**Summary:** Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese business leaders have discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, focusing on logistics, technology, and industrial investment.

**Key points:**
- Kazakhstan has invested over $35 billion in transport and logistics infrastructure over the last 15 years.
- Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and China reached a record $49 billion last year.
- China has invested more than $30 billion in the Kazakh economy, with over 8,500 Chinese-capital enterprises currently operating in the country.
- President Tokayev proposed a joint digital platform, Smart Cargo, to standardize and streamline Eurasian logistics.
- The new city of Alatau is being developed as a digital financial hub, utilizing the Astana International Financial Centre's regulatory framework.

**Why it matters:** The deepening economic and logistical integration between Kazakhstan and China is central to the development of the Middle Corridor, a critical trade route connecting China to Europe.

trend.az - Kazakhstan receives over $30B in Chinese investment, Tokayev says

trend.az - President Tokayev outlines Alatau city as Eurasia's new technology hub

tengrinews.kz - Токаев предложил Китаю вместе установить новые стандарты мировой логистики

Kazakhstan and China Strengthen Economic and Logistics Cooperation

**Summary:** Uber has launched a public takeover offer for the German food delivery company Delivery Hero, valuing the firm at approximately $14.8 billion. The deal aims to expand Uber's global food delivery network across multiple continents.

**Key points:**
- Uber is offering €41.50 per share in cash, representing a 34% premium over the company's three-month volume-weighted average share price.
- The acquisition is conditional on a minimum acceptance threshold of 50% plus one share.
- Delivery Hero has agreed to sell its business operations in 14 markets to the investment firm SSW Partners for roughly €1.4 billion.
- Major shareholder Prosus has committed to selling its 17% stake in Delivery Hero as part of the transaction.
- Uber has pledged to maintain Delivery Hero's headquarters in Berlin and avoid staff reductions until at least 2029.

**Why it matters:** This merger represents one of the largest consolidations in the European delivery sector, significantly expanding Uber's market presence while drawing potential scrutiny from antitrust regulators.

interfax.ru - Uber купит германскую Delivery Hero, оценив компанию в $14,8 млрд

tagesschau.de - Milliardensumme: Uber übernimmt Lieferdienst Delivery Hero

timeslive.co.za - Uber launches $14.8bn takeover bid for Delivery Hero

lalibre.be - Delivery Hero accepte une offre de rachat d'Uber pour 12,7 milliards d'euros

Uber Launches $14.8 Billion Takeover Bid for Delivery Hero

**Summary:** China's National Bureau of Statistics announced that the country's GDP grew by 4.7% in the first half of 2026, reaching 69.6 trillion yuan, with new economic drivers contributing over 40% to this growth.

**Key points:**
- The service sector emerged as the primary growth engine, contributing 66.1% to overall economic expansion.
- High-tech manufacturing saw a 13.3% increase, with significant growth in artificial intelligence-related industries like integrated circuits.
- Financial data showed a 7.4% increase in social financing stock, with a notable shift toward increased corporate bond financing.
- The urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2%, remaining stable compared to the previous year.

**Why it matters:** The data indicates that China's economy is maintaining stable growth and structural optimization despite complex global conditions and external uncertainties.

百度 - 向新向优 ！ 透过半年 成绩单 看中国经济的韧性和活力

新浪科技 - 2026年中经济观察｜三个关键数据看中国经济 半年报 _ 新浪科技 _ 新浪网

China Reports 4.7% GDP Growth for First Half of 2026

**Summary:** President Nicușor Dan announced that Ukraine will soon provide official explanations regarding a maritime drone that detonated in the Port of Constanța in early June.

**Key points:**
- President Nicușor Dan confirmed he received a commitment from Ukraine's President Volodimir Zelenski to clarify the incident.
- Romanian authorities have established a direct communication channel with Kiev and increased maritime surveillance patrols to prevent future occurrences.
- Ukraine previously identified the drone as part of its fleet, claiming it was diverted by Russian electronic warfare systems.

