European Union

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced on X that France will recognise Palestine as a state. Almost 150 UN member states have already recognised Palestinian statehood, but there are certain key Western countries that have yet to do so, including the US and the UK, which have UN veto powers. What can Macron achieve with his announcement?

The Northern Irish rap band Kneecap will not be allowed to perform at Budapest's Sziget Festival in August. Hungary's government justified the decision saying they spread 'antisemitic hate speech, which supports terrorism and terrorists.' The immigration authorities have now imposed a three-year entry ban on the band members. The move is causing quite a stir in Hungary.

“It wasn’t a deal that President Donald Trump made with Ursula von der Leyen – it was Trump eating von der Leyen for breakfast."

In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about transatlantic stability coming at a price, NGOs defying Brussels over a lobbying clause, Merz pushing Netanyahu for a ceasefire, and Orban threatening to block the EU budget

As Pedro Sánchez lands in the Canary Islands for his annual summer retreat, the turbulence rocking his government is still waiting for him on the mainland

Slovakia’s new military course wins some praise, but camo-clad politicians spark ridicule

Romania’s deputy PM for tax reform quits just weeks into the job after admitting to bribing a tax inspector – the same agency he was appointed to clean up.

Duda to meet with parliamentary Speaker Szymon Hołownia after claims of pressure to block swearing-in of PiS-backed president-elect spark talk of attempted “coup”.

The agreement came after a face-to-face meeting between Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump in Scotland

Von der Leyen urges Ukraine to keep anti-corruption bodies independent after controversial bill sparks backlash

Germany looks set to avoid an EU deficit procedure as defence spending gets leeway under new fiscal rules

Greece requested assistance from EU partners, with Czech crews already deployed and two Italian firefighting planes expected to arrive Sunday, according to the fire brigade

This is not the first time Orbán has threatened to withhold support for the next EU budget

The French probe follows two complaints filed in January, alleging the platform’s algorithm may have been used for foreign interference in French politics