The race to replace embattled British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has begun: Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned last week in protest against the prime minister, has announced his candidacy for the Labour leadership – and is making the case for rejoining the EU. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is currently running for a seat in the House of Commons in a by-election, is also a favourite for the job.
At the latest since the scaled-down military parade on 9 May, a growing number of voices are saying that Russia is struggling. Popular support for Putin appears to be waning and Russia's military position in its war of aggression against Ukraine has deteriorated. Over the weekend, Ukraine launched a series of major drone attacks on industrial facilities and oil-refining infrastructure in the Moscow region. Several people were killed.
Tehran says it has submitted a new proposal to Washington aimed at ending the war. US President Donald Trump responded by saying that plans for an imminent strike had been put on hold and that he hoped for 'serious negotiations'. Although little is known about what this might entail, Europe press speculates on ways out of the crisis.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are grappling with an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. Several hundred suspected cases and over a hundred deaths have been reported so far, prompting the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare an international public health emergency. There are no vaccines or treatments for the rare strain of the virus that is currently spreading.
The singer Dara from Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna by an unprecedented margin. Her country, which had refrained from participating for the past three years for cost reasons, will now host the event in 2027. Israel, over whose participation five countries boycotted the contest, came in second again. Europe's media examine the cultural and political importance of the musical extravaganza.
As well as friendly words about collaboration, China's head of state Xi also issued a stark warning to the visiting US president. The Taiwan issue has top priority in their bilateral relations, Xi insisted. If it was not handled properly, it could result in an "extremely dangerous situation". Trump, meanwhile, has said he has yet to greenlight a US arms package to Taiwan, describing it as a useful bargaining chip against China.
During the change of government last week, Hungary's new prime minister, Péter Magyar, gave a video tour of the interior of the official residence of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – a converted Carmelite monastery – and several ministries. Magyar drew attention to the excess luxury on display, including an array of prized museum pieces.
US President Trump and Chinese President Xi have held several rounds of talks behind closed doors. Although little is known about what was discussed, both parties later emphasised their constructive cooperation. Trump spoke of friendship and a "great future". Xi said that the two countries could strengthen each other. Europe's press tries to figure out what is going on behind the scenes.
Andriy Yermak, former Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and a close confidant of President Volodymyr Zelensky, has been remanded in custody for two months by the High Anti-Corruption of Ukraine. However, he could be released on bail for the equivalent of about 2.7 million euros. He and five other people are accused of money laundering in connection with the construction of a luxury residential complex.
After two terms in office, Jerome Powell will resign as US Federal Reserve Chair this Friday. His track record as head of the US central bank is mixed. Critics accuse him of mistakes, particularly in the fight against inflation. But when Donald Trump threatened to undermine the Fed's independence, he stood firm against the US president. Powell will be succeeded by Trump's preferred candidate, Kevin Warsh.
On Saturday, hundreds of hardcore Slavia Prague fans stormed the pitch carrying lit flares and attacked the team and fans of Sparta, their local rivals. A 3-2 lead shortly before the final whistle would have secured the league title for their club. Instead, the match was suspended and the opponents were declared the winners. Slavia must now play four home games without spectators and pay a hefty fine.
