Suicide and soap operas: North Koreans react to being Ukrainian POWs
The capture of two North Korean soldiers definitively proves Pyongyang is sending military support to Russia.
Summer
Starmer warns of online radicalization in wake of Southport murders
UK prime minister signals threat posed by “loners, misfitsโ and โyoung men in their bedroom.”
Ukraine war briefing: โConflict will not end tomorrow or day after,โ says Macron as Trump takes office
French president tells Europe to โwake upโ and spend more on defence; captured North Korean soldier says many casualties. What we know on day 1,063 The French president, Emmanuel Macron, warned that Russiaโs war against Ukraine would not end โtomorrow …
Tuscany among top 10 cheapest summer holiday destinations for 2025
Italian region comes surprise eighth place and has plenty of budget package deals available, according to Which?January is the best month to book a summer holiday โ and this year there is a surprise budget option: Tuscany. According to Which?, the cent…
Polish PM accuses Russia of planning โacts of terrorismโ around the world
Donald Tusk claims Warsaw has been involved in countering โacts of sabotageโ, referencing incendiary parcel attacks in Poland and the UKRussia planned to conduct โacts of terrorism in the airโ, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday, by pl…
Franceโs Bayrou buys himself time with overture to Socialists
There should be “no totems or taboos” as new prime minister fights to reform pensions โ and keep his job.
Pope Francis reveals box of documents on churchโs โdark dealingsโ
Pontiff writes of “evil committed by certain priests” in book released Tuesday.
Nigel Farageโs Reform just a point behind Labour, poll shows
The latest YouGov study makes for grim reading in No.10 Downing Street.
Berlin considers full Uniper exit, targets deal after summer
Reuters exclusively reported that the German government is weighing selling its entire 99% holding of German utility Uniper, which has [โฆ]
The post Berlin considers full Uniper exit, targets deal after summer appeared first on Reuters News Agency.
EU bans โTurkaegeanโ slogan following Greeceโs appeal
Territorial sovereignty in the Aegean Sea has been a contentious issue between Greece and Turkey, whose summer economies rely heavily on tourism.
Visa-waiver system could overwhelm UK immigration services, law firm warns
There are also fears electronic travel authorisation will threaten post-peace tourism sector in Northern IrelandThe UK Home Officeโs already burdened immigration services could be overwhelmed this summer when a new visa-waiver system comes into force f…
Biden nixes trip to meet the pope because of LA fires
It was to be the last trip of Bidenโs presidency.
The method in Trumpโs Greenland madness
The climate skeptic is responding to the reality of the Arctic’s melting ice: more resource extraction, faster trade routes, new military bases.
Meta adds Ultimate Fighting Championship boss to board as it courts Trump
UFC chief Dana White is a key ally of the incoming U.S. president.
Pressure mounts on EU to use legal weapons against Muskโs interference
European Commission says it will study whether X gives unfair boost to far right in German election.
5 green targets EU countries will (mostly) miss in 2025
EU countries are behind on most, if not all, their sustainability commitments.
Musk or no Musk, Farage has a plan to capture Britain
The Reform UK leader has broken with Musk over a far-right activist. But it’s his plan to win big that’ll keep Keir Starmer up at night.
Ireland gets โscrewedโ as EU influence ebbs
Dublin “underperformedโ in its race for the bloc’s top jobs, especially those in economic policy, which it normally covets.
How a Gorilla devoured democracy in Slovakia
A sprawling government corruption scandal from 2006 ended multiple political careers. Failure to punish the culprits ended public faith in the system.
11 deadly trip wires for Keir Starmer as UK politics roars back
MPs are returning to parliament afresh in 2025. But numerous dangers lurk for the British government.
What California can learn from the place that invented the initiative
Our California ballot-measure reporter heads to Switzerland on the 150th anniversary of its first federal referendum to see what a state mad about direct democracy can take away from the country that devised i
Trump will be sentenced for hush money conviction on Jan. 10 โ but wonโt get jail time
Incarceration is not a practical option given Trumpโs imminent return to the White House, Justice Juan Merchan wrote.
Pro-Russian Moldovan separatists refuse EU gas despite warnings of humanitarian crisis
Leaked correspondence shows Transnistria was offered alternatives to Russian gas amid a winter energy catastrophe.
Before Cephalonia there was a clearing in the Normandy woods, with a spring and a clear, cold stream | Louis de Berniรจres
I drove my Morris Traveller down a hidden track, and felt I had come to a sacred place where I was completely at homeIn our end of year series, writers and public figures remember the place or time when they felt most at homeDuring my 20s, I was too po…
The finance policy battles shaping 2025
Expect a rerun of the same old fights โ from green rules to defense spending.
