Europe

War in Ukraine European Union Switzerland United Kingdom Turkey Russia
News Subscribers only

Athens is cutting down trees in Exarcheia to make way for a subway

Residents of one of the Greek capital's famous protest neighborhoods, have been fighting for over a year against the construction of a new subway station in its main square. When workers started to cut down trees, residents were up in arms.

Published today at 2:29 pm (Paris) Marina Rafenberg

News analysis Subscribers only

The EU wants to outsource immigration management

The EU would like to stop asylum-seeking migrants at its borders, or even to outsource processing them to a third country.

Published today at 12:39 pm (Paris) Philippe Jacqué

News Subscribers only

In Iceland, an imminent volcanic eruption is causing concern about the economy

Earthquakes have already caused major damage in the town of Grindavik, in southwest Iceland. Between inflation and air transport chaos, previous disasters have taken their toll on life on the island.

Published today at 1:20 am (Paris), updated at 8:27 am Marie Charrel

News

Ukrainian teen taken from Mariupol returned home

Bogdan Yermokhin turned 18 on Sunday. Russia had recently issued him a draft summons to report for mandatory military conscription.

Published yesterday at 3:12 pm (Paris), updated yesterday at 3:23 pm Le Monde with AFP

In Depth Subscribers only

Russia's new target? 'Hostile' Finland

The number of asylum seekers at the country's eastern border has suddenly surged. Helsinki denounced the increase as a destabilization operation by Moscow in retaliation for its NATO membership.

Published yesterday at 2:30 pm (Paris) Anne-Françoise Hivert

In Depth Subscribers only

Ukraine gives swift justice to suspected collaborators in recently liberated areas

Over 7,000 criminal cases have been opened for collaboration. But there's nothing to distinguish teachers, employees or junior administrative staff from Ukrainians who have deliberately sided with Russia.

Published yesterday at 4:00 am (Paris) Thomas d’Istria

News

Tens of thousands protest in Madrid against amnesty law for Catalan separatists

Madrid police said 170,000 people were present at the demonstration organized by right-wing leaders. They are opposed to the amnesty law Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accepted as part of his deal with pro-independence Catalans to allow him to stay in power.

Published on November 18, 2023, at 4:38 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

Estonia's Kallas reelected to lead party despite scandal over husband's Russia business ties

Kaja Kallas was the only candidate for the party leadership, and obtained two-thirds of the vote, while one-third of party delegates abstained.

Published on November 18, 2023, at 4:28 pm (Paris), updated on November 18, 2023, at 4:42 pm Le Monde with AFP

Letter from... Subscribers only

Rik Devillé, the retired Belgian priest crusading against sexual abuse in the Church

A recent television documentary stirred political attention by showcasing numerous testimonies collected over three decades by the ex-parish priest of Buizingen in Flanders.

Published on November 18, 2023, at 3:05 am (Paris), updated on November 18, 2023, at 9:04 am Jean-Pierre Stroobants

News Subscribers only

European regulation on artificial intelligence threatened by stalled negotiations

France, supported by Germany and Italy, is opposed to regulating large-scale AI models if their use is not 'risky.' This stance has drawn accusations of playing into the hands of tech lobbyists.

Published on November 18, 2023, at 1:54 am (Paris), updated on November 18, 2023, at 9:18 am Alexandre Piquard

Column Subscribers only

'The temptation exists among EU member states to abandon the Israeli-Palestinian front in favor of the war in Ukraine'

Some EU members are inclined to let Washington take responsibility at Israel's side, while they focus their attention on their commitments to Kyiv, writes Le Monde's Philippe Ricard in his column.

Published on November 18, 2023, at 12:13 am (Paris), updated on November 18, 2023, at 9:15 am Philippe Ricard

News

Macron argues against 'punitive' AI regulation

The French President, in a nod to the EU's upcoming AI Act, warned against restrictive Artificial Intelligence laws, in order to 'preserve innovation.'

