Saturday morning in European newsrooms was dominated by two escalating wars. After shooting down Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz, the US struck radar stations in Iran, and Tehran responded with missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain - the fragile ceasefire is effectively no longer in force. At the same time, Ukraine sent hundreds of drones against Russian oil targets and ports, while five people were killed in Russian attacks in the south. Add to that Wall Street's worst day in more than a year, Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain, and Sunday elections in Armenia and Kosovo. An overview from 22 countries.
DE🇩🇪Germany
- After shooting down Iranian drones over Hormuz, the US struck radar stations in Iran; Iran shelled Kuwait and Bahrain FAZ ↗Süddeutsche ↗Tagesschau ↗
- The EU migration commissioner is asking Germany to lift border checks Tagesschau ↗FAZ ↗ — free movement versus domestic security policy
- AfD is pressing the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt, Höcke speaks of a possible AfD government ZDF heute ↗Welt ↗
- New record for politically motivated crime - the sharpest increase is in the far-left spectrum Welt ↗
- The number of organ donors rose at the beginning of 2026 FAZ ↗
PL🇵🇱Poland
- A salvo of missiles from Iran and a US statement; Americans shot down Iranian drones and attacked radar stations Wirtualna Polska ↗
- Ukrainian drones over Russia reached as far as Moscow Onet ↗; the NATO summit in Ankara will decide on a new 70 billion euro aid package for Ukraine Onet ↗
- Kosovo's path to NATO and the EU is threatened by Sunday's elections, warns former president Osmani Onet ↗
- MP Bryłka wants Zelensky stripped of his Polish decoration - the proposal has gone to the European Parliament Wirtualna Polska ↗
- The fate of sanctions against Russia remains uncertain - a senator warns that Trump does not want them Wirtualna Polska ↗
- How France is courting Trump: changing the G7 date and a dinner at Versailles Wirtualna Polska ↗
- Trzaskowski responds to media accusations ("money from a German") Wirtualna Polska ↗
- Wall Street's worst day in more than a year Rzeczpospolita ↗
HU🇭🇺Hungary
- Magyar's first month as prime minister: the Tisza Party government is up and running, but "the clouds are gathering" Index ↗
- Fitch is skeptical about Tisza's planned budget savings HVG ↗Portfolio ↗ — the third ratings agency to assess Hungary
- 87 Serbian men were turned back from the airport before the EU summit in Montenegro Telex ↗
- Zelensky may come to Budapest; Putin says the time for talks has not yet come Magyar Nemzet ↗
- Vitézy's transport plan may run into more than just a lack of time Magyar Nemzet ↗
AT🇦🇹Austria
- EU asylum and migration reform - what is changing right now Kleine Zeitung ↗; the EU promises momentum on enlargement ORF ↗
- Trump's Cuba blockade is driving foreign companies off the island Kurier ↗
- Seven states want to keep the ban on combustion engines Der Standard ↗ — against softening the target
- A major dispute over pay transparency in Austria Kurier ↗
- Cuts at universities - "they are sawing off the branch they are sitting on" Kurier ↗
- Germany wants to run again for a seat on the UN Security Council ORF ↗
UA🇺🇦Ukraine
- Ukraine sent hundreds of drones against Russia - oil depots and ports are burning, and Donetsk and the area around St. Petersburg were hit too Ukrajinska Pravda ↗Kyiv Independent ↗
- Five dead in Kherson after Russian attacks; the UN Security Council convenes an emergency session RTÉ ↗Kyiv Post ↗
- After Zelensky's letter, Putin says he does not want to end the war; Zelensky says the letter was aimed at exhausted Russian elites Kyiv Independent ↗