The French left is finally eyeing a comeback
The Socialists have taken timid steps toward emancipation from far-left firebrand Jean-Luc Mรฉlenchon.
Elon Musk faces UK backlash after boosting far-right activist Tommy Robinson
X owner and Donald Trump ally accused of spreading “poison” after he backs jailed activist.
French government to copy-paste budget that led to predecessorโs downfall
But finance ministry officials insist it’s just a time-saving move, not an endorsement of Michel Barnier’s plans.
Elon Musk demands release of UK far-right ringleader Tommy Robinson
X owner said a documentary by the English Defense League co-founder was “worth watching.”
Emmanuel Macron was the great liberal hope for France and Europe. How did it all go so wrong? | Oliver Haynes
The French presidentโs failures offer an object lesson in what happens when liberalism is stripped of its morality and valuesWhen Emmanuel Macron was first elected in the spring of 2017, we were told that he was the future of liberal pluralism. The BBC…
Russia cuts off gas to Moldovan separatists, risking humanitarian crisis
The Moscow-backed breakaway region is unable to heat homes after being cut off by Kremlin patrons.
The biggest battles headed for Brussels
What the EU will be squabbling about in VDLโs second term.
Britainโs under-pressure Starmer vows โfight for changeโ in 2025
The prime minister has seen a dramatic tumble in public support โ as Nigel Farage snaps at his heels.
2024: A year marked by violence, wars, elections and the Olympic Games
As 2024 nears its end, FRANCE 24 takes a look at world events that marked the year including the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, the French legislative elections and the US presidential vote. 2024 was also marked by French feminist…
People like me flocked to Berlin because it was โpoor but sexyโ. Those times are over | Fatma Aydemir
Brutal cuts to culture subsidies are about to make the city a welcoming place only for the lazy work of rich kid artistsIn 2003, Berlin had just woken up from a decade-long fever dream: the Wall had fallen, the city had reunited and the two German stat…
37 words that sum up a wild 2024 in British politics
From Elon to sausages, it’s been … a lot.
POLITICOโs most-read stories of 2024
Elections, war and porn: The stories that captured your attention over the past 12 months.
Cross-legged under an enormous pine tree, my chess pieces and I tamed chaos | Ana Schnabl
One hot summer in Slovenia, my cousins taught me how to jump, twirl and sashay on that black and white grid. I sensed I was spying on some ancient, fundamental truthIn our end of year series, writers and public figures remember the place or time when t…
Retrospective: the Top 10 French news stories that defined 2024
From the highs of the summer Olympics to aย massย sexual assault trial that shocked theย world, and fromย the grand reopeningย of Notre-Dame Cathedralย to the governmentโs collapse,ย 2024 has been quite a year in France. Here areย the biggest news storiesย fro…
North Koreans launching โhuman waveโ attacks against Ukrainian positions in Kursk
North Korea is suffering โheavy casualties,โ White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.
Nigel Farage taunts Tories over โfakeโ members
The Reform UK boss has challenged Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to carry out an audit to prove which party has the most members.
Westminsterโs top books of 2024
POLITICO asked politicians and chroniclers of SW1 to tell us the book they most enjoyed reading this year โ here are the results, in their own words.
Turkeyโs grapes: A paradise lost
Seyit Karagรถzoฤlu wasnโt there when inspectors came to visit his wine business, Paลaeli, in 2021. Besides running the business, Karagรถzoฤlu spends his time driving through Anatolia, trying to preserve a part of Turkeyโs endangered heritage, uncovering the winemaking grapes that time forgot. He was on the road when he received a call from his brother, [โฆ]
Estoniaโs city at the โend of the free worldโ stares across a frozen border at Russia
Estonia’s third-largest city is struggling to face off threats from Russia.
Thereโs nothing very new about the new French government
The prime minister has failed his first big test. Despite another bunch of ministers, he hasnโt built a broader political base.
Baby mammoth in Russia is the โbest-preservedโ ever found
The 50,000-year-old female, nicknamed Yana, is one of only seven whole remains discovered in worldRussian scientists have displayed the remarkably well-preserved remains of a baby mammoth found in the permafrost-covered region of Yakutia in Siberia.The…
Post-Brexit Britain has a new best friend: Brazil
The love-in between Keir Starmer and Lula centers on climate and trade. Just don’t mention Ukraine.
