Hungary's new Prime Minister Peter Magyar won parliamentary approval for anti-corruption measures expanding watchdog powers and dissolving state foundations worth 8.5 billion euros, aiming to unlock 16 billion euros in frozen EU funds withheld under predecessor Viktor Orban's rule.
Russia faces petrol shortages and rationing due to Ukraine's strikes on oil infrastructure.
Ukraine Takes an Important — if Small — Step Toward Joining the EU
The European Union officially launched accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday, requiring years of political reforms. Ukraine views EU membership as a security guarantee amid Russian invasion, while the process involves negotiating 35 policy areas.
Viktor Orban was re-elected Fidesz party leader despite the party's election defeat in April.
The European Union launched accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova after Hungary lifted its veto, enabling formal talks to begin Monday, marking strategic support against Russian aggression despite requiring years-long reform processes.
EU planning to add to $1.5 trillion sanctions hit on Russia
Hungary's new government stopped issuing worker visas to Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia citizens, citing wage protection concerns despite foreign workers representing only two percent of the workforce and being critical to manufacturing and services sectors.
EU to advance expansion plans at Balkans summit
Ukraine and Hungary agreed on minority rights, paving way for EU accession talks.
The Independent's 2026 Pride List celebrates LGBTQ+ individuals making Britain fairer and more tolerant.
Hungary defeated an autocrat as Peter Magyar was sworn in, promising democracy and liberty after 16 years.
Hungary's parliament approved a law to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a previous decision.
EU Sanctions Should Prompt Soul-Searching Among Israelis
China's President Xi Jinping avoids war, unlike counterparts Putin and Netanyahu, who face weakened political standing.
The European Union approved sanctions against Israeli West Bank settlers for violence against Palestinians after Hungary's political leadership change removed previous opposition, targeting three settlers and four organizations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed granting Ukraine EU "associate member" status with representation but no voting rights while pursuing full membership, a compromise addressing lengthy accession complexities amid Russia's invasion.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar launched "Operation Cleansing Fire" to dismantle Viktor Orban's 16-year control, proposing a new constitution, anti-corruption office, and presidential removal to unlock 16.4 billion euros in frozen EU funds and combat systemic corruption.
Ukraine officially launched EU membership negotiations Monday, requiring years of political reforms while battling Russia, as Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka opened talks in Luxembourg to align with bloc standards and values.
The EU starts membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova, a historic step towards their potential membership.
Hungary's parliament limits prime ministers to eight years, barring Viktor Orban's return.
Viktor Orban was re-elected as Hungary's Fidesz party leader with 729 of 737 delegate votes despite the pro-Russian party's April election loss to the centre-right Tisza party, which won a two-thirds majority.
Hungary to unveil anti-corruption reforms needed to release EU funding next week
Europe faces various challenges, including rising Eurosceptic populists and corruption issues.
EU sanctions ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank
Ukraine intensifies attacks on Russia, with the US warning of escalation.
Focused group: Ukraine is now Europe’s war
The EU will release 16.4 billion euros in frozen funds to Hungary amid reforms under new Prime Minister Peter Magyar.
The EU sanctions seven Israeli settlers and entities for human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Labor MP Ed Husic demands Australia establish firm policies against Israel, including sanctions, halted defence cooperation, and blocked F-35 parts supply, citing mistreatment of activists, Australian aid worker death, and potential Gaza genocide.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged EU leaders to begin Ukraine's accession process, rejecting associate membership as leaving the country voiceless, amid intensified battlefield operations and territorial gains of nearly 600 square kilometers since year's start.
A Turkish court ousts the opposition leader from his job
Global tensions rise amid conflicts, diplomacy, and power struggles between nations.
What Does Central Europe’s Post-Orban Russia Policy Look Like?
European Council President António Costa emerged as the EU's natural representative for potential Ukraine peace negotiations with Russia, establishing preliminary diplomatic channels while the bloc extends sanctions and advances Ukraine's EU accession.
Ukraine's sustained strikes on Russian oil infrastructure caused widespread fuel rationing across 53 Russian regions, including Moscow and Saint Petersburg, while Ukraine secured 4 billion euros in military aid and initiated EU membership talks.
Hungarian MPs passed a constitutional amendment limiting prime ministerial terms to eight years, blocking Viktor Orban's potential return to power.
European Union member states possess economic and trade leverage to challenge Israel's settlement expansion, but internal divisions and blocking nations like Hungary and Germany delay action as Palestinian statehood prospects deteriorate rapidly.
Hungary's anti-corruption watchdog alleges that Viktor Orban's inner circle inflated government contracts by roughly 3.5 billion euros, with companies linked to allies like Gyula Balasy receiving approximately 150 annual contracts, damaging the former leader's legacy amid ongoing corruption investigations.
The European Union proposes sanctioning 80 additional Russian entities and individuals to expand its $1.5 trillion economic pressure campaign, targeting Moscow's military industrial complex, human rights violators, and propagandists supporting the Ukraine war.
France is pushing for new EU sanctions against Israeli settlers amid declining European unity on the issue, reflecting deepening divisions within the bloc over Israel-Palestine policy and settlement expansion.
Ukraine and Russia exchanged strikes killing multiple people as US envoys met Ukrainian representatives in Miami for peace talks aimed at ending the war, amid competing demands and previous negotiation failures.
The EU cleared the way for Ukraine and Moldova to begin formal accession talks after Hungary lifted its veto, with negotiations potentially starting June 15 following a minority rights agreement brokered by Hungary's new prime minister.
Hungary's Prime Minister Peter Magyar plans to amend the constitution to remove President Tamas Sulyok.
Following Viktor Orban's electoral defeat, the European Union will release 16.4 billion euros to Hungary after the new government committed to anti-corruption and rule of law reforms, marking a significant diplomatic thaw.
German politicians are taking steps to limit the far-right AfD party's power ahead of regional elections.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy seeks EU membership, calling associate status unfair.
Global markets face mounting pressure from the ongoing Iran conflict, rising inflation, bond market stress, and central bank policy uncertainty, while geopolitical tensions in Turkey and potential rate hikes threaten economic stability across major economies.
Slovenia's parliament approves right-wing Janez Jansa as prime minister in a shift for the EU country.
Hungarian voters wanted change