Merkel’s back in headlines as Europe weighs Russia talks; ex-German chancellor (2005–2021), first female PM, East German roots.
EU foreign ministers are discussing the idea of engaging directly with Russia to end the Ukraine war, with Kyiv urging Europe to take a strong role. Names floated for a potential EU envoy include Angela Merkel, Mario Draghi, and Sauli Niinistö, though Brussels remains cautious about impartiality amid stalled US-led negotiations.
Russia has been applying economic and diplomatic pressure on Armenia ahead of its 7 June 2026 parliamentary election, banning or restricting imports, recalling its ambassador and warning Armenia against pursuing EU membership. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is framing the vote as a choice between peace with Azerbaijan and a return to war while deepening ties with the EU and US.
France and Germany have announced they will end plans to build a joint sixth-generation fighter jet, after industrial deadlock between Dassault and Airbus blocked progress. Leaders say work on associated drones and a shared combat data network will continue, but the core €100bn fighter programme has been abandoned this week.
European governments are accelerating defence production in response to Russia and shifting US backing. KNDS unveils an intermediate tank CAPINT to bridge to MGCS, while France and Germany scrap the FCAS fighter jet programme, and Germany advances Leopard-based plans. The sector faces funding strains and IPOs.
The Barack Obama Presidential Center has opened on Chicago's South Side with a star-studded dedication that has drawn four former presidents, celebrities and thousands of visitors. The privately funded $850 million, 19-acre campus includes a museum, public library branch, basketball court, playground and large public art installations and will open to the public on Juneteenth.