โInsaneโ Magdeburg Christmas market attack turns up heat on Germanyโs politicians
Reports that suspect was a refugee from Saudi Arabia who hated Muslims raises complicated questions during German election campaign.
Italian deputy PM Salvini acquitted of migrant kidnapping charges
Salvini had tried to prevent the Spanish charity Open Arms from bringing 147 asylum seekers to Italy in the summer of 2019, when he was interior minister.
The post Italian deputy PM Salvini acquitted of migrant kidnapping charges appeared first on Eura…
Orbรกn infuriates Warsaw by granting political asylum to former Polish minister
Poland’s foreign ministry calls the Hungarian government’s decision a “hostile” step and an “insult” to Polish authorities.
Is the British government scared of Nigel Farage?
The specter of Farage’s Reform party looms large as Britain seeks a reset in relations with the EU.
Europeโs biggest dietary problem? Lobbyists, says Nutri-Score creator.
Franceโs Serge Hercberg warns that disinformation is shortening the lives of consumers.
Von der Leyenโs mission: Stop Europeโs โslow agonyโ of decline
The European Commission president has pledged to boost the EUโs ability to compete with the U.S. and China.
Trumpโs 7 most eye-opening European ambassador picks
A former convict, a Broadway producer, two billionaires and his son’s one-time fiancรฉe. Meet the U.S. president-electโs eclectic transatlantic envoys.
UK mulls troops in Ukraine for training mission
UK Defense Sec John Healey says military training should be a “better fit for what the Ukrainians need” โ and announces fresh ยฃ225 million in support.
Russia-Ukraine war live: UK troops could be sent to Ukraine to train its soldiers, defence secretary suggests
John Healey says Britain should โmake the training a better fit for what the Ukrainians needโRussian forces have taken control of the villages of Novyi Komar and Zelenivka in Ukraineโs eastern Donetsk region, the Interfax news agency is reporting, citi…
Starmerโs bungled reset is fitting way to end 2024
Five months after winning a landslide victory in the U.K. general election, the PM is struggling to find his voice.
Ukraine lacks might to retake occupied territories, Zelenskyy concedes
But that doesn’t mean Kyiv is ready to cede land to Russia, defiant Ukrainian president warns.
Franceโs Le Pen: Macron is โdoneโย
“He has lost his grip on the international scene, and is at odds with everyone,” the far-right leader said.
Wednesday briefing: The world waits after Ukraine assassinates top Putin general in Moscow
In todayโs newsletter: Kyiv assassinated Igor Kirillov inside enemy territory, in its most audacious operation since the war began โ how will Russia respond?Good morning.In the early hours of yesterday morning, Russian general Igor Kirillov and his dep…
Costaโs honeymoon as European Council chief will be short-lived
The former Portuguese prime minister faces a difficult job in bridging EU disagreements while France and Germany remain distracted by domestic concerns.
Britainโs Winston Churchill shortage
Westminster is becoming a local place for local people โ and that means fewer star politicians.
Britainโs Baltic defense club falls flat on military spending pledge
U.K. leader Keir Starmer says talking about extra defense spending is tough at the moment.
Le Pen salutes โpositiveโ talks after meeting new French PM Bayrou
The far-right leader took down the last prime minister. But she now appears willing to work with the next one.
Chinese โspyโ linked to Prince Andrew is โtip of the icebergโ
China is conducting “massive operations” targeting government and royal family, Tory MPs warn.
Britainโs bold new world โฆ as a Pacific trading nation
With global free-traders on the back foot amid Donald Trump’s return, the U.K. is placing its bets on the tongue-twisting CPTPP.
Why Nigel Farageโs path to power runs through a rainswept seaside town
The Reform leader has aspirations to enter 10 Downing Street as prime minister in a few years hence โ but will his globetrotting ways and love of the camera cause disillusion among his new constituents?
What Hamas wrought
Instead of igniting a war that would destroy Israel, the militant group lit the fuse that set much of the region on fire, burning its own allies above all.
Macron working to strip far right of influence on next French government
The French president is trying to limit the far-right National Rally’s influence and find a way forward with the center left, but a path ahead remains elusive.
Macron grasps for magic formula to end Franceโs political paralysis
With the country’s political system crippled, the French president is pushing to persuade opposition leaders to compromise.
Flying over Russia: Chinese airlines win and Europeans lose
While European airlines are cutting routes, Chinese carriers are increasing connections with the continent.
Inside the floating 80s relic that wants to be Britainโs energy future
POLITICO spent the afternoon on a soon-to-be-abandoned North Sea gas plant that’s hoping to ditch fossil fuels with government help.
