News
New US legislative bill targets security risks from Syria
Bipartisan lawmakers in the US House of Representatives introduced a new bill on March 25 to evaluate potential terrorism threats originating from Syria.
IKEA to make Budapest store world's largest fulfillment centre
Swedish furniture retailer IKEA will transform its store in southern Budapest to become the world's largest fulfillment centre by 2026, tripling warehouse capacity to support both in-store and online orders from a €50mn investment.
Argentina's Milei sees support drop after cryptogate scandal, poll shows
Argentina's President Javier Milei has experienced a significant decline in public approval following the "cryptogate" scandal, according to a new national survey.
Israeli academic calls on government to back Azeri independence from Iran
An influential lecturer in Israel is stirring the pot between Tehran and Baku in his latest editorial in Israeli media.
Bolivia and Iran open talks on rare earth mining partnership
Bolivia announced that discussions on rare earth mineral cooperation with Iran began on March 13 in a meeting with Ambassador Bahram Sharabeddin and representatives from both countries' mining sectors.
Armenian parliament passes bill on launching EU accession process
Bill adopted despite Russian criticism formally declares the start of Armenia’s EU accession process, but officials stress it does not constitute a formal membership application.
Bosnia’s Dodik defies travel ban to visit Israel and Serbia
Earlier this month Bosnia’s state authorities announced a central arrest warrant and travel ban for Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
US defers visa waiver after Romania bans far-right candidate from presidential election
Timing of decision raises speculation given top US officials’ support for Calin Georgescu.
Serbian president meets EU leaders in Brussels as protests continue to grow
The talks are part of a broader diplomatic push to strengthen Serbia's ties with Western partners amidst mounting domestic unrest.
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Progressive Slovakia and Smer are neck and neck in latest March poll
The largest opposition party, centrist Progressive Slovakia, maintains a narrow lead of 21.7% ahead of the ruling Smer party (21.2%) of the populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Russia, US discussing restarting Nord Stream gas deliveries to Europe
Moscow and Washington are currently in talks on the possibility of restarting Nord Stream gas pipelines deliveries to Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
Hungarian central bank keeps rates on hold in first rate-setting meeting under new MNB leadership
Hungary's Monetary Council left the base rate on hold at 6.5% for the sixth straight month on 25 March at the first rate-setting meeting under the new MNB leadership in line with the consensus.
Kremlin demands sanctions relief in temporary Ukraine conflict ceasefire deal
The White House said that both Russia and Ukraine have agreed to ensure safe shipping in the Black Sea and will “develop instruments” to ban strikes on energy assets in two separate statements after a second round of negotiations wound up.
No country has agreed to resettle Palestinians, says acting Israeli envoy to Russia
No country has yet agreed to accept Palestinians in their possible future resettlement from Gaza, Acting Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alexander Ben Zvi has said.
Latvia faces scrutiny over massive heroin shipment to Germany
On March 23, Latvian Television’s investigative programme De facto reported on how a massive heroin shipment managed to pass through Latvia en route to Germany, despite prior intelligence warning of such an operation.
Russian region bribes schoolgirls to get pregnant
Russia’s Oryol Region has introduced a new decree offering schoolgirls RUB100,000 ($1,200) if they officially register a pregnancy with the social services while studying full-time.
Nitty gritty horsetrading gets underway at second round of Ukraine talks in Riyadh
The horse-trading got underway in earnest at the second round of ceasefire talks in Riyadh on March 23. Two negotiating teams from Ukraine and Russia met separately with their US counterparts to start setting the conditions for an end of hostilities.
Belarus' Lukashenko sworn in as president for the seventh time
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in for his seventh term in office on March 25 at the Independence Palace in Minsk, following his “victory” in presidential elections on January 26.
Israeli IDF troops engage in ground battle in Syria as airstrikes hit Palmyra
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed an engagement with “several terrorists” who opened fire on Israeli troops from southern Syria on the morning of March 25.
TNT ammunition depot in Czechia explodes
The cause of the explosion is currently unclear, but police said a “technical issue” is “the most likely cause”.