Published on November 17, 2023, at 6:19 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

Editorial

Pedro Sanchez's risky gamble

The Spanish socialist was reelected as prime minister by MPs, at the cost of an amnesty promised to the organizers of the disputed 2017 independence referendum. With this pact, he risks losing what political credit he has left.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 4:46 pm (Paris), updated on November 17, 2023, at 6:40 pm Le Monde

News Subscribers only

US avoids budget crisis, at the expense of Ukraine and Israel

The plan, devised by the new Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, staved off a shutdown, but postpones the passage of aid for Washington's allies until 2024.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 12:43 pm (Paris) Piotr Smolar

News analysis Subscribers only

Why Putin's Russia is holding out

On both the Ukrainian front and at home, the Kremlin has enjoyed a string of good news, a point emphasized by the Russian president, who believes that time is on his side.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 12:30 pm (Paris) Benoît Vitkine

News

Russian artist sentenced to 7 years in prison over Ukraine supermarket protest

Alexandra Skochilenko, 33, replaced last year five price tags a Saint Petersburg supermarket with anti-war messages.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 12:28 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

Azerbaijan rejects Armenia peace talks planned in US

The move followed a hearing in the US House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, where 'biased remarks' were made, according to Azerbaijan.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 11:55 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News Subscribers only

How 'The Crown' has benefited the British royal family's image

The sixth and final season of the series, available since November 16 on Netflix, features the Windsors in a far more glamorous and flattering way than the British tabloids.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 11:35 am (Paris) Cécile Ducourtieux

In Depth Subscribers only

The secrets behind Switzerland's competitiveness

The country compensates for its small size and high costs with a high-performing education system, significant investment in R&D; and an ecosystem conducive to the emergence of start-ups.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 5:34 am (Paris), updated on November 17, 2023, at 5:34 am Marie Charrel

News Subscribers only

European Commission faces criticism for glyphosate reauthorization

The lack of agreement among the EU's 27 member states led to the European Commission's decision in favor of the contentious herbicide, leaving individual member states responsible for regulating its usage.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 5:06 am (Paris), updated on November 17, 2023, at 9:09 am Virginie Malingre

News Subscribers only

Pedro Sanchez forges a pact with Catalan independence advocates in Spain

The Socialist president's re-election, secured with Catalan support and amnesty concessions to organizers of the disputed 2017 independence referendum, has stirred intense division within Spain's political landscape.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 2:43 am (Paris), updated on November 17, 2023, at 8:59 am Sandrine Morel

News

Zelensky says that artillery shell deliveries to Ukraine decreased since the start of Israel-Hamas war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters Thursday that shipments of key artillery shells have 'really slowed down' since fighting erupted between Israel and Hamas last month.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 1:47 am (Paris), updated on November 17, 2023, at 8:37 am Le Monde with AFP

News Subscribers only

Erdogan's visit to Germany set amidst heightened tension

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pushed back against Erdogan's critical comments about Israel ahead of the Turkish president's upcoming visit to Berlin on Friday, his first visit there since 2020.

Published on November 17, 2023, at 1:00 am (Paris), updated on November 17, 2023, at 9:33 am Nicolas Bourcier Thomas Wieder

News Subscribers only

Eight members of UK Labour shadow cabinet dismissed after calling for ceasefire in Gaza

During a vote in the House of Commons, the MPs were punished for violating the position set by opposition leader Keir Starmer, who only called for 'humanitarian pauses' in the Middle East conflict.

Published on November 16, 2023, at 5:41 pm (Paris) Cécile Ducourtieux

Investigation Subscribers only

In Cyprus, a cyber-surveillance conglomerate benefits from legal opacity and tax optimization

The documents seen by Le Monde and its partners show how the Intellexa group, supplier of Predator spyware and the focus of numerous investigations, was able to prosper from the island.

Published on November 16, 2023, at 4:01 pm (Paris) Damien Leloup Jérémie Baruch

News Subscribers only

France opposes draft EU-wide definition of rape

A directive on violence against women is currently being drafted to define rape in terms of the absence of consent, the aim being to harmonize European legislation. Several member states, including France, refuse to do so.

