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International Politics

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International Politics

Macron Says EU Mutual Defense Clause is Clearly Written

French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the mutual defense clause of the European Union treaty is unambiguously written, emphasizing the clarity of the bloc's collective security provisions. During his visit, Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis agreed to extend their bilateral strategic cooperation agreement for an additional five years, with plans to deepen collaboration particularly in defense matters. The agreement reflects growing emphasis on European defense cooperation amid ongoing security challenges facing the continent.

TASR/Teraz
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International Politics

German airports alarmed by Ryanair's plan to close Berlin base

German aviation authorities expressed concern over Ryanair's announcement to shut down its Berlin base, citing the high costs of operating in the German aviation sector. The budget airline's decision highlights significant cost disparities between German and other European airports. According to data from ADV, the German airport association, a flight from Berlin to Palma de Mallorca costs airlines approximately 7,600 euros in taxes and fees, while the same route from Warsaw costs only about 4,400 euros. The substantial difference in operational costs has prompted Ryanair to relocate operations away from Germany's capital, raising broader questions about the competitiveness of German airports in the European aviation market.

SMETASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Slovenia Fails to Form Government as First Round of Coalition Talks Ends Without Agreement

Slovenia's first round of government formation talks concluded without any party receiving a mandate to form a new administration, leaving the country in political limbo following recent elections. President Nataša Pirc Musar maintained her position that she will only grant a mandate to a candidate who can secure the support of at least 46 out of 90 members of parliament, effectively requiring majority backing before formal government formation begins. The failed talks highlight the fragmented nature of Slovenia's parliament following the elections, with no single party or coalition able to demonstrate sufficient support to meet the president's threshold. Slovenia now enters a tense phase of negotiations as political parties attempt to build broader coalitions capable of governing the Alpine nation of two million people, which has been a member of both the European Union and NATO since 2004.

SMEAktuality
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International Politics

Hlas Party Members Will Not Join Fico's Moscow Trip, Says Coalition Partner

Members of the Hlas party will not accompany Prime Minister Robert Fico on his planned trip to Moscow, according to statements made by party representatives during political discussions. Hlas, a center-left party that forms part of Slovakia's ruling coalition alongside Fico's Smer-SD party, has distanced itself from the controversial visit. The announcement highlights potential divisions within Slovakia's governing coalition over foreign policy approaches, particularly regarding relations with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

SME
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International Politics

Slovak F-16s and Czech Gripens Train Together in Joint Air Combat Exercise

Slovak F-16 fighter jets and Czech Gripen aircraft conducted joint air combat training exercises over Czech airspace as part of the Federated Cloud 2026 military exercise. The pilots practiced maneuvering air combat techniques, flying side by side during the training operations. The exercise represents continued military cooperation between the two neighboring NATO allies, both of which have modernized their air forces with Western fighter aircraft in recent years. Slovakia acquired its F-16 Block 70 fighters from the United States, while the Czech Republic operates Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen aircraft.

SME
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International Politics

Russian Parliament Speaker to Honor North Korean Soldiers Killed Abroad

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's State Duma, announced plans to create a museum dedicated to honoring North Korean soldiers who died fighting alongside Russian forces. The museum will commemorate North Korean troops who were killed during what Russia describes as the "liberation" of the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces had established positions since August 2024. This development highlights the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, with Pyongyang reportedly deploying thousands of troops to support Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The Kursk region became a significant battleground after Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border offensive, making it the first time since World War II that foreign troops occupied Russian territory.

TASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Ukrainian President Calls for 21st EU Sanctions Package Against Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested negotiations for a 21st package of European Union sanctions against Russia. EU leaders on Thursday approved the 20th sanctions package during a summit in Cyprus, targeting Russia's banking sector and imposing additional restrictions on Russian oil exports. The latest sanctions represent the European Union's continued effort to pressure Russia economically over its invasion of Ukraine, with measures specifically designed to limit Moscow's access to international financial systems and reduce revenue from energy exports.

TASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Spanish PM Tells US That Spain is Reliable NATO Member Amid Iran Tensions

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez conveyed to the United States that Spain remains a reliable NATO member as Washington seeks to pressure the alliance into involvement in the American-Iranian conflict. The message comes as the US attempts to rally NATO support for its confrontational stance with Iran, highlighting potential divisions within the transatlantic alliance over how to respond to Middle Eastern tensions. NATO members have varying approaches to Iran policy, with some European allies preferring diplomatic engagement over military escalation.

SME
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International Politics

Macron Says Trump, Putin and Xi Stand Against Europe, Calls for Stronger NATO Role

French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping stand in opposition to Europe, according to statements reported by Slovak media. Macron called for strengthening the European pillar within NATO, suggesting the need for greater European autonomy and defense capabilities within the transatlantic alliance. The French leader's remarks reflect growing concerns among European leaders about geopolitical pressures from major powers and the need for Europe to assert greater strategic independence while maintaining its NATO commitments.

SME
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International Politics

Slovakia's EU Commissioner Signs Critical Minerals Agreement with US to Counter China's Market Dominance

Maroš Šefčovič, Slovakia's European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations, signed a critical minerals agreement with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio aimed at protecting Europe and the United States from Chinese dominance in strategic raw materials. The agreement comes as the US and European Union together represent the largest consumers and users of critical minerals globally. The partnership seeks to reduce Western dependence on China's control over supply chains for materials essential to modern technology, renewable energy systems, and defense applications. Critical minerals include lithium, rare earth elements, and other materials crucial for electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and advanced electronics manufacturing.

