News
Bosnian Serb leader Dodik recorded making racial slur about tennis star Djokovic’s family
Leaked recording reveals secessionist Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik lashed out at Djokovic family ahead of RTS interview.
Kazakhstan spooked by US warning of secondary sanctions
At least one leading financial services company is cutting back its exposure to Russian nationals.
MEPs say Serbia must align with EU sanctions against Moscow to progress on EU path
The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted a report stating that negotiations on Serbia's membership in the EU can only continue if the country joins the sanctions imposed on Russia.
Bosnia’s Republika Srpska pulls out of state-level constitutional court
Step brings Bosnian Serb entity closer to secession and is expected to hike political tensions in the already highly unstable country.
Xi Jinping to send special envoy to Ukraine following phone call with Volodymyr Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had a “long and meaningful” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 26.
Orban cronies control more than a quarter of Hungarian economy, says Transparency International
Ruling Fidesz party accused of helping favoured companies squeeze out foreign and domestic competition in most corrupt state in the EU.
South Africa backtracks on president's threat to pull country out of ICC ahead of Putin visit for BRICS summit
South Africa has rescinded a statement by its leader that it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) ahead of hosting the BRICS summit, which Vladimir Putin, wanted by the court for war crimes, would otherwise attend.
Poland’s opposition leader investigated over alleged role in crackdown on controversial coal trader
The investigation is seen as an attempt to weaken Donald Tusk, whose Civic Platform party is the main rival of the ruling Law and Justice in this autumn's general election.
Erdogan cancels election appearances after falling ill during live TV interview
Microphones pick up someone saying “Oh, no, oh no” as programme pulled from air but Turkish president returns to broadcast minutes later for one more question.
Serbia’s president slams Ukraine as he announces new foreign policy strategy
Top Serbian officials turn on Ukraine for abstaining on Kosovo’s Council of Europe entry, while MPs vote down proposed sanctions on Russia.
South Africa’s ANC to quit ICC to allow Putin visit
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party says that it will quit the International Criminal Court to allow President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming BRICS summit.
Kazakhstan: Masimov gets 18-year sentence over Bloody January events
The behind-closed-doors trial has revealed nothing about the specific actions the former security services chief is said to have undertaken.
Czechoslovak communist interior minister to stand trial in landmark case
Vratislav Vajnar is on trial for the killing of three people who attempted to cross the country's heavily guarded border in the late 1980s, in one of the very few cases where a top official in the communist regime has faced justice.
Teachers and students protest against law curbing teachers' rights in Budapest
Bill punishes teachers for previous protests by allowing state to monitor teachers' cellphones and computers, discipline them for criticism and dock salary payments, and extends hours and compels them to work on Sundays and move to other regions.
Black Sea grain deal in danger as Lavrov butts heads with UN
When a female journalist asked Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov if the Black Sea grain deal was dead as he walked into a meeting of the UN Security Council on April 24 all he would say was "nice dress."
Czech tycoon Kretinsky and Slovak business partner Tkac strengthen their footing in France
Billionaire partners have agreed to acquire French publishing group Editis and have bid to increase their share in French retail chain Casino.
‘Relegated’ Gazprom looks set for football sponsorship deal with Istanbul’s Besiktas
Ex-semi-pro football player and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan may hope agreement will help with Turkey’s plans to score as a gas hub.
Bulgartransgaz sets out €1.46bn investment plan
Bulgarian gas transmission and storage system operator to invest €600mn in capacity expansion, €860mn in hydrogen pipeline.
Poland approves PLN10bn in aid for farmers struggling with Ukrainian grain glut
Talks between the European Commission and Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia are set to continue in the coming days after failing to achieve an agreement last week.
Economists expect Hungarian central bank to cut O/N lending rate at key meeting
The MNB will leave the base rate unchanged at 13% at its rate-setting meeting but is likely to reduce the upper threshold of the interest rate corridor.