News
Ukraine's ammunition lifeline frays as US scales back Nato commitments
Half of the members' ammunition alliance to supply Ukraine with shells have withdrawn from the Czech-led initiative that has kept the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) supplied with crucial munitions in its war with Russia in the last two years.
Bulgaria could gain up to €70mn from hosting Eurovision 2027
Bulgaria could generate between €45mn and €70mn in net economic benefits from hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, driven largely by tourism and hospitality spending.
Serbia pitches itself as European hub for Chinese investment
President Aleksandar Vucic met executives from major Chinese companies, seeking to promote Serbia as a European hub for Chinese investment in energy and advanced manufacturing.
Netanyahu confirms Israel will intensify Hezbollah strikes despite US-Iran talks
Israel is intensifying its strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon despite the progression of US-Iran talks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed.
Trump's Abraham Accords gambit appears doomed to fail, given Iran's regional strength
With Iran making itself a heavily relied upon partner to regional allies, US President Donald Trump's bid to bring Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey into the Abraham Accords with Israel appears destined to fail.
Czech government mulls sale of Semtex producer Explosia
Proposed sale of Explosia met with criticism from Czech defence and foreign policy experts who argue the country should not lose control over the strategically important plant.
UPDATE: US launches strikes on Iranian targets near Strait of Hormuz
The strikes came as the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai said some progress had been made in recent talks with Washington, although a deal to end the conflict was “not imminent”.
Lithuania tests Shahed-like drone detection system
Tests are aimed at assessing drone detection capabilities after several drone incursions on Lithuanian territory.
Macron calls Lukashenko as US withdraws from Ukraine ceasefire talks
French President Emmanuel Macron took the unusual step of calling Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko on May 24, which is now housing Russian nuclear weapons.
US signals shift from nation building to economic engagement in Western Balkans
State Department report highlights “partnership-based” policy in Western Balkans, while flagging Russian and Chinese influence.
Xi awards Serbia’s Vucic top honour during Beijing visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping says visit by Aleksandar Vucic will “open a new chapter” in relations with Serbia.
South Africa’s utility Eskom delivers one full year of uninterrupted power supply
On May 16, South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom marked a full year without crippling power outages, or loadshedding, achieving a milestone not seen since September 2018, eight years earlier.
The hunt for a European mediator in Russia-Ukraine talks continues, but no talks are likely yet
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has put himself forward to represent the EU in possible ceasefire talks with Russia now the US has fully withdrawn from the process, but immediately ruled out any talks starting unless Russia agreed to a ceasefire.
Norway overtakes Russia as world's top gas pipeline exporter
Norway overtook Russia as the world’s biggest exporter of gas via pipeline in 2025, reflecting Moscow’s loss of most of its market share in Europe over the past four years.
US and Iran near nuclear deal, US officials say agreement 95% done
The United States and Iran are within reach of a landmark nuclear agreement, with negotiators reporting that a framework deal is 95% complete, according to officials cited by Fox News on May 24.
SMBC Indonesia offloads $1.13bn pensioner loan portfolio to BTN
In one of the largest domestic banking asset reallocations of the year, PT Bank SMBC Indonesia, recently rebranded to reflect its parent Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, has agreed to sell its pensioner and pre-pensioner retail loan portfolio.
Thousands rally in Prague in support of public media
Protesters turned out to protest against move by PM Andrej Babiš' cabinet to curtail financing for Czech Television and Czech Radio.
Philippines construction disaster leaves four dead, 17 missing
Emergency teams discovered two workers alive beneath the wreckage after the structure gave way and struck an adjacent hotel, killing a Malaysian guest. However, both trapped labourers later died despite intensive rescue efforts.
Advent, FedEx consortium launches €7.8bln all-cash bid to buy out and delist Poland's InPost
Consortium including private equity firm Advent and FedEx has launched a recommended all-cash public offer to acquire all shares of Polish automated parcel locker operator InPost and delist it from the Euronext Amsterdam exchange.
Armenia says Turkey rail link open for trade in breakthrough for regional connectivity
Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan says the Akhalkalaki-Kars railway connection through Georgia and Turkey is now available for Armenian trade.