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RSF urges EU action over police violence against journalists in Serbia
Press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders warned abuses threaten the country’s EU accession process.
Trump promises weapons, secondary sanctions on Russia if no deal in 50-days, but lots of questions remain open
US President Donald Trump announced that the US would supply Ukraine with billions of dollars of weapons “very soon”, including badly needed Patriot air defence missiles, and impose 100% secondary sanctions on countries doing business with Russia
US and Panama launch joint military exercises amid canal security concerns
US helicopters have arrived in Panama to begin collaborative training exercises with local security forces, as tensions mount over the strategic waterway's future amid competing US and Chinese interests.
Serbia weighs nuclear options
Serbia is exploring the development of nuclear energy with two potential pathways – conventional nuclear power plants and small modular reactors.
Migration pushes EU population to record high, but CEE countries continue to shrink
Immigration outweighed the natural population decline in 2024 in just three of the newer EU member states – Croatia, Czechia and Slovenia.
Iran responds to Azerbaijan energy projects with Caspian Sea drilling
Iran has launched exploratory drilling operations in the Caspian Sea after years of neglecting the region due to sanctions constraints and cheaper extraction costs from southern oil fields.
Syria signs $800mn strategic deal with DP World to upgrade ports
Syria has signed a strategic $800mn agreement with UAE logistics major DP World in a major investment move aimed at revitalising the country’s maritime infrastructure.
Iran dismisses imminent US nuclear talks, warns against sanctions snapback
Foreign ministry spokesman refuted reports of an imminent meeting between Iranian and US representatives on the nuclear issue.
Hungary, Slovakia close to deal on Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros HPP, Hungarian energy minister confirms
Neighbouring countries agree to settle decades-long dispute over joint dam project.
Peter Magyar pledges peaceful regime change and sweeping reforms at Tisza Party congress
Opposition leader pledges peaceful and responsible regime change, unveiling a raft of reform proposals and a slew of election promises.
Slovak PM Fico expects deal with EU over sanctions against Russia on July 15, and threatens to continue blocking sanctions if none made.
Slovak populist Prime Minister Robert Fico expects an agreement between the European Union and Slovakia could be reached on Tuesday, July 15, over Slovakia lifting its veto of the EU’s 18th round of sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine signs €11bn in reconstruction deals at Rome URC2025 conference
Ukraine signed close to 200 agreements and memorandums totalling €11bn during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC2025) held in Rome, according to Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko.
EC proposes floating Russian oil cap rate at 15% below global price
The European Commission has proposed a floating price cap on Russian crude oil set at 15% below the average global market price over the previous three months, European Union diplomats said on July 11.
Japan, France call for downgrading ties with the US as tariff hikes loom
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at the end of last week his country needs to “wean itself from US dependence” in such key areas as security, food and energy.
Saudi Arabia signs $8.3bn renewable energy deals with ACWA Power consortium
Saudi Arabia signed power purchase agreements worth $8.3bn for seven renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 15 GW on July 13.
Slovakia seeks EU guarantees on Russian gas phase-out ahead of sanctions deal
Slovakia is pushing for firm guarantees from the European Commission and key EU member states over the future of its energy security, as it links this condition to its support for a fresh round of sanctions on Russian gas imports.
Trump pledges first financial aid to Ukraine since he took over
President Donald Trump may sign off on the first new package of military funding for Ukraine of up to $3.8bn since taking office at the start of this year.
Gulf states prepare unified tourist visa to boost regional tourism
Gulf Cooperation Council countries are working to launch a unified tourist visa allowing holders to travel to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait with a single visa
Kosovo's opposition accuses Vetevendosje of power grab as political crisis deepens
With Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje falling short of a majority in the February general election, MPs have been unable to form a new ruling coalition.
Lavrov visits North Korea to reaffirm security pact
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned the United States, South Korea and Japan against forming a trilateral security alliance that explicitly targets North Korea, cautioning that such a move would inflame regional tensions.