Briefly

HUNGARY

Magyar sworn in as prime minister

Peter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary's prime minister on Saturday after winning a parliamentary vote at the inaugural session of the new National Assembly, pledging to "change the system". A total of 195 of the 199 members of parliament cast votes, with 140 in favor, 54 against and 1 abstention. Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, secured the required majority to be elected prime minister, marking the start of his four-year term.

PAKISTAN

First 'Panda bond' to be issued within week

Pakistan is expected to access Chinese capital markets for the first time through a renminbi-backed bond this week, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday. "God willing, next week you will hear good news that for the first time, we will be accessing Chinese capital markets through Panda bond," he said at a news conference. The $250 million issue, the first of a planned $1 billion program, will be backed by the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

ISRAEL

Detained aid flotilla activists deported

Israel deported two activists, Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Brazilian Thiago Avila, on Sunday after arresting them aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, the foreign ministry said. The activists were part of a second Global Sumud Flotilla launched from Spain on April 12 to try to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by delivering aid to the enclave. They were detained by Israeli authorities on April 29 and brought to Israel.

Agencies - Xinhua