Author: staff
In public, leaders lined up to defend him. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the Russia contact was “understandable,” while Belgium’s Bart De Wever dismissed it as “completely normal” ― even joking to Costa in front of the cameras that the EU should send him personally to Moscow. But behind the scenes the discontent was palpable, according to nine diplomats working for nine separate national leaders at the summit. They spoke to POLITICO on the basis of anonymity due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the issue. “Costa pulled a Michel,” was perhaps the most damning assessment from one…
As negotiations aimed at finalising a peace deal went on behind closed doors between the US and Iran in Switzerland, each side issued public threats towards the other as key sticking points risk derailing efforts to end the war. The peace talks look to end a war that has sowed severe instability across the Middle East rattled the global economy, and are meant to trigger a 60-day period to settle issues that have plagued US-Iran relations for decades. However, just as the talks kicked off, US President Donald Trump threatened to renew strikes on Iran if it did not stop…
Spain eased past Saudi Arabia in a 4-0 thrashing as they recorded their first win of this year’s World Cup at the second time of asking. 18-year-old Spain star Lamine Yamal scored his goal within 10 minutes as he slid in at the far post to send home a low cross from Mikel Oyarzabal. Oyarzabal then turned scorer as he grabbed a brace within the game’s first 25 minutes, with the contest quickly slipping out of Saudi Arabia’s reach. In a sign of how the match was effectively over by half time, Spain coach de la Fuente substituted both scorers…
The US director and television creator James Burrows, who worked on several beloved TV comedies such as “Friends”, “Cheers” and “Taxi”, has died aged 85. “We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family,” his family said in a statement. The time and place of Burrows’ death were not disclosed. Burrows won 11 Emmy awards for excellence in television and helmed more than 1,000 episodes of hit programmes, working as a director, producer and writer. He was among the early innovators of the multi-camera sitcom – whic…
Published on 21/06/2026 – 18:29 GMT+2 Matosinhos entered the Guinness Book of Records last weekend, after a choreographed display involving 3,097 drones flying simultaneously, which lit up the skies over Greater Porto and drew thousands of people to Titan beach in Matosinhos. The performance took place on the night of 19 June, at the opening of Air Invictus, a festival which over three days featured various aerial displays in the skies over Porto, Gaia and Matosinhos, including F-16, KC-390 and A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from the Portuguese Air Force. The event also included exhibitions and several workshops. The Spanish company,…
Updated: 21/06/2026 – 18:00 GMT+2 Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this June 21st, 2026 – latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. … More
U.S. vice president said Washington hopes to make progress on both the Lebanon ceasefire and Iran’s nuclear program, while Tehran’s threat to close a key oil chokepoint tests Trump’s fragile deal. 6 HRS ago 2 mins read
Published on 21/06/2026 – 16:09 GMT+2 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is weighing up the current “political realities” amid reports that he is set to step down next week, the UK’s business secretary has said. Speaking with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Peter Kyle said Starmer was “taking the time to think through what the political realities are today compared to last week”. “We will find a way for this to be, whatever unfolds, a functional process,” Kyle added. The Observer reported on Saturday that Starmer is expected to announce his resignation on Monday while laying out a timetable…
The US-Israel attack on Iran has seen travel to the Middle East plummet, with early estimates putting the cost to the tourism sector at €515 million a day. While the ceasefire in April saw some tourists return to the region, and we expect the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US this week will also have an impact, there is still one major barrier to travel: Insurance. Foreign offices across the globe issue travel advisories based on things like civil unrest, war and terrorism, and travelling to a country against this advice can invalidate your travel…
French authorities are restricting public drinking in parts of Paris as a severe heatwave in parts of Europe collides with one of the country’s biggest street-party nights. A police order issued ahead of the Fête de la Musique bans the consumption of stronger alcoholic drinks from 8 a.m. Sunday along stretches of the popular Canal Saint-Martin, including parts of Quai de Valmy and Quai de Jemmapes. From 1 p.m., takeaway sales of the same categories of alcohol are also banned in the area, though licensed restaurants and bars are exempt. The order goes further along the Seine, where authorities banned…