King Willem-Alexander swore in a new minority coalition government on Monday, appointing Rob Jetten as prime minister. Jetten, of the pro-EU D66 party, is the youngest-ever and first openly gay prime minister in the Netherlands. His coalition includes the center-right Christian Democrats and right-wing VVD, but holds only 66 of 150 lower house seats and lacks a Senate majority, requiring opposition support for legislation. Jetten, first elected to parliament in 2017, previously served as … Continue reading Rob Jetten sworn in as youngest-ever Dutch prime minister

Friedrich Merz is making his first official visit to China amid growing economic competition and a widening trade deficit between the two countries. During the two-day trip, Merz will meet top Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and visit key industrial sites such as a Mercedes-Benz facility and Hangzhou’s tech hub. He is expected to raise concerns over China’s backing of Russia in the Ukraine war and pressing German demands for more open markets and … Continue reading Trade, Ukraine and new world order are top concerns on German leader’s visit to China

Hungary has vetoed a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine, drawing sharp criticism from fellow member states who say the move breaches the bloc’s principle of sincere cooperation. The decision by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán comes amid a dispute over oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, which Budapest claims Ukraine has halted for political reasons. EU leaders including Kaja Kallas and António Costa warned that agreements reached unanimously by the 27 member states … Continue reading EU accuses Hungary of disloyalty for vetoing €90 billion loan to Ukraine

Kim Yo Jong has been promoted to full department director within the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea during a rare party congress in Pyongyang, according to state media. The once-in-five-years gathering brings together thousands of party elites to set national policy on issues ranging from diplomacy to military planning. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, is considered one of his closest advisers and most influential figures … Continue reading Kim Jon-Un’s sister promoted in rare North Korea party congress

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting St. Kitts and Nevis this week to reaffirm American interests in the Western Hemisphere at a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit. The one-day trip comes amid global attention on U.S. military activity in the Middle East and recent actions in Latin America, including the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Rubio aims to discuss regional security, trade, economic growth, and cooperation with Caribbean … Continue reading Rubio heads to Caribbean to reassert US interests after Venezuela strikes

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court will begin presenting evidence against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for his alleged role in killings linked to his war on drugs. Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity for crackdowns carried out during his time as Davao mayor and as president. The hearing, which Duterte waived, allows prosecutors to outline their case; judges will have 60 days to decide whether to confirm the … Continue reading ICC to hold hearing on charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

A federal three-judge panel declined to block Utah’s new congressional map, ruling that Republicans were unlikely to succeed in their challenge and that it was too close to the election to make changes. The court-ordered map places most of Salt Lake City in a single district, increasing Democrats’ chances of gaining a House seat. Republican lawmakers had argued the state judge violated the United States Constitution after the map replaced … Continue reading Federal court clears way for Utah’s new congressional map to take effect

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Sunday that he and Sen. John Fetterman have a “constructive relationship,” but once again declined to say if he would support Fetterman if he runs for reelection. Shapiro dismissed reports of a feud between them, calling claims that they do not speak “not true” and accusing journalists of exaggerating drama. The two Democrats have had a rocky history, including … Continue reading Shapiro declines again to say if he’d back Fetterman for reelection

Uproar erupted after U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in an interview that it “would be fine” if Israel took all of the Middle East, citing biblical claims. The U.S. Embassy said his remarks were taken out of context and that policy toward Israel has not changed. A joint statement from over a dozen Arab and Muslim countries called Huckabee’s comments “dangerous and inflammatory,” … Continue reading US says ambassador’s comments on Israel and the Middle East were taken out of context

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he plans to raise a global tariff to 15%, up from the 10% he proposed after the Supreme Court struck down his broad import taxes. The court had ruled 6-3 that it is unconstitutional for the president to set tariffs unilaterally, as the power to tax belongs to Congress. Trump said he will now use other legal authorities, including … Continue reading Trump says he’ll raise tariffs to 15 percent after Supreme Court ruling

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for the immediate deployment of noncombat Western troops to Ukraine to demonstrate commitment to the country’s independence ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Johnson suggested sending forces to peaceful regions in non-fighting roles, rather than waiting for a ceasefire, arguing that Russia should not dictate terms. He criticized the West for earlier failures, including the lack … Continue reading Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls on allies to send noncombat troops to Ukraine

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been re-elected as secretary-general of the Workers’ Party, extending his 15-year rule over the country’s sole governing party. The election took place on the fourth day of the five-yearly party congress, during which Central Committee members were also chosen and some party rules were modified. Kim, who has been supreme leader since 2011, reviewed the past five years … Continue reading North Korea’s Kim Jong Un re-elected as chief of Workers’ Party