Europe Live

• OVHcloud and LTM announced a strategic partnership on June 30 in Roubaix, France, to deploy sovereign AI solutions across Europe. • The collaboration combines OVHcloud's position as a European cloud leader with LTM's expertise in business creativity for large enterprises. • This partnership is significant as it aims to provide European businesses with AI capabilities that adhere to regional data sovereignty and security standards.

Authorities are still searching to identify the suspect of an alleged assassination attempt of a Ukrainian business tycoonPolice in Monaco are searching for a suspected bomber after a Ukrainian-born business tycoon, his wife and their child were injured in an unprecedented attack that has shaken the normally ultra-safe principality.Monaco prosecutor said this morning that the investigation was opened into an attempted assassination, after a terrorist attack was ruled out through early inquiries.The Monaco government said a suspect had left a parcel bomb in the lobby of a residential building that exploded shortly before 9pm on Monday, causing what officials described as a “powerful explosion”.French media identified the victims as Vadym Iermolaiev, his wife and their 13-year-old child. Iermolaiev and his wife had been taken to hospital with serious injuries, while their child was also wounded, French authorities said. Continue reading...

• LTM and OVHcloud announced a strategic partnership on June 30 in Roubaix, France, to deploy sovereign AI solutions across Europe. • The collaboration leverages OVHcloud's position as a European cloud leader and LTM's expertise as a business creativity partner for large enterprises. • This partnership matters as it enables the delivery of sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure, ensuring data residency and security within European borders.

• A severe heatwave across Europe has resulted in over 1,300 deaths as of June 30, 2026. • The extreme weather has triggered widespread wildfires across the Balkans and placed the Ukrainian power grid under significant strain. • These events highlight the escalating impact of climate extremes on public health and critical infrastructure in the region.

Germany, Czechia, Poland and Hungary reached record temperatures of more than 40C on Sunday Good morning, or dzień dobry, from Warsaw, Poland as the heatwave that affected much of the continent last week continues to impact central and eastern Europe.It’s 9am local time and already 32C. I have seen two people cycling home with large fans, trying to get back before the heat hits the fan again. None of this is normal. Continue reading...

Forecasters say hottest conditions are now spreading into central and eastern Europe, including Poland and the BalkansThe UK is set to get some respite from this week’s record-breaking heat over the weekend, but much of the rest of Europe remains in the grip of an intense heatwave as it shifts eastwards.Germany provisionally recorded its highest ever temperature yesterday with 41.3C near the city of Saarbrücken close to the French border. Forecasters say the hottest conditions are now spreading into central and eastern Europe, including Poland and the Balkans, over the weekend. Continue reading...

First time red warnings issued in UK for three consecutive days; Paris to ban drinking alcohol in public as hospitals reach ‘saturation point’European heatwave is worst ever and impossible without climate crisis, scientists sayParis to ban drinking alcohol in public as hospitals hit heatwave breaking pointThe UK Met Office has extended a red heat alert into Friday for a large area of south-east England, the first time such warnings have been issued for three days in a row.The red warning is in place until 9pm for London, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire and Kent. Amber heat warnings are in place for a wider area on Friday, and are running into Saturday for parts of east and south-east England. Continue reading...

• A severe heatwave is sweeping across Europe, with the UK recording a new June temperature record of 35.8C in West Sussex, surpassing the previous high set in 1976. • In France, temperatures have reached 40C, prompting authorities to extend a red weather alert to 72 of the country's 96 mainland departments. • The extreme heat is creating hazardous conditions across the continent, impacting livestock and public safety in regions including western Switzerland.

UK June heat record could be broken for the second consecutive dayParis mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said there had been an “increase in mortality” in the capital owing to the heatwave, without giving any figures, AFP reported.He said “pretty much all our indicators are in a critical state”, including calls to emergency medical services, calls to the fire brigade, ER admissions, and deaths, he told local TV. Continue reading...

Temperatures expected to hit 40C in parts of the UK, as extreme heatwave spreads slowly eastwards, sparking warnings in Italy and the NetherlandsFrance records hottest day ever as 40 people drown across countryTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Europe is braced for another day of an unprecedented heatwave that has smashed records in many countries.Italy’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 16 cities for Wednesday, including Milan and Rome, and in the UK, temperatures are expected to reach 40C in some areas. Continue reading...

