News
Kremlin intensifies missile attacks on Ukraine, brings down F-16
The Armed Forces of Russia (AFR) brought down one of Ukraine’s valuable F-16 fighters at the weekend that was trying to counter another massive missile barrage. Such strikes have been intensifying in the last month.
Hungarian astronaut arrives at ISS aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon
The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying the crew of the Ax-4 mission, including Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, docked with the International Space Station on June 27.
Budapest Pride’s record turnout exposes Viktor Orban’s waning grip on power
Sheer scale of the event and the state's eventual decision to allow it to proceed signal a loss of control and resolve within Hungary's ruling Fidesz.
Two more Georgian opposition leaders jailed bringing total to six in one week
The ruling Georgia Dream party’s ongoing crackdown on political opponents has placed the majority of Georgia’s pro-Western opposition leaders in jail and sparked a huge international backlash.
Brazil's Lula takes Congress to Supreme Court over tax revolt
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has resolved to launch legal action at the Supreme Federal Court (STF) following Congress's decision to overturn his administration's increase to the Tax on Financial Operations.
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US sanctions three Mexican banks over alleged fentanyl money laundering
The United States has imposed sanctions on three Mexican financial institutions, accusing them of laundering millions of dollars for drug cartels and facilitating payments for fentanyl precursor chemicals from China
Bulgarian anti-euro campaigners set up protest camp in Sofia
Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov threatens to destroy the eurozone from the inside if Bulgaria joins in January 2026.
Albanian PM mocks Reform leader Farage in row over prisoner numbers
Edi Rama said he would take back all Albanian prisoners if Farage’s claim one in 50 Albanians in Britain are in prison is correct — but insists it’s an exaggeration.
Budapest Pride defies ban as European politicians rally against Hungary’s crackdown
Budapest Pride went ahead on June 28 in defiance of a government ban, drawing the support of more than 70 members of the European Parliament and several prominent European ministers, who travelled to the Hungarian capital to back the event.
Iranian parliament outlaws use of Elon Musk's Starlink internet services
Iran’s parliament has passed legislation criminalising the use of unlicensed electronic communication tools, including satellite internet services such as Starlink,
Russia seizes control of major lithium deposit in eastern Ukraine
Russian forces have taken control of a village in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast that is also the site of Europe’s largest known lithium ore deposits that will gut the recent minerals deal signed on April 30 with the Trump administration.
Serbian riot police clash with anti-government protesters
Tensions flared when riot police attempted to disperse crowds heading towards government buildings following months of largely non-violent demonstrations.
Kaczyński re-elected as PiS leader as party gears up for election in 2027
Jarosław Kaczyński has secured another term as leader of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party on June 28 during a party congress in Przysucha. Kaczyński, who has held the top position in PiS since 2003, received 1,214 delegate votes.
Serbian protesters mark Vidovdan with calls to end president's 12-year rule
Peaceful protest turns violent in late evening with riot police using tear gas and pepper spray to push back crowds.
Iran orders deportation of undocumented Afghans
Iran has issued orders for all "unauthorised foreign nationals" to leave the country as part of new policies communicated to the national police commander, according to official statements targeting Afghans.
Russia’s Tinkov and Calvey bet on Mexican fintech as Plata targets $10bn IPO
Two of the most prominent figures in post-Soviet finance, Oleg Tinkov and Michael Calvey, have reunited as investors in Plata, a rapidly growing Mexican fintech aiming to replicate the success of Tinkoff Bank, Russia’s first online-only fintech.
Polish astronaut docks at ISS after historic launch aboard Ax-4 mission
The Crew Dragon capsule carrying Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski successfully docked with the International Space Station on June 26, completing Poland’s first crewed space mission since 1978.
A row has broken out between Hungary and Ukraine over Kyiv’s right to join the EU
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed this week that 95% of Hungarians are against Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Czech real estate tycoon Vitek is reportedly mulling sale of his CPI empire
CPIPG is one of the largest real estate groups in Central Europe, with assets in all the V4 countries and Germany.
Erdogan ‘not feeling even 10%’ of pressure he should from Western capitals over jailing of rival, says Turkish opposition chief
Europe signals to strongman “world has no alternative to him”, encouraging his crackdown on democracy, says Ozgur Ozel.