SME
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International Politics

Cuba Releases Three Panamanian Women Detained for 'Subversive' Messages

Cuba has released three Panamanian women who were detained for displaying messages with what authorities described as "subversive content." The Cuban government's decision to free the women comes amid diplomatic tensions over restrictions on freedom of expression on the communist island. Panama's government welcomed the release, describing Cuba's decision as a gesture of humanity and friendship between the two countries. The case highlights ongoing concerns about civil liberties in Cuba, where authorities frequently detain individuals for displaying anti-government messages or participating in protests.

SME
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International Politics

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Claims US Ignores Russia's Interests

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of disregarding Russia's interests, according to statements from Moscow officials. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian leadership has characterized relations with Washington as worse than at any point in history. The comments reflect the continued deterioration of US-Russia diplomatic ties following the full-scale military assault on Ukraine that began nearly two years ago.

TASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Iranian Foreign Minister Arrives in Pakistan as US Diplomatic Talks Remain Uncertain

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad for discussions on regional peace and stability, as preparations for an American delegation's visit to the Pakistani capital near completion. The diplomatic developments come as US President Donald Trump extended a two-week ceasefire in the conflict with Iran just before it was set to expire on Tuesday. The potential for direct talks between Iranian and American officials remains unclear despite both sides preparing delegations in the same city.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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International Politics

US Imposes New Sanctions on Iran, Targeting Chinese Refineries and Dozens of Companies

The United States has tightened sanctions against Iran, targeting dozens of companies, oil tankers, and cryptocurrency operations. The new measures include sanctions against a major Chinese refinery in the port city of Dalian, marking an escalation in Washington's pressure campaign against Iranian oil exports. The US Treasury Department had previously warned banks in China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman in April about potential secondary sanctions for conducting business with Iran. The sanctions represent part of the broader US effort to restrict Iran's ability to finance its activities through oil revenues and international financial networks.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Kosovo Court Convicts Three Serbian Gunmen for Police Attack

A Kosovo court convicted three Serbian armed men for attacking police in northern Kosovo in 2023, killing one officer during the incident. The attack occurred in the disputed territory's northern region, where ethnic tensions remain high. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade refuses to recognize the breakaway territory and continues to consider it a Serbian province. The conviction highlights ongoing security challenges in Kosovo's Serb-majority northern areas, where clashes between local Serbs and Kosovo authorities periodically flare up.

SMETASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Estonian PM proposes tariffs on Russian goods to fund Ukraine reconstruction

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has proposed financing Ukraine's post-war reconstruction through tariffs on imports of Russian goods. Michal said the reconstruction costs could reach hundreds of billions of euros. European Union countries have already imposed extensive sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, including bans on many Russian products and tariffs on grain and fertilizers. Estonia, a Baltic nation and NATO member that shares a border with Russia, has been one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine and advocates for strong measures against Moscow since the war began.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Austrian Ex-MP Acquitted in Case Related to Wirecard Executive's Escape

An Austrian former member of parliament has been acquitted in a case connected to the escape of Wirecard's fugitive executive Jan Marsalek. Marsalek, an Austrian national, remains on Interpol's wanted list following the collapse of the German payment processor Wirecard in one of Europe's biggest corporate fraud scandals. The Wirecard scandal erupted in 2020 when the company admitted that €1.9 billion supposedly held in trust accounts probably never existed, leading to its insolvency and criminal investigations across multiple countries.

SME
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International Politics

German Chancellor Merz to Visit Slovakia as Fico's Moscow Trip Remains Uncertain

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to visit Slovakia, raising questions about whether Prime Minister Robert Fico will proceed with a planned trip to Moscow. The development comes amid broader concerns about Slovakia's democratic trajectory and foreign policy direction. Fico, leader of the ruling social-democratic Smer-SD party, has faced criticism for his increasingly pro-Russian stance since returning to power. The potential Moscow visit would mark a significant diplomatic move, as most European Union leaders have avoided direct engagement with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine. Slovakia's government appears to be reconsidering its diplomatic priorities as it manages relationships with both Western allies and Russia, while domestic observers note growing concerns about the country's commitment to democratic institutions.

Dennik N
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International Politics

EU anti-fraud office opens investigation into former commissioner Mandelson over Epstein links

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has launched an investigation into Peter Mandelson, a former European Commissioner, over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The probe centers on suspicions that confidential information about eurozone rescue measures may have been leaked. Mandelson served as European Commissioner for Trade from 2004 to 2008 during a critical period for EU economic policy. OLAF is the European Union's independent anti-fraud office responsible investigating corruption, fraud and misconduct within EU institutions. The investigation adds scrutiny to Mandelson's past associations with Epstein, the American financier who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

SMEAktuality
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International Politics

Italy Prepares Naval Mission to Clear Strait of Hormuz After Middle East War Ends

Italy is preparing to deploy a frigate and two minesweepers to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz once the current Middle East conflict concludes. The deployment of the naval mission will depend on both international and domestic conditions when the war ends. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies pass, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any disruption to this waterway significantly impacts global energy markets and international shipping routes.

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