Analysis, commentary and reaction on the decade since the UK voted to leave the European UnionAs expected, Czech president Petr Pavel has filed a complaint against the government’s decision to exclude him from the Czech delegation for next month’s Nato summit in Ankara.The move comes after the Czech prime minister, Andrej Babiš, said yesterday that the decision to exclude the president was “purely practical,” as he dismissed “an unnecessary” dispute with the president (Europe Live, Monday). Continue reading...

Temperatures could hit 38-40C in parts of England and Wales, smashing June record set in 1976; red alerts in France after 19 heat deathsTwo children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeWith temperatures forecast to reach 38-40C in parts of England and Wales, Britain’s national weather forecaster issued a rare red weather warning covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.These were reserved for the most severe events, the Met Office said, meaning this heatwave was expected to bring “severe and significant impacts” including widespread health risks for many – not just those who were normally more vulnerable to the heat – and even danger to life. Continue reading...

Russia intercepted 300 Ukrainian drones across the country and temporarily suspended operations from Moscow airportNearly 60 Ukrainian drones were intercepted heading for Moscow last night, forcing the capital’s airports to briefly suspend its operations during the attack.In total, Russia reportedly downed just over 300 drones across the country.“The Russians are attacking us every day – and we will strike back every day. Our response will grow stronger with each passing day.” Continue reading...

It follows a similar move at the G7 earlier this week, where leaders calling on Russia to engage with the peace processNot many other leaders showed up to offer doorstep comments this morning – and can you really blame them, after they had just a few hours of sleep?But Ireland’s Micheál Martin popped in to tell reporters that “it’s imperative that we continue to make progress” on this budget.“There’s some distance to go yet before, before we get there [to negotiations], but opening up channels, in my view, given our own experience in conflict resolution, is not something that we would criticise or be negative about.” Continue reading...

The attack forced commercial flights and airports to be suspended for safety reasons Hegseth says that “some of Nato’s largest economies, some of our richest countries, allies that are happiest to go on about the rules-based international order and middle powers banding together still think the era of free riding is here.”He says Trump disagrees.“This is not what any reasonable person would expect, and it’s not going to cut it any more.”“The United States has defended Europe for generations, and the President said all he said was that our jets would need to take off from bases in Europe or our ships from ports to strike targets in the Middle East, Iranian targets that threaten European interests even more directly than they threaten us.But too many of our allies said no, or tried to drown us in arcane legal debates, or criticised us publicly for doing what they aren’t prepared or able to do themselves. It was shameful. Continue reading...

World leaders backed Ukraine’s defence of ‘its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity’Despite some early concerns about Donald Trump’s position, the G7 leaders meeting in France have agreed on a statement declaring their “unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”The statement, published overnight, says:“We commend Ukraine for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and emphasise there is now a new momentum.To support and accelerate this new momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities.“We commit to increase the pressure on the Russian war economy. In this context, we will strengthen our sanctions, including those on the oil and gas sectors. We consider this the right moment to proceed with additional measures, as president Trump has delivered a deal that we support in reopening the strait of Hormuz.” Continue reading...

World leaders will be joined by Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they try to keep Donald Trump on sideSo what we now have is the leaders of Canada, EU, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK waiting for Trump, Macron and Zelenskyy.It sounded as if someone, possibly Meloni, was telling some sort of story that involved the White House, but it’s impossible to make out what it was. Continue reading...

• Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations ever to compete in the World Cup, secured a major shock result by holding European champions Spain to a draw. • Spain struggled throughout the match, with Ferran Torres hitting the crossbar from point-blank range during a "wretched afternoon" for the favorites. • The result highlights a continuing decline for La Roja, who have faced surprise group stage exits and consecutive round-of-16 defeats since their 2010 World Cup victory.

G7 leaders to meet in Évian-les-Bains in France later today to discuss the most pressing issues, including Ukraine, Gaza, and IranKyiv monastery set on fire in night of Russian attacks across UkraineMacron frames Évian G7 agenda in hope Trump will stay for whole summitThe G7 summit host, France’s president Emmanuel Macron, also condemned the attack on the Unesco-listed Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery.In a post on X, he said that “nothing justifies this attack on our universal heritage.”“France stands ready to cooperate with the Ukrainian authorities in charge of heritage. This attack only strengthens our determination to do everything, with our allies and partners, to work toward a ceasefire that Russia continues to obstinately refuse, and then toward peace. We will strive for this at the G7 in Evian.”“the French president has no idea if Trump, a haphazard summit attender, will last the full three days – or disrupt the proceedings every hour he stays.” Continue reading...

