Top story per country this week, ranked by coverage volume. Select a story to visit the full country summary, or a region name to visit the region overview.
Central-Eastern Europe
Europe’s week of ambition rested on shaky domestic ground.
Romania
Social Democrats schedule April 20 vote to withdraw support from Prime Minister Bolojan, triggering political crisis
Ukraine
President’s European tour and Ramstein meeting secure more than $5 billion in defence pledges: $4 billion for air defence, $1.5 billion for drones, including 120,000 from the UK
Czech Republic
NATO secretary general visits Prague, presses prime minister on defence spending; government excludes president from Ankara summit delegation
Hungary
Tisza wins supermajority: final count confirms 141 seats and 53% of votes
Poland
Zondacrypto scandal dominates parliament: prime minister alleges Russian mafia ties, president’s crypto veto upheld for second time
Nordic-Baltic
The Nordic-Baltic posture has outrun the politics meant to sustain it.
Sweden
Wallenberg family leads €1.4 billion rescue of crisis-stricken green steel startup Stegra
Norway
Norway warns of fuel shortage risk linked to Hormuz closure; Progress Party leader calls government response ‘absurd’
Finland
Hungarian prime minister defeated in election; Finnish leaders welcome result as turning point for EU
Latvia
Parliament approves €30 million airBaltic loan after coalition nearly collapses
Estonia
Defence minister declares confidence in US commitment during Vilnius visit, warns Europe is not ready to face Russia alone
Lithuania
Skvernelis bribery indictment triggers coalition crisis and cross-party reaction
Western Europe
Europe rallied 50 nations to the Strait of Hormuz while its own governments buckled at home.
United Kingdom
Mandelson security vetting scandal threatens prime minister’s leadership
France
UNIFIL soldier killed in Lebanon ambush; President blames Hezbollah and summons Lebanese prime minister
Spain
Andalucía election campaign opens with rival rallies; polls show People’s Party near majority and Socialists at record lows
Italy
US President and prime minister fall out over Pope Leo XIV’s defence and Sigonella base refusal
Germany
Chancellor hosts Brazilian president at Hannover Messe; talks cover bilateral ties and Mercosur deal
Asia-Pacific
The Indo-Pacific’s new hardware is arriving faster than the political coalitions to back it.
Japan
Japan deployed offensive missiles overseas and put Article 9 revision on the 2026 ballot in the same week it drew 36,000 protesters to the Diet.
Taiwan
TSMC posts record first-quarter profit of 58%, raises guidance and expands 3nm capacity globally
Australia
Fuel crisis deepens: prime minister pursues South-East Asia energy diplomacy as Geelong refinery fire and Hormuz closure compound pressure; US President draws criticism
Indonesia
Golkar regional chairman stabbed and killed at airport ahead of party congress
South Korea
President begins six-day state visit to India and Vietnam; first South Korea-India summit in eight years
Near East and South Asia
Iran walked out of Islamabad, taking Washington’s “sole mediator” label with it.
Pakistan
Pakistan hosts US-Iran talks as chief of defence forces leads Tehran mission and prime minister tours Gulf states and Turkey
India
Women’s Reservation and Delimitation Bills fail in parliament; prime minister addresses nation, blames opposition for ‘female foeticide’
Turkey
Istanbul mayor’s trial continues as police raid more Republican People’s Party-run municipalities
Saudi Arabia
Public Investment Fund reportedly ending LIV Golf funding and selling Al Hilal stake amid broader sports disinvestment
United Arab Emirates
Iran-US war and Strait of Hormuz blockade: ceasefire talks continue as shipping disruption widens
The Americas
The Western Hemisphere’s old alignments are visibly coming unstuck.
Canada
Prime minister secures Liberal majority through by-election sweep and floor crossings
Mexico
President attends Barcelona Democracy Summit, mends ties with Spain, and champions Cuba solidarity
Chile
President unveils 40-measure ‘National Reconstruction’ economic package in first nationwide address, sparking political debate
Brazil
Ramagem, former intelligence chief convicted of coup involvement, arrested by US immigration authorities then released