Crude oil deliveries to Slovakia resumed this week through the Druzhba pipeline, ending a nearly three-month interruption that had strained energy supplies across Central Europe and complicated European Union decision-making. The restart restored a critical route for Russian crude that runs through Ukrainian territory and supplies refineries in Slovakia and Hungary. The pipeline had been inactive since late January following…
Hong Kong Targets Exiled Activists Hong Kong authorities intensified their overseas clampdown on Monday, August 4, 2025, imposing sweeping restrictions on 16 activists accused of endangering national security. The orders prohibit anyone from providing them with funds or other economic resources and, for 12 of the 16 who hold Hong Kong passports, cancel those travel documents. Named individuals include Victor…
Italy Faces EU Legal Blow Over Migrant Transfers Italy’s controversial decision to process asylum seekers in Albania has come under fire after the European Union’s top court ruled against its current practices. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) concluded that Italy’s method of designating certain countries as “safe” for deportation—such as Bangladesh—does not fully protect the rights of vulnerable individuals…
Italy Backs Vatican Solar Farm to Power City-State Italy has approved a plan with the Holy See to transform 430 hectares at Santa Maria di Galeria, north of Rome, into a solar farm capable of covering all of Vatican City’s electricity needs—a step that would make it the world’s first carbon-neutral state. The agreement was signed by Archbishop Paul Richard…
Global Tsunami Alerts After Massive Russian Earthquake A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, setting off tsunami warnings and evacuation orders across the Pacific. The seismic event, among the strongest recorded in recent years, prompted immediate action from authorities in Japan, the United States, and several Pacific nations. The earthquake’s epicenter was located offshore, about…
In a groundbreaking ruling on July 28–29, 2025, former President Álvaro Uribe was convicted of witness tampering and bribery of a public official, becoming the first former Colombian head of state to be found guilty in criminal court. Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia presided over a lengthy, 10-hour session to read the verdict, concluding that there was clear evidence Uribe conspired…
Budget Reductions Shake Up EU Health Research Agenda The European Commission has significantly reduced the budget allocated to health-related research within Horizon Europe, its flagship funding programme for innovation. According to the latest draft of the 2026 and 2027 work programmes, the adjustments represent a 25% cut for 2026 and a 14% reduction for 2027 compared to figures circulated in…
