19 confirmed dead, 6 missing after quarry collapse in Indonesia's West Java
The death toll from a quarry collapse in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 19, with six people still missing, officials said on Sunday.
Romanians vote Sunday in a rerun presidential election with far-right eurosceptic George Simion leading the polls, a potential upset that could unsettle markets and raise alarms in the EU and NATO.
Romanians will head back to the polls on Sunday for a repeat presidential election that could hand victory to ultranationalist George Simion—an outcome that analysts say would unsettle investors and raise alarm within both the European Union and NATO.
The rerun follows the annulment of December’s vote amid allegations of Russian meddling, which Moscow denies. Simion, 38, has surged to about 30 percent in recent polls, capitalising on public anger over the cancellation and inheriting much of the support once directed at barred far-right contender Călin Georgescu. Although comfortably ahead of his rivals, Simion is unlikely to clear the 50 percent threshold on Sunday, setting up a 18 May runoff against whichever centrist finishes second.
A conservative Christian and self-declared eurosceptic, Simion opposes military aid to neighbouring Ukraine, is critical of EU leadership and has voiced admiration for former U.S. president Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda. In 2018 he backed an unsuccessful referendum aimed at blocking same-sex marriage, and he has called for Romania’s borders to be redrawn to match the country’s 1940 frontiers—claims that touch present-day Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine.
His main challengers are two pro-Western centrists: 65-year-old former senator Crin Antonescu, backed by the governing coalition, and 55-year-old Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan, standing as an independent reformist. Both support the EU, NATO and continued assistance to Kyiv.
Romania’s president serves a semi-executive five-year term, commanding the armed forces, appointing the prime minister and representing the country at EU and NATO summits. Financial institutions warn that a Simion victory would inject significant uncertainty, potentially upending the current coalition as the government struggles to tame one of the bloc’s largest budget deficits.
The next head of state will also face pressure to boost defence spending, manage the economic fallout of any trade disputes and repair ties with Washington after criticism from some U.S. officials over the cancelled December vote.
Simion has pledged to reveal the true cost of Romania’s support for Ukraine, contrasting it with domestic spending needs. The country has already donated a Patriot air-defence battery to Kyiv, trains Ukrainian fighter pilots and has handled around 30 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea port of Constanța since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Supporters praise Simion for what they see as straightforward patriotism and integrity. “He backed the only candidate who wanted the best for Romania,” said lawyer Vlad Popa, 50. “I hope he restores democracy through his actions.”
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his fifth victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The death toll from a quarry collapse in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 19, with six people still missing, officials said on Sunday.
Ukraine has outlined its formal negotiating framework ahead of planned peace talks with Russia, set to take place on June 2 in Istanbul, according to a full document seen by Reuters.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
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