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Last refreshed: 28/07/2026 05:39 · 38 articles added
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International Politics

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International Politics

Iranian Parliament Speaker Declares US and Israeli Bases Legitimate Targets

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that American and Israeli military bases constitute legitimate targets for potential attacks. The senior Iranian official also issued a warning that if Israeli strikes against Lebanon continue, Tehran will not only halt ongoing negotiations but will enter into direct confrontation with what he termed "the enemy." The statement represents a significant escalation in Iranian rhetoric amid rising tensions in the Middle East, where Iran has been a key supporter of Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group and has opposed Israeli military operations in the region.

TASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Long queues at gas stations and fuel purchase limits spread across multiple Russian regions

Multiple Russian regions have implemented fuel purchase restrictions following earlier limitations imposed in Crimea, with long lines forming at gas stations and stores limiting sales of oil and pasta. The restrictions come as Ukrainian drone attacks have significantly disrupted Russian logistics operations in Crimea, targeting what Ukraine considers a key source of financing for Russia's war effort. The fuel shortages represent an escalation of supply chain disruptions affecting Russian territory as Ukraine intensifies its campaign against Russian infrastructure supporting the military operation.

Aktuality
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International Politics

Slovak Transport Authority Bans Modern Austrian Trains from Petržalka Service

The Slovak Transport Authority has prohibited modern Austrian trains from operating on the Petržalka-Vienna route, forcing passengers to use replacement bus service. The authority cited alleged deficiencies in the documentation of the Austrian train sets as the reason for the ban. Petržalka is a district of Bratislava located directly on the Austrian border, making the cross-border rail connection an important commuter link between Slovakia's capital and Vienna. The disruption affects regular passenger service between the two cities, requiring travelers to rely on bus transportation for this segment of their journey.

Dennik N
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International Politics

Slovak Foreign Ministry Advises Against Travel to Israel and Palestinian Territories

Slovakia's Foreign Ministry has issued a travel advisory recommending against travel to Israel and Palestinian territories. The ministry, which handles the country's diplomatic affairs and provides travel guidance to Slovak citizens abroad, also encouraged travelers to use voluntary registration services available through its website or mobile application. The advisory reflects ongoing security concerns in the region, where tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have created risks for international visitors.

TASR/Teraz
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International Politics

EU Should Issue Joint Bonds to Strengthen Sovereignty, ECB Official Says

A member of the European Central Bank has called for the European Union to issue joint bonds, arguing they would strengthen the bloc's sovereignty and stability. The proposal from ECB policymaker Patsalides comes as the EU continues to grapple with questions about fiscal integration and shared debt instruments. The European Central Bank, which sets monetary policy for the 20-country eurozone, has seen its officials increasingly weigh in on broader questions of EU economic governance. Joint EU bonds have been a contentious topic, with some member states viewing shared debt as a step toward deeper fiscal union while others remain skeptical about pooling financial obligations across the diverse economies of the bloc.

SME
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International Politics

Slovak Foreign Minister to Visit Kenya and Tanzania on Business Mission

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár will travel to Kenya and Tanzania as part of a business mission aimed at strengthening cooperation with the East African nations. The minister considers countries of the Global South among the priorities of Slovak diplomacy. During his visit to Tanzania, Blanár will hold talks with his Tanzanian counterpart and participate in the opening of Slovakia's first embassy in Dar es Salaam, marking a significant expansion of the country's diplomatic presence in the region.

SMETASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Russian Court Sentences Widow of Mariupol Defender to 14 Years

A Russian occupation court sentenced the widow of a Mariupol defender to 14 years in prison. This represents another case in a series of convictions for acts that the accused person could not have committed, as they were already being held in isolation at the time the alleged crimes supposedly occurred. The case highlights the ongoing pattern of dubious prosecutions by Russian authorities in occupied Ukrainian territories.

Dennik N
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International Politics

US Considers Using Iranian Funds to Repair Gulf Infrastructure Damage

The United States is considering using Iranian financial assets to fund infrastructure repairs in Persian Gulf states damaged by attacks. The move would represent a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, potentially marking a new phase in the long-standing diplomatic and economic confrontation between the two countries. Such a decision would likely involve frozen Iranian assets held in international banks, which the US has used as leverage in previous sanctions regimes against Iran.

Aktuality
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International Politics

Russia Reports Intercepting 339 Ukrainian Drones in 13-Hour Period

Russia intercepted 339 Ukrainian drones over a 13-hour period, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Sobyanin reported the drone defense operations through a series of posts on the Telegram messaging platform, highlighting ongoing aerial confrontations as part of the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine that began with Russia's invasion in February 2022. The reported drone interceptions represent a significant escalation in Ukraine's use of unmanned aerial vehicles against Russian territory. Ukraine has increasingly employed drone technology to target military and infrastructure sites within Russia as the war has progressed, extending the conflict beyond Ukrainian borders and bringing the effects of the war to Russian cities including the capital Moscow.

SMETASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Israel Reports Two Soldiers Killed in Lebanon as Cross-Border Fighting Continues

Israel announced that two of its soldiers were killed during military operations in Lebanon on Saturday. The Lebanese army also reported casualties among its forces the same day, stating that several soldiers died when Israeli forces struck a vehicle in southern Lebanon. The deaths highlight the ongoing military confrontation between Israeli forces and targets in Lebanon, part of the broader regional conflict that has escalated since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza.

