https://antikors.com/ European news, politics, economy, EU affairs, geopolitics and analysis — independent English-language coverage from Brussels to the Baltic. en https://antikors.com/articles/red-heat-alerts-issued-in-france-italy-and-spain-as-40c-temperatures-for The heatwave conditions are forecast to intensify in the coming days across central and western Europe. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:42:23 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/red-heat-alerts-issued-in-france-italy-and-spain-as-40c-temperatures-for https://antikors.com/articles/arrest-warrant-issued-for-ex-commissioner-avramopoulos-in-connection-to- The Greek member of parliament is being charged in connection with the cash-for-influence scandal. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:23:32 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/arrest-warrant-issued-for-ex-commissioner-avramopoulos-in-connection-to- https://antikors.com/articles/forget-closer-eu-ties-if-tories-cant-face-up-to-brexit-truth-letters Dr Denis MacShane says Labour figures were willing to break ranks over Europe, and implores Conservatives to tell the truth about Brexit. Plus a letter from Zhengli Zhou Timothy Garton-Ash is right to be worried that Brexit Britain’s political class is now monolingual, with very little personal contact with… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:16:59 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/forget-closer-eu-ties-if-tories-cant-face-up-to-brexit-truth-letters https://antikors.com/articles/another-day-another-leader-londoners-react-to-starmers-resignation People in central London expressed frustration, uncertainty and cautious hope after Keir Starmer announced his resignation as UK prime minister. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:14:39 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/another-day-another-leader-londoners-react-to-starmers-resignation https://antikors.com/articles/leaders-promise-cash-for-reforms-as-part-of-eu-future-for-moldova The EU-Moldova summit amounted to a review Moldova’s progress in reforms on the path to European integration, particularly on the rule of law, fundamental rights, and the fight against organized crime, as well as aligning legislation with the EU acquis. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:02:37 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/leaders-promise-cash-for-reforms-as-part-of-eu-future-for-moldova https://antikors.com/articles/spanish-pms-former-right-hand-man-jailed-for-24-years-for-corruption José Luis Ábalos found to have taken bribes on Covid-era public contracts in damaging blow to Pedro Sánchez Spain’s supreme court has jailed the former transport minister José Luis Ábalos for 24 years for taking bribes on public contracts for sanitary equipment such as ‌face masks during the Covid pandemic.… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:51:50 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/spanish-pms-former-right-hand-man-jailed-for-24-years-for-corruption https://antikors.com/articles/zelenskyy-pledges-to-bring-war-back-to-russia-after-drones-swarm-toward- Russia intercepted 300 Ukrainian drones across the country and temporarily suspended operations from Moscow airport Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy also responded to Starmer setting out his plans to resign as Britain’s PM , telling him he would always be “a welcome guest” in Ukraine for his support to the wartorn… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:40:27 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/zelenskyy-pledges-to-bring-war-back-to-russia-after-drones-swarm-toward- https://antikors.com/articles/two-children-found-dead-in-car-in-france-as-heatwave-hits-europe Number of countries issue alerts with sustained and rising temperatures expected to present danger to health Europe live – latest updates Two children aged four and two have been found dead in their family’s car in south-eastern France, the local prosecutor said, as a large swathe of western Europe suffers a… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:22:05 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/two-children-found-dead-in-car-in-france-as-heatwave-hits-europe https://antikors.com/articles/european-leaders-pay-tribute-to-starmer-as-eu-uk-summit-is-postponed Ursula von der Leyen, Friedrich Merz and Volodymyr Zelenskyy say British PM helped increase security European leaders have paid tribute to Keir Starmer after he announced his resignation as the British prime minister, triggering the postponement of an upcoming EU-UK summit. The European Council president, António… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:07:40 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/european-leaders-pay-tribute-to-starmer-as-eu-uk-summit-is-postponed https://antikors.com/articles/burnham-confirms-starmer-succession-bid-as-he-is-sworn-in-as-mp British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned on June 22, forced out by his own party after missteps and mistakes soured voters’ goodwill following a landslide election in 2024. His likely successor, Andy Burnham, has just been sworn in as an MP and has no official rival to run for party leader. FRANCE 24's Philip… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:37:35 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/burnham-confirms-starmer-succession-bid-as-he-is-sworn-in-as-mp https://antikors.com/articles/will-starmers-successor-keep-working-on-the-uk-brexit-reset Keir Starmer's efforts to rebuild bridges with the EU, after six hostile Conservative PMs, will be one of the defining legacies of his time at Number 10. But what can we expect from his successor? Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:26:49 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/will-starmers-successor-keep-working-on-the-uk-brexit-reset https://antikors.com/articles/eu-uk-summit-postponed-as-keir-starmer-resigns The meeting was meant to take place on July 22 to conclude talks on an agrifood agreement, an emissions trading deal, and a youth mobility scheme. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:13:12 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/eu-uk-summit-postponed-as-keir-starmer-resigns https://antikors.com/articles/iran-and-us-make-progress-on-hormuz-despite-trumps-explosive-threats JD Vance said 18 hours of talks in Switzerland had "laid a very good foundation" after both sides agreed a mechanism to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and maintain Lebanon's ceasefire, even as Trump threatened to hit Iran "only harder". Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:41:22 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/iran-and-us-make-progress-on-hormuz-despite-trumps-explosive-threats https://antikors.com/articles/giant-dragon-and-octopus-kites-fill-danish-skies Thousands gather at Denmark's Fano International Kite Festival as giant dragon, whale and octopus kites fill the skies above the coast. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:31:47 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/giant-dragon-and-octopus-kites-fill-danish-skies https://antikors.com/articles/who-is-abelardo-de-la-espriella-from-controversial-lawyer-to-colombias-p The president-elect created his movement just 11 months ago, mirroring the model that worked in Argentina and El Salvador: patriotic talk, a firm hand against crime, and contempt for traditional politics. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:28:37 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/who-is-abelardo-de-la-espriella-from-controversial-lawyer-to-colombias-p https://antikors.com/articles/europe-under-red-alert-amid-exceptional-early-heatwave It's been less than a month since a May heatwave set records across several European countries. Now the heat is back and temperatures across the continent may raise even higher in coming days. According to the WHO, 200,000 people across the EU have died due to heat since 2022. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:24:09 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/europe-under-red-alert-amid-exceptional-early-heatwave https://antikors.com/articles/french-heatwave-drives-up-demand-for-ac-despite-concerns The second early-season heatwave of the year has brought the return of a politically-charged issue. That of air-conditioning - for decades, France has been notoriously reticent to adopt the technology - currently just 25% of French households have it. That figure is up significantly from just a decade ago, and it's… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:20:27 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/french-heatwave-drives-up-demand-for-ac-despite-concerns https://antikors.com/articles/who-is-andy-burnhams-the-uks-likely-next-prime-minister Britain's prime minister is expected to lay out a timetable for his departure. Keir Starmer has been under pressure to go since last month's dismal election outcome for the Labour Party. The man vying the country's top job is the Mayor of Greater Manchester, who's just secured his return to parliament. But who… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:16:39 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/who-is-andy-burnhams-the-uks-likely-next-prime-minister https://antikors.com/articles/far-right-patriots-group-misspent-270k-in-eu-parliament-funds-in-2024 The amount will be clawed back from a fund the group created in 2025, according to a confidential report seen by POLITICO. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:11:34 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/far-right-patriots-group-misspent-270k-in-eu-parliament-funds-in-2024 https://antikors.com/articles/change-of-uk-pm-likely-a-passing-of-the-crown-while-early-general-electi UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was stepping down as leader of the governing Labour Party but would remain caretaker prime minister until a new head is chosen by the party. His likely successor is Andy Burnham, who won the Makerfield byelection a few days earlier. FRANCE 24's Philip Turle looks at the likely… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:59:33 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/change-of-uk-pm-likely-a-passing-of-the-crown-while-early-general-electi https://antikors.com/articles/crimea-faces-energy-desert-authorities-completely-stop-fuel-sales-and-ca By smashing ferries, fuel depots and key roads feeding Crimea, Kyiv is testing whether it can strangle Russia’s Black Sea stronghold faster than Moscow can rewire its supply network. