The European Union (EU) and its Member States have taken on a central role in supporting mid- and low-income countries as they address the challenge of climate change mitigation by, for example, facilitating technical and financial support for large-scale renewable energy projects as well as new (critical) raw material supply chains. In recent years, the EU has put in place various strategies, initiatives and policies that support energy transition and are seen as mutually beneficial for both the EU and third countries. This paper critically examines the challenges and opportunities of such cooperation mechanisms, focussing particularly on how Indigenous Peoples and local communities are impacted in mid- and low-income countries. Four case studies (two on critical raw materials, one on green hydrogen and another on the use of international carbon credits under the newly proposed 2040 EU climate target) develop these challenges and opportunities across socio-environmental, socio-economic and socio-political dimensions. The associated empirical analysis helps inform the formulation of actionable policy recommendations for the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The FBI director offered a brash defense to questions centering on a recent news report alleging that his “excessive drinking” impaired his ability to do the job.

The participation of individuals with a migration background, including third-country nationals (TCNs) and mobile EU citizens, hereafter referred to as migrants, within the European Union (EU) has been discussed in policy and academic debates on migration, integration and democratic governance for several decades. These groups may engage in public life through a variety of channels, including voting and standing as candidates in elections where permitted by national legislation, involvement in civic and community organisations, and engagement in consultative or participatory policy processes. The extent and forms of such participation vary across EU Member States, reflecting differences in legal frameworks governing political rights, residence status and access to citizenship. Under EU law, political participation rights are distinguished on the basis of citizenship. Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantee mobile EU citizens the right to vote and stand in municipal and European Parliament elections in their host Member State. Conversely, TCNs do not enjoy the same rights, as their participation remains governed by national legislation. Other barriers to participation that migrants and other non-citizen residents may face include administrative requirements, lack of information, or language barriers. As a result, the participation of migrants in democratic processes remains a subject of policy discussion at European, national and local levels. It has been a factor in several policy initiatives and national integration strategies, with the aim of building more inclusive and representative societies. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Prosecutors accused the Singapore-based company and subsidiaries of failing to maintain proper systems on the Dali cargo ship, which crashed into the Baltimore bridge in 2024.

The repost on social media was among a flurry of late-night posts in which President Donald Trump railed against his political opponents.

As a ceasefire with Tehran falters, Republicans joined Democrats in pressing for details on the conflict’s costs and the administration’s plan to end it.

Against the backdrop of the rapid expansion of private credit and its recent emergence as a source of investor concern, particularly in the United States, understanding the structure and vulnerabilities of private credit markets has important implications for financial and macroeconomic stability, including in Europe. This briefing provides an overview of the size, growth, and main features of the global private credit market, with a focus on the United States and Europe, and assesses the channels through which risks could affect financial stability. The first part outlines recent developments in private credit, including its growth as a major asset class, investor base, and return profile. The second part assesses key vulnerabilities, including risks, valuation uncertainty, leverage, data gaps, and growing interlinkages with bank and non-bank financial institutions. It also examines sectoral concentration, particularly exposure to software, AI-sensitive borrowers, and AI-related infrastructure financing. Finally, the briefing considers policy implications, highlighting the need to improve transparency, close data gaps, strengthen monitoring of exposures to banking and non-banking financial institutions, and ensure that risks are effectively assessed, priced, and disclosed, while preserving private credit’s role as a source of business financing. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The defense secretary appears before Congress as a ceasefire with Tehran falters and lawmakers object to the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany.

From Nixon visiting during the Cold War to Clinton navigating the optics of being welcomed in Tiananmen Square, presidential trips to China have always been fraught.

Tom Steyer is running for California governor on an affordability agenda, testing voters’ willingness to set aside their aversion to billionaires.

In his first term, the president demanded fundamental shifts in China’s economic model. Now, he has copied parts of how Beijing does business.

The Republican, whom President Donald Trump has endorsed for another term, has denied domestic violence and other allegations and sought to portray them as politically motivated.

Some top Virginia Democrats express little hope that the appeal will affect this November’s congressional elections and instead will focus on running in existing districts.

Alabama legislators are hoping to boost the GOP in November’s midterm elections in the wake of last month’s Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act.

Congress would have to approve the proposal, and passing the savings on to drivers, rather than oil companies, would be difficult to enforce.

