Troops see that the defense minister is not up to the task, and they are hoping for change – the former face of the Hungarian military speaks out

Former military recruitment face Captain Szilveszter Pálinkás publicly accused Hungary's Defense Minister of ruining army morale through politicization and severe mismanagement. He also claimed the Prime Minister’s son, Gáspár Orbán, is using his influence to push a disastrous, religiously motivated military mission to Chad.

https://telex.hu/english/2026/04/03/troops-see-that-the-defense-minister-is-not-up-to-the-task-and-they-are-hoping-for-change

EU backs Ukrainian deep-tech firms with €20m boost amidst war recovery

The European Commission has awarded €20 million to 41 Ukrainian start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working on “deep tech” — advanced technologies based on scientific or engineering breakthroughs.

https://www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/2059315/eu-backs-ukrainian-deep-tech-firms-with-e20m-boost-amidst-war-recovery

Hungary’s Orban Faces New Setback as More Whistleblowers Emerge

Prime Minister Viktor Orban was already facing an uphill battle to turn around sliding poll numbers, buffeted by an extended economic slump and allegations of rampant corruption in Hungary.

https://removepaywalls.com/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-03/hungary-s-orban-faces-new-setback-as-more-whistleblowers-emerge

Operation Save Orbán: Trump deploys Vance to Hungary

U.S. President Donald Trump gives a final heave to try and keep under-pressure Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in power.

https://www.politico.eu/article/operation-save-viktor-orban-us-donald-trump-deploys-jd-vance-hungary/

France plans huge missile increase in new defense push, document shows

Paris is also mulling the development of a new tank, according to a draft military planning law seen by POLITICO.

https://www.politico.eu/article/france-eyes-huge-missile-boost-new-defense-plan-document-shows/

EU delivers €50 million boost to Jordan’s healthcare, inaugurates key facility

The EU has inaugurated Jordan’s Central Medical Warehouse, the last of 14 facilities delivered under a €50 million health programme carried out with the World Health Organization.

https://www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/2059304/eu-delivers-e50-million-boost-to-jordans-healthcare-inaugurates-key-facility/

‘No to war’: Austria blocks US warplanes from its airspace

Vice-chancellor Andi Babler said his country wants “nothing to do with Trump’s policy of chaos and his war.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/austria-blocks-us-warplane-overflights-citing-neutrality/

Poland has criticised a new Israeli law that would make death by hanging the default punishment for Palestinian West Bank residents convicted of deadly terrorist acts.

“It is completely unacceptable in a state of law to apply the death penalty in a way that could be considered discriminatory against people of a particular nationality,” wrote the Polish foreign ministry in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

https://notesfrompoland.com/2026/04/02/poland-criticises-israeli-law-mandating-death-sentence-for-palestinian-terrorists/

A 50% Crash in Key Hungarian Stock Signals Trouble for Orban

For years, 4iG Nyrt has been a crown jewel of Viktor Orban’s economy, a sprawling telecoms and defense powerhouse with a soaring stock price. But now the shares are plunging and sending perhaps the clearest signal yet that investors are preparing for the end of the Hungarian prime minister’s 16-year reign.

https://removepaywalls.com/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-02/4ig-s-50-stock-crash-signals-election-trouble-for-viktor-orban

Putin warns Armenia against joining the EU

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Wednesday that joining the European Union was “simply impossible” for Armenia since it is already a member of a customs union with Moscow.

https://www.brusselstimes.com/world/2057757/putin-warns-armenia-against-joining-eu/