European leaders

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly contradicted Donald Trump's statements about Gaza, rejecting the US president's characterization of the situation there. The exchange between the two leaders has drawn wide attention, coming amid ongoing international debate over the war and reconstruction plans for the Palestinian territory.

Pope Leo concluded his trip to France with a message aimed squarely at European leaders, urging the continent to resist the 'desire for domination' he says is driving today's wars. The appeal came as the closing note of his visit, framing Europe's role as one of restraint and peace-making at a time of ongoing conflict.

The Smithsonian is highlighting Indian Peace Medals, the engraved medallions handed out by European colonial powers and later the United States government to Native American leaders as tokens of alliance and diplomacy. The feature examines what these objects meant as symbols of diplomatic relations, and how their legacy reflects the complex and often broken promises made to Indigenous nations.

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, alongside Martins Seguro of Portugal, are set to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The two heads of state will deliver speeches to assembled parliamentarians in Strasbourg, an honour reserved for prominent European leaders on matters of shared concern.

The 2026 Environmental Performance Index ranking of countries with the safest drinking water places Finland and the Netherlands joint first with perfect scores of 100, followed by the United Kingdom at 99.1 and Switzerland at 98.23. Italy, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden and Luxembourg round out the top ten, with Malta also among the leaders. The list has drawn wide attention, particularly among European audiences, as most of the highest-ranked countries are in Europe.

David Sassoli, the Italian politician who served as President of the European Parliament until his death in January 2022, is again among the most searched topics in Italy. Renewed attention comes as Italian politicians, including PD leader Elly Schlein, call for a leap forward in European integration by abandoning unanimity rules, reviving discussion of Sassoli's pro-European legacy.

Ukraine is urging EU leaders in Brussels to provide immediate support after a new wave of Russian drone attacks struck Kyiv. The attacks have renewed debate across Germany about air defense, with discussions focusing on how quickly European partners can deliver additional anti-drone systems and air defense capabilities to protect Ukrainian cities.

Euronews is hosting its Travel & Tourism Summit live, where a speaker described a European country as having once been 'the North Korea of Europe' — a reference to a period of isolation from mass tourism. The remark is drawing attention as industry figures debate how formerly closed destinations have reopened and transformed their tourism sectors.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the leaders of the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Finland are threatening to block the EU's next seven-year budget unless spending is cut by 'hundreds of billions of euros.' The six leaders want resources redirected toward defence and innovation, setting up a clash with the European Commission and member states that rely on cohesion and agricultural funds ahead of budget negotiations.