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:51:19 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/crimea-faces-energy-desert-authorities-completely-stop-fuel-sales-and-ca https://antikors.com/articles/trump-went-too-far-this-time-and-got-a-meloni-tongue-lashing Voters see Donald Trump's personal abuse, even if the politicians pretend not to. Ties to the Trump administration are now politically toxic in Europe. Meloni, whose roots are in the Italian far-right, is fending off a challenge from the even more rightwing National Future party, led by a fire-breathing,… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:29:00 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/trump-went-too-far-this-time-and-got-a-meloni-tongue-lashing https://antikors.com/articles/france-struggles-to-deal-with-new-heatwave-amid-punishing-temperatures The head of the French state-owned railway operator warned incidents could not be ruled out due to the high temperatures. The heatwave is having a strong impact on the rail network and ​can deform tracks and damage overhead electrical lines. This comes as many schools have also been forced to closed down. FRANCE… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:26:06 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/france-struggles-to-deal-with-new-heatwave-amid-punishing-temperatures https://antikors.com/articles/race-starts-to-replace-keir-starmer-as-uk-pm-with-burnham-as-favourite UK is about to get his seventh prime minister since the Brexit vote after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on June 22nd. The favourite is Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester who's win in the Makerfield byelection increased pressure on Starmer. FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali tells us more. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:23:58 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/race-starts-to-replace-keir-starmer-as-uk-pm-with-burnham-as-favourite https://antikors.com/articles/starmer-resignation-result-of-geopolitics-and-shifting-mood-for-flash-an UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned on June 22, paving the way for Britain to have its seventh prime minister in just over a decade. Andy Burnham, who won a special parliamentary election a few days earlier, is the front-runner to replace him as Labour leader. FRANCE 24's Douglas Herbert tells us more about… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:46:50 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/starmer-resignation-result-of-geopolitics-and-shifting-mood-for-flash-an https://antikors.com/articles/belgium-grants-taliban-visas-clearing-way-for-eu-talks-in-brussels-on-af The EU Commission on Monday refused to respond if any of its own delegation would include female staffers in order to conform with male-only events - as per Taliban tradition. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:41:36 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/belgium-grants-taliban-visas-clearing-way-for-eu-talks-in-brussels-on-af https://antikors.com/articles/uk-pm-keir-starmer-announces-resignation UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he would resign, with a new leader to be in place by the time parliament returns in September. With his popularity rating tumbling over his handling of the economy, pressure has been mounting on Starmer for months. It increased sharply on Friday when Andy Burnham, the… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:33:35 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/uk-pm-keir-starmer-announces-resignation https://antikors.com/articles/uk-prime-minister-steps-down-what-to-know UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced he is stepping down as head of the Labour party, after several days of mounting pressure following the election of his rival in a critical election Andy Burnham. He will remain prime minister until his successor is chosen. FRANCE 24's journalists tell us what to know. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:19:52 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/uk-prime-minister-steps-down-what-to-know https://antikors.com/articles/energy-crisis-time-for-the-eus-independence-day The conflict in the Middle East has been a stark reminder that Europe pays a major cost for continuing to depend on imported fossil fuels. Soaring prices are threatening growth and fuelling inflation. Against this backdrop, investments in renewable energy are no longer about meeting climate targets. They are… Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:17:04 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/energy-crisis-time-for-the-eus-independence-day https://antikors.com/articles/listen-can-the-eu-really-close-the-gender-pay-gap As member states scramble to transpose the Pay Transparency Directive, the biggest drivers of women’s lower earnings such as part-time work, motherhood penalties and male-dominated sectors, remain stubbornly untouched. