The Persian Gulf caught fire again overnight: Iran struck Kuwait and Bahrain, the US responded with strikes on Qeshm and Kharg islands and disabled a tanker heading to an Iranian port. At the same time, Ukrainian drones set fire to a St. Petersburg oil terminal on the very day Vladimir Putin was opening his economic forum. And Washington, under pressure from Republicans, is canceling a billion-dollar fund for participants in the Capitol attack. Overview from 36 European newsrooms.
Germany
- The USA and Iran exchange the heaviest blows since ceasefire declaration — Americans repelled a "wave of Iranian drones" at bases in the Gulf and struck Qeshm island, Iran fired at Kuwait and Bahrain FAZ ↗Tagesschau ↗
- Germany today is fighting for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council against Austria — Minister Wadephul needs 128 votes in the final stretch Die Zeit ↗Spiegel ↗
- Court imposed a high fine for insulting Chancellor Merz under a Facebook post (nickname "Lügenfritz") Welt ↗
- Gerhard Schröder is in Moscow again — alongside an AfD delegation at the St. Petersburg forum Spiegel ↗
- Trump's administration, under pressure from Republicans, has halted a billion-dollar fund for compensation of participants in the Capitol attack Süddeutsche Zeitung ↗
- The Trump family cashes in on office: son buys stocks, father drives rates — analysis of examples Handelsblatt ↗
- How dangerous are Russian satellite maneuvers in space? ZDF heute ↗
- Far-right figure attacks mayor position in Saxon town of Aue — electoral duel Die Zeit ↗
- Millions of renters in Germany are overwhelmed by housing costs — warns tenants' union Welt ↗
Poland
- Judicial crisis continues: dispute over new Supreme Court president, Judge Matras admits he is not proud of the choice Rzeczpospolita ↗
- New IBRiS trust poll: President Nawrocki loses unique lead Onet ↗
- Ukrainian drones paralyzed Russia — fires, alarms, and closed airports in St. Petersburg Onet ↗
- Poland became vice president of the UN General Assembly TVN24 ↗
- Confederation politician: "Zelenskyy is the greatest Russian puppet" — pro-Russian rhetoric of the far right Do Rzeczy ↗
- "As many weapons as possible for Poland from Poland" — commentary on domestic arms industry Gazeta Wyborcza ↗
- Trump interferes in Colombian elections, bets on the "Tiger" Rzeczpospolita ↗
Hungary
- Magyar Péter behind closed doors signaled he could give the green light to Ukraine's EU accession (according to Politico) — BUT Ukrainian media claim Hungary has not officially changed position. The contradiction bears monitoring Index ↗Censor.NET ↗
- Domestic battery factories suffered brutal losses and laid off 1,500 people 444 ↗
- The Tisza party government submitted a bill that will abolish the Office for the Protection of Sovereignty HVG ↗Telex ↗
- At the initiative of the Office for Integrity, an investigation into the brother of Tamás Deutsch was reopened Népszava ↗
- An end to parliamentary haggling — deputies so far cost nine billion forints annually Népszava ↗
- Interview with economist László Csaba: the euro is not just a slogan — how Hungary will regain Western trust Portfolio ↗
- Threatened Hungarian vacation — the entire tourism sector is calling for help Index ↗
Austria
- Austria is fighting for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council and wants to "mediate on the big stage" — direct battle with Germany ORF ↗Kurier ↗
- Some companies hold on to Russian business and want Russian gas back Der Standard ↗
- "Trump wants to save Europe from extinction" — American government money flows to European right Die Presse ↗
- Supreme Court: "Like" on a bad comment is not defamation Die Presse ↗
