal with Kyiv to be signed โvery shortlyโ
Zelenskyy says he will not discuss US ownership of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station; US to hold separate meetings with Russian and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. What we know on day 1,122See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading…
Critical Medicines Act needs stronger Single Marketย measures, says Warsaw
Poland manufactures just 11% of critical medicines on the EU list, highlighting supply chain vulnerabilities.
Kaja Kallas’ โฌ40-billion plan for Ukraine flounders at EU summit
After a summit in Brussels, EU leaders did not endorse the target to mobilise โฌ5 billion to procure 2 million ammunition rounds for Ukraine.
Ukraineโs phony peace has begun. Only Trump still believes itโs real.
Donald Trumpโs talks with Vladimir Putin have paralyzed Ukraineโs allies in Europe. Nobody is ready for peace.
Riots break out at Ankara university campus after Erdogan rival detained
Riots broke out at the campus of Ankara’s Middle East Technical University as students protested against the detention of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Thousands have been protesting in major Turkish cities for a second night in a row as Imamoglu, Pr…
Zelensky urges EU to keep pressuring Russia ahead of new round of peace talks
Presidentย Volodymyr Zelensky pressed his case for more weapons supplies to Ukraine during a summit with EU chiefs on Thursday. He also urged leaders to keep pressuring Russia to commit to a ceasefire deal ahead of a new round of peace talks with the U…
Russia aspires to Olympic comeback under new IOC boss
โWe expect that in the era of the new leader โฆ Russia will return to the Olympic podium,โ Moscow’s sports chief said.
European military powers work on 5-10 year plan to replace US in Nato
UK, France, Germany and Nordics among countries engaged in informal discussions over a managed transfer
Zelensky tells Russia to drop ‘unnecessary’ demands ahead of peace talks
Ukraine’s leader also says taking Nato membership off the table would be a “big gift to Russia”.
Turkey: Massive protests erupt over Istanbul mayor’s arrest
Taking to the streets for a second day of protests, thousands of Turkish demonstrators denounced the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in a graft and terror prob, which his party described as a political ‘coup.’
France to host another Ukraine summit on March 27
Meeting comes amid efforts to reach ceasefire agreement and follows meeting of EU leaders on Thursday.
Europe never prepared to ‘take care of their extreme dependency on the US for their own security’
European Union leaders said on Thursday that they will continue to support Ukraine, but they did not immediately endorse a call by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to approve a package of at least 5 billion euros for artillery purchases. For in…
Trumpโs demand that US could take over Ukraineโs reactors is not credible
US presidentโs plan for American firms to run power plants is unrealistic and is opposed by Putin and ZelenskyyAs a demand, it is Donald Trump at his most confusing. The American president appears, at least according to Marco Rubio, the US secretary of…
Europe’s ‘porcupine strategy’: EU leaders welcome plan to boost defence spending
As U.S.-led talks with Russia and Ukraine progress, without the Europeans at the table, the 27-nation bloc is pressing ahead with what Ursula Von der Leyen has branded a steel โporcupine strategyโ
Her words – “We need to make Ukraine strong enough to…
Europeโs new unanimity: Orbรกn doesnโt need to agree
If the Hungarian prime minister wants to go it alone, he’s very welcome to, diplomats say.
Karla Sofรญa Gascรณn says she is โless racist than Gandhiโ on return to public eye
Actor suggests she may have been intentionally smeared and says โno one has to forgive meโ after recent controversyKarla Sofรญa Gascรณn has described herself as โless racist than Gandhiโ and insisted โno one has to forgive me for anythingโ as she returns…
Why has the EU kept silent on Serbiaโs massive protest movement?
As hundreds of thousands of Serbians take to the streets of Belgrade to protest what they describe as rampant corruption and cronyism in President Aleksandar Vuฤiฤโs government, the European Union is once again facing accusations that itโs putting its…
Spanish parliament vote on cutting food waste will end ban on wolf hunting
Amendment brought by coalition of parties says wolves add to food waste due to remains of livestock they killThe Spanish parliament has voted through a measure that will in effect lift the hunting ban on wolves that was imposed in 2021.A coalition led …
Starmer warns Putin of โsevere consequencesโ if he breaches peace deal
UK leader says Russia cannot veto how Ukraine defends itself as western military officials meet to draft security plansAnalysis: UK turns to the EU for defensive tiesVladimir Putin will face โsevere consequencesโ if he breaches a peace deal with Ukrain…
Ignored by Trump and menaced by Putin, the UK turns to the EU for defensive ties
As Trump seeks to withdraw the US from European defence, Keir Starmer is trying to develop closer ties with the UKโs neighboursDonald Trumpโs isolationism and Vladimir Putinโs menace leaves post-Brexit Britain in a delicate position. While the combinat…
Serbia’s interior minister denies use of ‘sound cannon’ against Belgrade protesters โ video
Ivica Daฤiฤ has denied accusations from rights groups and opposition parties that the Serbian security forces used a sonic weapon against protesters in Belgrade that briefly sowed panic and left some with symptoms that lingered long after Saturday’s ra…
Commission โwill not hesitateโ to act on Hungaryโs pride ban
Hungarian action bans gay pride marches and allows facial recognition tools to trace participants
The Brief โ Erdoฤan calls Europeโs bluff
After all, the EU canโt easily ignore Turkeyโs army.