Published on November 16, 2023, at 3:51 pm (Paris), updated on November 16, 2023, at 3:51 pm Virginie Malingre

News

Pedro Sanchez wins vote for new term as Spanish PM after amnesty deal

The Socialist won the vote of confidence in Parliament with the backing of regional pro-independence parties, after agreeing to grant amnesty to Catalan separatists.

Published on November 16, 2023, at 2:15 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

EU Commission to prolong use of glyphosate for 10 years after states fail to agree

After member states failed to find a common position on the use of the controversial herbicide, the decision returned to the hands of the Commission, which said it would also enforce 'new conditions and restrictions.'

Published on November 16, 2023, at 11:15 am (Paris) Le Monde with AP

Investigation Subscribers only

How Cyprus's start-up economy was shaken by the war in Ukraine

Cyprus is home to thousands of digital companies, most of them of Russian origin. Since the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out, the country's economy has been disrupted, for better or for worse.

Published on November 16, 2023, at 5:48 am (Paris), updated on November 16, 2023, at 6:00 am Damien Leloup

News Subscribers only

Iceland under threat from Fagradalsfjall volcano

3,700 residents of the nearby town of Grindavik have been evacuated, and work to protect the geothermal power plant that supplies Reykjavik is underway. The timing of a possible eruption remains uncertain.

Published on November 16, 2023, at 4:10 am (Paris), updated on November 16, 2023, at 8:38 am Anne-Françoise Hivert

Column Subscribers only

'Frozen Russian assets must be used to rebuild Ukraine'

Kyiv must be able to use the roughly €300 billion in Russian assets, frozen under sanctions against Moscow following the 2022 invasion, to rebuild Ukraine, columnist Julien Bouissou writes.

Published on November 16, 2023, at 12:55 am (Paris), updated on November 16, 2023, at 8:25 am Julien Bouissou

Interview Subscribers only

Georgia President Salomé Zourabichvili: 'Russia has already lost in many respects'

Zourabichvili represents the pro-European camp in the face of a pro-Russian government. She is confident in the 'clear-sighted' population of this former Soviet republic at the heart of a struggle for influence between Moscow and Brussels.

Published on November 15, 2023, at 6:42 pm (Paris) Faustine Vincent

News

Greta Thunberg pleads not guilty to public order offence after arrest in London

The climate activist was arrested at a protest in London against the energy sector in October. She denied the offence in court on Wednesday.

Published on November 15, 2023, at 4:55 pm (Paris), updated on November 15, 2023, at 4:59 pm Le Monde

Investigation Subscribers only

Cyprus, a high-tech hub for the porn industry

The small European country has become a key, yet little-known, hub for the global 'adult content' industry, due to its economic model and its highly advantageous tax conditions.

Published on November 15, 2023, at 12:01 pm (Paris), updated on November 15, 2023, at 12:02 pm Damien Leloup

News

UK court rules against plan to deport migrants to Rwanda

The UK's Supreme Court has ruled against the UK government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, calling one of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's key policies unlawful. The governments of the UK and Rwanda said they would continue to look for a way to implement the project.

Published on November 15, 2023, at 11:50 am (Paris), updated on November 15, 2023, at 3:35 pm Le Monde with AP

Investigation Subscribers only

Secret payments cast doubt on Abramovich era at Chelsea

Confidential documents reveal that the oligarch personally paid tens of millions of euros to leading figures in the world of football, at the risk of breaching UEFA regulations.

Published on November 15, 2023, at 5:01 am (Paris), updated on November 15, 2023, at 11:58 am Le Monde

Investigation Subscribers only

German journalist was paid by Russian oligarch for pro-Putin books

Confidential documents from the Cyprus Confidential investigation reveal that Hubert Seipel, known for his pro-Kremlin stance, received €600,000 from an offshore company linked to Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov.

Published on November 14, 2023, at 5:01 pm (Paris), updated on November 15, 2023, at 11:59 am Jérémie Baruch

Investigation Subscribers only

How dirty money and Russian riches flow through Cyprus, a gateway to the EU

Tax advantages. Golden visas. Judicial leniency. The Cyprus Confidential investigation by Le Monde and its partners, based on leaks, sheds light on how the island's economic model was allowed abuses, despite warnings from anti-fraud watchdogs.

