Sweden reports rare measles outbreak following music festival
Sweden's Public Health Agency has reported 21 measles cases linked to the Urkult music festival, primarily affecting unvaccinated individuals under 18.
Politics
Latest reporting and analysis on politics.
Nord Stream saboteur suspect caught in Croatia
Germany is seeking his extradition so that he can be brought before an investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice.
Former Fauci adviser pleads guilty to concealing documents on Covid origins
Prosecutors said he discussed scrubbing government accounts of communications that could fuel debate over the virus's origins.
Sweden grants only 98 citizenships in July, most of them Nordic, as tougher rules take effect
The figure compares with 1,602 citizenships granted in June and 18,332 over the first seven months of 2026 as a whole.
Portugal bans face coverings in public as President signs Chega bill
The Socialist head of state has approved a measure first tabled by the party of the man he defeated in February's presidential run-off.
Ukraine’s anti-graft agencies target alleged criminal organisation linked to lawmakers and presidential office
Further details would be released later. NABU subsequently released a video teaser containing excerpts from intercepted conversations.
German study puts true Covid infections at 14 per cent of PCR positives
The analysis compared nationwide swab results against antibody screening run by the same laboratories, a method other scientists say cannot show the tests were wrong.
Ex-president of German Jewish council draws parallel between AfD and Nazi party’s rise
"In many areas, I see no difference anymore compared to the NSDAP before it came to power," she said.
Belgian and French 10-year yields climb above key thresholds as fiscal pressures mount
The increases form part of a broader rise in eurozone long-term rates. The French benchmark first crossed 4 per cent on July 23.
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They leak twice: Tusk government unaware for two years of data breach affecting 19 million Poles
He said that "we are dealing with an extraordinary and very large incident in terms of the security of Poland's information sphere".
Ousted defence minister calls for wartime elections in Ukraine
Mykhailo Fedorov's video address came hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky ruled out his return to the defence ministry.
Lagarde says Europe cannot afford to miss AI as its growth model erodes
The European Central Bank chief told business leaders in Geneva that fragmented markets and fragmented finance are stopping European firms from reaching global size.
German ruling parties demand EU sanctions on Israel’s Ben-Gvir
Berlin has been among the capitals blocking EU-level measures against the Israeli national security minister.
Wildfires spread across northern Portugal as prime minister warns of weeks of risk
More than 2,000 emergency personnel and around 20 aircraft remain committed as the Portuguese Government defends its record on burnt land.
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How the Danish migration model works, from the border to the doorstep
Denmark built its migration system on four pillars over a decade, and reduced asylum approvals to the lowest level in 40 years.
Commission tells member states to ignore its own new packaging rules and skip penalties
The regulation was negotiated under the 2019-2024 European Parliament, where a Green Deal-supporting majority held sway, and was adopted on December 19, 2024.
Spanish business group plans Hispanidad theme park in Pizarro’s home town
The promoters of Ciudad Hispánica put the cost at €700 million and say it would create more than 700 direct jobs in one of Spain's poorest regions.
Prosecutor rejects anti-white racism motive in Crépol murder case despite investigating judges’ ruling
The decision was based on a number of witness statements reporting hostile remarks, including phrases such as "we are here to stab whites".
Brussels urges immediate return of Ceuta’s unaccompanied minors to Morocco
The European Commission said EU law covered the removal of children as well as adults, while it welcomed Madrid's pledge that nobody would be moved to the Spanish…
Russian court jails Yabloko deputy chairman for 11 years as Supreme Court confirms election ban
The Central Election Commission struck Yabloko from the federal ballot paper on August 18, leaving 10 parties in the list contest.
Italy sees no Russian link to Colleferro munitions blast
No injuries were reported. The plant was shut for the summer holiday period and only 24 maintenance workers were on site.
Germany overhauls its spy services as hybrid war with Russia escalates
The bill goes first to the Bundesrat for its opinion before the Bundestag takes it up. It does not require the chamber's consent.
Cybercriminal claims massive data breach at French education ministry
The Ministry of National Education confirmed in a statement on July 31 that it had suffered a fraudulent intrusion on the night of July 25.
EU tobacco consultation exposes growing divide over nicotine harm reduction
“Disproportionate measures risk undermining compliant retailers to the advantage of illicit channels,” Karl E. Lund, a Norwegian tobacco researcher, said.
Spanish police check more than 5,000 arrivals from Italy in Sánchez’s row with Meloni
Spanish police have identified 5,080 arrivals on 462 flights since the retaliatory controls began on August 8, with no sign that Rome will drop its own measures.
Greece rejects Turkey’s new marine parks as ‘illegal’
Athens says presidential decrees signed by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reach into international waters and the Greek continental shelf.
Belgium’s record wildfire stops short of German border but is not yet contained
Rain gave some respite to the 500 firefighters and troops in the High Fens on August 17, though officials warned that shifting weather could revive the blaze.
Greece plans to repay about €13 billion of debt early in 2026
Officials at the Ministry of National Economy and Finance said the early repayments would send a signal of prudence to European institutions, rating agencies and…
Erdoğan says EU membership ‘no longer a priority’ for Turkey
"We are still considering joining the European Union. If they accept us, all the better, if they don't, that's fine too".
Guardia Civil confirms 15 rapes in Ceuta and detains man wanted by Interpol
The man was held during reinforced checks at the frontier and remains in the enclave while his extradition is processed.