Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has rejected a Russian demand to hold an immediate referendum on leaving the Eurasian Economic Union in favor of closer ties with the European Union. The request, made amid rising tensions with Moscow, comes as Russia increases political and economic pressure on Armenia ahead of upcoming elections. Pashinyan said any such referendum would be premature, stressing that Armenia will remain … Continue reading Armenian PM rejects Russia’s demand for EU referendum as relations nosedive

Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors are investigating changes to the protected status of the Vjosa-Narta coastal wetland amid plans for a large luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner’s firm, Affinity Partners. The area, home to sensitive wildlife, has faced growing environmental opposition as authorities consider development plans reportedly including thousands of hotel rooms and villas. Prime Minister Edi Rama has confirmed ongoing talks with Kushner, saying … Continue reading Jared Kushner’s overseas luxury resort project faces anti-corruption investigation

Denmark’s Social Democratic leader Mette Frederiksen has agreed to form a new centre-left minority coalition government, securing a third term as prime minister after months of negotiations. The deal follows a fragmented March election in which 12 parties entered parliament and her party lost its majority but remained the largest. The new coalition includes the Social Liberals, Left Greens, and Moderates, and relies on outside … Continue reading Denmark’s Frederiksen secures third term as prime minister

Colombia’s presidential election has advanced to a runoff between hard-right outsider Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist senator Iván Cepeda after a close first round. De la Espriella led with about 43.7% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Cepeda’s roughly 40.9%, defying pre-election polls that favored Cepeda. Both candidates represent sharply different visions, with De la Espriella campaigning on tough “law and order” policies and … Continue reading Celebration, shock and scepticism follow Colombia’s presidential election

US President Donald Trump said that peace talks between Washington and Tehran are continuing at a “rapid pace,” even as tensions remain high. He made the statement on Truth Social after earlier remarks suggesting the negotiations were dragging on and becoming “very boring.” The two sides are working on a framework agreement to extend a ceasefire that has been in place since April 8 and … Continue reading Trump says talks with Iran continue ‘at a rapid pace’

Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced plans to amend the constitution to remove President Tamás Sulyok after he refused to resign. Magyar, who won a landslide election and now holds a two-thirds parliamentary majority, accuses Sulyok of serving the interests of former leader Viktor Orbán. Sulyok, appointed in 2024 and backed by Orbán’s party, insists he will serve his full term and says … Continue reading Hungarian PM threatens to oust Orbán-era president

Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, say they will force repeated votes this week to challenge a Trump-backed “weaponization” legal relief fund. The fund, created through a settlement involving a dropped lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, is intended to compensate people the administration describes as victims of political “lawfare,” but critics call it a potential “slush fund.” Democrats argue it could include payouts to controversial figures, … Continue reading Schumer says Democrats will force Senate votes to block Trump’s DOJ ‘lawfare’ fund

United States Congress returns from recess this week to address unfinished legislative business, including a stalled GOP funding package for immigration enforcement agencies. Republicans previously scrapped the plan after internal divisions erupted over a controversial $1.776 billion Justice Department “anti-weaponization” fund tied to claims of legal system abuse. The proposal has split Republicans, drawn strong Democratic opposition, and sparked concerns about who could receive payouts, including … Continue reading Congress returns with GOP agenda stalled over DOJ’s “anti-weaponization” fund