Published on November 14, 2023, at 5:01 pm (Paris), updated on November 15, 2023, at 11:58 am Abdelhak El Idrissi Anne Michel

News

Russian convicted over journalist's murder pardoned for fighting in Ukraine

Sergei Khadzhikurbanov was convicted of killing journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006. The Kremlin has acknowledged the use of prisoner recruits to fight in Ukraine and said convicts who 'atone for their crime on the battlefield with blood' could be pardoned.

Published on November 14, 2023, at 12:15 pm (Paris), updated on November 14, 2023, at 4:40 pm Le Monde with AFP

News Subscribers only

In Russia, pardoned murderers are returning from the front – and reoffending

At least 17 Russians convicted of murder received a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin after fighting in Ukraine. And at least three have already killed again.

Published on November 14, 2023, at 12:00 pm (Paris) Benoît Vitkine

Letter from... Subscribers only

Adam Kadyrov, Marina Yandieva: Two faces of the rule of law in Russia

Adam, the son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, has received praise ever since he was filmed violently beating a student. Marina, a young woman from the neighboring territory of Ingushetia, had to flee domestic violence and remains under threat.

Published on November 14, 2023, at 5:00 am (Paris) Benoît Vitkine

In Depth Subscribers only

Content moderation: Key facts to learn from Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok transparency reports

Transparency reports, which have become mandatory since the DSA came into effect, reveal some of the inner workings of the major social media companies, including their number of human moderators, their error rates, and how quickly they comply with EU member states' requests.

Published on November 14, 2023, at 2:00 am (Paris), updated on November 14, 2023, at 7:34 pm Nicolas Six

News Subscribers only

London-based Palestinian journalist Ahmed Alnaouq has lost over 21 family members in Gaza

Alnaouq was part of the team that founded the website We Are Not Numbers, an outlet for many young Gazans to talk about their daily hardships, as well as the Facebook page Across the Wall where stories of young Palestinians were translated into Hebrew.

Published on November 14, 2023, at 12:30 am (Paris), updated on November 14, 2023, at 9:13 am Cécile Ducourtieux

News Subscribers only

UK PM Rishi Sunak dismisses Suella Braverman and brings in David Cameron

The home secretary was ousted after criticizing the police and challenging the prime minister's authority. Former PM David Cameron, who launched the Brexit referendum, was appointed foreign secretary.

Published on November 13, 2023, at 11:01 pm (Paris), updated on November 14, 2023, at 9:16 am Cécile Ducourtieux

Interview Subscribers only

Estonian education and research minister: 'AI is within our education system already'

Since its independence, the smallest of the Baltic States has built up digital public services and continues to innovate in this field, explains Kristina Kallas.

Published on November 13, 2023, at 8:30 pm (Paris) Marie Charrel

Feature Subscribers only

France's 'Task Force 19' trains 'highly motivated' Ukrainian soldiers

The French army has set up a detachment to train Ukrainian recruits, most of them volunteers, in infantry combat in a camp in central France.

Published on November 13, 2023, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Cédric Pietralunga

News

Polish pro-EU candidate elected speaker of parliament

Szymon Holownia was elected Marshal of the Sejm – the speaker of the Polish lower house – in a victory for Poland's three united pro-EU parties.

Published on November 13, 2023, at 4:49 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News Subscribers only

Ukrainian women call for husbands' demobilization after 18 months of war

In Maidan Square, as in the rest of Ukraine, women have been demonstrating for two weeks for the return and replacement of the men who left for the front in the early hours of the Russian invasion.

Published on November 13, 2023, at 12:58 pm (Paris), updated on November 13, 2023, at 2:34 pm Thomas d’Istria

News Subscribers only

Nord Stream: Media investigation finds Ukrainian officer coordinated pipeline sabotage

According to Der Spiegel and the Washington Post, Colonel Chervinsky headed the team that blew up the two Baltic Sea pipelines in September 2022. Chervinsky has denied his role in this embarrassing affair.

