International
Bolsonaro meets Hungary’s Orban after Putin talks
AFP
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro met Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban Thursday, a day after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid fears Moscow is planning to invade Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Putin welcomed “constructive” talks with Bolsonaro, following his first official trip to Moscow.
Western leaders remain fearful of a Russian attack on its neighbour Ukraine. Bolsonaro had brushed off pressure from Washington, Brazil’s traditional ally, and his own cabinet to cancel the trip, justifying the focus on trade.
Before the South American set off for Russia, Brazil publicly reaffirmed its diplomatic ties with Kyiv.
In Hungary, Bolsonaro met President Janos Ader followed by Orban, marking the first time a Brazilian leader has visited the EU member.
Bolsonaro told reporters in a joined press conference with Orban that he considered Hungary as “our little-big brother”.
“Small, if we take into account the differences in our respective territorial dimensions. And big, because of the values we represent, which can be summed up in four words: God, homeland, family and freedom,” he said.
Orban said Bolsonaro’s visit was a “great honour”, praising his South American counterpart for his “very precious” diplomatic efforts to discuss the Ukraine crisis during his Moscow visit.
Brazil is one of Hungary’s most important trading partners in Latin America, and Orban was one of few Western leaders to attend Bolsonaro’s inauguration in January 2019.
In late 2020, Hungary signed a deal to buy two Brazilian KC-390 military transport aircraft at an undisclosed price.
Critics have slammed the visit of Bolsonaro, who has been likened to former US president Donald Trump and who has expressed admiration for Putin.
One Hungarian news portal described the visit as a “diplomatic tour de force” ahead of April elections, where Orban is expected to face his toughest fight yet against a united opposition since returning to power in 2010.
Orban himself met Putin early this month despite objections from the opposition and his European allies.
Next month, a flagship US conservative conference is to take place in Budapest with Orban as key speaker.
During his three straight terms in office, the nationalist leader has branded his foreign policy as “eastern opening,” cozying up to Russia and China, while often antagonising European allies.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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