- AP: Trump's abrupt reversals on troop decisions in Europe cost millions and demoralized the army Ukrajinska Pravda ↗
- Swedish court: a seized "shadow fleet" ship with stolen Ukrainian grain may go to Kyiv Kyiv Independent ↗Kyiv Post ↗
- Fico wants to discuss compensation for aid to Ukraine with von der Leyen; Slovakia's foreign ministry calls for a quick end to the war without undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity Censor.NET ↗
- Swedish migration minister: Ukrainian men should be returned from the EU to the front Censor.NET ↗
- Anthropic called for a global pause in artificial intelligence development Interfax ↗
FR🇫🇷France
- The French army deployed Tiger helicopters to intercept Iranian drones heading toward the Gulf BFM TV ↗
- The Lyhanna affair: the government under fire, Darmanin apologized "in the name of the judiciary" BFM TV ↗
- The court overturned Trump's restrictions on legal immigration RFI ↗
- Minister Vautrin: "My obsession is that we be ready for a major conflict" Ouest-France ↗
- Why so much fury in Paris - France is looking for an answer to the mass riots after the Champions League final Gazeta Wyborcza ↗
- The energy crisis that is coming after three months of the Hormuz blockade Courrier International ↗ — analysis
- Drug gangsterism in Nantes: behind the series of shootings, "clans on the edge" Le Monde ↗
- Universal income - a utopian and liberal idea is returning to Silicon Valley Le Monde ↗
IT🇮🇹Italy
- The government is extending the fuel excise tax cut - a decree is being prepared, the discount until July 4 AGI ↗La Stampa ↗
- Russia shot down 25 drones near St. Petersburg; Putin received former chancellor Schröder and attacked Zelensky Open ↗
- SpaceX is worth nearly 1.8 trillion dollars, but the S&P closes the door on Musk Il Giornale ↗
- The BPM-MPS banking merger: Crédit Agricole is the deciding factor, the market is pushing for the deal La Stampa ↗
- Italy wants to return to nuclear energy - a framework law for small reactors NZZ ↗
- 40 years since the Eternit plant closed - "and yet people are still dying" La Stampa ↗ — the asbestos legacy
- In Congo, 71 new Ebola cases in the past 24 hours ANSA ↗
CH🇨🇭Switzerland
- Mysterious sinking of a ship off Spain - was it a Russian "shadow fleet"? NZZ ↗ — a risky cargo ship and explosions
- Trump's accusation of forced labor hit a sensitive nerve in Switzerland - new tariffs Tages-Anzeiger ↗
- Ebola shows how the US, until Trump halted aid, financed healthcare in Congo NZZ ↗
- The G7 in Evian: Geneva is barricading itself to avoid losing control again NZZ ↗
- "Revolt in Congress" - Trump is not a lame duck, but his power is crumbling NZZ ↗ — commentary
- "Hungary: suddenly something is moving" - can Magyar fix democracy? Tages-Anzeiger ↗
- Every Russian Shahed is filled with tiny tungsten cubes - a devilish weapon NZZ ↗
ES🇪🇸Spain
- Pope Leo XIV in Spain - the first papal visit in 15 years, a message against polarization and hatred of migrants El País ↗ — "the most unpleasant guest for Vox" El País ↗
- "No to NATO, bases out: says Trump. Will Europe be able to defend itself?" El País ↗ — commentary
- The Armenian elections - a new flashpoint between the European Union and Putin El País ↗
- Vox takes over authority over unaccompanied minor migrants in three regions after concessions from the PP El País ↗
- Spain missed the deadline to transpose the EU directive on reducing the gender pay gap El País ↗
- The Canary Islands deployed 2,600 firefighters, but science warns: "it is not just about resources, but about how the territory is arranged" eldiario.es ↗
- The Leire affair: Sandro Rosell intervened in the operation - "today I was with several people from football willing to help" El País ↗
