Ukraine launched a massive drone attack causing fires near Moscow and hitting a Rostov fuel facility, while former minister Mykhailo Fedorov estimates domestic ballistic missiles in months. Concurrently, Russian strikes killed civilians in Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia.
A severe heatwave in central and eastern Europe has broken temperature records, fueled wildfires, and caused low water levels, impacting energy production. Meanwhile, Typhoon Dolphin hit China, and Typhoon Chan-hom is expected to make landfall in Japan.
Severe drought and heatwaves across Central and Southeastern Europe have caused record-low water levels in the Danube, triggering a major energy crisis. Countries like Hungary and Romania face nuclear and hydropower generation cuts, forcing industrial production slowdowns, while others like Bulgaria remain resilient due to energy storage.
Prolonged hot and dry weather in Central and Eastern Europe has led to power shortages, impacting industry. Hungary's Paks nuclear plant operates at 10% capacity, Romania's navy demolishes a rocky outcrop to aid the Cernavoda plant, and Serbia's hydroelectric output is severely reduced.
European nations observe August 2 as Romani Holocaust Memorial Day, commemorating the Nazi genocide of Roma and Sinti. Countries like Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and North Macedonia hold ceremonies, acknowledging historical atrocities and raising awareness about ongoing Antiziganism.
Record low water levels on the Danube and Rhine rivers due to drought and heat have forced nuclear reactor shutdowns in Hungary and Romania, disrupted shipping, and impacted tourism across central and eastern Europe, raising energy crisis concerns.
A scientific analysis reveals extreme heat, intensified by the climate crisis, is driving severe drought across Europe. Conditions are 80x more likely in western Europe and 40x in eastern Europe, redefining drought as temperature-driven. This leads to water restrictions, wildfires, crop losses, and rising food/energy prices, with significant economic costs.
In 2025, nearly one million people worldwide joined the ranks of US dollar millionaires, with the US leading in absolute numbers. Eastern European countries, particularly Lithuania, saw the fastest percentage growth in new millionaires.
Eastern European nations grapple with the increasing possibility of US withdrawal from collective defense under a second Trump presidency. Discussions range from appeasing Trump to preparing for US absence, fueled by rhetoric and actions perceived as undermining NATO and allies like Ukraine.
President Trump will attend the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, starting Monday. Discussions will include the Iran and Ukraine wars, AI regulation, and trade tensions, with potential friction between Trump's 'America First' agenda and European priorities.
President Trump will attend the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, starting Monday. Key topics include a potential Iran deal, Russia's war in Ukraine, and AI regulation, where Europe and the U.S. have differing views. Trump's 'America First' agenda may clash with European priorities.
The US is reportedly negotiating the secret deployment of nuclear-capable bombers to Eastern European NATO allies, including Poland and the Baltic states, as a potential replacement for withdrawing troops. This move, seen as more political than military, aims to reassure allies amid concerns over US security guarantees.
Eastern European states, particularly Poland and the Baltic nations, are competing to host new US military bases, seeking political insurance and protection from domestic pressure over national security and sovereignty concerns.
The US is considering expanding its nuclear weapons deployment to more NATO countries, particularly on the alliance's eastern flank, amid rising tensions with Russia. These arrangements are seen as vital for deterrence, cohesion, and reassuring allies.
A 65-year-old Arsenal fan, who fell in love with the team in apartheid South Africa in 1969, attends the Champions League final in Budapest with his 25-year-old son, capping a lifelong journey of passion and perseverance.
South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and KOTRA held a smart farm roadshow in Serbia and Romania from May 18-22, aiming to help 9 domestic companies enter the European market. The event resulted in 138 export consultations and 12 MOUs worth €2.54 million.
The article outlines an eight-element strategy for democracies to counter Vladimir Putin's external ambitions, focusing on supporting Ukraine, increasing economic pressure on Russia, deterring attacks on NATO, engaging in hybrid warfare, communicating with various Russian constituencies, countering internal nationalism, and exercising strategic patience.
Russia's President Putin blamed Ukraine for a deadly drone attack in Luhansk, vowing retaliation. Ukraine denied the claims, stating it targeted Russian military assets. Meanwhile, Czech President Pavel urged NATO to respond assertively to Russian provocations.
Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev urged Europe to increase efforts to de-escalate the situation around the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, warning that it is approaching a "point of no return" and poses significant risks to Eastern European countries.
Chinese carmakers like Xpeng, BYD, and Chery are expanding in Europe through imports and potential local production, while European manufacturers like Volkswagen and Stellantis are selling underused factories to them, seeking to offset declining sales and avoid closures.
Michail Chkhikvishvili, 22, leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, sentenced to 15 years for soliciting hate crimes, including plotting to poison minority children disguised as Santa Claus, and distributing bomb/ricin-making information.
Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Andreeva, released in March 2026 after five years in prison for filming protests against Lukashenko, describes her ordeal including hard labor in a sewing factory and psychological pressure. She was freed as part of a US-brokered deal involving sanctions relief, but her husband remains incarcerated. Out of 1,300 prisoners promised, only 500 have been released. 'I will only truly feel free once my husband is back by my side,' she said.
Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party won 44.5% in snap elections, the eighth parliamentary vote in five years. The victory reflects a broader shift in Eastern Europe toward pragmatic, interest-based politics that questions but doesn't reject EU and NATO frameworks. While Western commentators label Radev "pro-Russian," analysis suggests he represents a "coalition of the unwilling" seeking to limit exposure to Ukraine conflict costs rather than realign with Moscow.
Researchers have reconstructed what appears to be the oldest Neanderthal population in Central-Eastern Europe using DNA from a tooth found in Stajnia Cave, Poland. The mitochondrial DNA analysis, published in Scientific Reports, reveals genetic connections between Neanderthals in Central Europe and the Caucasus region, proving these ancient humans migrated and maintained contact across large territories rather than living in isolated communities.
