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🇪🇺🇭🇺 The EU no longer classifies Hungary as a full democracy. On Thursday, the European Parliament published a report saying the situation has “deteriorated such that Hungary has become an ‘electoral autocracy,’” citing concerns over the independence of its judiciary, media, and academia. The bloc’s executive branch then recommended suspending ~$7.5 billion in funding to Hungary yesterday over concerns about democratic backsliding and the possible mismanagement of funds. Member countries now have one month to decide whether to officially withhold the money.
🇩🇪 Germany has taken over all Russian-owned oil refineries. The German government seized control of three refineries belonging to energy giant Rosneft over the weekend, calling it “a far-reaching energy policy decision to protect our country." The three refineries together account for ~12% of the country’s overall capacity, though Germany has resolved to eliminate all Russian oil imports by the end of this year.
🇮🇳 Cheetahs are back in India after 70 years. Eight of the world's fastest land animals were flown in from Namibia, Africa, on Saturday as part of “Project Cheetah,” which aims to create a new metapopulation of the species in India. The animals previously went extinct in the country in the 1950s due to hunting and habitat destruction.
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s military has recaptured more than 3,000 square miles of Russian-occupied land in the east and south over the past month; meanwhile, Moscow has turned to North Korea and Iran for weaponry due to “severe” supply shortages stemming from Western sanctions.
🇺🇦🇬🇧🇨🇳 Ukraine’s military is staging a counterattack, succession proceedings continue in the UK, and China plans Moon missions after discovering a new lunar mineral.
👑 Queen Elizabeth II “died peacefully” yesterday afternoon at the age of 96, surrounded by her family; she was the UK’s longest-serving monarch ever, and will be replaced by her eldest son King Charles III
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