News
Trump targets North Korea as he reaffirms denuclearisation commitment
US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed the principle of "complete denuclearisation of North Korea," a stance which will shape the US administration's policy on the Korean Peninsula for the foreseeable future.
Ruling Vetevendosje wins Kosovo election but falls short of majority
Combined seats for Kosovo's main opposition parties set to outnumber those for PM Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje in the next parliament.
Mass protests against Slovak Fico’s cabinet continue as PM holds on to his conspiracies
Mass protests against the pro-Kremlin turn of Slovakia’s left-right cabinet of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico continued after 42-45,000 rallied in Bratislava alone on Friday, February 7.
Trump, Putin hold first call – New York Post
President Donald Trump claimed that he has held his first telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since taking office, the New York Post reported on February 8.
Iraq sues Lexus over advertisement at historic site
Iraqi authorities in Dohuk are up in arms over a Lexus advert filmed at the historic site without permission.
Trump threats push Iran's currency to historic low
Iran's currency markets remained skittish on February 9 as the rial continued to fall against the US dollar on the back of fading prospects of negotiations with Washington.
Georgia’s ruling party launches commission to probe former ruling UNM
Georgian Dream accuses UNM officials, specifically the party’s founder and leader Mikheil Saakashvili, of “systemic crimes” including provoking the August 2008 war with Russia.
Serbia’s bid for investment grade status delayed amid political instability
Serbia received its first investment-grade credit rating from Standard & Poor’s last October, but recent political instability has stymied further upgrades by other major rating agencies.
Trump threatens Russia with even more sanctions
The Trump administration is preparing to intensify economic sanctions against Russia in an effort to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, according to retired General Keith Kellogg, the US president’s special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Lebanon forms 24-member cabinet aimed at economic revival
A new Lebanese government has been selected in a sign of changing winds in the country.
Iran shuts down as heavy snow, cold snap hits multiple provinces
Severe weather has prompted Tehran to declare all government offices, schools, universities, banks and municipalities closed on February 8.
London to name Karen Pierce special envoy to the Western Balkans
Former British ambassador in Washington appointed as UK seeks to deepen its engagement with the Western Balkans, a region of growing geopolitical interest.
BREAKING: Two dead as plane crashes into rush hour traffic on São Paulo avenue
A small aircraft crashed in Brazil's western São Paulo on February 7 morning, killing at least two people and injuring six others when it struck multiple vehicles near the Palmeiras and São Paulo Training Centres, authorities said.
Iran’s supreme leader says negotiation with the US not "wise"
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on February 7 that negotiations with the United States are neither wise nor smart nor honourable, citing past experiences.
Taiwan reports increase in Chinese balloon activity amid rising tensions over sovereignty
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported a significant rise in Chinese military activity on February 6, with six Chinese balloons detected near the island within a span of 24 hours.
Hungarian government abandons €12bn 'Mini Dubai' project amid public outcry
The government has acknowledged Budapest's pre-emption rights for a 100-hectare brownfield area in the capital, effectively terminating a gigantic €12bn project promised by UAE-based Eagle Hills to build a new city district.
Baku moves to close Russian cultural centre as diplomatic tensions rise
Azerbaijan’s increasingly assertive stance on Russian matters marks a shift from its previous balancing act between Moscow and the West.
Panama rebuffs US claim of free canal transit and cuts China ties
Panama has strongly rejected US claims that Washington secured free passage for government vessels through the Panama Canal, while withdrawing from China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Georgia’s ruling party targets NGOs and media with new legislation
New laws are aimed at censoring domestic media and limiting foreign influence in Georgian civil society organisations.
Four candidates compete for Kosovo’s premiership in February 9 election
Kosovo's incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti is fighting off challenges from three main rivals.