Politics
Russia & UkraineRussian Deputy FM Pankin: EU Has Run Out of Leverage, Sanctions to Last
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin told TASS that EU states have no levers of pressure left on Russia. He said Moscow expects EU and US sanctions to remain in place for a long time.
North AmericaBBC: ‘kidding’ after midterm loss; Interfax: fighters Makhachev and Nurmagomedov
Donald Trump said he was “only kidding” when he offered UFC boss Dana White the White House press secretary job. Western and Russian outlets agree on the core story, but Russian outlets stress the Russian fighters while the BBC adds the midterm-election context.
EuropeTagesschau: ‘war of aggression’, IOL: ‘conflict’ – G7 meets in Paris on Ukraine and Iran
G7 foreign ministers are meeting in Paris, with Ukraine and Iran at the centre. Germany's Tagesschau stresses Russian aggression and Europe's role in negotiations, while South Africa's IOL highlights the threat of new US strikes on Iran.
EuropeTagesschau: Merz ‘breaks his silence’, Lenta.ru: Merz ‘wanted’ a woman as president
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed Ilse Aigner (CSU) as candidate for federal president. German outlets stress his long hesitation and the political backdrop, while Russia's Lenta.ru briefly relays Bloomberg.
AfricaTagesschau: ‘historic defeat’, SABC: ‘significant decline’ — ANC loses 28 Joburg seats
Both outlets report on South Africa's local election results and the ANC's fall. Tagesschau gives the national picture and causes, while SABC focuses on seat allocation in the Johannesburg council.
North AmericaGuardian: ‘big worries over AI’, Tehran Times: ‘Iran makes Trump pay’ – US midterms
The Democrats’ midterm victory is read in different ways: Western outlets focus on a tech-stock sell-off and fears over AI regulation, while Iran’s Tehran Times focuses on the cost of the war on Iran and tariffs.
Russia & UkraineDW: a “big deal” for all of Europe, Lenta.ru: Trump’s “peace initiatives will succeed”
Both outlets cover Kirill Dmitriev and Trump’s push for peace in Ukraine, including the Oleshky ceasefire. DW focuses on Trump’s hint at a possible deal and European worries, while Lenta.ru reports Dmitriev’s remarks on Zelensky and Putin.
Russia & UkraineTagesschau: ‘war of aggression’, TASS: ‘Ukrainian crisis’, Lenta: ‘allegedly’: Europe at Abu Dhabi
French Foreign Minister Barrot said Europeans will be represented at the Russia-US-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi. The outlets differ in their terminology and in what they place around his statement.
North AmericaBBC: ‘shattered’ coalition, Interfax: Republican ‘revenge’ after the midterms
After the midterms handed Democrats both chambers of Congress, the BBC writes about turmoil inside the Republican Party, while Russian and South African outlets relay Trump's post calling the vote a “giant step back” and promising a comeback.
Middle EastGuardian: ‘strongest rival’, Interfax: ‘oppositionist’ – Eisenkot handed mandate to form Israeli government
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog has tasked Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government. Western outlets frame the move against a deadlocked Knesset, while Russia’s Interfax reports only the handover of the mandate and Herzog’s words.
North AmericaBBC: ‘partisan firebrand’, Tehran Times: ‘extremist’ – Miller replaces Wiles
After the Republican Party's midterm defeat, Donald Trump named Stephen Miller White House chief of staff in place of Susie Wiles. BBC presents it as a possible sign Trump is preparing for political battle, while Tehran Times frames it as his answer to the electoral loss.
North AmericaDW: ‘blue wave’, TASS: Trump’s ‘giant step back in history’ after US midterms
Both outlets report on the US midterm elections, after which the Democrats take majorities in Congress. DW focuses on the consequences of the Democratic win, while TASS relays Donald Trump’s reaction.
South AmericaGuardian: ‘showdown’ with ‘hyper-capitalist’ Milei; TeleSUR: a ‘meeting’ as Pope Leo reaches Argentina
Pope Leo XIV is travelling to Argentina, where he will meet President Javier Milei. The Guardian frames the visit as a possible clash between opposing worldviews, while TeleSUR presents it as the start of a trip centred on social exclusion and justice.
Middle EastDW: ‘regime’ and 40 executed, Kommersant: ‘judicial bodies’ and three men
Iran's judiciary announced the execution of three men linked to the January protests: Hassan Divband, Hamid Kazemi and Reza Zanganeh. Germany's Deutsche Welle places it in a wider context of repression and rising executions, while Russia's Kommersant reports it briefly, largely as a judiciary statement.
Australia & OceaniaBBC: ‘gloomy’ Kiwis, IOL: ‘knife-edge’ poll – New Zealand left without a clear winner
New Zealand's election produced no clear majority and record gains for minor parties. The BBC focuses on the national mood, while IOL focuses on the numbers and the political arithmetic of forming a government.