Probe opened into Latvian MEP accused of spying for Russia – POLITICO

“Leaked emails between Ždanoka and her two known Russian case officers include explicit, detailed reports from Ždanoka to her handlers describing her work as a European legislator, particularly as those official duties relate to fostering pro-Kremlin sentiment in her native Baltic region,” according to the report. The Latvian security service VDD also said it will … Read more

Ukraine claims strike on another oil refinery in Russia – POLITICO

“The vacuum installation on the territory of the refinery is on fire. According to available information, there are no victims,” Sergey Boyko, head of Tuapse municipality, said in a statement early Thursday.  Five hours later, the fire that spread over 200 square meters was extinguished, he said. “The SBU strikes deep into Russia and continues … Read more

UN chief denounces Israel for ‘utterly unacceptable’ killings as Gaza death toll soars – POLITICO

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the “heart-breaking” and “utterly unacceptable” killings of Palestinian civilians in Gaza on Sunday, as the number of deaths from Israeli strikes in the enclave surpassed 25,000. “Israel’s military operations have spread massive destruction and killed civilians on a scale unprecedented during my time as secretary-general,” Guterres said at the … Read more

The NHS is facing the longest strike in its history. Here’s why – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. LONDON — It might be a new year, but England’s cherished public health service is facing the same old problems. And its legions of striking junior doctors are just getting started. From January 3, junior doctors working for the National Health Service in England will … Read more

Party vote provides slight relief for Germany’s troubled coalition – POLITICO

BERLIN — The rulers of Germany’s fractious three-party coalition government can breathe a small sigh of relief. In an internal party referendum, some 52 percent of members of the fiscally conservative Free Democratic Party (FDP) supported remaining in the ruling coalition, relieving some of the pressure on the FDP’s leadership to withdraw from the alliance … Read more

Top 10 behind-the-paywall stories of 2023 – POLITICO

It’s been a busy year in EU policy land as lawmakers, leaders and officials raced to tie up loose ends before the European Parliament election next June, with some efforts more successful than others. The EU’s green ambitions became the center of a right-wing backlash as the real-life impact of proposed reforms started to bite. … Read more

POLITICO Europe’s most-read stories of 2023 – POLITICO

Well, here we are folks, at the end of another turbulent year. When we put this list together at the end of 2022, its contents largely covered something many of us thought we would not see again in our lifetime: a major war in Europe. Now, we are grappling with two wars in our immediate … Read more

EU failed to tackle corruption in Parliament, MEPs say – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. BRUSSELS — One year into the biggest corruption scandal ever to hit the European Parliament and the Qatargate questions keep coming.  Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday spent an hour discussing the cash-for-influence allegations during a debate in Strasbourg, with many suggesting they’re … Read more