News
Poland’s right-wing presidential hopeful Nawrocki hit by sex worker scandal
A new controversy has hit Karol Nawrocki, run-off candidate in Poland's presidential election, on May 26 after a reportage by Onet alleged Nawrocki was involved in arranging prostitutes for guests at the Grand Hotel in Sopot while working there.
S&P moves Uzbekistan’s outlook to positive
Revision hinges on belief government will continue to implement economic and governance reforms and elevated gold prices.
EU sanctions cost Kosovo over €600mn in delayed and lost development projects
Punitive measures on Kosovo have had severe financial and developmental consequences, says a new report by Pristina-based GAP Institute.
Serbia extends Russian gas supply deal until end-September
The temporary extension announced just days before agreement was due to expire as Belgrade and Moscow negotiate a new long-term energy deal.
Pakistani PM begins Iran visit, focus on border security and regional peace
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif arrived in Tehran on May 26, as part of a six-day regional tour that also includes Turkey, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.
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Panama tightens ship registry rules to combat Russian sanctions-evading fleet
Panama has moved to impose stricter rules on ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfers in response to growing international scrutiny over its role in facilitating sanctions evasion.
Venezuela elects governor for Guyana-controlled Essequibo in sovereignty escalation
Venezuela conducted regional and parliamentary elections on May 25 for a governor and lawmakers to represent Essequibo, an oil-rich region that remains under Guyana's administration.
Saudi Arabia denies reports of alcohol ban being lifted for World Cup
Saudi official denies reports that the Kingdom will lift its 73-year alcohol ban, contradicting recent media claims about 2026 tourist venue licensing.
EU allies drop all restrictions on types of weapons available to Ukraine
Great Britain, France, Germany and the United States have lifted restrictions on the types of weapons that can be supplied to Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 26.
Putin has gone "CRAZY," Trump says, as Russia rains down missiles on Ukrainian cities
Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone “crazy”, US President Donald Trump said at the weekend, after two days of intense missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.
Trzaskowski and Nawrocki clash in Warsaw rallies as Polish presidency hangs in balance
Liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski and radical right-wing challenger Karol Nawrocki drew tens of thousands of supporters to rival rallies in the capital on May 25, as both candidates sought last-minute momentum ahead of the second vote.
Hungary's Viktor Orban escalates anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, citing threat of economic and security collapse
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has escalated his campaign against Ukraine's accession to the EU over the past weeks, warning that it would divert vast amounts of funds away from existing members and imperil Hungary's security and economy.
Hungary’s power imports sink to 12-year low as fossil fuel and solar output surge
Hungary’s reliance on electricity imports dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade last month, as rising domestic energy production and record-breaking solar output reshaped the country's energy landscape.
Romanian far-right parties call for protests after presidential election defeat
AUR and the Party of Young People want to capitalise on mounting discontent over proposed austerity measures.
Snus and polls – Poland’s presidential race at fever pitch one week before vote
Poland’s populist right-winger Karol Nawrocki sparked fresh debate by using snus, a small dose of nicotine placed on the gum, during his televised debate with rival Rafał Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw, on May 23.
Czechia gets nuclear fuel delivery from Westinghouse as it moves away from Russian supplies
Prague is pushing to replace the Russian state agency Rosatom and its TVEL arm, on which Czech nuclear power plants relied for years.
Weekend protests renew pressure on Serbian government
Thousands of demonstrators marched in cities across Serbia over the weekend, demanding early parliamentary elections amid simmering public anger over corruption.
Russia runs down Ukraine’s air defences with a “weekend of hell” drone and missile strikes across the country
Russia has been running down Ukraine’s air defences with a “weekend of hell” with one of the most intense drone and missile barrages since the war began three years ago that struck Kyiv and other major cities.
China launches first offshore carbon capture project to support emissions goals
China National Offshore Oil Corporation has commenced operations at the country’s first offshore carbon capture and storage facility, located in the Pearl River Mouth Basin.
Kyiv hit by massive Russian airstrike hours after prisoner swap
Kyiv was struck by a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack early on May 23, just hours after Ukraine and Russia conducted their first prisoner exchange in nearly five months.