- Overcrowded prisons and staff shortages strain punishment enforcement Kurier ↗
- Why Trump's outburst against Netanyahu could be a calculation by both — analysis Der Standard ↗
Ukraine
- St. Petersburg oil terminal in flames after major drone strike — day after Russian mass strike on Kyiv Kyiv Independent ↗Censor.NET ↗
- Russian arms factory "Progress" (rocket components) burning in Tambov region Censor.NET ↗
- Russian strike on Kyiv and Dnipro: 22 dead including two children, 130 wounded — Zelenskyy blames foreign components in Russian weapons Kyiv Independent ↗
- Hungary's new government purges Péter Szijjártó's team — layoffs began at the Foreign Ministry Censor.NET ↗
- Forbidden topic: Mindych-Umerov dialogues paralyzed the Defense Ministry for at least half a year Ukrajinská pravda ↗
- The USA is withdrawing over a thousand troops from Lithuania Censor.NET ↗
- Zelenskyy will attend G7 summit in France at the end of June Ukrajinská pravda ↗
- The USA introduced new sanctions against Iran Ukrajinská pravda ↗
France
- Israel reportedly received US approval for strike on Beirut — escalation of conflict BFM TV ↗
- First green light for Corsican "autonomy" — deputies voted on first step of constitutional reform 20 Minutes ↗
- Japan will release 19 billion dollars to support households against inflation and Middle East uncertainty BFM TV ↗
- "Russian Davos" opens in a crumbling economy — and Germans surprisingly will come BFM TV ↗
- Trump's administration backs down on fund for Capitol attackers under Republican pressure Le Monde ↗
- Two virologists charged in the USA for attempting to import mpox virus from Congo-Brazzaville Ouest-France ↗
- Édouard Philippe wants to appear as a unifier of right and center with Kosciuszko-Morizet's support Le Monde ↗
- Trump supports far-right candidate De la Espriella in Colombian presidential elections France 24 ↗
- Benoît Hamon: "Europe is introducing xenophobic expulsion policy" through return centers for foreigners Libération ↗
- Global oil reserves approach critical threshold ahead of summer demand peak La Tribune ↗
Italy
- Meloni-von der Leyen pact: Italy gains flexibility thanks to relationship with Commission president La Stampa ↗
- EU gave green light to energy flexibility worth up to 13.5 billion La Stampa ↗
- The process of changing CO2 emissions regulations was launched Il Sole 24 Ore ↗
- Venezuela: opposition leader Machado urges peaceful transition ANSA ↗
- Heated debate on immigration — expulsions versus clandestinity risk, school projects for four thousand pupils at risk La Stampa ↗
- Eightieth anniversary of the republic — celebrations across the country La Stampa ↗
- Economist Tria: use resources against inflation, halt the price-wage spiral La Stampa ↗
Switzerland
- USA announced tariffs of 10% for EU and 12.5% for Switzerland — Trump again raises the threat Neue Zürcher Zeitung ↗
- AfD politicians followed Putin's invitation to St. Petersburg — "among spies" Tages-Anzeiger ↗
- Turnaround in polls: opponents of the "10-million Switzerland" initiative suddenly lead (52% against), vote on June 14 Tages-Anzeiger ↗
- Trump accelerates military strategy for Latin America Neue Zürcher Zeitung ↗
- Jeff Bezos rocket explosion upsets NASA's lunar plans — American military also concerned Neue Zürcher Zeitung ↗
- Parliament wants to lighten the load on companies — Switzerland as an economic hub Neue Zürcher Zeitung ↗
- Federal Council wants more women's shelters, SVP fears "expensive full-service hotels" Tages-Anzeiger ↗
Spain
- Employment of foreigners accelerates at record pace — 289,000 new jobs in a year El País ↗
