Author: staff

In a social media post over the weekend, Trump bemoaned that the Pope’s criticism of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran and claimed without evidence that his own presidency had enabled the Leo’s accession to the papacy. And, speaking outside the White House on Monday afternoon, Trump repeated his criticism of Leo as “weak,” adding “there’s nothing to apologize for.” Trump’s aggressive rhetoric against the Pope presents a challenge for conservative, right-wing and far-right European leaders like Meloni, whose voter bases typically contain plenty of Christians. More than half of Italians identify as Catholic. While such leaders are have reason to…

Published on 13/04/2026 – 18:12 GMT+2•Updated 19:32 Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar said at his first press conference after winning the 12 April election that the country will continue purchasing Russian energy and prioritise the cheapest available oil, a stance that appears to contrast with his campaign pledge to phase out Russian energy imports by 2035. “No one can change geography, Russia and Hungary are here to stay. The government will procure crude oil and gas in the cheapest and safest way possible,” Magyar told reporters. His comments come as as the European Union welcomed the ousting of outgoing Prime…

Iranian authorities executed at least 1,639 people in 2025 and now risks hanging more in the wake of the war against the US and Israel, two NGOs said on Monday, urging the West to put capital punishment “at the heart” of any negotiations with Tehran. The number of executions represented an increase of 68% on the 975 people Iran put to death in 2024, and also included 48 women, Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) said in their joint annual report. If the Islamic republic “survives the current crisis, there is a serious…

Published on 13/04/2026 – 18:39 GMT+2•Updated 19:06 Each year, the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas, present the LUX Audience Award. The award celebrates European cinema and aims to spark conversation amongst the European public about important societal issues. A panel selects five films to compete, but the winning film is chosen equally by EU citizens and their elected representatives in the European Parliament. This year, for the first time, all five nominated films will be subtitled for the deaf and hard of hearing people in all 24 languages. About…

Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar said on Monday he is ready to take office quickly and called on the country’s president to convene parliament to form a new government “as quickly as possible,” expressing hope to succeed Viktor Orbán as prime minister as early as 5 May. Magyar held a three-hour international press conference in Budapest, taking questions on a wide range of issues. “The Hungarian people did not vote for a simple change of government, but for a complete change of regime,” he said. Below are the key points from his remarks on European affairs : Unblock EU funds…

Israel summoned Italy’s ambassador on Monday to protest after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned what he called Israel’s “unacceptable attacks” on civilians in Lebanon during a visit to Beirut, an Italian diplomatic source said. Tajani, a senior member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, visited Beirut on Monday for talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. Tajani wrote on X that he was there to “convey Italy’s solidarity following Israel’s unacceptable attacks against the civilian population.” He called for dialogue between Lebanon and Israel and a “necessary and lasting ceasefire” adding: “Another escalation like in Gaza…

The Commission will consult member countries on state aid changes this week, she said. Other measures the Commission is planning include a “toolkit,” to be released April 22, that will contain plans for gas storage filling and guidelines for temporary measures to reduce taxes on energy bills and reduce demand, von der Leyen said following a meeting of Commission officials. Demand-reduction schemes might revolve around building renovation and the renewal of industrial equipment, she said. Von der Leyen also urged lawmakers and member countries to conclude their work on the EU grids package — a plan to upgrade and expand…

Israel does not do enough to protect Palestinians from settler violence and even supports it, the Palestinian foreign affairs minister told Euronews. “The settlers are very much supported by the Israeli occupation forces (which) have an obligation to protect the occupied,” Varsen Aghabekian Shahin told Euronews 12 Minutes With interview programme. “But what we see is they either look and do nothing, or they are engaged in the actual terror attacks, and this needs to be stopped. It’s very serious,” Aghabekian said. Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has soared since the October 2023 Hamas-led terrorist attacks…

“Ukraine is the victim in this war**,”** Péter Magyar said at his first press conference after winning the Hungarian elections on Sunday, in an overt emphasis of his position on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. **“**Based on the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine has every right, and in my opinion, a government also has the duty, to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Magyar told the gathered press on Monday. Magyar yet added that, while striving for “friendly relations” with all of Hungary’s neighbours, his stance on Ukraine will not be a U-turn from his predecessor’s. For Kyiv, Budapest’s willingness to…

Ukraine’s coffers, depleted after years of war, would see a huge shortfall if the loan isn’t approved by May. While capitals hoped to resolve the issue at a summit last month, Orbán — alongside Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico — insisted the money could not be disbursed until the flow of oil was guaranteed. Leaders won’t have to meet again to unblock the loan. Magyar signaled the decision could be taken even before his government assumes office, which should take place within the month. Even if Hungary allows the loan to go ahead, it still won’t contribute. “I will discuss…