Viktor Orbรกn
Dreamer No. 4 โ Hungary
Will Donald Trump kill US-UK-Aussie sub defense deal?
The landmark defense agreement between the U.S, U.K. and Australia could be in jeopardy with the maverick Republican back in the White House.
From Brussels to Warsaw, troubled Europe reckons with Trump โ and itself
The next few months will be pivotal for the Atlantic alliance. A fragmented Continent will struggle to meet the moment.
Assadโs downfall โ the winners and losers
Across the region and beyond, POLITICO assesses the prospects of key players after the ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.
Guns, lies and audiotape: How Bidenโs family ties could lead to another pardon
For decades, a scandal-plagued Mississippi family has cozied up to the president. How will the relationship end?
Monterroso: The Spanish village welcoming migrants with open arms
With the Canary Islands struggling to cope with the number of migrants arriving on their shores, the Spanish state is asking other parts of Spain to accept them. In the summer, several hundred migrants were sent to Galicia, north of Spain. With anti-i…
Franceโs Barnier to stay on as caretaker prime minister after submitting resignation
Barnier’s government collapsed after losing a no-confidence vote in the parliament Wednesday night.
New UK Tory leader tries to woo Trumpworld
Kemi Badenoch will attend the International Democracy Union forum to learn lessons from center-right parties and build links with U.S. Republicans.
French government collapse turns the screws on Macron
Prime Minister Michel Barnier will leave office having servedย the shortest prime ministerial term in modern French history.
Trump considers DeSantis for Defense secretary as Hegseth appears to falter
Hegseth has faced allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual assault.
Former Justice Commissioner Reyndersโ residences searched by police
Reynders has only been out of office for a few days.
Chinese hack of global telecom providers is โongoing,โ officials warn
Officials from the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency say the major Chinese hack began in late spring, and they are strongly urging Americans to use encrypted communications.
Defiant Macron says he wonโt resign, doubles down on Barnierโs survival
The French president also downplayed the possible financial consequences of a no-confidence vote.
Trump to nominate Republican donor to serve as UK ambassador
Warren Stephens would be the sixth billionaire nominated for major post by Trump
The French prime minister will likely fall this week. So then what?ย
Only a miracle can save Barnier. There doesn’t seem to be one on the horizon.ย
Biden issues pardon for son Hunter
The president said Hunter was singled out because of politics.
UN plastic treaty talks end without a deal
It was a disappointing conclusion to a summit that many hoped would yield a landmark treaty to tackle a worsening global plastic pollution crisis.
US suspends strategic partnership with Georgia after EU membership talks halted
The State Department also condemned the โexcessive use of force by policeโ after thousands of Georgians protested the halting of EU accession negotiations.
โI will never give upโ: mother seeks new clues about British son missing in Sardinia
Cristina Pittalis urges mystery woman to come forward to help find son Michael, last seen in JulyThe anguished mother of a British man who vanished in Sardinia this summer has urged a woman from Jersey, who he was with in the days before he disappeared…
Zelenskyyโs diplomatic play for Trumpย
Kyiv knows that it will have to recalibrate and take care not to get on Trumpโs bad side, hence Zelenskyyโs emphasizing the importance of exploring diplomatic solutions.
Traders pay record premium for European gas next summer
Unusual price relationship could make it harder to refill EU storage as Russian supplies dwindle
Von der Leyen is creating a task force to turn Draghi report into reality
European Commission team could sit within secretariat-general.
French political crisis: Everything you need to know
The collapse of Barnier’s government could plunge the eurozone into turmoil.
Who were the biggest dunces? Final grades for von der Leyenโs first Commission
Whoโs at the top of the class and who flunked? Here are POLITICO’s grades for each 2019-2024 European commissioner.
South-west France swelters in โstaggeringโ 26.9C November night heat
Temperatures of this week would be exceptional for summer, says climatologist, never mind late NovemberTowns in south-west France roasted in โcompletely extremeโ heat in the early hours of Tuesday, with overnight temperatures hitting 26.9C (80.42F).โIt…
Elon Musk blasts โundemocraticโ EU in ongoing feud
The billionaire tech entrepreneur said the European Parliament is giving up its authority to the Commission.
Ruble tumbles as Russiaโs war economy comes under increasing strain
New sanctions package closes one of the last conduits of hard currency to Moscow.
Russian court orders arrest of FRANCE 24 journalist who reported from Kursk
A Russian court has ordered the arrest of FRANCE 24’s senior reporter Catherine Norris Trent on charges of crossing illegally into its western Kursk region to file a report on the Ukrainian army’s summer incursion.