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Italy Calls on Citizens to Leave Iran Amid Rising Security Risks

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Italy has renewed a strong appeal urging its citizens to leave Iran due to growing security concerns, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Around 600 Italians are currently in Iran, most of them based in Tehran, according to the ministry, which said the warning reflects the deteriorating situation in the country.

The appeal comes as Iran’s leadership struggles to contain its most serious domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, amid rising international tensions. Tehran has sought to deter repeated threats of U.S. intervention voiced by President Donald Trump in support of anti-government protesters, adding to regional instability.

Italy’s foreign ministry also said precautionary measures were being taken to protect more than 900 Italian military personnel deployed across the region, including about 500 in Iraq and 400 in Kuwait. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani chaired a high-level meeting with diplomats, defence officials and intelligence representatives, reaffirming Italy’s condemnation of the violent repression of protests in Iran and what it described as serious human rights violations.

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Ukraine Accuses Former PM Tymoshenko in Alleged Vote-Bribery Scheme

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Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators have accused former prime minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko of bribery, alleging her involvement in a vote-buying scheme, a source familiar with the case said on Wednesday. The accusation comes as part of a widening anti-graft crackdown that has shaken Ukraine’s political establishment. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said it had served bribery charges to an opposition party leader without naming Tymoshenko directly.

According to NABU, the investigation uncovered a “systemic” scheme in which lawmakers allegedly received payments in exchange for voting instructions or abstentions. The bureau said the plan was not a one-off arrangement but a long-term mechanism involving advance payments and coordinated parliamentary behavior. Tymoshenko, a prominent figure of the 2004 Orange Revolution, denied all allegations and said in a social media post that she would defend herself in court.

The probe forms part of a broader anti-corruption drive that has ensnared senior officials and lawmakers across the political spectrum, amid Ukraine’s push to meet European Union standards. Tackling corruption is central to Kyiv’s EU accession ambitions, though recent high-profile cases have underscored the scale of the challenge. Tymoshenko, who served as prime minister in 2005 and from 2007 to 2010, now leads a smaller parliamentary faction, with her political influence having waned in recent years.

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Germany’s Finance Minister Urges “European Patriotism” to Safeguard Economy

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Germany’s finance minister Lars Klingbeil has called for a new era of “European patriotism” to protect the continent’s economic interests amid rising global tensions. Speaking at a lecture in Berlin, Klingbeil proposed that companies receiving state aid should be required to keep jobs within Europe and that public procurement policies should prioritise goods produced in the region.

Klingbeil said Europe must fundamentally rethink its economic strategy as traditional alliances weaken and trade becomes increasingly politicised. He argued that the transatlantic relationship is changing, pointing to signs that the United States is turning away from Europe both politically and culturally. At the same time, he warned that trade is being weaponised through subsidies, tariffs, export controls and industrial overcapacity, placing strain on Germany’s export-driven economy.

To address these challenges, Klingbeil outlined a strategy focused on strengthening European unity, diversifying trade ties beyond the United States and shielding European markets from unfair competition. He said Europe must become more sovereign and resilient, cautioning that relying solely on exports is no longer sufficient in a rapidly shifting global economic order.

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Hungary Opposition Party Tisza Extends Lead Over Orban Ahead of April Vote

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Hungary’s main opposition Tisza party has widened its lead over Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz party, according to two opinion polls released on Wednesday, raising the stakes ahead of the April 12 parliamentary election. The vote marks the first time in years that Orban, who has been in power since 2010, faces a serious electoral challenge, with implications for both Hungary’s political direction and the wider European landscape.

A survey by pollster Median showed Tisza, led by former government insider Peter Magyar, extending its advantage over Fidesz to 12 percentage points among decided voters. Tisza was backed by 51% of voters, while support for Fidesz slipped to 39%. Median noted that while Tisza is mainly attracting voters from other opposition parties, Fidesz has struggled to regain ground despite economic incentives and efforts to rally voters around fears linked to the war in Ukraine.

A second poll by the Idea Institute also pointed to a strong showing for Tisza, placing it at 48% support—10 points ahead of Fidesz. Magyar has pledged to keep Hungary firmly anchored in the European Union and NATO while pursuing pragmatic ties with Russia, contrasting with Orban’s closer relations with Moscow and frequent clashes with Brussels. Apart from the two main rivals, only the far-right Our Homeland party is seen as having a realistic chance of entering parliament.

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Russia Detains Senior Doctors After Nine Newborn Deaths at Siberian Hospital

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Russian authorities have detained the chief doctor and the acting head of the intensive care unit at a maternity hospital in the Siberian city of Novokuznetsk after nine newborn babies died over a short period earlier this month. Investigators said the detentions are part of a criminal case into suspected negligence, with the deaths triggering widespread shock and public anger across the country.

The babies, born between December 1 and January 12, died during Russia’s extended New Year holiday at Hospital No. 1 in Novokuznetsk. Officials have not yet disclosed the exact causes of death, but the State Investigative Committee said the infants died due to the doctors’ improper performance of their professional duties while organising and providing medical care. Video released by investigators showed one suspect being led away in handcuffs.

Media reports said the hospital had a poor reputation and had received multiple warnings from health authorities in recent months. Personal accounts from mothers alleged serious medical failings, including lack of medicines and abusive behaviour by staff, though Reuters could not independently verify these claims. The tragedy has raised wider questions about healthcare standards in regional Russia and comes amid concerns over how such incidents undermine efforts to boost the country’s declining birth rate.

