Germany plans to raise its military aid to Ukraine by three billion euros ($3.4 billion) next year to around 11.5 billion euros ($13.2 billion) to support its battle against Russia, the finance ministry said Tuesday. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil “will introduce a further three billion euros in support for Ukraine into the...
A natural phenomenon in Hungary could slightly shrink the country
A striking-and at the same time instructive-natural process is currently taking place in Hungary: a new oxbow lake could soon form at one of the Ipoly River's bends in the Hont region. This change is not only a scenic curiosity but also of geographical significance, as this section of the...
NATO countries to allocate $60 billion to support Ukraine in 2026
The EU is gearing up to extend a bridge loan, aimed at bridging the funding shortfall until a mechanism is finalized for tapping into Russia's froze assets. In 2026, NATO countries will allocate $60 billion to support Ukraine in addition to the so-called NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package provides for several...
Serbia’s Parliament fast-tracks Jared Kushner’s controversial Belgrade luxury project
The real estate investment has been hailed by President Aleksandar Vučić as a "magnificent" boost to economic ties with the U.S. Serbia’s parliament adopted a special law (“lex specialis”) on 7 November, aimed at accelerating the redevelopment of the bombed-out former Yugoslav Army headquarters in central Belgrade into a $500...
Media freedom in the Balkans: in several cases, Brussels warns of “backsliding”
The European Commission’s enlargement reports paint a grim picture for freedom of expression and media across most EU candidate countries. Despite some progress in countries such as Montenegro and Ukraine, the European Commission’s latest enlargement reports paint a grim picture for freedom of expression and media across most EU candidate...
U.S. grants Hungary exemption on Russia sanctions after warm Trump-Orbán meeting
Both leaders pointedly blamed the European Union and the previous U.S. administration for prolonging the war in Ukraine The United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions for using Russian oil and gas, a White House official said on Friday (7 November), after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor...
Sanctioned Magnitsky oligarch engineers Bulgarian parliament probe into Soros
The developments unfold despite the fact that two of the three current deputy prime ministers worked at the Open Society Foundation, founded by George Soros. The Bulgarian parliament has set up a temporary commission to investigate the activities of George Soros, his son Alexander, and their foundations operating in the...
Polish parliamentary panel backs lifting immunity of ex-justice minister Ziobro
A Polish parliamentary committee has voted to lift the immunity of former justice minister and Law and Justice (PiS) MP Zbigniew Ziobro, allowing prosecutors to press 26 criminal charges against him - including leading an organised crime group - over alleged misuse of the Justice Fund. The panel also backed...
Netherlands to Explore Local Production of US-Made AMRAAM Missiles
The Netherlands will explore the possibility of producing US-made AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) domestically through a feasibility study approved by Washington and to be conducted by missile manufacturer, Raytheon. Marking the first potential co-production of AMRAAM missiles with a European NATO partner, the study will examine how Dutch...
Bulgaria and North Macedonia to sign agreement on cross-border railway tunnel
The transport ministers of Bulgaria and North Macedonia signed the long awaited agreement to build a joint cross-border railway tunnel, with the contract signed in English at the insistence of authorities in Skopje. Transport Corridor 8, envisioned to link the Black Sea with the Adriatic through Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and...