• European Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef met with POLITICO in Brussels last week to discuss his perspectives on the upcoming World Cup. • During the conversation, Micallef shared his personal sports predictions and discussed the tradition of collecting Panini stickers. • The exchange provides a rare personal glimpse into the interests of the EU's top sports official outside of his formal policy duties.

• European stock indices remained largely flat or recovered slight losses during the morning session on June 8, 2026. • Market activity was characterized by light changes across major indices, while U.S. futures showed an upward trend. • Investors are reacting to developments regarding a potential ceasefire, though uncertainty remains about the long-term stability of the agreement.

• Sky Sports has achieved its most-watched UK football season on record, fueled by audience growth across the Premier League, Scottish Premiership, and Women’s Super League (WSL). • Premier League viewership specifically increased by 25% year-on-year, marking a significant surge in engagement. • This growth is attributed to an expanded partnership that allowed the broadcaster to deliver a higher volume of live matches than in previous years.

EU president Ursula von der Leyen says bloc will ‘keep increasing the pressure on Russia’ after drone hits apartment block in GalațiA Russian drone launched against Ukraine crashed into an apartment building in Galati in eastern Romania, a Nato country, leaving two people injured.Romania’s president Nicușor Dan has called a meeting of the national security council for this morning to discuss the response, saying he will “order proportionate measures.” Separately, Romania summoned the Russian ambassador.“What happened today in Galați is the direct consequence of Russia’s war of aggression unleashed against Ukraine, the irresponsible and indiscriminate manner in which Moscow operates these weapon systems in the immediate vicinity of Nato borders, as well as the systematic disregard for international law. There is no ambiguity regarding the perpetrator or the cause of this aggression.”“Romania is a Nato member state and will not accept, in any way, the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine to be transferred on to its citizens.”“Russia’s war of aggression has crossed yet another line. A Russian drone incursion struck a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians. On EU territory.” Continue reading...

EU chief diplomat says ‘not much happening’ in talks as she cautions against focus on personalities rather than strategyBut other foreign ministers appear somewhat divided on the concept of appointing a single EU negotiator for Russia.Austria’s Beate Meinl-Reisinge said it was a necessary step as “the EU should not get ready.”“It’s a trap that Russia wants us to walk into, that we discuss who talks to them, and they are already picking who is suitable, who is not. Let’s not walk into that trap. Negotiations are always a team effort. You have good cops, you have bad cops, you have a strategy [on] how you go to the table, so that is why the substance is much more important.”“This is what Russia does. Because it’s not really gaining ground on the battlefield, what they are doing now is really increasing the terrorist attacks, because you can’t really describe it in other ways, creating fear inside the society. It hasn’t worked for four years, and I don’t think that it’s going to work now.” Continue reading...

Search takes place amid intensifying focus on separate allegations of influence peddling as problems worsen for prime minister Pedro SanchezSpanish police entered the ruling Socialist Party’s headquarters in Madrid on a judicial order to gather information on a possible illegal financing scheme, several news Spanish news outlets reported.A spokesperson for the Guardia Civil force told Reuters officers had entered the premises but did not disclose any further details since the proceedings are secret. Continue reading...

US secretary of state appears to downplay warnings from Russian counterpart to move diplomats out of KyivUS secretary of state Marco Rubio said that the war in Ukraine “needs to come to an end,” after his conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.Responding to the strikes on Kyiv over the weekend and repeated warnings about more attacks planned in the coming days, Rubio said:“Look, every time you see these big strikes from one side or the other, it’s a reminder of why this is a terrible war that’s now gone on longer than the second world war, and it needs to come to an end.”“They sent a notice to all the embassies, and I think he was just calling me personally to tell me – they told all the embassies to – Kyiv’s going to be a very dangerous place – Kyiv’s been a very dangerous place now for a number of years.”“Look, the danger in all of these wars as they continue and then they go on is that they always have the threat of escalation, of spreading into something new.” Continue reading...

The military alliance’s chief tried to manage expectations after Donald Trump said he would deploy 5,000 troops to PolandPoland’s Radosław Sikorski showed up beaming after last night’s US announcement on the deployment of 5,000 US troops to Poland.He thanks Trump for the decision, saying it means the presence of US troops in Poland “will be maintained more or less at previous levels,” after the Pentagon halted a planned rotation of 4,000 troops. Continue reading...

European state officials are meeting in Prague to discuss the state of the transatlantic alliance at a global security conferenceThe Globsec Forum in Prague is now under way.Czechia’s Pavel is on stage for his opening address. Continue reading...