News
Hungary sets out 2026 budget blueprint with ambitious 4.1% growth target
Hungary's National Economy Minister has unveiled the main figures from the 2026 budget draft, while revising some of the 2025 budgetary targets.
North Korea is making billions of dollars a year from supplying Russia with weapons
North Korea has rapidly transformed into a significant arms supplier for Russia and is making billions of dollars a year in the process.
Time Magazine names Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa among 2025’s 100 most influential people
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has been named one of the world’s 100 most influential leaders by Time magazine in its annual list released on April 16. President al-Sharaa was included in the "Leaders" category.
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Russia accuses EU of “Euronazism” over victory day threats to Serbia
Russia has sharply criticised the European Union after reports emerged that Brussels could block Serbia’s accession bid if its president attends a military parade in Moscow commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Sanctioned Balkan politicians step up lobbying of Trump administration
After the US dropped sanctions on Hungary’s Antal Rogan, politicians from Albania, Bosnia and Bulgaria want similar decisions in their favour.
Russia removes Taliban from terrorist list, acknowledging it as legitimate leadership of Afghanistan
Russia has formally removed the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organisations, officially recognising it as the legitimate government of Afghanistan on April 17.
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Brazil's Gol extends deadline for $1.9bn financing due to Trump tariff volatility
Brazilian airline Gol has pushed back the deadline for investors to analyse its proposed $1.9bn financing package, citing market volatility created by US President Donald Trump's recently announced tariffs.
Kremlin proposes a "frozen reserves for airplane and parts" deal to White House
Russia has approached the White House with a deal to use the approximately $5bn of Central Bank of Russia frozen assets trapped in the US to buy Boeing-manufactured planes and parts after a ceasefire in Ukraine goes into effect.
Saab to open aerospace R&D hub in Budapest
The new centre will support high-end research and engineering tied to Gripen fighter jet programme, which has underpinned Hungary's air defence for over two decades.
LIBE’s fact-finding delegation in rule of law visit met with hostility from Hungarian officials
A delegation from the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) has wrapped up a three-day fact-finding mission in Budapest amid renewed concerns over Hungary's democratic standards and judicial independence.
Serbia installs political newcomer as PM amid protests
Medical professor Djuro Macut will head a largely unchanged cabinet in a move aimed at defusing months of anti-government protests triggered by a fatal infrastructure collapse.
Azerbaijan and China expand economic ties ahead of presidential visit
China has solidified its position as Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner in the South Caucasus.
China spikes Gazprom gas export plan in Central Asia
Russian energy company keeps gushing red ink.
IAEA chief calls for agency role in Iran-US talks ahead of Tehran visit
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has called for the UN body to play a role in the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States
Serbian students continue blockade of state broadcaster RTS
A student-led blockade of Serbia’s national broadcaster RTS entered its third day on April 16, as demonstrators continued to decry biased reporting and state media complicity in a deepening political crisis.
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Iran's Expediency Council to vote on FATF-related bills after years of delay
Iran's Expediency Council will hold a decisive vote on the country's accession to two controversial international conventions after years of deliberation, the council's spokesman announced on April 16.
EU observers reject election fraud allegations in Ecuador
European Union observers rejected allegations of electoral fraud in Ecuador's presidential elections, countering claims made by leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez following her defeat to incumbent conservative President Daniel Noboa.
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Turkey’s opposition aims for 30mn signatures calling for Imamoglu release and early elections
Figure is higher than number of votes ruler Erdogan received in last election. But CHP risks reliance on gimmicks with no meaningful impact on regime.
US removes Orban key ally from sanctions list "as it no longer aligns with US foreign policy interests”
Reversal comes three months after Antal Rogan was blacklisted under the Global Magnitsky programme for his alleged central role in systemic corruption.
EU is discussing plan to sidestep Hungary’s veto on renewing sanctions
The EU is discussing a plan to sidestep Hungary’s veto on renewing sanctions that boils down to not holding the biannual vote to renew them. Under EU rules if the sanctions are not renewed the measures currently in place remain in effect.