Ukraine-Hungary oil pipeline row threatens EU loan
A bitter dispute pitting Hungary and Slovakia against Ukraine is holding up a crucial €90bn (£77.95bn) EU loan to Ukraine. No oil has flowed through the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia across Ukraine, since the major oil hub at Brody, in western Ukraine, was damag»»»
FIG announces the cancellation of 2026 Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup
Doha: The gymnastics World Cup event scheduled to take place in Doha in April has been cancelled, the sport's governing body announced yesterday. "World Gymnastics reports that, following an urgent online vote and in light of the current situation in the Middle East, its executive committee has dec»»»
Italy in Talks with US, Azerbaijan, Algeria to Offset Loss of Gas from Qatar
Italy is talking to several countries, including the United States, Azerbaijan and Algeria, to secure gas supplies now that Iranian strikes on Qatar appear to have halted its exports for an extended period, Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said. Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar»»»
Popovic: Talks underway with Russia to ensure best natural gas price to Serbia
BELGRADE - The energy sector is the most important element of Serbia-Russia cooperation and talks are underway with the Russian side to ensure Serbia continues to have the best natural gas price in Europe, Serbian Minister without portfolio Nenad Popovic, who co-chairs a Serbia-Russia commission on»»»
US Stocks Sink on Fears the War with Iran will Keep Interest Rates High
US stocks are sinking Friday as hopes wither on Wall Street for a possible cut to interest rates by the Federal Reserve this year because of the war with Iran. The S&P 500 fell 0.9% and was on track for a fourth straight losing week, its longest such streak in a year. The Dow Jones Industrial Avera»»»
NASA’s Artemis II rocket back to launch pad after wind delay - UPI.com
1 of 2 | NASA’s Artemis II rocket and Orion spacecraft are returning to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida following a wind delay on Friday. NASA plans to launch a crew of four in the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis II Mission to the moon no earlier than 01April. Photo by Joe Mar»»»
There’s a heretic in the heart of the EU and he wants to talk to Putin
Ideally, policy debates should serve to bring together the fullest information, the brightest minds, and the sharpest arguments in order to find solutions. That is, the optimum combination between what is best and what is feasible. In the real world, shaped by ordinary human fallibility and the ext»»»
EU to push Ukraine loan despite Hungary’s veto, von der Leyen says
The EU will provide a controversial loan to Ukraine “one way or another,” despite it remaining blocked by Hungary, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday. Budapest vetoed the EU’s €90 billion ($105 billion) emergency loan for Ukraine after Kiev halted Russian oil flows th»»»
Moscow warns EU of energy crisis amid Iran war and rejection of Russian supplies
An oil and gas price surge is about to hit Europe, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev has warned, calling the EU’s rejection of Russian energy, “stubborn stupidity.” The escalating conflict in the Middle East, triggered by the US-Israeli attack on Iran, has driven extreme volatility in global energy mar»»»
'Multiple factors' caused 2025 Spain and Portugal blackout, says report
A combination of factors triggered the unprecedented blackout that left Spain and Portugal without electricity for several hours last year, a new report has found. On 28 April 2025, shortly after midday, the Iberian peninsula's electricity supply was shut down, causing widespread chaos, cutting int»»»
Bulgaria’s PM Gyurov Urges Diplomacy to End Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Programs
Bulgaria's Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, noting to Euronews that the ultimate outcome remains uncertain. He emphasized that Europe should present a united stance and engage at the negotiating table to determine how the situati»»»
Hungary's Orbán accused of disloyalty and blackmail over Ukraine loan veto
European Union leaders have accused Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of disloyalty and blackmail after he blocked a €90bn (£77bn) loan for Ukraine. "No oil = no money," Orbán said in a post on X after Thursday's summit in Brussels during which he refused to lift his veto, citing a feud over a »»»
Media Review: March 20
OVERVIEW The launch of the election campaign and the rising fuel prices are the dominant topics in the media on Friday. ELECTIONS In an interview for Bulgarian National Radio, Iva Lazarova, from the Institute for Public Environment Development, part of the Public Council of the Central Election Com»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
