News
Al-Sharaa appointed as Syrian president for five years after signing constitutional declaration
Saudi-born Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a draft constitutional declaration, making him president of Syria for a five-year transitional period.
Afghan opium prices skyrocket amid ban, fuelling organised crime
Poppy production is again on the rise in Afghanistan as spring approaches and prices for opium increase.
Tusk hails Erdogan meeting as “historic breakthrough” as Poland, Turkey commit to joint defence, arms production work
"Our cooperation as two strong Nato partners has taken on a new significance today," he says.
Ecuador President Noboa taps Blackwater founder to combat gang violence
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has announced a “strategic alliance” with US businessman Erik Prince, founder of private security firm Blackwater.
Ryanair and Wizz Air to launch direct flights to Jordan in April
The Jordan Tourism Board has signed two agreements with low-cost air carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air to operate direct flights to Jordan starting in April.
Bolivia turns to crypto as fuel crisis deepens
As fuel shortages worsen in Bolivia, the government turns to cryptocurrency for imports. A lack of foreign currency, costly subsidies, and declining production fuel the crisis, sparking protests and straining the economy.
US 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium imports kick off
US 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports came into force on March 12, escalating trade tensions between Washington and its North American commercial partners.
EU braces for Hungarian veto on Russia sanctions extension
Brussels is preparing for the possibility that Hungary may block the renewal of European Union sanctions against Russia, a move that could unfreeze tens of billions of euros in assets and undermine Ukraine's financial aid structure.
Rival candidates seek to capture Romania’s far-right electorate after Georgescu banned from presidential race
AUR leader George Simion is now the leading far-right candidate, but he faces competition from several rivals.
Russian activist urges Kremlin to ban sex toys to combat demographic decline
A conservative Russian activist has called on the government to ban sex toys nationwide, arguing that their availability undermines traditional family structures and exacerbates the country’s demographic crisis
Iraq plans major tourism projects to attract 1mn visitors
Iraq wants to attract both Muslim and Christian tourists to its historical sites as it bids to build out new hotels and resorts.
Poland’s Tusk backs Turkey for Ukraine peace process role on Ankara visit
Trip also provides support to president Erdogan as he bids to make Turkish armed forces and defence industry prominent in Europe's plan to rearm and strengthen security architecture.
Turkey reportedly keeps up military strikes on PKK despite Kurdish group’s unilateral ceasefire
At same time, Ankara backs Damascus move to integrate Kurdish-dominated SDF militia into Syrian national army. Erdogan officials usually refer to SDF and PKK as one and the same “terrorist” entity.
Thousands rally in Bulgaria over attempt to sabotage general election recount
The Constitutional Court ordered a full recount of votes from the October 27 snap general election, which is expected to benefit the nationalist, pro-Russian Greatness party.
Bosnian Serb leader Dodik threatens to declare EUFOR an army of occupation
Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik makes new threats after Bosnian state prosectors issue a warrant for his arrest.
Georgian ex-president Saakashvili given nine years in prison for embezzlement
An extra three years are expected to be tacked onto Mikheil Saakashvili’s original six-year sentence, meaning he will now not be eligible for release until late 2030.
Argentina seeks to formalise IMF deal through decree
Argentina's government is advancing its efforts to secure a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme with the formalisation of a decree of necessity and urgency (DNU) published in the official gazette.
Druzhba pipeline oil deliveries suspended temporarily due to drone strike, Hungarian FM says
Oil deliveries to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline have had to be suspended temporarily on March 11 due to a Ukrainian drone strike on one of the pipeline’s measuring stations.
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Polish Prime Minister Tusk urges restraint after Sikorski-Musk clash turns ugly on X
Poland’s ministers should choose their words carefully when engaging with foreign figures online, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, following a heated social media spat between Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Elon Musk, Trump's advisor.
Spanish prosecutors investigate Vox over campaign funding from Orban-linked bank
Spain's public prosecutor has launched an investigation into the far-right Vox party over allegations of illegal political financing after reports emerged that the party had received millions of euros in loans from a Hungarian bank tied to PM Orban.