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Dutch Court to Decide Control Battle Between Nexperia and Wingtech

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Dutch chipmaker Nexperia faces a public court battle in Amsterdam as European managers challenge its Chinese owner Wingtech over company control. The dispute has contributed to a shortage of chips used by car manufacturers and escalated last September when the Dutch government temporarily seized control of Nexperia over fears of transferring operations and intellectual property to China. The seizure was later revoked to ease tensions with Beijing.

Nexperia produces silicon wafers in Europe, which are shipped to China for cutting and packaging. In October, the Amsterdam Enterprise Court suspended Wingtech founder Zhang Xuezheng as Nexperia CEO and stripped Wingtech of control over the shares, citing concerns about mismanagement and potential conflicts of interest due to Zhang’s ownership of a Shanghai factory selling wafers to Nexperia. The current hearing will determine whether a full investigation into alleged mismanagement should proceed or if previous rulings should be reversed.

Wingtech is expected to argue that Zhang’s plans were in line with Chinese market opportunities, highlighting significant sales and growth prospects in China. Meanwhile, Nexperia has split operations between Europe and China, stopped shipments to China due to nonpayment, and is investing $300 million in Malaysia to serve non-Chinese customers. The Dongguan subsidiary has rebranded as “Nexperia China” and plans to replace European production with Chinese alternatives, including output from Zhang’s WingSkySemi plant.

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Paris Farm Show to Go Cow-Free for First Time Amid Disease Concerns

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For the first time in its history, Europe’s largest agricultural exhibition in Paris will take place without cows after an outbreak of lumpy skin disease in France raised fears of contamination. Organisers of the International Agriculture Show said the decision was taken to prevent any risk of spreading the disease, which has affected more than 100 herds across the country. The annual event usually features 500 to 600 cattle and attracts around 600,000 visitors.

Calling it a “historic” and painful decision, SIA Chairman Jerome Despey said the absence of cattle was unavoidable despite the emotional and symbolic importance of cows to the show. He noted that the exhibition would still feature other animals such as pigs, sheep, horses, dogs and cats. Lumpy skin disease, which is mainly transmitted by biting insects, causes fever, painful skin lumps and reduced milk production in cattle.

Although France’s farm ministry has said the disease is under control due to vaccination efforts, concerns among farmers remain high. Some have criticised the government’s policy of culling entire infected herds, a measure that has fueled recent farmer protests in Paris. While the main farmers’ union FNSEA supports the government’s approach, organisers said they hope demonstrations will not disrupt the show, which is regularly attended by senior political leaders. The traditional cow mascot of the event will also be replaced by other animals this year.

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Germany’s Coalition Divided Over Inheritance Tax Reform Ahead of Key Elections

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Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has proposed sweeping changes to inheritance tax rules, setting up a fresh dispute with its conservative coalition partner. The reforms aim to make the system fairer by increasing taxes on large estates while easing the burden on smaller inheritances, just as the government faces several important regional elections this year.

While both the SPD and Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc agree on the need for tax relief to revive the weak economy, they strongly disagree on how to achieve it. The disagreement adds to growing tensions within the coalition, reinforcing public perceptions of a divided and slow-moving government at a time when voters are demanding clear economic direction.

Under the SPD plan, heirs would be able to inherit up to around one million euros tax-free, and family homes would remain exempt if the heir continues to live there. Family businesses would receive allowances of about five million euros, but larger firms would face higher taxes — a move strongly opposed by conservatives, who warn it could hurt Germany’s small and medium-sized companies.

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Orban Faces Toughest Election Test as Hungary Votes on April 12

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Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban will face his strongest electoral challenge in 16 years when the country holds parliamentary elections on April 12. The vote is being closely watched across Europe, as Orban has been a key figure among far-right leaders and maintains close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia despite the Ukraine war.

Orban, who has ruled since 2010, has reshaped Hungary into what he calls an “illiberal democracy,” often clashing with the European Union over media freedom, migration and LGBTQ rights. His Fidesz party is campaigning on stability and security, promising to keep Hungary out of the Ukraine conflict and stop illegal migration, while also trying to revive an economy hit by high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis.

Challenging him is Peter Magyar, a former government insider whose Tisza party has surged since entering politics in 2024. Recent polls show Magyar ahead among decided voters, as he campaigns on fighting corruption, restoring EU ties and unlocking frozen European funds to boost the economy. With many voters still undecided, the election outcome remains uncertain and could reshape Hungary’s role in Europe.

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Russia Probes Hospital Negligence After Nine Newborn Deaths in Siberia

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Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the deaths of nine newborn babies at a maternity hospital in the Siberian city of Novokuznetsk, following suspicions of medical negligence. The country’s Investigative Committee said hospital staff are being questioned, medical records have been seized and forensic examinations are under way to establish the cause of the deaths.

The hospital said it had treated 32 infants in intensive care since December 1, including 17 in critical condition suffering from severe intrauterine infections. While it maintained that all newborns received treatment in line with clinical guidelines, it confirmed that nine babies did not survive. Four infants remain in intensive care, while another four have been transferred to a different medical facility.

The case has sparked widespread public outrage, with the governor of the Kuzbass region, Ilya Seredyuk, suspending the hospital’s chief doctor pending the investigation. The incident has triggered angry reactions on social media and renewed scrutiny of Russia’s healthcare system, especially as authorities seek to boost the country’s low birth rate. The hospital has since suspended new admissions, citing a surge in respiratory infections and the introduction of quarantine measures.

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