Xi Jinping sends love letter to Viktor Orbán – POLITICO

Stressing their cooperation during the Covid pandemic, when Hungary became the first EU country to authorize a Chinese-made vaccine, and “mutually beneficial cooperation” on infrastructure, the Chinese leader praised Hungary as an “important trading partner and the number one target country for Chinese investments in the Central and Eastern European region.” Following a stop in France, … Read more

China’s Xi Welcomed With ‘Respect And Love’ In Serbia

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic reaffirmed his strong support for China’s sovereignty over Taiwan Wednesday as he gave a lavish welcome to President Xi Jinping, who is seeking to deepen political and economic ties with friendlier countries in Europe. China has poured billions into Serbia and neighbouring Balkan countries, particularly into mining and manufacturing, and last … Read more

Who’s who on Xi’s Europe trip: Chinese president accompanied in Macron meeting by top party and ministerial officials

These are officials in the president’s entourage during his Europe visit: Cai Qi Cai, China’s No 5 official and the ideology chief of the ruling Communist Party, often accompanies Xi on domestic and overseas trips. The 68-year-old is on the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee, the party’s highest authority, making him the most powerful chief of … Read more

Macron, Xi call for worldwide ‘Olympic truce’ during Paris Games – POLITICO

With heavy sanctions on Russia impacting the country’s trade with the United States and the EU, China now supplies Russia with the lion’s share of its consumer goods as well as key technologies for the battlefield. The two sides enjoy what Xi has called a “no-limits partnership.” Macron, meanwhile, welcomed Chinese “commitments” to “abstain from selling any weapons” … Read more

Two emperors on the edge of two wars  – POLITICO

Xi has repeatedly called Putin his best friend. He has also repeatedly refused to do anything to stop Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and supplied dual-use military technologies, weapon-building components and satellite imagery, warns the U.S., to Russia.  In a recent interview with POLITICO, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith highlighted Beijing’s support for Moscow, … Read more

Serbia’s Vučić apologizes for calling Slovenians ‘disgusting’ – POLITICO

“It’s hard to say who was more disgusting, the Slovenians or someone else,” Vučić said earlier this week. The remarks triggered a swift rebuke from Ljubljana. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon called them “an insult to our entire nation,” summoned the Serbian chargé d’affaires and demanded an apology. “The message is not suitable for a country … Read more

Mid-air drama as cops storm plane from Manchester Airport after ‘unruly passenger’ forces emergency diversion

A FLIGHT to Turkey was forced to divert due to an “unruly passenger”. The plane jetted off from Manchester Airport around 7.30pm yesterday. 2 A flight to Turkey was forced to divert tonight after a passenger became ‘unruly’Credit: Getty 2 The plane was forced to land in Serbia The Sun Express flight had been set … Read more

Five of the world’s most arduous bus journeys, from a 5-day drive in South America to a US route crossing the Mexican border and an epic 2,500-mile trip through Europe. Are YOU tempted? They’re cheap!

Coach trips can be a great way to see more on holiday with new scenery unfolding outside your window. But what if the journey covers thousands of miles… still tempted? Here we reveal some of the world’s most arduous bus services that might leave you scratching your head as to who would be. From a … Read more

Serbia election featured stuffed ballot boxes, watchdog says – POLITICO

Cases of intimidation and harassment of civil activists and journalists were recorded. The observation mission also expressed “limited trust in the information from the national public broadcasters,” all of which are pro-government. While the report acknowledged Serbia had adopted some of its previous suggestions on election-related legislation in 2022, other recommendations had “not been sufficiently … Read more

American woman goes missing in Spain shortly after man disables cameras

Ana Maria Knezevic traveled from South Florida to Spain in December to get away for a while. Her family and friends say the naturalized American originally from Colombia has been going through a nasty divorce from her Serbian husband, but the trip was also a chance to explore new places. Then, she vanished — two … Read more