‘Desperate’ asylum seekers at Hungary border speak out

African nations have a varied approach to Islamic law. A few majority Muslim countries, like Somalia, have embraced it while others, like Senegal, have rejected it. Some have opted for a mix.

From media outlets, punk activists and journalists, to human rights defenders and even ordinary citizens — dozens of people have been ensnared by Russia's law on foreign agents. What exactly does the legislation entail?

In the past year authorities have used the law to close independent media and arrest or jail leaders of the pro-democracy protests. Many have left Hong Kong. Of those who remain, few are willing to speak out. DW's Phoebe Kong met one of them.

On February 16, the European Union's top court rejected a legal challenge by Poland and Hungary to a conditionality mechanism that would link EU funds for member states to respect for the rule of law. The Polish government stands by its controversial judicial reforms, despite criticism from local judges. On the ground in Poland, many development projects that were counting on EU funding have already been halted. One example is in the town of Wieliczka, as our correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports.

The papers react to US allegations that China is willing to offer military aid to Russia in the war against Ukraine. Also, we look at how another of Vladimir Putin's allies, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is distancing himself from Russia ahead of legislative elections next month. Finally, Emmanuel Macron gets a roasting in the British papers over attempts to (sartorially) emulate Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky!

Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared victory in Hungary's parliamentary election after partial results showed his ruling Fidesz party is comfortably ahead of their opposition rivals.

The law would have allowed for the Serb-majority Republika Srpska to take over property owned by the central government. Serb leader Milorad Dodik said he does not accept the decision.

As per the Digital Services Act (DSA), tech giants such as Facebook and Google will be expected to moderate illegal content on their platforms. It's the second part of the bloc's project seeking to rein in tech giants.

The European Court of Justice has dismissed "the action brought by Poland" against an EU copyright directive. Warsaw argued the 2019 directive violated freedoms of expression and raised concerns about "upload filters."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Brussels are at odds again. Hungary refuses to support the planned oil embargo against Russia. But now even former allies such as Poland are turning their backs.

India's top court suspended authorities from charging people with sedition under a controversial colonial-era law. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been accused of misusing the law to silence critics.

Hungary's government is "holding European Union decision makers hostage" by refusing to join an EU-wide embargo on Russian oil, according to Lithuania's foreign minister. This comes as EU leaders continue their efforts to gather support for a sixth sanctions package on Russia from all 27 EU member states. The government of PM Viktor Orban has claimed that an import ban on Russian oil would ruin the Hungarian economy. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis tells FRANCE 24 that "Europe is weaker" as a result, and that he is "still hoping Budapest will be responsible in their decisions".