News

Russian FSB kills two Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, causing uproar in Azerbaijan

Cavid Aga in Sarajevo June 30, 2025

The killings triggered Azerbaijan's strongest diplomatic response since the AZAL aircraft downing in December 2024.

United States and Russia angling for influence in Turkmenistan

Eurasianet June 30, 2025

Kremlin seems to be worried its grip on Ashgabat is slipping.

US lifts sanctions related to Paks nuclear plant upgrade

bne IntelliNews June 30, 2025

The expansion of the Paks II nuclear power plant could now gain "new momentum" following Washington's decision to lift sanctions related to the project.

Kremlin intensifies missile attacks on Ukraine, brings down F-16

bne IntelliNews June 30, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 30, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 30, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 29, 2025

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

bnl Sao Paulo bureau June 29, 2025

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.

US sanctions three Mexican banks over alleged fentanyl money laundering

bne IntelliNews June 29, 2025

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

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia June 29, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 29, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 29, 2025

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

bnm Tehran bureau June 29, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 29, 2025

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

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade June 29, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 29, 2025

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

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade June 28, 2025

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

bnm Gulf bureau June 27, 2025

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

Ben Aris in Berlin June 27, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 27, 2025

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.

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