Global Europe
Paris hopes security won’t spoil the party at 2024 Olympics opening
Est. 4minAs Paris makes final preparations for the Summer Olympics, the grand opening ceremony along the river Seine on Friday (26 July) has created an unprecedented security challenge that organisers hope won't dampen the party vibe.
Eight EU member states call for Syria policy reset
Est. 2minA group of eight member states has called on the EU to “review and assess” its approach to Syria ahead of a broader discussion on the situation in the Middle East between Eurpean Union foreign ministers on Monday (22 July).
Russia says its jets prevented US bombers violating border over Barents Sea
Est. 2minRussia's Defence Ministry said on Sunday (21 July) that Russian warplanes prevented two US strategic bombers from violating the state border over the Barents Sea.
Turkey ready to build Cyprus naval base ‘if necessary’: Erdoğan
Est. 2minTurkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Sunday that his country was ready to build a Cyprus naval base "if necessary", 50 years after Turkish forces invaded the now-divided island.
World leaders pay tribute to Biden as he ends reelection bid
Est. 5minWorld leaders lined up to pay tribute to US President Joe Biden Sunday (21 July) after he announced he was dropping out of the US presidential race.
Biden ends failing reelection campaign, backs Harris as nominee
Est. 8minUS President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid on Sunday (21 July) under growing pressure from his fellow Democrats and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's candidate to face Republican Donald Trump in the November election.
Poland calls on EU to stress ties with US to counter Russian ‘disinformation’
Est. 3minPoland wants the European Union to launch a campaign in the United States to raise awareness with the American public about the importance of the joint relationship.
Azerbaijan’s president pledges to help French territories secure independence
Est. 2minAzerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pledged on Saturday (20 July) to help France's overseas territories secure independence, the latest in a series of incidents pitting his ex-Soviet state against Paris over long-running conflicts in the Caucasus region.
Israeli jets strike Houthi targets in Yemen after Tel Aviv attack
Est. 5minIsraeli fighter jets struck Houthi military targets near Yemen's Hodeidah port on Saturday (20 July), killing at least three people and wounding 87, a day after a drone launched by the Iranian-backed group hit Israeli economic hub Tel Aviv.
Slovak PM blasts Ukraine’s Lukoil sanctions as oil flow stops
Est. 2minSlovakia will not be a "hostage" to Ukraine-Russia relations, its Prime Minister Robert Fico told his Ukrainian counterpart in a call on Saturday (20 July), after Kyiv placed Russian group Lukoil on a sanctions list, leading to a halt in deliveries.
EU backs ICJ ruling on ‘illegal’ Israeli occupation
Est. 2minThe top UN court's ruling that Israel's 57-year occupation of Palestinian land was "illegal" is "largely consistent with EU positions", the bloc's foreign policy chief said Saturday (20 July).
Stark divide remains as Cyprus marks 50 years since Turkish invasion
Est. 5minCyprus on Saturday (21 July) marked the 50th anniversary of the bloody invasion of the Mediterranean island by Turkish troops with both sides as divided as ever over the territory's future.
Zelenskyy attends UK cabinet meeting, renews calls to allow strikes inside Russia
Est. 3minUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed British government ministers on Friday (19 July), a rare appearance by a foreign leader at a cabinet meeting that new Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes will underline London's support for Kyiv.
Russian court jails US reporter Gershkovich for 16 years in sham trial
Est. 6minA Russian court found US reporter Evan Gershkovich guilty of espionage on Friday (19 July) and sentenced him to 16 years in a maximum security penal colony in what his employer, the Wall Street Journal, called "a disgraceful sham conviction."
The Brief – No time for a honeymoon period this summer
Est. 6minAfter seven rollercoaster months, European politicians mostly resemble beat-up-birds these days. And they might not have much time to enjoy their ice-cold poolside drinks this summer.
Israel lawmakers vote to oppose Palestinian state
Est. 5minThe Israeli parliament voted Thursday (18 July) to oppose a Palestinian state as an "existential threat", a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers the army had Hamas "by the throat".
Ukraine rushes to create AI-enabled war drones
Est. 6minIn Ukraine, a handful of startups are developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to help fly a vast fleet of drones, taking warfare into uncharted territory as combatants race to gain a technological edge in battle.
Russia’s trial of US reporter Gershkovich moves quickly through secret witness testimony
Est. 6minRussia's espionage trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich moved quickly through witness testimony behind closed doors on Thursday (18 July) and will now proceed to lawyers' closing arguments in a case his employer called a sham.
In show of support, Starmer invites Zelenskyy to attend cabinet meeting
Est. 3minBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a meeting of his top ministers on Friday (19 July), a show of support for the Ukrainian leader who will welcome a new plan to try to disrupt Russia's attempts to evade shipping sanctions.
Trump accepts Republican nomination, Biden ‘soul searching’ about dropping out of the race
Est. 6minDonald Trump described on Thursday (18 July) how he narrowly survived an attempt on his life, telling a rapt audience at the Republican National Convention in his first speech since the attack that he was only there "by the grace of Almighty God."
EU, Serbia set to ink ‘critical raw materials’ deal
Est. 3minThe European Union and Serbia were set to sign a deal Friday (19 July) over the supply of battery materials during a "critical raw materials summit", just days after Belgrade allowed work to resume at a disputed lithium mining project.
Lithuanian MPs vote to quit convention on cluster munitions
Est. 3minLithuania's parliament on Thursday (18 July) voted for the Baltic state to withdraw from an international treaty against cluster munitions, a move attributed to security reasons by the NATO member and decried by campaigners.
UK’s Starmer touts post-Brexit EU reset, but practical steps might take time
Est. 5minBritain's new Labour-led government on Thursday (18 Thursday) touted a post-Brexit 'reset' with the EU, and closer cooperation in Europe to advance support for Ukraine and tackle illegal migration.
Netherlands commemorates 10th anniversary of downing of MH17 airline
Est. 3minThe Netherlands commemorated on Wednesday (17 July) the 298 victims of flight MH17 that was shot down over Ukraine 10 years ago with a ceremony attended by the bereaved and representatives from Malaysia, Australia, Britain, Belgium and Ukraine.