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 06:32:27 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/listen-can-the-eu-really-close-the-gender-pay-gap https://antikors.com/articles/moldova-pushes-eu-membership-talks-as-zelenskypoland-row-clouds-gdask-uk European leaders are set to gather in Gdansk for a summit to discuss the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. But a diplomatic row between president Zelensky and the Polish hosts could derail it. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/moldova-pushes-eu-membership-talks-as-zelenskypoland-row-clouds-gdask-uk https://antikors.com/articles/scorching-heatwave-forces-school-closures-train-cancellations-across-eur More than 800 schools in several parts of France were closed Monday as a record heatwave, which killed three people over the weekend, was set to intensify. Both France and Belgium have announced cuts to their rail services as authorities across Europe issued health alerts in a bid to cope with record temperatures. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 03:01:15 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/scorching-heatwave-forces-school-closures-train-cancellations-across-eur https://antikors.com/articles/russian-troop-build-up-threatens-city-seen-as-key-to-seizing-ukraines-do If Kostyantynivka falls, Russian forces would be able push towards Ukraine's last remaining strongholds in the east. Sun, 21 Jun 2026 23:57:59 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/russian-troop-build-up-threatens-city-seen-as-key-to-seizing-ukraines-do https://antikors.com/articles/the-last-hours-of-keir-starmer Ten years after Britain voted to leave the European Union, the UK could once again be facing a dramatic change in leadership. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure amid growing speculation about his political future, with reports suggesting support within his own party is weakening and talk of a… Sun, 21 Jun 2026 19:36:56 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/the-last-hours-of-keir-starmer https://antikors.com/articles/parisians-cool-off-in-canal-amid-red-alert-heatwave France has issued red heatwave alerts for around half the country as temperatures soar to record levels. Sun, 21 Jun 2026 17:15:56 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/parisians-cool-off-in-canal-amid-red-alert-heatwave https://antikors.com/articles/half-of-france-under-red-heat-alert-as-alcohol-banned-at-street-music-fe Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday, and authorities warn they could match historic highs. Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:22:14 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/half-of-france-under-red-heat-alert-as-alcohol-banned-at-street-music-fe https://antikors.com/articles/fuel-sales-halted-in-occupied-crimea-as-ukraine-targets-oil-facilities Fuel had already been rationed due to shortages caused by Kyiv's attacks against supply routes in Russian-occupied territories. Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:55:05 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/fuel-sales-halted-in-occupied-crimea-as-ukraine-targets-oil-facilities https://antikors.com/articles/zelensky-stripped-of-polands-top-award-amid-diplomatic-spat Ukraine's president has returned a state decoration he received from Poland amid a diplomatic spat. Poland stripped Volodymyr Zelensky of the award after Zelensky renamed a ⁠military unit in honour of the World War Two-era Ukrainian Insurgent Army. The insurgents were involved in massacres which Poland considers a… Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:08:54 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/zelensky-stripped-of-polands-top-award-amid-diplomatic-spat https://antikors.com/articles/russia-pauses-fuel-sales-as-ukrainian-strikes-kill-several-wound-dozens- A massive Ukrainian barrage in Russian-occupied Crimea killed at least four people and wounded dozens, Moscow-backed authorities there said Sunday, adding that fuel sales at Crimean petrol stations were suspended. Ukraine said it targeted military and energy facilities in Crimea – Moscow's key logistics base for… Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:25:21 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/russia-pauses-fuel-sales-as-ukrainian-strikes-kill-several-wound-dozens- https://antikors.com/articles/spain-pms-wife-begoa-gomez-to-stand-trial-for-corruption On Saturday, a Spanish judge ordered Begoña Gomez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to stand trial for corruption. She is accused of using her position as the PM's wife for personal gain by securing work contracts. Gomez is now banned from leaving the country and must