- Peru: a comparison of the presidential candidates' programs (Keiko Fujimori) El País ↗
GB🇬🇧United Kingdom
- The US and Iran exchange blows in the Gulf - another test of the ceasefire BBC News ↗
- JD Vance calls for "righteous anger" over the murder of Henry Nowak and blames "a mass invasion of migrants"; Downing Street counters that these are "people who want to sow division" Daily Mail ↗BBC News ↗
- The flagship aircraft carrier worth 3.5 billion pounds broke down again - amid a dispute over defense spending Daily Mail ↗
- Burnham hints at a right to work for asylum seekers despite warnings of another lure for small boats Daily Mail ↗
- The 2026 World Cup will trigger a huge surge in electricity use during England and Scotland matches Daily Mail ↗
RO🇷🇴Romania
- Nicușor Dan calls a meeting in Constanța after drone incidents in the Black Sea and an explosion in the port Adevărul ↗ — it could threaten the summer season
- The US is reconsidering the deployment of Tomahawk missiles in Germany - stocks have fallen sharply after the war in Iran Digi24 ↗
- German officials see a "window of opportunity for talks with Russia" Digi24 ↗
- The Armenian elections will decide whether rapprochement with the EU continues - Pashinyan is seeking a third mandate G4Media ↗
- A "little Trump" with no intelligence experience is preparing mass layoffs in US intelligence Pro TV ↗
- Controversy after the Tate brothers' visit to Putin - "Western clowns, a bad choice" Digi24 ↗
- Romania could become the EU's only magnesium producer thanks to a brucite deposit Libertatea ↗
BE🇧🇪Belgium
- Israel announced an attack on three Lebanese villages and ordered evacuations; the ceasefire in southern Lebanon is not in force De Morgen ↗
- Minister Verlinden wants to extend the abortion limit to 14 weeks Het Laatste Nieuws ↗
- The Flemish government is luring Volvo Car in Ghent with 119 million euros in subsidies Het Laatste Nieuws ↗
- Stricter rules for social housing tenants from 2028 - higher rents for able-bodied people who do not work VRT NWS ↗
- Skeyes air traffic controllers after the strike that paralyzed airports: "it was a drama, we had no other option" VRT NWS ↗
- Supermarket inflation fell in May to its lowest level since 2021 VRT NWS ↗
NL🇳🇱Netherlands
- Putin had a "friendly conversation" with Schröder, whom Russia is proposing as a negotiator with the EU De Telegraaf ↗
- The World Cup could become a million-euro loss for the Dutch KNVB De Telegraaf ↗
- Rapper Ye's concerts will go ahead in the Netherlands despite criticism NU.nl ↗
- The French "super radar" can do almost everything, but for now it is allowed to do almost nothing AD ↗ — surveillance and privacy
PT🇵🇹Portugal
- The US bombed Iranian radar after the attacks near Hormuz; Iran responded against Kuwait and Bahrain Expresso ↗RTP ↗
- Half of Portugal's health system (SNS) has weaknesses in the fight against corruption CM Jornal ↗
- Fuel prices are slowing peace talks CM Jornal ↗
- The Vatican is closing investigations into priests suspected of abuse while they are still alive CM Jornal ↗
- Trump asks the armed forces to speed up the use of AI while respecting freedoms CM Jornal ↗
IE🇮🇪Ireland
- Five dead in southern Ukraine after Russian attacks RTÉ ↗
- The implosion of the Healy-Rae dynasty - the public feud between Michael and Danny Irish Examiner ↗
- "Henry Nowak failed in his final moments - and the shameful British political class failed him again" Irish Examiner ↗ — commentary
- EU enlargement is essential for Europe's future Irish Examiner ↗ — commentary
- Reforming the "triple lock" is a better path than scrapping it Irish Examiner ↗ — defense policy
Other countries
