🌐 Taliban arrests spark rare protest, Europe rethinks its alliance with the US, and Niger passes new anti-LGBT law

🇺🇸 Solar generated more electricity in the US than coal for the first time on record. In May 2026, solar supplied 12.8% of US electricity, while coal accounted for 12.2%. Solar generation was up 17% compared with May 2025.

Context: Coal generation has been steadily declining for years. However, President Trump is trying to give it a boost as it was one of his campaign promises. Last week, the Trump administration announced a $700 million investment plan in support of “clean, beautiful coal.”

🇪🇺 All EU member states approved the start of formal membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova. The first stage of negotiations will begin on Monday and focuses on core EU principles such as the rule of law, institutions, and fundamental rights. Both countries are aiming to join the EU by 2028. Montenegro is also targeting EU membership by 2028.

Context: This would be the first EU enlargement since 2013 and reflects the bloc’s ambition to position itself as a geopolitical power.

🇸🇮 Slovenia lifted its ban on arms trade with Israel. The ban, introduced in 2025, had prohibited the export and transit of weapons and military equipment to Israel.

Context: Slovenia became the first EU country to impose such a ban in 2025. However, the centre-left government that introduced it lost power in the recent election. The current centre-right government is led by pro-Trump Janez Janša.

🇳🇪 Niger’s military government adopted a new penal code that punishes anyone who “practices LGBTQIA+ acts” with 5-10 years in prison and a fine. The law also applies to people who officiate same-sex marriages, witnesses, organisers, and anyone who gives consent for such marriages to take place.

Context: More than 30 African countries currently ban same-sex sexual acts. However, in the last few months, the passage of new anti-LGBT laws has accelerated. Some of the world’s harshest laws have passed in Ghana and Senegal, although the Ghanaian law is still awaiting the president’s signature.

🇦🇫 The Taliban reportedly arrested at least 30 women in Afghanistan for violating the hijab dress code, including rules on face coverings. The arrests sparked a rare protest. UN-appointed human rights experts said Taliban security forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing at least two people and injuring more than 20. The report was also confirmed by BBC sources, although the Taliban denied that anyone had died.

🇰🇵 North Korea said the country’s status as a nuclear weapons state is “irreversible.” The statement came after US and South Korean officials held talks on nuclear deterrence against North Korea.

Context: North Korea’s uranium-enrichment capacity could expand by 75% once a new facility reaches full production. More enriched uranium means potentially more nuclear bombs. The country’s nuclear arsenal has been steadily growing over the last few years.

🇮🇱 The UK, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and Norway sanctioned networks enabling settler violence in the West Bank. The sanctions target individuals and organisations accused of financing, supporting, or carrying out attacks against Palestinian communities.

Context: Relations between several European countries and Israel have been rapidly deteriorating. This has included condemnations over the war in Gaza, recognition of a Palestinian state, bans on some Israeli officials, criticism over the treatment of pro-Palestinian flotilla activists, and sanctions. However, they haven’t gone as far as suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which grants Israeli goods preferential access to European markets.

🇺🇸 The US has become the world’s largest oil exporter, surpassing both Russia and Saudi Arabia for the third consecutive month. The shift has been driven largely by increased US oil production, disruptions to Saudi exports through the Strait of Hormuz, and Ukrainian drone attacks that have slowed Russian oil trade.

🇺🇸 Only 11% of Europeans view the US as an ally, a new poll shows, down from 22% in November 2024. Nearly half of respondents described the US as a “necessary partner” rather than an ally. Support for higher defence spending and greater European military independence has increased.

Context: Trust in the relationship with the US has been declining among Europeans since Trump’s first presidency, but the trend has accelerated in 2025-2026. Key reasons include Trump’s treatment of Zelensky and threats to annex Greenland.