Parliament is set to vote during its May 2026 plenary session on the provisional agreement on a regulation aimed at shielding the EU steel market from the effects of global over-capacity. For the products covered, the regulation introduces lower import quotas and doubles the customs duty applied to imports exceeding the agreed quota, increasing it from 25 % to 50 %. The regulation also introduces stricter product traceability requirements and provides for frequent reviews of its scope. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The United Kingdom's defence industry is being reshaped by Russia's war against Ukraine, intensifying strategic competition and resulting in a pledge to raise defence spending to 2.5 % of GDP. The UK 2025 Strategic Defence Review places industry at the centre of national security, linking nuclear renewal, munitions expansion and digital integration to procurement reform, innovation funding and an 'always on' mobilisation base. It reinforces a North Atlantic Treaty Organization-first posture, prioritises autonomy and artificial intelligence, and seeks to align economic growth with credible combat readiness. Expert assessments diverge on implementation. Some regard the review as a credible blueprint for restoring military strength through clearer prioritisation, industrial reform and technological acceleration. Others question whether funding at 2.5 % of GDP will suffice without harder trade-offs, structural procurement change and measurable benchmarks for technological adoption. Concerns focus on delivery risk, adapting force structures to modern warfare, recruitment constraints and the challenge of translating innovation rhetoric into scalable production at pace. European Union-UK defence cooperation reflects both strategic convergence and institutional friction. Deep industrial interdependence coexists with caps on third-country participation, which limit UK access to EU programmes, and unresolved questions of sovereignty and financial contribution. The 19 May 2025 Security and Defence Partnership established a structured political framework for dialogue and cooperation on Ukraine, cyber issues, hybrid threats and industrial collaboration, yet negotiations on fuller participation in EU programmes have stalled. The European Parliament has welcomed closer engagement and framed the UK as a key strategic partner, while many experts argue that pragmatic inclusion, regulatory alignment and strengthened industrial integration are essential to a credible European defence architecture in an era of heightened geopolitical turmoil. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Parliament and Council negotiators reached agreement on the revision of the 2012 Victims' Rights Directive on 10 December 2025. The revised text strengthens the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, in particular by facilitating the reporting of crimes and improving the support services to victims with specific needs. Parliament is due to vote on the formal adoption of the agreed text during the May plenary session. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

During its May 2026 plenary session, Parliament is due to vote on whether to give its consent to the conclusion of a new protocol to the existing EU fisheries partnership agreement with the government of the Cook Islands. The new protocol would grant fishing opportunities to EU vessels in the Cook Islands' waters while also promoting the country’s sustainable management of fisheries resources. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

President Donald Trump wants to resurface the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool by July 4. A D.C.-area foundation claims he failed to get federal reviews.

Issues at stake: • The European Investigation Order (EIO) is a judicial cooperation instrument used in criminal matters within the European Union, except for Denmark and Ireland. The EIO provides a comprehensive framework for simplifying and accelerating cross-border criminal investigations. • Available data indicate a steady rise in use of the EIO since it was introduced. • Directive 2014/41/EU on the European Investigation Order in criminal matters ('the EIO Directive') provides the legal framework. It has applied since 22 May 2017 and has generally been found to work well. • Nevertheless, recent reports have highlighted the need to address additional aspects of cross-border investigations. • The European Commission therefore proposes to make targeted legislative improvements to the EIO Directive. • The revision will focus on improving the cross-border gathering of evidence in criminal matters and facilitating remote videoconference participation of suspects, accused persons and victims of crime in court hearings. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Details of Iran’s response were not immediately clear. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said recently that he hoped the response would be a “serious offer.”

As the ADL’s national director for nearly 30 years, he battled antisemitism and other forms of prejudice, building the group into a powerful watchdog.

Details were not immediately clear. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said recently that he hoped the response would be a “serious offer.”

Winners will have oversight of 2028 elections in swing states like Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Even Melania’s former lawyer is warning people away from Trump’s program designed to make immigration easier for the wealthy.

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) faces a tough primary challenge after defying Democratic leaders including Gov. Wes Moore on redistricting.

Republicans are eight seats closer to keeping control of the House, making Democrats’ climb toward reclaiming power in November more difficult.

Several prosecutors have left the Justice Department, others are considering doing so, and at least one major case has been disrupted.

The finding is a major setback for Democrats in their effort to counter GOP-led redistricting in other states. The measure approved April 21 gave Democrats an edge in four districts.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has faced criticism over his leadership of the agency that oversees vaccine and drug approvals.

Third-country nationals seeking asylum in the EU often lack knowledge of the local language, culture and legal system, making accessible legal advice and representation vital for ensuring their right to asylum and access to justice. While the 1951 Refugee Convention does not define asylum procedures, these preliminary stages determine whether protection is granted. The pact on migration and asylum, in force from June 2026, addresses this through two key regulations – the common procedure regulation and the asylum and migration management regulation – that aim to standardise procedures and strengthen fair access to legal aid across Member States. The common procedure regulation outlines rights to legal counselling, assistance and representation. Applicants may choose their own lawyer or request free counselling during the administrative stage, and free assistance and representation during appeals. Legal advisors must have unrestricted access to applicants and case files, even during detention. The asylum and migration management regulation defines how responsibility for asylum applications is allocated among Member States, guaranteeing free legal counselling during this determination process and legal assistance and representation when appealing transfer decisions. European case law confirms that legal aid is fundamental to effective judicial protection. The Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights emphasise that access to legal aid must be practical and effective under Article 47 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and Article 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights, respectively. Experts point to several legal aid challenges for asylum seekers. Legal aid systems vary widely between Member States, producing unequal access and outcomes across the EU. Impartiality concerns persist, particularly with regard to state-employed counsellors. Border and fast-track procedures constrain lawyers' time and access to clients, undermining effective defence. Experts caution that complex procedures and uneven national capacities may perpetuate gaps in protection. Thus, while the new regulations under the pact enhance EU‑wide standards, their success depends on Member States' Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The attacks cast fresh doubt on efforts by Washington and Tehran to reach a negotiated settlement that would end hostilities.

Vivek Ramaswamy built a political brand casting racism as an obsession of Democrats. As a Republican running for Ohio governor, he’s facing racism on the right.

The secretary of state was in Italy to help smooth relations between the U.S. and the Vatican after President Trump’s repeated criticism of Pope Leo XIV.