Published on November 13, 2023, at 10:40 am (Paris), updated on November 13, 2023, at 10:41 am Thomas Wieder

News

Sunak fires Braverman, Cameron returns as foreign secretary

Suella Braverman was fired as home secretary after attacking police, accusing them of being too lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters. In the same reshuffle, former British prime minister David Cameron was appointed foreign secretary.

Published on November 13, 2023, at 10:33 am (Paris), updated on November 13, 2023, at 3:07 pm Le Monde with AP and AFP

News

Barcelona's Sagrada Familia inaugurates four new towers

The basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí has been 141 years in the making, but it has come one step closer to completion with the blessing of the four Towers of the Evangelists.

Published on November 13, 2023, at 7:31 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News analysis Subscribers only

'The war between Hamas and Israel takes Germany back to its own historical responsibility'

Since October 7, the German government has not only invoked history to justify its support for Israel. It has also referred to it to legitimize its uncompromising stance in the fight against anti-Semitism.

Published on November 12, 2023, at 5:42 pm (Paris) Thomas Wieder

In Depth Subscribers only

Biodiversity: EU to adopt nature restoration law

Member states and the European Parliament agreed on Thursday to a bill that calls for the restoration of 30% of damaged ecosystems by 2030. According to EU data, over 80% of natural habitats are in poor condition.

Published on November 12, 2023, at 11:39 am (Paris), updated on November 12, 2023, at 11:39 am Virginie Malingre

In Depth Subscribers only

Pedro Sánchez wins support of Catalan separatists with concessions that inflame Spain

To retain his position, the Socialist PM has signed an agreement with Junts party toward a controversial amnesty law. The People's Party (right-wing) has called for demonstrations on Sunday.

Published on November 12, 2023, at 3:39 am (Paris), updated on November 12, 2023, at 10:32 am Sandrine Morel

Column Subscribers only

Wars in Ukraine and Gaza: 'Today, no international community is capable of imposing a resolution'

With the US on the defensive and China and Russia proclaiming an anti-American international order, the UN Security Council is paralyzed, writes columnist Alain Frachon.

Published on November 12, 2023, at 1:35 am (Paris), updated on November 12, 2023, at 3:08 pm Alain Frachon

News

London pro-Palestinian march passes off peacefully but police clash with far-right counter-protesters

The march was apparently the largest in London since the start of the conflict, with 300,000 people according to the police snaking through the city from Hyde Park to the US Embassy.

Published on November 11, 2023, at 4:51 pm (Paris), updated on November 12, 2023, at 5:33 am Le Monde with AP

News Subscribers only

The race to repatriate Bogdan Yermokhin, an orphan from Mariupol deported to Russia

The young Ukrainian will turn 18 on November 19. His cousin and his lawyer are fighting for his return, fearing that when he comes of age he will be drafted against his will into the Russian army.

Published on November 11, 2023, at 12:13 pm (Paris), updated yesterday at 3:14 pm Rémy Ourdan

Interview Subscribers only

François Lecointre, France's former top general: 'Our societies naively thought war was archaic'

The evolution of international tensions requires major democracies to consider conditions for a rapid rise to power in the event of conflict, according to the French general in an interview with Le Monde.

Published on November 11, 2023, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on November 11, 2023, at 9:09 am Elise Vincent Cédric Pietralunga Benoît Vitkine

Feature Subscribers only

Ukraine prepares for another brutal winter

Traumatized by the massive bombing campaign on the country's energy infrastructure in the winter of 2022, Ukraine is thinking ahead to prepare for another brutal winter.

Published on November 11, 2023, at 4:00 am (Paris), updated on November 11, 2023, at 5:35 am Thomas d’Istria

News Subscribers only

In Belgium, scandal arise around massive PFAS water pollution

Public authorities and the water distribution company Société Zallonne de Distribution des Eaux were informed of contamination with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds – but consistently downplayed the risks it posed.

Published on November 10, 2023, at 10:49 pm (Paris), updated on November 11, 2023, at 10:42 am Jean-Pierre Stroobants

1 2