Europe
Ukraine: Biden, China not to attend peace summit
Joe Biden will not be at the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland on 15 and 16 June; instead, vice-president Kamala Harris and national security advisor Jake Sullivan will attend. The decision comes despite…
Fake news ahead of EU elections
Ahead of the EU and UK elections, false claims about immigration are spreading, particularly on social media. One Facebook post says that nearly 97% of Spain’s minimum basic income recipients are immigrants. In…
Ukraine: Sweden and other EU countries pledge further military support
The Swedish government has announced a $1.23bn military aid package to Ukraine, including air defence systems, artillery ammunition, armoured vehicles, and two Swedish-made early-warning planes. This aid is crucial as Ukraine faces delays…
Green MEPs threaten to oppose von der Leyen’s bid for re-election
Green members of the European Parliament will oppose Ursula von der Leyen's bid for a second term as president of the European Commission if she aligns with hard-right nationalists, according to Terry Reintke,…
Ukraine winning its other battle - against corruption
Since gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has struggled with endemic corruption, a battle seen as crucial for its war against Russia. Transparency International now ranks it 104th out of 180 countries, its highest…
Three European countries recognise Palestine
The leaders of Norway, Ireland, and Spain have announced that their countries will recognise Palestine as a state on 28 May to promote peace in the Middle East, Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr…
Slovakia PM in stable but serious condition after shooting
Prime Minister Robert Fico is in a stable but serious condition after being shot multiple times on Wednesday. Fico, 59, underwent five hours of surgery at a hospital in Banska Bystrica. The hospital…
Ukraine: Russia and China issue nuclear war warning
Vladimir Putin is in China for crucial talks with President Xi Jinping, shortly after Russia launched a fresh incursion into Ukraine's Kharkiv region. Putin was received with full military honours, and Xi emphasised…
Ukraine: assassination plot foiled, massive Russian attack on energy structures
According to Ukrainian intelligence, a Russian assassination plot against Volodymyr Zelensky has been thwarted and two men arrested. They supposedly intended to kidnap and kill the president and other top officials as a…
North Macedonia: crucial election votes
On 8 May, North Macedonia held parliamentary and presidential elections. If Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, from the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party, wins the presidential election, that could complicate EU accession talks. These talks have been delayed,…
