- Romania’s new pro-European president puts it back on a Western course, but fault lines remain – 20.05.2025
Pro-European reformist Nicusor Dan won Romania’s presidential election with 53.6% of the vote, defeating far-right nationalist George Simion in a race seen as a defining moment between Western integration and nationalist populism. Dan’s victory, aided by a record 64.7% turnout and strong support from the Romanian diaspora, marked a dramatic comeback after trailing in the first round. As the new president, Dan now faces major challenges, including forming a stable government and addressing public frustration with corruption and political elites. His win reassured EU and NATO allies of Romania’s continued Western orientation, especially amid growing geopolitical tensions and internal polarization.
- Sanctioned Ukrainian ex-politician shot dead outside Madrid’s American school – 22.05.2025
Former Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov was shot and killed in front of his children’s school near Madrid. Portnov, 51, who previously served as a senior aide to pro-Russian former President Viktor Yanukovych, was fatally wounded by multiple gunshots, including one to the head. The attack occurred outside the American School of Madrid, located in the affluent suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcón. Portnov was the father of children attending the school. The U.S. Treasury Department placed Portnov under sanctions in 2021 for corruption and bribery under the Magnitsky Act. He was accused of using his influence to manipulate Ukraine’s judiciary and undermine reform efforts. After fleeing to Russia during the 2014 Maidan protests, Portnov returned to Ukraine in 2019, only to leave again following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Although he faced some investigations in Ukraine, no official sanctions were imposed on him. In 2024, civil society groups launched a petition demanding sanctions due to alleged threats against journalists, but the Ukrainian government declined the request. No arrests have been made following the incident, and Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the victim’s identity and stated that the country’s embassy in Spain is in close contact with authorities.
- EU countries resist Spain on making Catalan official language – 23.05.2025
In 2023, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made a political agreement with Catalan separatists to seek official EU recognition for Catalan, Basque, and Galician. However, the move requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states, and some countries remain cautious, demanding greater clarity on the financial and legal implications. Although Spain has pledged to cover the additional costs, concerns persist about the long-term sustainability of this commitment. Political sensitivities in certain member states further complicate the process. These developments have increased dissatisfaction within the Catalan Junts party, which supports Sánchez’s minority government, potentially putting future cooperation at risk.
- No knockout blows in Poland presidential debate – 24.05.2025
Ahead of Poland’s June 1 presidential runoff, liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski faced right-wing, PiS-backed Karol Nawrocki in a televised debate. Trzaskowski delivered a stronger performance than in previous debates, while Nawrocki grew more tense as the discussion progressed. However, neither candidate secured a clear advantage. In the first round, Trzaskowski received 31.4% of the vote, and Nawrocki 29.5%. Far-right candidates Sławomir Mentzen (14.8%) and Grzegorz Braun (6.3%) together won over 20%, shaking up the balance. The preferences of these voters will be decisive in the runoff. Trzaskowski is appealing to both left-wing and far-right voters, while Nawrocki aims to consolidate the right-wing vote and hopes liberal voters will stay home. The debate covered health, economy, and security, but often turned into personal attacks. Trzaskowski highlighted Nawrocki’s controversial past, while Nawrocki targeted Trzaskowski’s party leader, Donald Tusk. Nawrocki warned voters that “we must prevent all power from being concentrated in one man.” The outcome largely depends on voter turnout. Small margins could decide the race, and both candidates are playing their final cards in this crucial contest.
- German woman arrested after mass stabbing at Hamburg train station – 24.05.2025
Germany is investigating a knife attack at Hamburg’s main train station, where a 39-year-old German woman allegedly stabbed at least 18 people during Friday rush hour, leaving four critically injured; authorities suspect she acted alone and are exploring possible psychological issues rather than political motives. The incident, which follows a series of recent violent attacks including a May 18 stabbing in Bielefeld involving a Syrian suspect, has intensified national concerns over public safety and immigration, themes that featured prominently in Germany’s recent elections, where the far-right made significant gains.
- Israeli strike kills nine of Gaza doctor’s children, hospital says – 24.05.2025
An Israeli airstrike hit the home of pediatrician Dr. Alaa al-Najjar in Khan Younis, Gaza, killing nine of her children; one child and her husband survived, though severely injured. The Israeli military stated it had targeted suspects in the area and that reports of civilian casualties are under review. The UN has warned that Gaza is facing the cruellest phase of the war, with humanitarian aid severely limited and the population at risk of famine. According to the health ministry in Gaza, at least 53,901 people, including 16,500 children, have been killed since October 7, 2023.
- Universities See Trump’s Harvard Move as a Threat to Them, Too – 24.05.2025
The Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard University’s international student certification has sparked serious concerns over academic autonomy, igniting nationwide debate on U.S. higher education’s reliance on international students and the value they bring. While the administration cited campus safety and Harvard’s refusal to provide protest-related student records as justification, critics view the move as a federal overreach into university independence. Harvard challenged the decision in court and secured a temporary block, but the incident has already created a sense of insecurity among prospective international students. The controversy underscores broader discussions about the financial and cultural role of international students, who are integral to both the economic model and the global diversity of U.S. universities.
- Kyiv comes under large-scale Russian drone and missile attack – 24.05.2025
Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, with 14 ballistic missiles and 250 Shahed drones following the first phase of a major prisoner exchange agreement reached in Istanbul; Ukrainian forces intercepted 6 missiles and neutralized 245 drones, while at least 15 people were injured and fires broke out in several areas. The attack came just hours after both sides conducted the largest prisoner swap of the war, exchanging 1,000 individuals each, marking a rare moment of cooperation. Although diplomatic contacts are expected to continue after the exchange, the two sides remain far apart on peace conditions, and fighting along the front lines continues; Russia claimed to have shot down thousands of Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine reported ongoing defensive efforts against further attacks.
- The anniversary of George Floyd’s murder is a reminder of America’s racial divides – 25.05.2025
In Minneapolis, the site where George Floyd was killed has been transformed into a space of remembrance and celebration on the fifth anniversary of his death; his face appears in a mural surrounded by flowers, rosaries, and mementos left by visitors, while family members and community members gathered at George Perry Floyd Square to pray, march, and honor his legacy. Floyd’s cousin Paris and aunt Mahalia expressed pride in the movement his death inspired, emphasizing that it led to greater accountability and change. Nearby, the “Say Their Names” cemetery, an art installation honoring Black individuals killed by police, also draws visitors. Activist Nikema Levy described both the square and the installation as “sacred spaces” for the community and criticized the U.S. Department of Justice for rolling back investigations into major police departments, calling it a “diabolical” move reflective of what she sees as the Trump administration’s emboldened white supremacy.
- https://apnews.com/article/romania-president-election-dan-simion-e665b3944752de288a2778c84e535045
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/21/europe/madrid-shooting-ukrainian-ex-politician-portnov-intl
- https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-resist-spain-catalan-official-language-seperatist-basque-galician-budget/
- https://www.politico.eu/article/rafal-trzaskowski-and-karol-nawrocki-poland-presidential-debate/
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/24/german-woman-arrested-after-mass-stabbing-at-hamburg-train-station
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0eq9lq7xr1o
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/24/us/harvard-trump-international-students-impact.html
- https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/kyiv-large-scale-russian-drone-missile-attack-explosions-122134004
- https://news.sky.com/story/the-anniversary-of-george-floyds-murder-is-a-reminder-of-americas-racial-divides-13374198
Leave a comment