EU Council meeting
EU leaders had a heavy agenda at a summit in Brussels on March 19. They had to deal with a mushrooming energy crisis, a Ukraine funding fiasco and the stalled passage of twentieth sanctions on Russia. Little progress was made on solving any of these issues. »»»
Deputy Foreign Minister, Italian Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Relations
Bulgaria's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Radi Naydenov and Italian Ambassador Marcello Apicella conducted a meeting at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday to discuss the bilateral relations, the Ministry reported on Friday. The two discussed the excellent bilateral relations, based on shared Euro»»»
Europe Undermining Itself by Rejecting Russian Energy Resources – Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia should and will do what corresponds to its interests and benefits in terms of the energy issue, Peskov said. "Russia must and will do what best suits its interests and its benefits," Peskov told reporters, commenting on a statement by European Commission President Ursula v»»»
EU Council meeting
EU leaders had a heavy agenda at a summit in Brussels on March 19. They had to deal with a mushrooming energy crisis, a Ukraine funding fiasco and the stalled passage of twentieth sanctions on Russia. Little progress was made on solving any of these issues. »»»
Oil prices fall as Europe, Japan move to secure Strait of Hormuz
London, March 20 (SANA) Oil prices fell on Friday after major European countries and Japan signaled readiness to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over potential supply disruptions. Brent crude futures dropped $1.24, or 1.1 percent, to $107.41 a barrel, while U.S. W»»»
Early Southwest Heat is Latest in Parade of Weather Extremes as Earth Warms
The dangerous heat wave shattering March records all over the US Southwest is more than just another extreme weather blip. It’s the latest next-level weather wildness that is occurring ever more frequently as Earth’s warming builds. Experts said unprecedented and deadly weather extremes that someti»»»
Progressive Bulgaria: Radev's Blueprint for Dismantling the Oligarchy
After weeks of calculated silence, Rumen Radev finally unveiled his political vehicle on the eve of Bulgaria's April 2025 election campaign. "Progressive Bulgaria" represents Radev's calculated response to a decade of political chaos, positioning itself as the force that will finally break the olig»»»
Bulgarian PM Gyurov Says Board of Peace Membership Driven by “One Oligarch,” Not National Policy
Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov has clarified that the country’s participation in the Board of Peace, a controversial initiative led by US President Donald Trump, was not a government consensus but the result of “one oligarch’s decision,” in an interview with Euronews. Gyurov empha»»»
LIVE UPDATES: Gulf nations mark Eid amid heightened tensions; Kuwait shuts refinery after drone strike
Doha, Qatar: Gulf countries are observing Eid Al Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026, under heightened security measures as regional tensions continue to escalate. Authorities have restricted outdoor prayers and public celebrations in several countries as a precaution. In Kuwait, officials announced the»»»
EU decries Iranian attacks on energy facilities in Qatar
Brussels: The European Union has condemned Iranian attacks on energy facilities in Qatar, warning that such actions risk plunging the region into further chaos. Speaking on the sidelines of a European Council meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security »»»
Sharjah Ruler performs Eid Al Fitr prayer at Sharjah Mosque
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, performed the Eid Al Fitr prayer on Friday at Sharjah Mosque. Also Read: Sharjah ruler receives Eid Al Fitr well-wishersThis came in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Cr»»»
RAK Ruler performs Eid Al Fitr prayer at Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Mosque in Khuzam
Ras Al Khaimah: His Highness heikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, accompanied by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, performed Eid Al Fitr prayer this morning at the Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Mosque in K»»»
President Dan: Europe must remain focused on Ukraine, even though we are affected by war in Iran
Europe must remain focused on Ukraine, even though we are affected by the crisis generated by the war in Iran, President Nicusor Dan said on Friday after the European Council meeting.He stated that one of the topics discussed at the meeting in Brussels was the situation in the Middle East, 'with al»»»
Cheap weight-loss jabs: India set to reshape global obesity fight
