After winning general and presidential elections in 2024, the ruling VMRO DPMNE party is now poised to extend its dominance in North Macedonia to municipal level. VMRO DPMNE’s narrative has been relentless, accusing the opposition Social Democrats, SDSM, who ruled from 2017 to 2024 – but who failed to deal...
Hungarian spying scandal could shake EU Commission to its core
The EU and its member states have been shocked, though not entirely surprised, by a reported Hungarian spying scandal, which seemingly also involves the current commissioner from that country, Oliver Varhelyi. Last week, an investigative report published by Hungary’s Direkt36, in cooperation with Belgium’s De Tijd, Germany’s Der Spiegel and...
Media organisations demand investigation into death of turkish journalist
International media bodies have voiced outrage over the assault on Turkish environmental journalist Hakan Tosun – who died from his injuries on Wednesday – amid concern that he was targeted for his work. International media organisations on Wednesday condemned the killing of independent Turkish journalist Hakan Tosun and called on...
FSB spies in Europe: Poland blames Russian couple
Polish authorities have formally charged a Russian couple with espionage on behalf of the FSB. On October 13, 2025, the National Prosecutor’s Office in Silesia submitted the indictment to the District Court in Sosnowiec, southern Poland. The couple is accused of participating in Russian intelligence activities and transmitting information potentially...
US urges Europe to curb dependence on Russian Energy
Prodded by U.S. criticism, the European Union is strengthening its sanctions on Russia with measures that directly target Moscow’s energy revenues. Washington, however, has yet to match the EU’s pace. The bloc is preparing its 19th package of sanctions over Russia’s war against Ukraine. In the first year after the...
Putin — losing control of events?
The Kremlin has an established playbook for war and its consequences, but developments beyond its control threaten the regime’s grasp. Russian opposition politicians are saying that if the latest offensive in Donbas fails, as past attempts have, Vladimir Putin may be ready to end the war or at least call...
Trump may approve Tomahawks for Ukraine if Russia continues war
Russia warns that the U.S. should understand the risks stemming from the use of the nuclear-capable missile. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday (12 October) he may offer long-range Tomahawk missiles that could be used by Kyiv if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not end the war in Ukraine....
Two Cypriot passport holders sanctioned by U.S. for links to criminal networks
For over a decade until its termination in 2020 amid corruption scandals, Cyprus operated a controversial "golden passport" scheme. The United States has sanctioned two Cypriot passport holders as part of a major crackdown on Southeast Asian criminal networks involved in online scams and money laundering. On 14 October, the...
UK sanctions Russia’s Lukoil and Rosneft, targets shadow fleet
The two Russian largest oil companies are subject to an asset freeze, director disqualification, transport restrictions, and a ban on British trust services. Britain targeted Russia’s two largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, and 44 shadow fleet tankers on Wednesday (15 October) in what it described as a new bid...
Von der Leyen encourages investment in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina
The President of the EU Commission praises Podgorica's progress on accession negotiations, saying, "Incredible potential," but now it is up to businesses to put up the money. She also stops in Srebrenica, then appeals to the Sarajevo authorities for unity. Double public appearance in Tirana 13 October for Ursula von...