- 🇸🇪 Sweden: JD Vance rages after the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak Aftonbladet ↗
- 🇫🇮 Finland: The Paramount/Warner mega-deal worth 111 billion dollars - states are preparing a lawsuit Ilta-Sanomat ↗Helsingin Sanomat ↗
- 🇬🇷 Greece: Wall Street slump - the Nasdaq lost more than 4% after the collapse of semiconductor stocks Naftemporiki ↗; Air Canada suspended flights to Cuba indefinitely Protothema ↗
- 🇧🇬 Bulgaria: "The wait is over, let's get to work" - commentary on joining the eurozone Dnevnik ↗; Armenia's "elections without a choice" Dnevnik ↗
- 🇷🇸 Serbia: The conflict in the Middle East is driving millions into hunger, warns the World Food Programme Kurir ↗; the court allowed the brother of Milo Đukanović to leave the country during criminal proceedings Politika ↗
- 🇹🇷 Turkey: The peace process with the PKK is gaining momentum Milliyet ↗; inflation rose by 1.71% in May Milliyet ↗
- 🇸🇮 Slovenia: Trump is tightening the noose, Havana has announced resistance Delo ↗
🔁 Cross-country themes
- US strike on Iranian radar, Iran firing missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain (Hormuz) — 🇩🇪 DE · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇫🇷 FR · 🇵🇹 PT · 🇬🇷 GR · 🇮🇪 IE · 🇦🇹 AT · 🇸🇪 SE · 🇪🇸 ES · 🇮🇹 IT
- Ukrainian drones against Russian oil targets, five dead in Kherson, UN Security Council emergency session — 🇺🇦 UA · 🇵🇱 PL · 🇮🇹 IT · 🇬🇷 GR · 🇧🇪 BE · 🇮🇪 IE · 🇸🇪 SE · 🇫🇮 FI
- Putin and Schröder in the Kremlin - possible mediation with the EU — 🇳🇱 NL · 🇮🇹 IT · 🇭🇺 HU · 🇩🇪 DE
- Sunday elections in Armenia (EU vs. Russia, Pashinyan seeking a 3rd term) and in Kosovo — 🇪🇸 ES · 🇷🇴 RO · 🇧🇬 BG · 🇵🇱 PL
- Congo: Ebola, a new variant, US aid and the WHO — 🇮🇹 IT · 🇨🇭 CH · 🇷🇸 RS
- G7 in Evian (June 15-17) - Macron lures Trump with a possible dinner at Versailles — 🇫🇷 FR · 🇵🇱 PL · 🇷🇴 RO · 🇨🇭 CH
- Trump, NATO and US troops in Europe (Tomahawks, sanctions) — 🇪🇸 ES · 🇺🇦 UA · 🇷🇴 RO
- Wall Street slump (Nasdaq -4%, semiconductors) — 🇵🇱 PL · 🇬🇷 GR · 🇫🇮 FI
- JD Vance, the murder of Henry Nowak and Downing Street's response — 🇬🇧 UK · 🇮🇪 IE · 🇸🇪 SE
- Trump's Cuba blockade (companies, Air Canada) — 🇦🇹 AT · 🇬🇷 GR · 🇸🇮 SI
🔭 Viewpoints That Fit Our Coverage
- The secret Putin - Schröder channel. According to Dutch, Italian and Hungarian media, Russia is proposing the former German chancellor as an unofficial negotiator with the EU. Slovak media would mention this kind of hidden diplomacy at most in one sentence - yet it may indicate what kind of channels Moscow wants to push, even though the EU rejects Schröder as a mediator.
- The shadow fleet off Spain. The Swiss daily NZZ brought a detailed reconstruction of the mysterious sinking of a ship off the Spanish coast; combined with the Swedish court ruling on a seized ship with stolen Ukrainian grain, this is a story about sanctions evasion that is not yet very visible in Slovak media.
- Magyar's first month as prime minister. Hungarian and Swiss media are taking stock of the Tisza Party government's start - Fitch's skepticism about the budget and the question of whether the new prime minister can "fix democracy." A perspective beyond the usual Fico-Orbán lens.
What hotinfo is watching
On Sunday we are watching two elections: the Armenian one, where Prime Minister Pashinyan is trying to stay in power and preserve a pro-Western course between the EU and Russia, and the Kosovo one, which is meant to resolve the internal political deadlock and the country's path to the EU and NATO. At Hormuz, in Ukraine, and at the G7 summit (June 15-17 in Evian), the question will be whether escalation turns into talks or into further sanctions and strikes - including whether the unofficial Putin - Schröder channel turns into real talks.
