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Hungary arrests ex-minister; Italy jails Egyptian agents

In Hungary, former culture minister Balázs Hankó was arrested after losing his parliamentary immunity, while a former prosecutor accused Viktor Orbán of ordering the seizure of a 'gold convoy'. An Italian court sentenced three Egyptian intelligence agents to ten years for the abduction of Giulio Regeni; the foreign minister immediately absolved Cairo. Spain's ministers delayed a housing decree to regulate a market where long-term listings have fallen by 20%. The president of Germany's Bundestag threatened to expel two rival factions for disruptive behaviour. In Croatia, a transit strike left Zagreb with a single functioning tram.

In more detail

Hungary

Ex-minister arrested as Orbán faces 'gold convoy' claim

Police arrested former culture minister Balázs Hankó after his parliamentary immunity was lifted. Separately, former prosecutor general Pál Fürcht alleged that Viktor Orbán personally ordered the seizure of a 'gold convoy'. The national asset recovery office has identified its first four cases for investigation.

Italy

Court jails Egyptian agents as minister absolves Cairo

Judges sentenced three Egyptian intelligence agents to ten years for the 2016 abduction of Giulio Regeni. Murder charges were dismissed. Following the verdict, foreign minister Antonio Tajani issued a statement formally absolving the Egyptian government.

Spain

Ministers delay housing decree as listings vanish

The Socialist party and Sumar delayed a cabinet meeting after failing to agree on a new housing decree. Sumar wants to ban evictions until 2028. The government is trying to regulate a market where long-term rental listings have fallen by 20% since the last housing law passed three years ago.

Croatia

Transit strike leaves Zagreb with a single tram

A public transport strike entered its second day, leaving patients struggling to reach hospitals and just one or two trams running across the capital. Mayor Tomislav Tomašević refused union demands, noting that salaries at the transit authority have already risen by up to 85%.

Key themes Patriot missiles Corruption arrests Drone attacks School stabbing Housing crisis

Around Europe today

Albania Audit Intelligence agency audit discussed as fired minister lingers Read the full summary → Austria Takeover A €1.6bn takeover bid and a tax on online deliveries Read the full summary → Belgium Budget Flemish budget talks yield a €3,950 housing hit and overnight exhaustion Read the full summary → Bosnia Wells Srebrenica Braces for Police Incursion As Sarajevo's Wells Hit Historic Lows Read the full summary → Bulgaria Remains A dead tsar returns and a windfall tax sparks conflict Read the full summary → Croatia Strike Zagreb transit strike leaves one tram running Read the full summary → Cyprus Exit Neofytou abandons presidential bid; auditors expose school air-con chaos Read the full summary → Czechia Vote Prime minister faces second no-confidence vote ten days before elections Read the full summary → Denmark Elbiler A 2027 budget taxes electric cars and cuts student grants Read the full summary → Estonia Sabotage Foreign minister blames Russian sabotage for defence firm arson Read the full summary → Finland Hospitals Coalition proposes €9bn in cuts as 10,000 drill for relocation Read the full summary → France Debt Debt hits 119% of GDP as teachers demand a raise Read the full summary → Germany Expulsion Speaker threatens to expel rival factions; care reform faces blockade Read the full summary → Greece Phone Crash court unlocks stationmaster's phone Read the full summary → Hungary Convoy PM accused of ordering 'gold convoy' seizure as ex-minister is arrested Read the full summary → Iceland Assault Police bill summer event organizers 47 million ISK Read the full summary → Ireland Workrule Civil Servants' Work-to-Rule Threatens EU Presidency Read the full summary → Italy Rail 10 Arrested over High-Speed Rail Bribes Read the full summary → Kosovo Declaration Assembly defends UCK as a seven-day presidential clock ticks Read the full summary → Latvia Fine A €1m protest fine, and software with Russian ties Read the full summary → Lithuania Capital Ministry parties draw prime ministerial ire as the deficit may widen Read the full summary → Luxembourg Waste A presidential visit and a papal privilege Read the full summary → Malta Apartments A Blocked Debate and Unpaid Bills Read the full summary → Moldova Heating Heating tariffs jump 50% as opposition targets the president Read the full summary → Montenegro Bills Unlicensed cosmetics and doubled power bills Read the full summary → Netherlands Falls Cabinet nears budget deal as fatal falls reach 21 a day Read the full summary → North Macedonia Flooding Left out of current EU projections Read the full summary → Norway Grilling Parliament grills eleven ministers over likely Epstein link Read the full summary → Poland Deaths A Vanishing City and a Palace Package Scandal Read the full summary → Portugal Gémeas President's son formally accused in hospital subsidy scandal Read the full summary → Romania Cabinet Prime Minister-Designate Attacks The Party He Needs For Confirmation Read the full summary → Serbia Punch Capital's mayor denies breaking a councilwoman's nose on video Read the full summary → Slovakia Stabbing Teacher critically injured in primary school stabbing Read the full summary → Slovenia Students State claims student job fees, fuel prices jump Read the full summary → Spain Rents Ministers delay a housing decree while rental listings vanish Read the full summary → Sweden Layoffs Hemnet Cuts A Third Of Workforce; Northern Party Demands Own Parliament Read the full summary → Switzerland Premiums The unread treaties and the premium hike Read the full summary → Ukraine Barrage Capital seeks EU Patriots after 150-drone barrage Read the full summary → United Kingdom Pension Ministers waver on pensions while buy-British electricity prepares to cost more Read the full summary →

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