News
Ten workers perish battling wildfires in Turkey
Minister says personnel became “trapped inside” a blaze after a change in the direction of the wind.
Russia’s HIV crisis accelerates due to wartime strains
Russia’s HIV epidemic, already severe before the invasion of Ukraine, has worsened dramatically under the pressures of war, with health authorities now facing what may become one of the country’s gravest long-term demographic crises.
Hungary holds trilateral talks on construction of new oil pipeline to Serbia with Russia
Hungary and Serbia are moving ahead with plans to build a new cross-border oil pipeline that could transport up to 5mn tonnes per year of crude, as both countries deepen energy ties with Russia despite EU sanctions.
Serbia facilitated arms transit to Ukraine despite Russian warnings
Serbia continued to permit arms shipments destined for Ukraine to transit its territory even after receiving direct warnings from Moscow, according to a BIRN investigation.
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Brazil to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at ICJ
Brazil is set to formally join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, in a move likely to ratchet up international legal pressure on Tel Aviv over the Gaza conflict.
Thailand recalls ambassador, expels Cambodian diplomat following border landmine incident
The measures follow an incident in which an NCO in the Thai army suffered the loss of his right leg after stepping on a landmine in the disputed Huai Bon border region of Ubon Ratchathani province.
Budapest Airport reports record passenger and cargo traffic in June
Passenger numbers at Budapest Airport rose 15% year on year to 9.07mn in the first half, which roughly matches the full-year total recorded a decade ago. Last month, the airport hub registered a record 1.7mn passengers, up 9% y/y.
Zelenskiy faces EU backlash over bill that guts Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts
The mood has shifted fast as European leaders lined up to criticise, albeit in mild tones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s decision to sign into law a controversial bill rammed through the Rada on July 23.
Panama's public debt surges past $62bn amid deepening fiscal crisis
Panama’s public debt rose by $4.48bn in one year under President Mulino, reaching $56.3bn by June 2025, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
Tusk unveils cabinet shake-up to regain footing after presidential election setback
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a government reshuffle on July 23 in a bid to regain political momentum following the opposition’s victory in the presidential election in June.
Hungarian policymakers concede 2.4% growth target out of reach
Hungarian policymakers have conceded that the economy stagnated in Q2 and that full-year growth, even in the base case scenario, could only reach 1%, in line with market consensus.
Nigel Farage proposes sending UK prisoners to El Salvador following Trump model
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has announced plans to send British prisoners to El Salvador if he becomes prime minister, mirroring a controversial arrangement between US President Donald Trump and his Salvadoran counterpart Nayib Bukele.
Iran’s president warns Israel of deep strike amid nuclear dispute
President Massoud Pezeshkian asserted Tehran's readiness to "strike deep within Israel" and dismissed claims of Iran's nuclear programme being destroyed as "an illusion".
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Japan jolted by a ‘youthquake’ just before Trump announces ‘massive’ deal
The US’s ‘massive’ deal declaration is a statement the drowning Ishiba may now see as a straw at which to clutch to extend his own political tenure as PM, while throwing the Japanese agriculture sector under the bus driven by Donald Trump.
Zambia inks deal for construction of a $1bn crude oil refinery
Refinery and cassava cultivation and processing deals Zambia's IDC signed with Chinese corporations amount to over $2bn.
Kyiv sees first anti-government wartime protests as Zelenskiy attempts to gut anti-corruption bodies
Ukrainian lawmakers forced through a controversial law giving unlimited power to the general prosecutor that civil rights groups say will gut Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms, sparking anti-government protests.
Cuba’s fragile communist system could collapse at any moment, analyst warns
Deepening economic hardship, crumbling infrastructure and dwindling external support raise questions over how long the government can maintain stability, says Oxford Analytica analyst.
Hungarian central bank holds rate steady at 6.5%
The Hungarian National Bank kept its key interest rates unchanged at 6.5% on July 22, maintaining a tight monetary policy stance amid persistent inflation risks and heightened global uncertainties.
Romanian government plans overhaul of state enterprises to increase transparency
Reforms are part of broader government effort to support urgently needed fiscal consolidation measures.
Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc detained in Greece over $1bn bank fraud case
Plahotniuc has been under international investigation for his alleged involvement in Moldova’s infamous $1bn bank fraud scandal.