Europe

29 May 2023; AA: Spain has decisively swung toward the right after local elections Sunday resulted in right-wing parties winning power in most major cities and in several regional governments. 

The conservative Popular Party and far-right party Vox surged in popularity across the country as the liberal Ciudadanos party virtually disappeared.

The outcome was a blow for Spain’s left-wing parties, particularly since it occurred only months before general elections.

28 May 2023; MEMO: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday congratulated his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his victory in the presidential election.

Putin said he appreciates Erdogan's contribution in strengthening of "friendly" relations between Moscow and Ankara, and expressed his readiness to continue "constructive dialogue" on bilateral, regional and international agenda, the Kremlin said in a statement.

MILAN (AP) — Italian firefighters said Monday that they have recovered four bodies from a northern Italian lake after a tourist boat capsized in a sudden, violent storm.

Divers searched overnight after a whirlwind overturned the boat carrying more than 20 tourists and crew Sunday evening. The final body was recovered early Monday.

Firefighters said 19 people were saved. Many reportedly managed to swim to shore, or were picked up by other boats.

Firefighter video released Sunday showed pieces of wood floating in the lake as a helicopter flew overhead.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The attacks come at night, when most in Kyiv are sound asleep. The sirens wail across the Ukrainian capital, rousing bleary-eyed residents, who, after 15 months of war, have customized individual routines to cope with Russia’s latest air campaign.

In the recent escalation of Russian attacks, Olha Bukhno, 65, a cleaner, says a prayer every night. “Please,” she asks, closing her eyes and addressing the heavens, “Let it be quiet.”

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s capital was subjected to the largest drone attack since the start of Russia’s war, local officials said, as Kyiv prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday. At least one person was killed, but officials said scores of drones were shot down, demonstrating Ukraine’s air defense capability.

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/: Russia decisively condemns Pristina’s provocative steps that have brought the situation in Kosovo to the brink of a "hot phase," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Saturday, adding that the responsibility for anti-Serbian provocation lies with the US and the EU.

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/: Western countries are becoming more and more involved in the Ukraine conflict day by day, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the ‘Moscow. Kremlin. Putin’ TV program.

An excerpt of the program was posted by anchor Pavel Zarubin on his Telegram channel on Saturday.

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/: Russian air defenses intercepted two Storm Shadow missiles, 19 HIMARS rockets, two HARM missiles and shot down 12 Ukrainian combat drones in the past 24 hours, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Saturday.

"The air defenses have intercepted two Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles, 19 rockets fired from the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and two HARM antiradar missiles," he said.

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/: Ukraine’s "puppeteers" in London and Washington start begin to concern themselves with mental stability of top officials in Kiev and Russia hopes that sanctions against the Ukrainian leadership will follow over the threats against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview published Saturday.

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/: Russia decisively condemns Pristina’s provocative steps that have brought the situation in Kosovo to the brink of a "hot phase," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Saturday, adding that the responsibility for anti-Serbian provocation lies with the US and the EU.