Eurotopics.net

The intense pressure on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down has increased after the resignations of two of his top aides. Several cabinet members have rallied around him, however. The crisis was triggered by former US ambassador Peter Mandelson, who is suspected of passing on confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Cuba is experiencing an acute energy crisis after Donald Trump cut off all oil deliveries from Venezuela to the Caribbean island and threatened to impose tariffs on other countries such as Mexico if they continue to supply the island with fuel. Washington wants to force the socialist government in Havana to make concessions. Europe's media take stock.

Moderate socialist António José Seguro will be Portugal's next president after defeating his right-wing populist rival André Ventura (Chega party) in the runoff election and securing around 67 percent of the vote. Conservative Prime Minister Luís Montenegro congratulated him on his victory and said he hoped they would be able to collaborate effectively. The constitution gives the president the right to veto laws, dissolve parliament and call new elections.

Hong Kong democracy activist and media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. The guilty verdict for "collusion with foreign forces" and "sedition" was already handed down in December. Now the court in the Chinese special administrative region has issued the sentence. Lai has already served two years, and will have to serve 18 more, the judges ruled.