In our ongoing weekly digest, award-winning journalist Veronika Munk summarises and explains the most important political developments in Hungary. We guide readers on the route to the key April 2026 election — a poll without precedent in the region over the past 15 years. This week, we cover: The p»»»

The FBI has fired roughly 10 members, all of whom participated in a probe into Donald Trump's handling of classified documents after his first term. Their termination on Wednesday, confirmed by the BBC's media partner CBS News, was announced shortly after FBI director Kash Patel told Reuters that f»»»

The UN expert on the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, denounced on Thursday what she described as "toxic" attacks impacting her personal life and work, after a number of European states called for her resignation. In recent weeks Germany, France, Italy and others have called for Albanes»»»

Dubai: Iran and the United States held another round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday, as rising military tensions and a significant American force buildup in the Middle East cast a long shadow over diplomatic efforts. The Oman-mediated discussions, hosted at the Omani ambassador’s r»»»

Aramco announced Thursday major progress in its ambitious gas expansion strategy, with the start of production at Jafurah, the Middle East’s largest unconventional gas field, and the commencement of operations at Tanajib Gas Plant, one of the largest gas plants in the world. This will contribute to»»»

The US military planes currently stationed at Sofia’s civil airport “Vasil Levski” are not assigned to participate in any ongoing or planned combat operations, officials clarified during a parliamentary hearing. Acting Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Acting Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski, and»»»

Abu Dhabi: Global logistics firm DHL Express has signed a deal to explore using delivery aircraft built by an Abu Dhabi-based drone manufacturer in its regional operations. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.DHL Express and LODD Autonomous have signed a Memorandum of Unde»»»

Every day, Iranians go to stores and find prices rising. Some post photos on social media of the shrinking contents of their shopping carts as they struggle to buy enough basic staples for their families. The mounting cost of living is an extra weight bearing down as Iranians prepare for a possible»»»

Both China and Iran have asked to replicate the Belarus-Russia Union State's region-to-region cooperation model, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at the Supreme State Council of the Union State in Moscow on February 26, as Russian President Vladimir Putin co-chaired the session, BelTA»»»

Both China and Iran have asked to replicate the Belarus-Russia Union State's region-to-region cooperation model, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at the Supreme State Council of the Union State in Moscow on February 26, as Russian President Vladimir Putin co-chaired the session, BelTA»»»

Doha, Qatar: The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has received the Platinum rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Operations' sustainable green building certification system, further underscoring Qatar Museums' position as a global pioneer in sustainable cultural institutio»»»

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has announced early elections - hailing the next four years as "decisive" for her country. "We as Danes and as Europeans will really have to stand on our own feet," Frederiksen told parliament. "We need to define our relationship with the United States," she »»»

Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Geneva have paused for a break and will resume later today, following what the Omani mediator described as an exchange of “innovative and positive ideas.” Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi announced the development, stating: “Today i»»»

Turkish industry has begun 2026 under significant strain. Port cargo volumes have suffered one of the steepest January declines seen in recent years, business daily Ekonomi has reported. According to data from th»»»

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed its commitment to supporting the Syrian government’s efforts to rehabilitate the economy and improve the performance of key economic institutions, indicating that the country has entered an accelerating recovery phase, SANA reported on February 26. »»»

Ukraine’s struggle to keep the lights on under sustained Russian bombardment this winter has yielded ten core lessons for energy security that policymakers worldwide would be wise to study, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency. »»»

Oil and gas revenues will account for less than 20% of Russia's budget this year, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told the Duma on February 26, as oil prices tumble and sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet become more effective. »»»

Russian Finance Minister Anton Sulianov was speaking to the Duma yesterday and announced a pretty radical new direction. What he's proposing to do is to move the budget away from its traditional addiction to oil and gas export revenue and make Russia a consumption-based economy, (with a useful, but»»»

Syrian government forces and Druze militiamen who control areas in the southern Sweida province on Thursday exchanged prisoners taken in clashes last summer, a rare step toward a possible political resolution of simmering tensions in the country. The exchange was the first major sign of progress in»»»

Dubai: As US forces mass across the Middle East, Iran is staring at the threat of major American strikes that could target its leadership, military command structure, nuclear sites and critical infrastructure — a showdown Tehran would almost certainly lose in conventional terms, but one that could »»»

Hillary Clinton will on Thursday appear before a panel of the US House of Representatives that is investigating the crimes of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The former Democratic secretary of state and presidential candidate recently agreed, along with her husband, former President Bill Clinton»»»

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Caribbean leaders on Wednesday that the removal of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro has improved regional stability, despite objections over its legality. Speaking at a summit in St Kitts and Nevis, he urged closer cooperation while tensions persist over Cuba, migra»»»

GENEVA Borge Brende announced Thursday he was resigning as head of the World Economic Forum, which organises the annual Davos summit, after revelations of his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World »»»

JERUSALEM India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that Israel and India agreed there was “no place for terrorism in the world”, as he wrapped up a two-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with Israel. The trip, which has drawn criticism at home, marks Modi’s second visit to Israel as»»»

According to an internal analysis of consumer behavior in February, the two celebrations showed different ordering patterns: on February 14, most orders were placed between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM, while February 24 recorded a peak at lunchtime and in the early evening. On both days, fast-food restaur»»»

COPENHAGEN - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, who is on an official visit to Denmark, said on Thursday in Copenhagen Denmark was interested in EU enlargement but had still not agreed to opening further chapters in Serbia's accession talks, and added that Denmark saw two outstanding issues on»»»

Jailed Hong Kong democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai (C), seen here in February 2021, won an appeal against a conviction for fraud on Thursday but remains in prison serving a 20 year sentence for endangering "national security." File photo by Jerome Favre/EPA-EFE Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Imprison»»»