- Teachers' strike in Valencia stalled without negotiations, police union backed "beaten and humiliated" teacher El País ↗
- Measures to slow sick leave increase stalled — government seeks pact with employers El País ↗
- Washington hit decimated tourism in Cuba with an ultimatum El País ↗
- Ötzi's microbiome reveals microorganisms that accompanied the Ice Man millennia ago eldiario.es ↗
- Trump called Netanyahu "crazy" — what changed? eldiario.es ↗
Belgium
- Albanian mafia strengthens in Belgium — cocaine wholesale and money laundering Het Laatste Nieuws ↗
- 6.7 billion euro savings plan: more expensive doctor visits, brake on company cars, even tax on child allowances Het Laatste Nieuws ↗
- US Supreme Court approved Republican electoral map in Alabama — cancelled district with predominantly Black voters De Standaard ↗
- Landmark ruling: judge sided with phishing victims, not the bank — bank must return 50,000 euros Het Laatste Nieuws ↗
- Antwerp hospitals increasingly deal with patients who don't show up for surgery VRT NWS ↗
Netherlands
- Second Chamber scraps fines — clear path for "strictest asylum policy in history" De Telegraaf ↗
- Occupied Luhansk region rations fuel, Moscow banned kerosene exports de Volkskrant ↗
- Dutch virologist accused in USA of importing mpox virus from Congo Trouw ↗
- Concerns about AI use in mentally vulnerable people — delusions and suspicion worsen AD ↗
- No "Andrew Tate effect" on young voters' behavior — analysis shows NU.nl ↗
- Commission hears Khadija Aribo on care in nursing homes during the pandemic de Volkskrant ↗
Ireland
- Dublin feels less safe after wave of violence — investigation into fatal stabbing, attacker on bail after another knife attack Irish Examiner ↗
- Trump administration cancels 1.8 billion dollar fund RTÉ ↗
- Record number of students in state exams — over 146,000 Irish Examiner ↗
- Trump's "crazy world" pushes another country to reconsider EU entry (Norway) The Journal ↗
- Emergency warning system could work next year RTÉ ↗
Portugal
- General strike against government labor package — public services at minimum, Lisbon metro halts from 11:00 PM RTP ↗
- National plan to restore 30% of forests in the country RTP ↗
- Rubio: reopening Strait of Hormuz is "main condition" for Iran deal CM Jornal ↗
- Woman (73) died waiting for ambulance — paramedics took 29 minutes for 150 meters CM Jornal ↗
Sweden
- EU must reduce dependence on USA in cloud after Trump's threats Svenska Dagbladet ↗
- Trump's billion-dollar fund is scrapped Expressen ↗
- Minister lived with suicidal thoughts: "I had an overview of when trains were running" Expressen ↗
- Man shot dead by police after chase Svenska Dagbladet ↗
Romania and Moldova
- Moldova considers union with Romania if it doesn't join EU within two years: "That's plan B and it will have its price" Digi24 ↗
- Protests against wage law — health workers demonstrate in front of government and parliament Pro TV ↗
- Future of over four million Ukrainian refugees in EU on the table in Brussels Digi24 ↗
Turkey
- Internal dispute in CHP: despite Kılıçdaroğlu's objection, CHP faction sat in parliament, leader appointed new leadership. Extraordinary congress as solution? Milliyet ↗
- Investigation into Kushner's "island" Milliyet ↗
- Operation against scammers — 89 detained in fraud worth 60 billion Sabah ↗
Greece
- Mitsotakis government changes — cabinet reshuffle Protothema ↗
- Wall Street Journal: Trump–Netanyahu rift on ending war with Iran Protothema ↗
- New arrangement: 72 installments for taxes and insurance, payment from 30 euros monthly Protothema ↗
- New Democracy launches regional tours — begins in Macedonia Protothema ↗
