News
US administration 'misinformed about Romanian elections', says presidential candidate Nicusor Dan
US Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk have repeatedly criticised the cancelation of Romania's 2024 presidential election and expressed support for far-right candidate Calin Georgescu.
Nato, EUFOR ready to prevent destabilisation of Bosnia after new secession threats
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has threatened that Republika Srpska will secede from Bosnia if he is convicted in an ongoing trial.
Hungarian judges demonstrate for freedom of judiciary
Thousands of judges and court workers held a demonstration in Budapest on February 22 for the freedom of the judiciary, organised by the Hungarian Judiciary Association (MABIE).
Albania targeted by British campaigners who want Trump-style aid cuts
Campaigners who want London to emulate DOGE and make drastic cuts to foreign aid and government services have found Albania a useful scapegoat.
_1740338558.jpeg)
Israeli Prime Minister calls for disarmament in southern Syria
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the disarmament of Daraa, Suwayda, and Quneitra in southern Syria saying the new Syrian administration should not enter these provinces.
Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines to resume flights to Iran
German flag carrier Lufthansa and its Austrian subsidiary will resume flights to Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) in early March.
Thousands mourn Hezbollah leaders at historic Beirut funeral
Tens of thousands of mourners filled Beirut's Sports City Stadium for the funeral of Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine on February 23, in what officials called Lebanon's largest memorial service in 20 years.
Russia's Rosatom in talks to build new nuclear power plant in Iran
Russian state-run atomic energy giant Rosatom is in talks to construct another nuclear power plant (NPP) in Iran, the company’s chief said.
Far-right opponents of euro adoption storm EU offices in Bulgaria
Thousands of supporters of pro-Russian Vazrazhdane protest against Bulgaria’s planned introduction of the European single currency.
Turkey seizes fast food chain Maydanoz Doner over prosecution aimed at Gulenists
Total of 1,371 companies seized over links to clan since military coup attempt of 2016.
Putin opens the door to the return of Western business to Russia
President Vladimir Putin has opened the door to Western companies’ return to the Russian market, but only on the Kremlin’s terms and only after sanctions are lifted, the Russian president said on February 21.
Six Israeli hostages released from Gaza amid critical Bibas family update
Three Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas in Gaza as part of the latest prisoner exchange scheme between the group and the Israeli state.
Russia considers ceding its frozen $300bn CBR money as part of a ceasefire deal
Russia is considering the use of $300bn in frozen assets held in Europe to help rebuild Ukraine, but insists part of the money be used to rebuild the Ukrainian territories under its control, Reuters reports.
Putin says sanctions have strengthened, not weakened, Russian economy
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Western sanctions have played a “stimulating role” in Russia’s economic development, rather than bring it to its knees.
Serbian energy sector faces crisis as banks set to close NIS accounts
Foreign banks will halt transactions with NIS before US sanctions take effect on February 28, which could effectively paralyse the oil company’s operations.
Brazil's Lula backs Ukraine peace mission but rules out sending troops
Brazil will not send troops to Ukraine but would support a peacekeeping mission, President Lula da Silva said in a joint statement with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
UN warns Syria faces 50-year economic recovery
Syria needs at least 10 years to recover its pre-war economic levels even with strong growth, while current slow growth rates of 1.3% annually could extend recovery beyond 50 years.
White House offers a revised mineral deal, but US-Ukraine relations still in limbo
The White House has offered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy a revised version of its deal to exploit rare earth minerals that Kyiv rejected last week because the terms were too harsh.
Hungary set to block extension of EU sanctions against Russia, citing peace talks
Hungary will not vote in favour of extending sanctions against Russian and Belarusian individuals at the upcoming meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, arguing that it would hinder US-Russian peace talks.
EU plans €1.9bn Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova
New facility to support reforms, advance Moldova's EU integration and mitigate the impact of Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine.