UN calls for 52-day pause in global wars ahead of Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
UN truce resolutions typically pass with broad majorities and received all 193 votes for the London Games in 2012. Yet signatories have repeatedly broken their own promises. Read More
Who decides who belongs in Europe? The migration debate returns
In this week’s episode of The Ring, MEPs Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D) and Tomas Tobé (EPP) engage in a deep debate over how Europe should manage migration – from applying…
Ukraine will only hold elections after security guarantees and ceasefire in place, Zelenskyy says
Under Ukraine’s constitution, holding national elections while the country is under martial law is illegal. That was declared on 24 February 2022, the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Read…
Japanese swordsmith sees renewed interest in centuries-old katana craft
A traditional swordsmith in Japan says growing pop culture interest is bringing new, younger audiences to the centuries-old art of katana making. Read more at Read More
Nine killed as Cyclone Gezani batters Madagascar
Tropical Cyclone Gezani collapsed houses in Madagascar’s main port city and left at least 31 people dead as it crossed the Indian Ocean island with high winds and rain, authorities…
NATO rejects claim ‘Arctic Sentry’ is a rebrand to appease Trump
A NATO military officer argued that Arctic Sentry shows the alliance is “trying to get ahead” of threats in the region. Read More
EU approves €38bn in first defence investments under €150bn SAFE scheme
Three member states that have asked for funding under SAFE have yet to have their national plans greenlit by the European Commission, the first of two required steps. Read More
Paris court sets 7 July for ruling in far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s EU funds graft appeal case
In March 2025, a Paris court ruled that Le Pen was at the heart of “a fraudulent system” that her party used to siphon off European Parliament funds worth €2.9…
Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers reported in Danish waters almost daily in 2025, Denmark says
Sailing from the Gulf of Finland and through the Baltic Sea, the ageing and poorly-maintained tankers mainly transport crude oil as well as refined products such as gasoline and diesel.…
Beyond Rosalía and Bad Bunny: Spanish-language music is breaking its own boundaries
A whole generation of artists and listeners seems to have given impetus to a new wave of music in the world’s second most sung language. The question of identity and…