Demands

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is demanding a refund of migration-related fines imposed by the European Union. • Orbán argues that the EU's position has shifted, noting that other member states are now adopting border policies similar to those of Hungary. • In addition to the fines, Hungary is seeking the return of €2 billion in lost recovery funds during an upcoming budget negotiation.

• The Asia Times argues that current development strategies in Asia are too cautious, prioritizing institutional comfort and proven methods over urgent needs. • The author contends that this "responsible" approach results in minimal progress and fails to address the scale of regional challenges. • This shift in perspective is critical because safe bets are insufficient to drive the transformative growth required for Asia's current development moment.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has ordered banks to develop and submit a comprehensive "action plan" to defend against security threats posed by artificial intelligence. • This mandate requires financial institutions to outline specific strategies to mitigate AI-driven risks to their operational security and data integrity. • The move highlights the growing vulnerability of the financial sector to sophisticated cyberattacks as AI technology becomes more accessible.

Leaders meeting in Ankara have been urged to show US president concrete steps towards increasing their budget contribution. Plus why Madonna’s new album is a triumph and Helen Hunt on her new stage roleGood morning. Nato leaders will gather in Ankara today for their latest summit after a turbulent six months, hoping to mollify an unpredictable Donald Trump, as Washington continues to pressure its allies to increase defence spending.On Friday, Trump posted a graphic on his Truth Social platform showing Nato members’ defence budgets, comparing a vast US spend of $999m (£747m) with smaller figures from European states saying the situation was “ridiculous” and “one-sided”. The US is planning to cut the number of troops and materiel it assigns to Europe in the event of a war with Russia.What is causing tension between the US and the rest of Nato? Since threatening to take control of Greenland from ally Denmark, Trump has failed to consult European leaders before the US and Israel launched their economically disastrous attack on Iran, and complained countries including the UK did not allow US jets to bomb Iran from their territory. He has bizarrely accused Italy’s Giorgia Meloni of being obsessed with him, and relations with Canada’s Mark Carney are strained after Trump voiced an interest in a takeover of the US’s northern neighbor.What are the allegations against Platner? In an exclusive Politico report, Jenny Racicot, 41, who previously dated Platner, said he forced her to have sex despite repeated objections. The report cited accounts from a man Racicot later confided in, as well as recent therapist emails, and messages where she warned an acquaintance about Platner in 2023.How has Platner responded? Platner denied the claims in a statement to Politico. “These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue,” he said. Continue reading...

• President Lee Jae Myung’s office is promoting a state-led strategy centered on three mega projects: semiconductors, AI data centers, and physical AI. • The initiative aims to establish a robust national production base to ensure South Korea remains competitive in the rapidly evolving AI era. • This strategic positioning comes as a response to growing criticism and backlash from the opposition bloc regarding the scale and nature of these projects.

• Robert Amsterdam argues that the European Union must apply the same democratic and rule-of-law standards to its foreign policy as it does to its own member states. • The author highlights how Brussels has previously withheld funding and launched legal proceedings against member states like Poland (Warsaw) and Hungary (Budapest) to protect democratic institutions. • This critique suggests a contradiction in the EU's global positioning, asserting that "selective" democracy undermines the bloc's credibility as a defender of human rights.

Statement comes a day after report that three messages received in case were determined to be fakeThe FBI is investigating extortion demands related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance that “may potentially be legitimate”, the agency said on Wednesday.The update comes a day after Reuters reported that kidnapping notes received in Guthrie’s case were fake. Continue reading...