News
Albanian PM accuses UK home secretary of using “populist far-right rhetoric”
Edi Rama slams Shabana Mahmood for pledge to deport hundreds of Albanian families whose asylum applications have been rejected in latest spat between Tirana and London over migration.
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Mexico President flatly rejects Trump's threat of military strikes against cartels
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically dismissed US President Donald Trump's suggestion that American forces could conduct military operations on Mexican territory to combat drug cartels.
Russia agrees to sell stake in Serbian oil firm NIS
The Russian owners of Serbia’s oil company NIS have agreed to sell their 56.15% stake and are in talks with a potential buyer, as Belgrade races to meet US demands for a full Russian exit from the company.
El Salvador’s $100mn Bitcoin purchase raises questions over IMF commitments
El Salvador’s latest $100mn-plus expansion of its Bitcoin reserve has intensified scrutiny over the country’s adherence to commitments made under a $1.4bn IMF loan agreement, as questions mount over its continued accumulation of BTC.
German court sides with sanctioned billionaire Usmanov over claims he used sister to conceal assets in Swiss bank accounts
The Hamburg Regional Court ruled in favour of Uzbek-Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov in a lawsuit against a German citizen who claimed on Facebook that Usmanov had used his sister, Saodat Narzieva, to conceal assets in a Swiss bank.
US–Saudi strategic pact formalised as Trump backs F-35 sale to the kingdom
US President Donald Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House on November 18, marking the Crown Prince’s first visit to Washington since 2018 and signalling a renewed phase of strategic cooperation
Iran releases Talara tanker and 21 crew members following STS transfer
Iran releases Talara oil tanker and 21 crew members after six-day detention for fuel smuggling in Persian Gulf waters, following completion of judicial proceedings and cargo discharge.
Hungary's Viktor Orban says giving more money to Ukraine is like trying to cure an alcoholic with vodka
Hungarian prime minister took to social media to criticise calls by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to provide additional financial assistance to Ukraine.
Azerbaijan expands prosecutions of exiled critics with new charges and extradition attempts
Azerbaijan has brought criminal charges against at least three exiled government critics and summoned others for questioning, in a campaign targeting journalists, historians and political figures living abroad.
Tisza Party presents candidates, kicks off online nomination process
The Hungarian Tisza Party has unveiled the first group of candidates for the 2026 parliamentary elections, party leader Peter Magyar announced on November 18.
Unrest grows in Bangladesh after former PM handed down death sentence
Demonstrators continue to block highways in several districts and fought Bangladesh police for long periods as authorities continue to deploy large numbers of security personnel across Dhaka and other regions.
Lithuanian law enforcement cracks down on Belarus’ smuggling balloon network
Lithuania views the balloon-borne smuggling from Belarus as part of the country’s hybrid war.
Slovenia defends emergency security measures as EU, Roma groups sound alarm
New law grants Slovenian police expanded powers to operate in designated high-risk areas after fatal attack in Novo Mesto.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation clinches $4.57bn financing led by two banking giants
The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) and Kuwait Finance House (KFH) concluded a joint financing deal on November 18, valued at KWD1.5bn ($4.57bn) for Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).
China blocks Japanese film releases in latest anti-Tokyo moves
China has postponed the release of at least two Japanese films as political tensions between Beijing and Tokyo intensify over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments on Taiwan.
India reacts to Bangladesh sentencing former PM to death
According to the text of the MEA statement, India has studiously avoided direct commentary on the conviction itself. New Delhi's measured response prioritised reassurance about its commitment to peace and democratic governance,
Bangladesh tribunal sentences former PM Hasina to death
Bangladesh’s international crimes tribunal sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death after finding them guilty of crimes against humanity.
Georgian Dream moves to scrap EU-mandated anti-corruption body
Georgia's parliament speaker said the dissolution of the anti-corruption body aims to “optimise state resources” and “strengthen the constitutional framework of the governance system".
EU opens final accession negotiation cluster with Albania
Albanian PM Edi Rama says the EU has "no escape from Albania ... we’ll stalk them to the end" as Tirana aims for membership by 2030.
Serbia faces uncertainty over long-term Russian gas deal
Serbia’s plans for a new long-term gas contract with Russia’s Gazprom remain uncertain, with officials now aiming for a short-term extension.