The Baltics
- Drone alerts across Estonia and Latvia, NATO scrambled fighter jets ERR ↗Lietuvos Rytas ↗
- Reality of "beleaguered" schools in Lithuania: barely one class fits in the shelter, but on the map it's the only one Lietuvos Rytas ↗
- Poland hears call to block Ukraine's EU entry — media named the reason 15min ↗
Western Balkans
- Bangladesh's foreign minister elected as UN General Assembly president Klix.ba ↗
- French nuclear umbrella expands over Europe, Norway became part of 300-warhead alliance Klix.ba ↗
- Former Israeli intelligence chief: "Turks messed up our plans in Iran", Erdogan reportedly blocked idea about Kurds Klix.ba ↗
- USA imposed sanctions on Nobitex, Iran's largest crypto exchange Klix.ba ↗
- SpaceX going public — Musk wants to raise up to 75 billion dollars Index.hr ↗
- Serbian shooter in Germany shot a police officer and held two children hostage Večernji list ↗
Nordic Countries
- Mette Frederiksen becomes Danish PM for third time — unveiled new four-party government DR ↗De Standaard ↗
- Danske Bank lowered forecast for Finland's growth Yle ↗
- USA found huge drug tunnel at Mexican border Ilta-Sanomat ↗
- Two arrested for murder of four migrants — burned alive according to police (in Italy) Aftenposten ↗
🔁 Cross-country themes
- USA–Iran: broken ceasefire, mutual strikes in the Gulf — 🇩🇪 DE · 🇦🇹 AT · 🇫🇷 FR · 🇨🇭 CH · 🇭🇷 HR · 🇸🇪 SE · 🇳🇱 NL · 🇮🇪 IE · 🇬🇷 GR · 🇧🇬 BG · 🇮🇸 IS · 🇺🇦 UA (12+ countries)
- Ukrainian drone attack on St. Petersburg and Russian arms factories — 🇺🇦 UA · 🇵🇱 PL · 🇭🇺 HU · 🇭🇷 HR · 🇱🇹 LT · 🇪🇪 EE · 🇫🇮 FI
- Russian strike on Kyiv and Dnipro (22+ dead), Zelensky at G7 — 🇫🇷 FR · 🇺🇦 UA · 🇷🇴 RO · 🇲🇩 MD · 🇱🇹 LT
- Trump cancels fund for Capitol attack participants — 🇩🇪 DE · 🇧🇪 BE · 🇮🇪 IE · 🇸🇪 SE · 🇫🇮 FI · 🇩🇰 DK
- Trump's tariffs (10% EU / 12.5% Switzerland) and pressure on EU — 🇨🇭 CH · 🇸🇪 SE · 🇫🇷 FR
- Germany versus Austria battle for UN Security Council seat — 🇩🇪 DE · 🇦🇹 AT
- AfD delegation at Putin's forum in St. Petersburg — 🇩🇪 DE · 🇨🇭 CH
- Trump–Netanyahu rift over ending war and Gaza — 🇦🇹 AT · 🇪🇸 ES · 🇬🇷 GR · 🇷🇸 RS
- Trump supports far-right in Colombia (De la Espriella) — 🇫🇷 FR · 🇵🇱 PL · 🇳🇴 NO · 🇮🇸 IS
- Hungarian wealth tax: Tisza versus Orbán's oligarchs — 🇭🇺 HU · 🇷🇴 RO
- Baltic drone alerts, NATO fighters on standby — 🇪🇪 EE · 🇱🇻 LV · 🇱🇹 LT
- Tightening of asylum policy — 🇳🇱 NL · 🇸🇮 SI · 🇮🇹 IT
🔦 What might also interest us
- Magyar Péter behind closed doors signaled green light for Ukraine's EU entry (Index/Politico) — while Ukrainian Censor.NET claims that the official Hungarian position has not changed. Budapest has been the main brake on expansion so far. If Magyar is changing course even just behind the scenes, it is key for the eastern wing of the EU.
- Moldova has a "plan B": union with Romania if it does not join the EU within two years (Ziarul de Gardă/EURACTIV) — minister Osmochescu said this openly. A geopolitically explosive topic that Slovak and Czech media do not cover.
- French nuclear umbrella expands over Europe, Norway enters alliance of 300 warheads (Klix.ba) — a shift in European nuclear architecture at a time when American security guarantees are weakening.
What hotinfo is monitoring
Today will show whether the fragile ceasefire between the USA and Iran has definitively collapsed, or whether it will be another episode of mutual "testing" before a return to negotiations — key will be whether Iran reaches for the Strait of Hormuz again. We are also monitoring today's vote on the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, where Germany and Austria are competing, and the Hungarian dispute over the stance on Ukraine's EU entry.
