The United Nations is expanding efforts to contain Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, facing major obstacles from insecurity and misinformation that hamper response measures in affected communities.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has been placed on a lung transplant waiting list as her pulmonary fibrosis condition has worsened, the royal palace has confirmed.
Bernadette Chirac, France’s formidable former first lady who served alongside President Jacques Chirac from 1995 to 2007, has died at age 93, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and independent political influence.
A man has died following a shark attack while spearfishing with family members near Michaelmas Island off Western Australia’s coast, local police have confirmed.
Nineteen-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva secured her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, defeating Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 in Saturday’s final to become the first teenager to win at Roland Garros since 2020.
The European Union faces mounting criticism over alleged double standards in its policy approach to the Palestinian cause, with observers questioning the consistency of its application of human rights principles and international law.
The European Commission is set to tighten Schengen visa access for Russian nationals following formal protests from eleven EU member states, marking a significant shift in European visa policy amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
With Hungary’s new pro-EU prime minister Peter Magyar having replaced Viktor Orban, Brussels is eyeing the 23-24 June European Council to open the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine and Moldova. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has signalled a June opening under the Cyprus presidency, while Kyiv pushes for all six clusters at once.
On 27 May 2026 a clear timeline emerged for Ukraine’s EU accession: the European Commission is set to propose on 16 June the opening of the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine and Moldova. President Zelenskyy directly rebuffed Friedrich Merz’s earlier proposal for an ‘associate’ membership status, insisting on a full path to accession.
On 20 May 2026, the Council Presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on two regulations implementing the EU-US Joint Statement of August 2025, fixing a 15% tariff ceiling on EU exports to the US with a sunset clause through 2029. The deal also includes a robust safeguard mechanism on steel and aluminium.
