News
Czech energy utility ČEZ and UK’s Rolls-Royce sign agreement to build first SMR
The majority state-owned energy utility ČEZ and the United Kingdom’s Rolls-Royce SMR have signed an agreement to begin preparatory works to build the first small modular nuclear reactor in Czechia.
Fico claims Slovakia has obtained energy guarantees from EU and will unblock latest sanctions package against Russia
Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico said it would be "counterproductive" to continue blocking the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia.
Maspex secures 21% of Bucharest-listed Purcari winery on first day of takeover bid
Maspex aims to broaden its product portfolio beyond its core soft drinks and food businesses.
Japan objects to South Korean military exercises near disputed islets
Japan has formally expressed its disapproval of South Korea’s recent military activity near a group of contested islets in the Sea of Japan.
Dozens killed as monsoon rains wreak havoc across Pakistan’s Punjab province
At least 63 people have died and close to 300 have been injured in the past 24 hours due to heavy monsoon rains across Pakistan’s Punjab province, according to provincial authorities.
Central Asia wary Russia will turn on ruble “printing press” to cope with cooling economy, say experts
If Russian economy slips into recession a consequent fall in migrant remittances would particularly hit Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Hindi language poster in a Croatian supermarket sparks a culture war
Far-right junior ruling party furious at posters in Zagreb Kaufland supermarket, exposing tensions over the growing number of Asian migrant workers in Croatia.
Ukrainian ambassador summoned in Budapest over church arson case
Ukrainian nationalists blamed for arson attack on a Greek Catholic church in Ukraine's western Transcarpathian region — but similar provocations were traced back to Russian operatives.
EU threatens suspension of visa free travel for Georgians amid ruling party crackdown
The EU has warned Georgia may lose its visa-free travel privileges should the ruling Georgian Dream party not take steps to reverse its current course, which many Western countries have condemned as increasingly authoritarian and anti-European.
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Serbia polls spell trouble for Vucic
Recent polling suggests President Aleksandar Vucic would lose the next Serbian election by a large margin.
Signet Bank launches first Baltic bond fund in Latvia
Signet Asset Management Latvia of Signet Bank Group has established the Signet Baltic Bond Fund, described as the first open-ended mutual fund of its kind in the Baltic region
Russian Railways to propose more tariff changes
State rail operator Russian Railways (RZD) plans to revise freight tariffs, proposing a rebalancing that would raise rates on raw materials and fuel while cutting them for finished metal products
Emirates returns to Syria with regular flights to Damascus
Emirates has officially resumed service to Syria's capital Damascus amid clashes locally and with Israel.
Poland the biggest winner from EU’s €2 trillion long-term budget, Ukraine to get €100bn
EU Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin unveiled the largest ever EU long-term €2 trillion budget that covers 2028-2034 in Brussels on July 16.
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Brazil’s Embraer warns Trump tariffs could add $9mn per aircraft
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer faces a devastating blow to its business as US tariffs threaten to add $9mn to the cost of each plane, the company's chief executive has warned.
Svyrydenko appointed as new Ukrainian Prime Minister
Ukraine’s parliament appointed Yuliia Svyrydenko as the country’s new prime minister on July 17, marking the most significant reshuffle of the government since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Four EU countries bail out of paying for Trump’s weapons for Ukraine
At least four countries are already bailing out of commitments to pay the US for weapons supplies for Ukraine, raising a question mark over the level of support Ukraine can expect now that the Trump administration has withdrawn.
Brazil growth to slow to 2.3% in 2025 before recovering, IMF says
Brazil's economy is expected to moderate in the near term as inflation converges to target, before strengthening to 2.5% over the medium term, the IMF has said in a statement.
Egypt, other Arab states condemn Israeli airstrikes on Syria
Several Arab countries have strongly condemned the recent Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, which targeted key sites linked to Syria’s Interior and Defence Ministries.
Iran claims 800,000 Afghans left voluntarily amid deportation programme
An estimated 800,000 Afghans have left Iran from the beginning of 2025 until July 16, with over 70% departing voluntarily and self-identifying as unauthorised residents, officials claim.