Why Trump is interested in Ukraineโs nuclear power plants
White House floats American โownershipโ but Zelenskyy says he only wants US help to recover Zaporizhzhia station
Greeceโs energy mastermind in trouble after โserious mistakeโ
Mitsotakis advisor seems to break with standard Greek positions to views closer to Turkey
Russia’s next move? The countries trying to Putin-proof themselves
The countries on Nato’s eastern flank are preparing for the possibility of being targeted by Russia
Starmer shifts from boots on the ground in Ukraine to air and sea defence
UK prime minister hosts meeting of senior armed forces figures from 31 nations
EU ready to impose more sanctions on Russia after summit talks
Show of unity marred by Viktor Orbรกn refusing to back declaration of support for UkraineEU leaders โ apart from Hungaryโs Viktor Orbรกn โ say they are ready to increase pressure on Russia through further sanctions, as summit talks exposed a geographical…
Nuclear energy: How much more does the EU need to invest by 2050?
Russia alone is planning as many new nuclear reactors as the entire European Union. Experts say how much the bloc should invest to meet its energy needs.
Trump eyes Europeโs biggest nuclear power plant. Problem: Itโs occupied by Russia.
Ukraine isn’t dismissing the U.S. president’s latest plan to provide a semblance of long-term security โ but says Russian troops must first leave a city near the plant.
Opening Nord Stream 2 would be a catastrophic mistake
Caught between Russia and an increasingly adversarial US, Germanyโs ties to Europe are being tested
Huawei suspended from key tech lobby group over corruption scandal
Chinese tech firm is at the center of a corruption probe by Belgian authorities.
Top political job in world sport goes to former Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry
As International Olympic Committee president, she will be the most powerful sporting official on earth โ and is set for regular encounters with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukraine and Russia delegations due in Riyadh on Monday for separate US talks
US may shuttle between sides in drive to achieve quick deal Trump wants, as Moscow sends ex-spy to lead negotiationsUkraine will have a delegation in Riyadh on the same day the US is holding ceasefire talks there with a Russian negotiating team led by …
UK rebukes Israeli defense minister who called for โtotal devastationโ of Gaza
Foreign secretary David Lammy urged Israel Katz to withdraw his comments.
Transatlantic military alliance: US has been asking Europe to ‘step up’ since the 1960’s
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Oslo on Thursday for talks with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the Norwegian government said. Zelensky’s visit comes as some 30 military chiefs from countries keen to protect an eventual Rus…
William praises Ukraine’s ‘resilience’ in Estonia visit
The Prince of Wales is showing support for UK troops in a Nato operation to defend the Baltic states.
Thousands gather to mourn North Macedonia nightclub fire dead
Some 59 people died in the blaze at Pulse nightclub, which officials say had an illegal licence.
France gets the European Commission to postpone tariffs on American bourbon
Brussels will present measures to respond to Donald Trump’s tariffs in mid-April.
EPP lawmakerโs assistant arrested in Italy on Belgian warrant
Lucia Simeone was arrested on charges of criminal association, money laundering, and corruption charges.
Germany reopens Damascus embassy 13 years after Syrian war forced its closure
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said her trip to Damascus, her second since the fall of the al-Assad regime, was meant to renew the possibility of ‘a political new beginning’ between the two countries.
AI can help cut time it takes to bring UK criminal cases, says review
Disclosure rules have not kept pace with technology, report argues
Exiled Russian journalists left โhigh and dryโ after US cuts radio funding
Journalists working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty at risk of being stranded without legal status after Trump administration decisionExiled Russian journalists are being left โhigh and dryโ and at risk of being stranded overseas without any legal …
โThis is about injusticeโ: crowds defy ban to protest over Istanbul mayorโs detention
People gather at city hall and students march in anger at arrest of Ekrem ฤฐmamoฤlu, a likely opposition candidate for presidencyOutside Istanbulโs city hall on Wednesday night a mass of protesters gathered in the freezing air to defy a city-wide ban on…
Flow review โ Oscar-winning animation is a beautiful and painterly animal adventure
The wordless aftermath of a global catastrophe sees a cat team up with other creatures in tremendously imagined apocalyptic visionHumans are nowhere to be seen and the animals have taken over in this gorgeous animated adventure that was the dark horse …
Government debt costs in richest nations at highest since 2007
Payments by OECD countries outstrip amount spent on defence, police services and housing, report findsBusiness live latest updatesThe cost of government debt payments in the worldโs richest nations last year reached its highest level since 2007, outstr…
Watchdog investigating whether Defra breaking laws on cleaning up English rivers
Office for Environmental Protection says targets for water quality likely to be missed, and clarifying rules may helpThe Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) watchdog has launched an investigation into the UK government over potential failures to …
Second person in two days dies trying to cross Channel in small boat
Deaths occur after eight-day gap in crossings between, bringing death toll this year to at least 10One person has died trying to cross the Channel in an overloaded boat, after another person died earlier attempting the same journey, according to the Fr…