report to court twice a month… Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:15:52 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/spain-pms-wife-begoa-gomez-to-stand-trial-for-corruption https://antikors.com/articles/10-years-after-brexit-could-the-uk-rejoin-the-european-union It has been nearly a decade since Brexit and calls for the United Kingdom to rejoin the bloc are growing - particularly amongst progressives. The issue has been further spotlighted amid the current political uncertainty, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's job on the line, facing a leadership challenge from Andy… Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:14:53 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/10-years-after-brexit-could-the-uk-rejoin-the-european-union https://antikors.com/articles/fte-de-la-musique-france-restricts-public-alcohol-consumption-as-heat-wa France restricted public drinking in “red alert” zones on Sunday, including Paris, as Fête de la musique kicked off and as a heat wave unfurled across parts of Europe. Emergency services and military forces were also put on wildfire alert with the government announcing unprecedented measures for Monday when half of… Sun, 21 Jun 2026 08:43:47 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/fte-de-la-musique-france-restricts-public-alcohol-consumption-as-heat-wa https://antikors.com/articles/the-day-i-heard-meps-cry-send-them-back-and-felt-the-ground-move-beneath The triggers I thought were filed away — in my mind, in my chest, in the way I now glance at strangers on the U-Bahn — rose at once. Today I'm going to my work in Germany feeling, for the first time, afraid of people. Sadly. Sun, 21 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/the-day-i-heard-meps-cry-send-them-back-and-felt-the-ground-move-beneath https://antikors.com/articles/zelensky-returns-highest-polish-honour-after-award-stripped Ukraine's president said his country was open to "engagement" about "difficult and painful chapters of our shared past". Sat, 20 Jun 2026 16:34:15 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/zelensky-returns-highest-polish-honour-after-award-stripped https://antikors.com/articles/zelensky-returns-polish-award-as-wwii-row-strains-alliance Ukraine and Poland's close wartime partnership has been shaken by a growing dispute over World War II history, with President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior Ukrainian officials returning Polish state honours after Warsaw stripped him of its highest award. Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:27:09 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/zelensky-returns-polish-award-as-wwii-row-strains-alliance https://antikors.com/articles/europe-swelters-in-gruelling-heatwave-authorities-ramp-up-warnings A severe heatwave is sweeping across much of Europe, prompting emergency meetings in France, nationwide warnings in Germany and strains on tourists and residents ​in Italy. Temperatures climbed to record levels, and are set to hit 40°C (105.0 °F). Details by Shirli Sitbon. Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:45:59 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/europe-swelters-in-gruelling-heatwave-authorities-ramp-up-warnings https://antikors.com/articles/poland-strips-zelensky-of-top-state-honour-over-wwii-dispute Poland has withdrawn its highest state honour from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after Kyiv named an army unit after a nationalist group that massacred Polish civilians during World War II. The decision by President Karol Nawrocki threatens to unleash a serious diplomatic crisis between the two neighbours… Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:44:11 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/poland-strips-zelensky-of-top-state-honour-over-wwii-dispute https://antikors.com/articles/moscow-oil-refinery-attack-brings-russias-war-with-ukraine-closer-to-hom There are moments when life in Moscow feels completely normal - Thursday morning wasn't one of them, writes Steve Rosenberg. Sat, 20 Jun 2026 10:19:34 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/moscow-oil-refinery-attack-brings-russias-war-with-ukraine-closer-to-hom https://antikors.com/articles/mbapps-critique-of-the-far-right-underscores-frances-cultural-divide With hundreds of athletes lining up behind Mbappé’s call to block the National Rally, the battle over France’s next president is spilling from parliament into living rooms and football stadiums. Sat, 20 Jun 2026 07:02:00 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/mbapps-critique-of-the-far-right-underscores-frances-cultural-divide https://antikors.com/articles/19-eu-leaders-back-foreign-deportation-centres-for-rejected-asylum-seeke Return hubs rallied mass support in the EU Parliament, and are now being pushed ahead by most European leaders at the council summit - though not everyone is onboard Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:17:40 GMT https://antikors.com/articles/19-eu-leaders-back-foreign-deportation-centres-for-rejected-asylum-seeke