WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12689) by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke. Here are excerpts: * * * Colombia's 2026 Presidential Election On June 4, 2026, Colombian authorities certified the results of a May 31 first-round presidential election in which right-wing political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella exceeded expectations, garnering 44% of the vote to finish ahead of left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact (PH) more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11211) by section research manager Kristin Archick. Here are excerpts: * * * The European Parliament and U.S. Interests A Key EU Institution The European Parliament (EP) is the only directly elected institution of the 27-country European Union (EU). The EP's current 720 members represent the EU's roughly 450 million citizens. The EP has accumulated more power over time (most recently with the 2009 Lisbon Treaty) as part of E more PR

LONDON, England, June 11 -- The Financial Conduct Authority, an agency that says it regulates the conduct of firms in the United Kingdom to ensure that financial markets are honest, competitive and fair, issued the following news release: * * * FCA decides to fine Carlos Ricardo Fuenmayor pound sterling99,600 for disclosure failures Mr Fuenmayor has referred his Decision Notice to the Upper Tribunal where he and the FCA will present their cases. Any findings in the Decision Notice are therefore provisional and reflect the FCA's belief as to  more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, June 10 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party posted the following news: * * * Inflation Hit Record High in May After Whatley Promised a "Very, Very Strong" Q1 & Q2 * New Consumer Price Index data reveals inflation " jumped to 4.2%" in May - a new high - "as the Iran war pushed energy prices higher." But last December, DC Insider and Big Oil Lobbyist Michael Whatley promised "an economy that's growing and very, very strong first quarter, second quarter" in 2026. Michael Whatley: "So we're very excited about the p more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- The Jamestown Foundation issued the following commentary on June 10, 2026, by foreign affairs analyst Fuad Shahbazov in the foundation's Eurasia Daily Monitor: * * * Russia Balances Relationship with Iran and Other Gulf States Executive Summary: * Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on April 27 about the ongoing conflict in and around Iran. The visit highlighted the two states' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, signed in January 2025. * Russia  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 -- Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Washington, issued the following news release: * * * Larsen Votes No on Funding ICE without Guardrails * Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: "I voted no on this partisan bill to fund ICE, and I will continue to oppose funding ICE until the agency is required to follow the same rules as every other local, state and federal law enforcement agency. "Once again, Republicans ignored bipartisan calls for reform and instead advanced a bill that gives ICE and CBP more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, June 10 [Category: BizEnergy] -- Schlumberger dba SLB issued the following news release: * * * SLB and PDVSA Sign MoU for Digital Transformation of Venezuela's Oil and Gas Sector Framework agreement focuses on technology, AI enablement and workforce development  - SLB has signed a long-term framework agreement with Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) to support the revitalization and modernization of Venezuela's oil and gas sector. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishes a basis for cooperation across exploratio more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release on June 10, 2026: * * * Economic Fury Disrupts Foreign Networks Supporting Iran's Military and Weapons Programs Today, as part of Economic Fury, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned nine individuals and entities that have supported weapons procurement on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). "Through Economic Fury, th more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following news: * * * U.S. Prepared for Anything, Hegseth Tells Troops at Guantanamo Bay * At Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with service members for a morning physical training session and also discussed readiness with mission leaders at the installation. "What happens with the future of Cuba is in the hands of the president of the United States and the leadership of Cuba," Hegseth said. "No matter what, the Department of War is goi more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Warren Press Trump Treasury and U.S Mint Over Sourcing of 24-Karat Trump Gold Coins * Recent Investigations Revealed That Much Of The Gold Being Sourced By The Trump Treasury Is From Illegal and Illicit Sources Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today he and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have requested the Mint cease its production of 24-karat gold coins with Donald Trump's image on them, until a thorough investi more PR