TASR/Teraz
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International Politics

NATO Considers New 70 Billion Euro Military Aid Package for Ukraine

NATO is considering a new military assistance package worth 70 billion euros for Ukraine. Under the proposed plan, 30 billion euros would come from the European Union's previously approved 90 billion euro two-year loan program for Ukraine. The remaining 40 billion euros would represent new funding commitments from NATO member states. The package would significantly expand Western military support for Ukraine as the country continues to defend against Russia's invasion. NATO's consideration of this substantial aid package reflects the alliance's ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities, though specific details about the funding sources for the additional 40 billion euros and the timeline for implementation have not been disclosed.

TASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Lebanon Begins Reconstruction of Second International Airport

Lebanon has started reconstruction work on its second international airport as the country's main airport in Beirut continues operating despite the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. The Beirut airport has maintained operations throughout the conflict, which began on March 2. The reconstruction of the secondary airport appears to be part of Lebanon's efforts to maintain aviation infrastructure during the regional conflict.

TASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Trump's Defense Secretary Pick Hegseth Criticizes Europe on Migration and Defense Spending

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, delivered a speech at an American military cemetery in Normandy where he criticized European countries and called on them to take a stronger stance against migration. Hegseth also urged European nations to increase their contributions to defense spending, echoing a long-standing criticism from the Trump administration that European countries do not spend enough on their own defense. The speech took place at the historic Normandy site, where Allied forces launched the D-Day invasion during World War II.

SMETASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Poland Will Not Fully Implement EU Migration Pact

Poland will not implement the European Union's migration pact in its entirety, according to Polish Deputy Minister for European Affairs Sławomir Duszczyk. The official confirmed that Poland will apply only several "reasonable elements" of the agreement. Duszczyk argued that Warsaw's position is fully justified and enjoys support from a majority of EU member states, while also being understood by the European Commission. The migration pact, formally known as the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, was adopted in 2024 and establishes new rules for handling asylum seekers and distributing responsibility among member states during migration crises.

SMETASR/Teraz
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International Politics

NATO Activates New Defense Forces in Finland with Swedish Participation

NATO has activated new ground defense forces in Finland, marking the alliance's strengthened presence in the Nordic region. The new unit includes a Swedish combat group, demonstrating military cooperation between the two recently joined NATO members. Both Nordic countries joined NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Finland becoming a member in 2023 and Sweden following in 2024. NATO operates similar ground units across Eastern Europe, including in Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, as part of its enhanced forward presence strategy to deter Russian aggression.

SMEAktualityTASR/Teraz
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International Politics

Hungarian Media Propaganda Spreads Beyond Country's Borders, Analysis Shows

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's media propaganda machine has extended its influence far beyond Hungary's borders, according to a new analysis. The assessment highlights how state-controlled and pro-government media outlets have systematically disseminated politically aligned messaging to audiences in neighboring countries and beyond. Despite these challenges to press freedom, independent journalism backed by factual reporting continues to persist in the region. The findings underscore growing concerns about media manipulation and information warfare tactics employed by authoritarian-leaning governments in Central Europe, where press freedom has faced increasing pressure in recent years.

SME
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International Politics

Slovak PM Fico honors Czechoslovak soldiers in Dunkirk, emphasizes Red Army's role

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico paid tribute to Czechoslovak and Allied soldiers from World War II during a visit to Dunkirk, France. The prime minister emphasized the importance of liberation and preserving historical memory at the site. Fico highlighted the significance of the Red Army's role in the war effort during his commemorative visit.

Aktuality
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International Politics

EU Must Defend Against US and Chinese Blackmail, Expert Warns

The European Union can no longer tolerate a trade system where Europe respects free trade principles while the United States and China practice protectionism, according to analyst Michal Parízek. He argues that extraordinary developments are occurring that require the EU to defend itself against economic coercion from both superpowers. The expert suggests the current asymmetric approach to international trade, where Europe maintains open markets while facing protectionist measures from the US and China, has become unsustainable and demands a stronger European response.

SME
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International Politics

Slovak Parliament Speaker Calls Hungarian PM's Statements 'Complete Nonsense'

Andrej Danko, speaker of Slovakia's National Council parliament, sharply criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, describing his recent statements as "complete nonsense" and calling him politically and historically uneducated. Danko, who leads the Slovak National Party (SNS), a nationalist party that is part of the ruling coalition alongside the social-democratic Smer-SD party, did not specify which particular comments by Orbán prompted his criticism. The exchange reflects ongoing tensions between the two neighboring countries despite both being members of the European Union and NATO, with disputes often arising over minority rights, historical interpretations, and regional politics.

SME
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International Politics

Ukrainian Drone Strikes Reach St. Petersburg During International Economic Forum

Ukrainian drones struck targets near St. Petersburg during Russia's International Economic Forum, marking a significant escalation in Kyiv's drone campaign against Russian territory. The Kremlin reported intercepting hundreds of drones during the overnight wave of attacks, which reached as far as the outskirts of Russia's second-largest city. Ukraine characterized the strikes as evidence that international sanctions against Russia are producing tangible results. The timing of the drone attacks during the high-profile economic forum, which typically attracts international business leaders and government officials to St. Petersburg, represents a notable expansion of Ukraine's ability to project military power deep into Russian territory.

Aktuality
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