Eurotopics.net

The human rights organisation Memorial has been labelled as "extremist" by Russia's Supreme Court, effectively criminalising its activities inside Russia. Memorial was founded in 1989 to document repression in the Soviet era. The organisation was liquidated in 2021 but continued to work abroad and, to some extent, in Russia as well. The Nobel Committee, which awarded Memorial the Peace Prize in 2022, has condemned the decision.

Under Viktor Orbán, despite EU and Nato membership Hungary's position was pro-Russian and anti-Ukraine. After his election victory Péter Magyar has made it clear that: "Ukraine is the victim in this war." And if Putin calls, he will tell him to "stop the killing after four years". The media discuss what the new Hungarian stance on the two warring parties could mean.

After the initial failure of peace talks with Iran, the US has begun its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the US millitary, six merchant ships arriving from Iran have been forced to turn back within the first 24 hours. President Trump has said that a key reason for the blockade is to prevent transit tolls from falling into the hands of the regime in Tehran. What consequences could this provoke?

US President Donald Trump has hit back at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she described his tirade against Pope Leo XIV as "unacceptable". Trump replied saying: "She is the one who is unacceptable, because she doesn't care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy up in two minutes if it had the chance!"