Google is reportedly planning a major investment in AI startup Anthropic that could reach a total of $40 billion, including $10 billion in cash, depending on the achievement of performance targets. Source: Dünya Gazetesi

Montenegro, an official candidate for European Union membership since 2010, is aiming to become the bloc’s 28th member by 2028. The country made further progress in its accession process this week after existing EU members agreed to begin work on an accession treaty for the small Balkan state. Minister for European Affairs Maida Gorčević said that, alongside the closing of negotiation chapters, preparation of the accession treaty marks “the final stage of a 14-year marathon o

A bill that raises the legal age for purchasing cigarettes and ensures that anyone born after 2009 will never be old enough to legally buy tobacco is set to become law after receiving approval from King Charles III. Under the new legislation, shops found selling tobacco or electronic cigarettes to children will face fines of £100. Source: Hürriyet

Lufthansa has cancelled 20,000 flights to Europe as soaring fuel prices linked to tensions and conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran hit the aviation sector. Since the outbreak of the Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict, jet fuel prices have doubled, as fighting has slowed production and transportation across the Middle East. Rising fuel costs have forced airlines to reduce services and increase ticket prices. Several carriers, including KLM, Air France, and Delta Air

The European Union has approved a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine, while the Druzhba pipeline—which had been inactive for around two to two-and-a-half months—has resumed operations, restarting oil flows from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia. Even before taking office as prime minister, Peter Magyar appears to have overseen the first concrete step toward improving relations between Hungary and the EU, after pledging during the election campaign to repair ties with Europe. S

World Bank President Ajay Banga has warned that enough jobs may not be created for the 1.2 billion people expected to enter working age in developing countries over the next 10 to 15 years. According to Banga, if current trends continue, only 400 million new jobs will be created. Banga said that while global financial markets are currently focused on the short-term economic effects of war, a deeper and more lasting risk is approaching for developing countries: a widening empl

According to Indeed, human resources skills are among the most sought-after capabilities in today’s job market. A new report by Indeed Hiring Lab found that HR skills ranked as the third most in-demand skill set, appearing in 27.3% of all job postings in the United States by the end of 2025. The report noted that HR skills such as employee engagement and people management are valuable far beyond traditional HR departments, adding that the HR skill set is “required across a wi

Thousands of residents in Paris were evacuated after a bomb dating back to World War II was discovered. The device was found on 10 April during construction work on Rue des Champarons. The area was secured, and people within a 900-metre zone were evacuated while preparations were made to remove the bomb. A total of 800 police officers were deployed to secure the evacuation zone. Emergency alerts were sent to local residents, instructing them to leave the area and informing th

Russia launched one of its most intense air assaults of the year against Ukraine, with the capital Kyiv as well as Kharkiv, Odesa, and Dnipro targeted overnight by ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and hundreds of kamikaze drones. Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence said a total of 44 missiles and 659 kamikaze drones were detected in the air. Most were reportedly destroyed, but 26 missiles and drones struck their intended targets. The escalation in Russian attacks is being linke

The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that Europe has only six weeks of jet fuel reserves left due to a “very serious” crisis. In a letter to the European Commission, the European branch of the Airports Council International said jet fuel shortages could begin in early May unless tankers resume passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Source: Euronews

A new regulation has been approved to legalize the status of 500,000 undocumented migrants who have lived in Spain for at least five months and applied for international protection before 31 December 2025. Migration Minister Elma Saiz said those covered by the measure “will have the right to work anywhere in the country, in any sector,” adding: “We are strengthening a migration model based on human rights, integration, and coexistence, aligned with economic growth and social

The International Monetary Fund has lowered its growth forecast for the euro area from 1.4% to 1.1%. According to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook report, disruptions in energy (oil) markets caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and infrastructure damage across the Middle East have effectively halted the recovery of the world’s major economies. The IMF revised down its 2026 growth projection for the euro area from 1.4% to 1.1%, citing high inflation and weakening mom

In a major political shift, Hungary has elected a new prime minister, with Peter Magyar set to take office after defeating long-time leader Viktor Orbán. Orbán, who had been in power since 2010, conceded defeat and congratulated Magyar on his victory, stating that he would continue to serve the public from the opposition. During the campaign, Orbán employed rhetoric critical of the European Union and Ukraine. He had also drawn criticism from European partners after vetoing €9

Concerns have intensified following talks in Pakistan that ended without an agreement. Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Mojtaba Khamenei and a prominent political figure in Iran, stated: “The key to the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands.” Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would impose a blockade on ships using the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is now described as a “powder keg.” Source: Sabah

The housing crisis in Europe is intensifying. According to Eurostat, Hungary leads the European Union in housing price increases with a rise of 21.2%, followed by Portugal at 18.9% and Croatia at 16.1%. Ranked fourth, Spain has seen particularly sharp increases in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. With average price growth reaching 12.9%, tenants have begun to mobilize. The Tenants’ Union Confederation has launched a campaign to organize the first nationwide rent strike ag

Oil prices dropped on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a two-week ceasefire had been agreed with Iran, on the condition that the Strait of Hormuz is immediately and safely reopened. The price of Brent crude fell by around 14% to approximately $94 per barrel. U.S. crude also declined by more than 15%, dropping to $95.75. However, oil prices remain above levels seen before the conflict began on February 28, when crude was trading at around $70 per barr

German media recalled that the Military Service Modernization Act has entered into force, noting that the amendments carry serious implications for men of conscription age and include a provision that came into effect without attracting public attention. Under the legal regulation that took effect on 1 January, Article 3 states that men who have reached the age of 17 must obtain permission from the relevant career center of the Bundeswehr if they wish to leave Germany for mor

Facing a new energy shock, Europe is questioning whether reviving nuclear power could be part of the solution. Across the continent, households and industries are watching with growing concern as fuel prices and the cost of refuelling vehicles rise rapidly. The EU’s executive body, the European Commission, has urged people to work from home more and travel significantly less. Policymakers warn that the situation could deteriorate further depending on developments in the Middl

U.S. President Donald Trump shared footage on social media of an हमला targeting a bridge in Karaj, where local authorities reported that two people were killed. Trump warned Iran to “make a deal” “before nothing is left.” He had previously stated that the United States would deliver an “extremely severe” strike against Iran and indicated that its objectives would be achieved shortly. In response, Iran warned of a “more extensive” and “overwhelming” retaliation, while claiming

Donald Trump’s anticipated national address from the White House drew significant attention. Trump stated that the United States would deliver an “extremely severe” strike against Iran within the next two to three weeks. “Tonight, I would like to note that we are approaching the completion of key strategic objectives (in Iran). The United States is on track to fulfill all of its military goals in a very short time; however, in the next two to three weeks, we will deliver a ve