Vehicle technical inspections in Ajman now take just seven minutes — down from 20 — following the launch of a new AI-powered smart inspection lane that has reduced procedures by 50 per cent. The initiative, introduced by Ajman Police General Headquarters, comes in line with the UAE Cabinet’s drive »»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The process of deepening the integration of Russia and Belarus is natural and mutually beneficial, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. "The process of deepening integration between our two countries is logical, natural and, I would like to emphasize this, mutually »»»

Dubai Police’s traditional Iftar Cannon has once again become a major community attraction during the holy month of Ramadan, drawing large crowds of residents and visitors who gather daily to witness one of the UAE’s most cherished traditions. Families have been flocking to fixed and mobile cannon »»»

Sharjah: Sharjah City Municipality has expanded its smart parking infrastructure across the emirate, providing 10 smart parking yards offering a total of 2,421 spaces, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance public services and keep pace with urban growth and rising tourism activity. The municipality»»»

Dubai Police launches specialised career tracks to strengthen fight against money laundering New framework integrates investigative, legal and analytical expertise to enhance financial crime detection and align with global compliance standards. Dubai Police has introduced advanced specialised caree»»»

Dubai: Daniil Medvedev produced a clinical 6-2, 6-1 performance against Jenson Brooksby on Thursday to advance to his third Dubai semi-final. The former world number one boasts 22 career titles but has never won the same tournament twice. He is trying to change that this week in Dubai, where he lif»»»

Phones at municipal offices across Greater Athens and other major cities are ringing constantly as digital platforms fill with complaints from angry residents demanding repairs to streets and sidewalks riddled with holes and potholes. Utility crews installing or repairing networks – from electricit»»»

"We used to eat out twice a month," says Marjan, who lives in Iran's second largest city, Isfahan. "Now we just can't. We have to save that money to pay the rent." For the last six years, she had been selling wooden crafts and keyrings through a page on Instagram - one of hundreds of thousands of I»»»

Dubai: After nearly 40 years, British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) is set to close all its stores in the Philippines on May 2 this year. Following the announcement, Filipinos have expressed their sentiments on how the merchant became part of their shopping culture. M&S first opened in the Philipp»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States still prefers to fully link the negotiation track on the settlement in Ukraine with the one on economic cooperation with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. "No, it does not mean that. As before, the American side prefers to fully link thes»»»

Dubai: Days before she was found dead at her rented apartment in Hyderabad, 21-year-old science student and part-time YouTuber Bonu Komali wrote a deeply emotional diary entry reflecting her lingering attachment to a former partner. “I’m scared to move on because what if he comes back?” Komali wrot»»»

Dubai: Abu Dhabi Police has launched a traffic fine discount initiative under the campaign 'Pay Early.. Gain Surely,' encouraging drivers to settle their violations promptly in exchange for significant savings. The campaign aims to reduce outstanding fines and promote responsible driving behaviour »»»

Authorities in the town of Karditsa in Thessaly are trying to work out how what appear to be human bones ended up in a rubbish dumpster near the local hospital and cemetery. State ERT television reported that the remains were found early Thursday by rubbish collection workers, who informed authorit»»»

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ended his two-day visit to China on Thursday in the tech hub of Hangzhou, identifying "challenges that we must overcome together" after meeting President Xi Jinping and announcing an Airbus deal. Merz's first official visit to China came as Berlin and Beijing seek t»»»

Dubai: US electric vehicle maker Tesla’s Advanced Self-Driving technology is now being tested on roads in Abu Dhabi, under driver supervision, marking a first for the emirate. With the support of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) is overs»»»

According to the annual CEE M&A report by Forvis Mazars, developed in association with Mergermarket, M&A activity in the CEE region did relatively well in 2025 in terms of overall disclosed deal value, though a decline in transaction volume points to significant geopolitical headwinds and challengi»»»

MOSCOW, Feb 26 (KUNA) -- Head of Russia's delegation for talks on Ukraine Vladimir Medinsky announced Thursday that Moscow handed over the remains of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv.In return, Russia received the remains of 35 of its servicemen under previously agreed humanitarian understandings b»»»

In this photo released Thursday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (2-L) shakes hands while his daughter Kim Ju Ae (L) looks on during a military parade in Pyongyang. The event marked the conclusion of the week-long Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, Feb. 26 (UPI)»»»

Geneva, Feb. 26 (SANA) Syria told the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday that its commitment to human rights is a “genuine national obligation” shaped by decades of hardship, pledging to strengthen institutions and prevent a return to past abuses. Addressing the Council during its hig»»»

There Is Such a People (TISP) are calling for the removal of caretaker Agriculture and Food Minister Ivan Hristanov over recruitments he has made. Deputy floor leader Stanislav Balabanov read out a declaration with their demands in Parliament, accusing Hristanov of conflicts of interest, political »»»

Tourists in Barcelona could be taxed as much as 15 euros ($17.70) a night after the city raised its tourism fee to one of the highest in Europe on Wednesday as part of efforts to curb visitor numbers and help finance affordable housing. Authorities in Catalonia have faced increasingly vocal protest»»»

Dubai: An Indian expat who won the first Dh5 million prize in the UAE Lottery has revealed his profession and his dreams post the windfall that he is going to share with a friend. In an exclusive interview, Murugananth Govinthan, 43, told Gulf News he has no intention of quitting his job and his fi»»»

Dubai: An Indian expat who won the first Dh5 million prize in the UAE Lottery has revealed his profession and his dreams post the windfall that he is going to share with a friend. In an exclusive interview, Murugananth Govinthan, 43, told Gulf News he has no intention of quitting his job and his fi»»»