Can Europe continue to sustain one of the world's most ambitious social models while falling increasingly behind its major economic competitors? For Pascal Lamy, former European Commissioner for Trade and former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, this question lies at the heart of the continent's mounting economic and political tensions.

Facing US sanctions, the International Criminal Court was on Thursday awarded the European Union's top rights prize, in a show of support that risks upsetting President Donald Trump. "The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, and this prize recognises the important work of the court in upholding international law and justice," said European Parliament chief Roberta Metsola in announcing the award. The ICC thanked the European Parliament for giving it the Sakharov Prize "at a time when the Court and its officials face unprecedented challenges". FRANCE 24's International Affairs Commentator Douglas Herbert has more.

Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine show there has been “no real change” in Moscow’s attitude towards the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday. The deadly strikes came just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin told US envoy Steve Witkoff his country was ready to resume trilateral talks with Washington and Kyiv.

In Paris, shopkeepers fear further losses ahead of a demonstration planned for next Saturday. After last weekend’s protests saw scenes of vandalism, some are considering closing their shops, while others plan to stay open.

Ukraine and Russia exchanged drone and missile strikes on Thursday, killing seven people in Ukraine, according to authorities. Moscow said it had intercepted 630 Ukrainian drones targeting the Russian capital. The strikes came hours after US envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Witkoff said Moscow was ready to resume trilateral talks with Kyiv and Washington.

The French "interfac" student movement organised new protests on Thursday, even though it is currently the school holidays in France. Student representatives are set to meet soon with Education Minister Edouard Geffray. Details by FRANCE 24's Ellen Gainsford.

Italian truck drivers have been blocking refineries and key roads to protest against soaring diesel prices. Italy’s government has warned truckers blocking roads could face criminal penalties, as authorities move to clear demonstrations. Details by FRANCE 24's correspondent in Rome, Seema Gupta.

A US envoy met Putin in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday after the Kremlin agreed to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States. Details by FRANCE 24's correspondent Gulliver Cragg.

The International Criminal Court, which US President Donald Trump's administration has threatened to dismantle "brick by brick", has been awarded the European Union's Sakharov human rights prize.

Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent in Europe for The New York Times, based in Berlin. Europe's political centre is confronting a crisis that extends far beyond electoral volatility. From France and Germany to Italy and Spain, mounting economic frustration, generational inequality and declining confidence in established political leadership are reshaping the continent's democratic landscape. "The promises of more economic growth haven't come true," explains Erlanger, describing a continent marked by "a kind of general disgust" and "a sense of drift." 

Youth-driven protests have been popping up all over Europe: in Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Albania, Serbia and Greece. The spark here in France was deteriorating conditions in high schools and universities, particularly for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Meanwhile, wages aren't keeping up with inflation. The housing crisis is front and centre in places like Spain and Portugal, while corruption and democratic backsliding have sparked uproar in Albania and Serbia.

In Pavlohrad, a Ukrainian city less than 90km from the front line with Russia, there is no respite from war. Residents describe daily life under bombardment, caught between exhaustion and determination. Amid criticism of Trump, TikTok rumours and strikes against civilians, FRANCE 24 gathered accounts from those who “refuse to yield”.

Local prefects on Thursday banned all protests in France’s second- and third-largest cities Marseille and Lyon for Saturday in an attempt to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s violence and looting on the margins of demonstrations over the cost of living and education funding. Read our liveblog to see how the day's events unfolded.

Russia and Ukraine traded major drone and missile strikes on each other's capitals overnight, hours after Moscow signalled readiness to resume US-mediated peace talks. President Donald Trump said negotiations were closer than ever to ending the war, though the Kremlin expressed doubts over Ukrainian and European proposals.

Irish lawmakers voted Wednesday to scrap a requirement for UN approval before deploying military peacekeepers overseas, approving the controversial legislation by 79 votes to 71. Opposition lawmakers warned the move threatened Ireland’s longstanding military neutrality. Ireland is not a NATO member but has traditionally participated in international peacekeeping missions.

Pope Leo XIV, 71, will require no further treatment for lung cancer after tests confirmed the disease was localised, the Vatican said Wednesday. The pontiff underwent surgery last week to remove part of his right lung after being diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. He was discharged Saturday and will gradually resume activities.