Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff charged with corruption
Andriy Yermak used to be the second-most powerful person in Ukraine after the president.

Andriy Yermak used to be the second-most powerful person in Ukraine after the president.

Edouard Philippe's campaign is recalibrating its strategy for the 2027 French presidential election following Marine Le Pen's successful appeal against her ban, allowing her to run. Philippe's team plans to attack Le Pen's fiscally left-wing platform, contrasting it with Bardella's more pro-business stance.

A group of EU countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain, are pushing the European Commission to propose limiting trade with illegal Israeli settlements. This move faces opposition from the Commission and countries like Germany, creating a standoff over EU Middle East policy.

Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans a radical overhaul of the civil service, centralizing some powers, decentralizing others to regional leaders, and relocating staff outside London. This move aims to challenge the influence of Whitehall departments and potentially counter Nigel Farage's anti-establishment platform.

Tributes highlight Senator Lindsey Graham's pivotal role as a liaison between the Trump White House and the Senate. His ability to bridge divides, negotiate deals, and advise the president on policy and foreign affairs was considered "colossal" and "multidimensional," making his loss a "devastating development" for those working with the administration.

Israel's parliament has scheduled national elections for October 27, the latest possible date, widely viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership following the Gaza war. Netanyahu aims to form a broad national government, but polls indicate a desire for his removal, with Gadi Eisenkot as a key contender.

Iran launched simultaneous missile and drone attacks across the Gulf targeting Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman. This follows US airstrikes in Iran and an Iranian attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran declared the Strait closed, while the US stated it remains open.