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The political situation in Kosovo
After 18 months of chaos – Kosovo has a new government

Kosovo has a new government led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, following three elections and 18 months of political chaos, the AP reports.

In the parliamentary election of February 2025, no party won enough votes to form a government. A new election was held in December 2025, resulting in Kurti forming a government—though he lacked the parliamentary support needed to elect a president.

After yet another election in June, Kurti’s party was voted in once again. One of his key campaign promises has been to move Kosovo from being a potential EU candidate country to an official candidate country. 

The political situation in Germany
The varied backgrounds of AfD lawmakers: Stasi agent, porn actor, and neo-Nazism

A group of "colorful characters" is set to take seats in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt following the AfD's victory there, reports *The Telegraph*.

The far-right party made significant gains, securing 20 new seats in the parliament. However, when the newly elected politicians were introduced on Thursday, it emerged that some have somewhat questionable backgrounds, *The Guardian* reports.

One of them is 78-year-old Frank-Ronald Bischoff, a former high-ranking Stasi officer in East Germany. Media reports also highlight Simon Lansmann and Sebastian Koch, both of whom are under investigation for ties to the far-right, neo-Nazi network "Artgemeinschaft," which has been banned by German security services.

Lawmaker Philipp-Anders Rau, 43, has a background that perhaps stands out even more within the context of the AfD. He was convicted of theft after stealing 100 towels and large quantities of bedsheets from a hotel in Munich in 2009. He has also appeared in adult films but claims he never made any money from doing so.

Canada-Europe Relations
Reports: Canada in secret talks – seeks "associate EU membership"

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is attempting to get as close to EU membership as possible, in what the *Washington Post* describes as a hasty marriage following a messy divorce from the US.

According to the newspaper, Carney has proposed the title of "associate EU member"—a concept to which the EU has reportedly shown openness.

In recent months, Carney has held private meetings with nearly every European leader—including Sweden’s—to discuss how Canada might move a step closer to being part of the fold without becoming a full member. As a result, Canada and the EU are now exploring closer cooperation on trade in areas such as AI, rare earth metals, and defense.

The Tariff Crisis  Trump’s Tariff Policy
Trump: Lifting 15% tariffs on Irish whiskey

US President Donald Trump says he will lift the 15% tariffs on Irish whiskey, Reuters reports.

"Everyone has been pestering me to do it," the president said during the awards ceremony at the Irish Open golf tournament.

The tariffs on Irish whiskey are part of the 15% tariffs imposed on imports from the EU. In late April, Trump lifted tariffs on British whiskey—including whiskey from Northern Ireland—after meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla.

It is unclear exactly when the tariffs will be removed. 

Nearly 130 missing following ferry accident in Indonesia

At least six people have died and 129 are missing after a ferry capsized between Java and Borneo in Indonesia. So far, 198 people have been rescued, according to AFP.

The ferry capsized due to severe weather; rescue workers encountered two-meter-high waves while attempting to reach the vessel.

The accident occurred overnight, local time. Ferry accidents are not uncommon in the region; the BBC reports that 111 maritime accidents were recorded in the Indonesian archipelago between 2020 and 2026.