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Hungary has declared its opposition to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's candidacy for the next Secretary General of NATO, Politico reports. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó announced the decision, citing Rutte's previous stance towards Hungary as the reason behind the refusal.

Hungary's ruling Fidesz party has announced its intention to approve Sweden's NATO membership, marking a significant step in Stockholm's bid to join the defense alliance. The decision, reported by Reuters and the Financial Times, comes after Hungary's long-awaited endorsement, resolving a diplomatic standoff that delayed Sweden's accession to NATO.

Hungary has withdrawn its objection to the European Union's proposed 13th package of sanctions against Russia, clearing the path for their adoption in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

OPLENAC - Serbian Deputy PM and Defence Minister Milos Vucevic, Republika Srpska PM Radovan Viskovic and Serbian Minister of Labour, Employment and Veteran and Social Affairs Nikola Selakovic laid wreaths at Karadjordje's sarcophagus in the Church of St George at Oplenac, central Serbia, on Thursday on occasion of Serbia's Statehood Day.

Vatican has unveiled plans for a yearlong restoration of the monumental baldacchino, or canopy, over the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica, pledging to complete the work on Bernini's masterpiece before Pope Francis' big 2025 Jubilee.

The price tag? About 700,000 euros ($770,000).

Day 688 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

The 2024 Hungary-Türkiye Cultural Year will kick off on Jan. 21 with a concert of by the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra, to be held at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) in Istanbul. On the same day as the concert an exhibition depicting the important contributions of Hungarians in the establishment of Türkiye will also be presented to the audience at AKM.

Hungary has formally confirmed its intention to veto Bulgaria's entry into the EU's travel zone if identity document control isn't implemented, announced the Hungarian Foreign Ministry in Budapest. This declaration marks the first official acknowledgment from Viktor Orban's government regarding this stance, following recent reports in the Financial Times.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vui also spoke at the rally.

The Hungarian-Serbian joint venture for gas trading on the European market will start operating in September. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó announced this in a video message on his Facebook page after a meeting between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who was visiting Budapest, TASS reported.