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
The winners took the votes; the people they beat kept the institutions.
Hungary
Péter Magyar sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister, ending Orbán’s 16-year rule
Ukraine
US President-brokered three-day Victory Day ceasefire collapses as both sides trade blame for violations
Romania
Social Democrats and far-right Alliance for Romania’s Unity topple Bolojan’s pro-EU government, 281 to 4
Czech Republic
President and Prime Minister clash over NATO Ankara summit delegation, triggering constitutional confrontation
Poland
Poland signs EU Security Action for Europe defence loan despite the President’s veto, sparking political battle
Nordic-Baltic
The region’s security build-up rests on political coalitions and public finances that are visibly cracking.
Latvia
Ukrainian drones hit Rēzekne oil depot, forcing Defence Minister’s resignation and coalition crisis
Sweden
Riksbank holds rate at 1.75% for fifth consecutive meeting amid Middle East uncertainty
Norway
Norges Bank raises key rate to 4.25%, first hike since 2023, triggering political backlash
Lithuania
Russian drone incursion into Latvia triggers Baltic NATO air-defence alarm, Lithuania scrambles jets
Finland
Finance Minister attacks Social Democrats, unveils new party logo and hardens immigration line at Finns Party rally
Estonia
Estonian Defence Forces begin Kevadtorm 2026 exercise with 12,000 troops
Western Europe
Europe is most decisive abroad at the moment it is most fragile at home.
United Kingdom
Labour’s local election losses trigger calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation
Spain
Hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius evacuated at Tenerife amid political and intergovernmental tensions
Italy
US Secretary of State visits Rome amid deepening rift over Iran, Hormuz and troop withdrawal threat
France
Mélenchon announces fourth presidential candidacy, setting out NATO exit and China-Taiwan positions
Germany
Bundeswehr announces conscription assessment centres as reform implementation begins; 28% of young men ignore questionnaire
Asia-Pacific
The Hormuz closure revealed what years of Chinese pressure never could: America’s Pacific allies have no shared plan for an energy war.
Australia
Reserve Bank of Australia raises cash rate for a third straight time to 4.35%, signals pause as inflation forecasts rise
South Korea
Appeals court reduces former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s insurrection sentence to 15 years
Japan
G7 trade ministers condemn ‘economic coercion,’ discuss permanent critical minerals secretariat ahead of Évian summit
Indonesia
President visits Gorontalo fishing village and Miangas border island after ASEAN Summit
Taiwan
Opposition-controlled legislature passes NT$780 billion defence bill, cutting the President’s request by 38%; US expresses concern
Near East and South Asia
Every government in the region is now building around what America will not defend.
Pakistan
Pakistan marks first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq nationwide; Chief of Defence Forces warns of consequences as Prime Minister declares national day
India
Bharatiya Janata Party wins West Bengal for the first time; Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as first BJP chief minister
United Arab Emirates
Iran launches sustained drone and missile campaign against UAE; air defences intercept hundreds of projectiles
Saudi Arabia
Aramco reports record 25% first-quarter profit rise as East-West pipeline runs at full capacity amid Hormuz disruption
Turkey
Presidential decree replaces heads of central bank, statistics institute and capital markets board simultaneously
The Americas
Across the Americas, governments are staging authority rather than exercising it, and their opponents are already in the gap.
Mexico
Banxico cuts benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 6.50%, signalling end of two-year easing cycle
Brazil
Congress passes sentencing reduction law for January 8 convicts; Supreme Federal Court immediately suspends it
Chile
Opposition threatens ‘tsunami’ of amendments to the President’s flagship reconstruction law as legislative battle escalates
Canada
Poilievre defends leadership at Canada Strong and Free Network conference amid Conservative turmoil