News

El Salvador's president agrees to accept deportees in meeting with US Secretary Rubio

Mathew Cohen February 4, 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a landmark migration agreement with El Salvador on February 3, following a meeting with President Nayib Bukele at his lakeside residence near San Salvador.

Missing money, delayed arms deliveries and demands for mining deals, Ukraine's relations with Trump are off to a rocky start

Ben Aris in Berlin February 4, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has complained that Ukraine has only received $75bn out of a pledged $177bn of aid pledged by the US to support Ukraine last year and he doesn’t know where the missing $100bn money is.

Opposition leaders arrested at pro-EU protest in Tbilisi

Ailis Halligan in Tbilisi February 3, 2025

A protest intended to block a key traffic artery in Tbilisi was met with heavy police repression and violent arrests.

Pop icon Madonna voices support for student protests in Serbia

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade February 3, 2025

Madonna urged her 19.8mn Instagram followers to spread awareness of the situation in Serbia.

US envoy Grenell criticises Kosovo’s PM Kurti, questions Pristina's relations with Washington

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje February 3, 2025

Richard Grenell slams Albin Kurti as "not trustworthy" days before Kosovo's general election.

El Salvador's bitcoin dream falters despite lofty crypto hub ambitions

bne IntelliNews February 3, 2025

El Salvador has quietly scaled back its ambitious cryptocurrency experiment, marking a significant reversal of President Nayib Bukele's vision to transform the Central American nation into a bitcoin paradise.

Tehran showcases advances ahead of revolution anniversary

bnm Tehran bureau February 3, 2025

Tehran Municipality has erected banners showcasing the nation's advances across various sectors ahead of the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on February 10.

Sweden says Stockholm mosque used as Iranian spy centre

bnm Tehran bureau February 3, 2025

The Swedish government has accused the Imam Ali Islamic Centre in Stockholm of serving as a platform for Iranian intelligence operations targeting Sweden and the Iranian diaspora, Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed announced on February 3

US Secretary Rubio warns Panama over Chinese influence at canal amid regional tour

bne IntelliNews February 3, 2025

US Secretary of State Rubio delivered a stark warning to Panama's president on February 2 that Washington would "take measures necessary" if the Central American nation failed to curtail what the US perceives as China's growing influence.

Bomb blast kills pro-Russian paramilitary leader in Moscow

bne IntelliNews February 3, 2025

A bomb explosion in a luxury residential complex in Moscow has killed Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russian paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine, in what authorities are treating as a targeted assassination.

Trump halts Mexico tariffs after border troop deal, but tensions remain

Alek Buttermann February 3, 2025

The United States and Mexico have reached a temporary agreement suspending new tariffs, following negotiations between President Donald Trump and his Mexican counterpart, Claudia Sheinbaum.

Arab countries reject Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan

bnm Cairo bureau February 3, 2025

Arab foreign ministers on February 3 unanimously rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan.

Viktor Orban's financial savings below national average, his annual asset declaration shows

bne IntelliNews February 3, 2025

Hungarian MPs are required to submit asset declarations, but the system relies on self-reporting with no independent verification. There are no real consequences for misreporting or omitting information.

Russia forced to turn to foreigners and criminals as Moscow military recruitment plunges fivefold

bne IntelliNews February 3, 2025

Military recruitment in Moscow has dropped fivefold since its peak in mid-2024, forcing Russian authorities to rely increasingly on foreign mercenaries, criminals and debtors to bolster troop numbers.

Majority of Bulgarians don’t want to adopt the euro

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia February 3, 2025

New poll shows 57% of Bulgarians are opposed to eurozone entry, as the government gives mixed signals on its euro adoption plans.

Kim Jong-il 'Birthday Tour' marks resumption of Chinese travel to North Korea

bno - Taipei Bureau February 3, 2025

A Chinese tour agency has reignited interest in North Korean tourism with the announcement of the Kim Jong-il 'Birthday Tour' to Rason, a city in North Korea’s northeastern region.

China responds to Trump’s tariffs with WTO challenge, cautious countermeasures

bno - Taipei Bureau February 3, 2025

China has sharply criticised the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, but has opted to leave the door open for dialogue with the US to prevent a further escalation of trade tensions.

Bosnia's Republika Srpska to make new attempt to pass ‘foreign agents’ law

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia February 2, 2025

Bosnian Serb leader targets "scum who use foreign funds" with controversial legislation modelled on laws adopted in Russia, Belarus and Georgia.

Tens of thousands join protests in Serbia's Novi Sad

Tatyana Kekic in Novi Sad February 2, 2025

Serbia is in the throes of a political crisis, sparked by a deadly infrastructure collapse in Novi Sad late last year, with ongoing student-led protests putting immense pressure on the government.

Iran unveils new air defence system and ballistic missile

bnm Tehran bureau February 2, 2025

Iran unveiled an air defence system and a new medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to an exhibition of the Defence Ministry’s Aerospace Organisation.

Dismiss