**Why it matters:** The incident highlights the ongoing security risks to Romanian infrastructure posed by the conflict in neighboring Ukraine and the importance of bilateral coordination in the Black Sea region.

jurnalul.ro - Președintele Nicușor Dan anunță că Kievul va oferi rapid lămuriri complete privind drona prăbușită în Portul Constanța

hotnews.ro - Răspunsul lui Nicușor Dan , întrebat dacă va fi învestit un nou Guvern până în septembrie

Nicușor Dan: Ukraine to Provide Clarifications on Drone Crash in Constanța Port

**Summary:** The French Parliament has definitively adopted a law creating a right to "aid in dying" for patients with incurable, life-threatening conditions. The legislation is expected to take effect early next year.

**Key points:**
- The National Assembly passed the bill with 291 votes in favor and 241 against during its fourth reading.
- The law requires patients to be adults with an incurable, life-limiting disease and the capacity to express a free and informed will.
- Patients are generally expected to self-administer the lethal substance, with medical assistance permitted only if they are physically unable to do so.
- The government plans to refer the legislation to the Constitutional Council to review its compliance with individual liberty and human dignity principles.
- The French Church has publicly criticized the decision, describing it as a grave rupture in the country's history.

**Why it matters:** This legislation marks a historic shift in French end-of-life policy, fulfilling a long-standing promise by President Emmanuel Macron to establish a new national model for assisted dying.

sudouest.fr - Édito. Loi fin de vie : l’ultime liberté

rtbf.be - France : le Parlement approuve définitivement le droit à l’aide à mourir

ladepeche.fr - Le droit à "l’aide à mourir" définitivement approuvé par le Parlement ce mercredi, Emmanuel Macron réagit

French Parliament Approves Right to Die Legislation

**Summary:** Romanian President Nicușor Dan attended the fifth Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Kyiv, where he held bilateral talks with President Volodimir Zelenski regarding the protection of the Romanian minority and regional security.

**Key points:**
- President Nicușor Dan proposed a north-south military corridor connecting the Aegean Sea, Odesa, and Moldova.
- The leaders discussed ensuring the continued operation of Romanian-language schools in Ukrainian communities.
- Romania and Bulgaria are collaborating on a civil security hub in the Black Sea to improve infrastructure and energy connectivity.
- President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia declined to sign the summit's final declaration.

**Why it matters:** The summit highlights ongoing diplomatic efforts to integrate Ukraine and Moldova into European structures while addressing regional security and minority rights amidst the conflict.

adevarul.ro - Nicușor Dan , întâlnire cu președintele Serbiei la Kiev . Ce au convenit cei doi șefi de stat

stiripesurse.ro - Miza României la Kiev : Nicușor Dan cere păstrarea școlilor românești și propune un coridor militar până la Odesa

digi24.ro - Nicuşor Dan anunță ce a discutat cu Volodimir Zelenski despre școlile cu predare în limba română din Ucraina

aradon.ro - Nicuşor Dan, întrevedere cu Volodimir Zelenski, la Kiev: Discuții privind avertizarea timpurie în cazul incidentelor cu drone

President Nicușor Dan Discusses Minorities and Security at Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit

**Summary:** Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has publicly disavowed comments made by Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Snežana Paunović, who suggested she would have ethnically cleansed Kosovo in 1998.

**Key points:**
- President Vučić stated that Minister Paunović's remarks do not reflect the policy of the Serbian government, which he emphasized is based on dialogue and peace.
- Kosovske authorities have declared Minister Paunović persona non grata and banned her from entering the territory.
- The controversy occurred while President Vučić was in Kyiv attending the Southeast Europe-Ukraine Summit.

**Why it matters:** The incident highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions between Belgrade and Pristina and underscores the Serbian government's efforts to maintain a policy of dialogue amidst provocative rhetoric from its own officials.

sputnikportal.rs - Вучић : Реалност није тако ружичаста како је види Еди Рама

naslovi.net - Vučić : Izjava ministarke Paunović ne odražava moju volju niti politiku Srbije

Serbian President Vučić Distances Government from Minister Paunović's Remarks on Kosovo

**Summary:** Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was the only leader at the fifth Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit in Kyiv who did not sign a joint declaration condemning Russian aggression.

**Key points:**
- The declaration called for increased sanctions against Russia and the establishment of a special tribunal for crimes committed in Ukraine.
- President Aleksandar Vučić stated that Serbia supports Ukraine's territorial integrity while maintaining its own policy stance.
- The summit included representatives from Ukraine, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.
- President Aleksandar Vučić held bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

**Why it matters:** The event highlights Serbia's distinct diplomatic position regarding the war in Ukraine compared to its regional neighbors and European partners.

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