Mumbai: A deluge of weight loss drugs is set to transform the global fight against obesity as India prepares to unleash low cost generic versions of injections like Ozempic after a key patent expired Friday. The move will dramatically widen access to treatments that have long been considered a luxu»»»
Europe to Not Survive Without Russia Oil, It Will Become Obvious in Couple of Weeks - Orban
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Europe will not survive without Russian oil when a global fuel shortage is at the door, and this will become obvious to everyone within a couple of weeks, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday. "The fact is, at this moment that it just knocking on the door the shor»»»
Amir performs Eid Al Fitr prayer
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani performed Eid Al Fitr prayeralong with citizens at Lusail praying area this morning. The prayer was also performed by HH Personal Representative of HH The Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin »»»
Iran Attacks Wipe Out 17% of Qatar’s LNG Capacity for Up to Five Years
Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy's CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi said two»»»
Amir performs Eid Al Fitr prayer
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani performed Eid Al Fitr prayers along with citizens at Lusail praying area this morning. The prayer was also performed by HH Personal Representative of HH The Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HH Sh»»»
ADNOC, OMV advance plans for forming Borouge Group with new agreement
Dubai: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and OMV AG said they have made further progress toward forming Borouge Group International AG, signing an agreement tied to the Borouge 4 production complex that is expected to lift earnings and improve operational flexibility. Sign up for our daily business ne»»»
Pentagon Exposes False Claims on Combat Readiness of Bradley Fighting Vehicles in Europe
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US army unit after a rotational deployment to Europe in 2023 falsely reported the operational readiness of 117 Bradley fighting vehicles, while none of them were mission capable, Sputnik discovered after analyzing a recent audit report from the US Department of Defense Inspec»»»
Orbán: We cannot allow Zelenskyy to blackmail Hungary into giving up cheap Russian energy
At a campaign rally in Dunaújváros, Prime Minister Orbán said the upcoming election will decide whether Hungary can remain outside the war, protect its economic achievements, and preserve national sovereignty. Reflecting on the past four years, the prime minister argued that Hungary’s stability—fro»»»
Gulyás: “No oil, no money”
At today’s Government Info press conference, Minister Gergely Gulyás outlined a series of key government decisions and positions, focusing on energy security, Ukraine, and domestic political developments. The briefing also addressed recent diplomatic tensions, economic measures, and upcoming politi»»»
Mexican teen dies in federal immigration detention center - UPI.com
Royer Perez-Jimenez, 19, died from presumed suicide Monday at Florida's Glades County Detention Center. File Photo courtesy U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement March 19 (UPI) -- A Mexican teenager died earlier this week at Florida's Glades County Detention Center, U.S. Immigration and Customs »»»
EU freezes plans to adopt Russian twentieth sanctions package due to Iran war turmoil, growing internal divisions
The EU’s plans to adopt a twentieth sanctions package against Russia have been frozen due to a disruption caused by the war in Iran, according to a diplomatic source cited by TASS on March 16. Citing diplomatic sources in »»»
ING: Energy markets brace for a prolonged supply disruption
There are few signs of de-escalation or a resumption in energy flows from the Persian Gulf. The market is having to reprice the duration of ongoing supply disruptions. We have updated our scenarios for oil and gas markets. »»»
EU freezes plans to adopt Russian twentieth sanctions package due to Iran war turmoil, growing internal divisions
The EU’s plans to adopt a twentieth sanctions package against Russia have been frozen due to a disruption caused by the war in Iran, according to a diplomatic source cited by TASS on March 16. Citing diplomatic sources in »»»
ING: Energy markets brace for a prolonged supply disruption
There are few signs of de-escalation or a resumption in energy flows from the Persian Gulf. The market is having to reprice the duration of ongoing supply disruptions. We have updated our scenarios for oil and gas markets. »»»
EU freezes plans to adopt Russian twentieth sanctions package due to Iran war turmoil, growing internal divisions
The EU’s plans to adopt a twentieth sanctions package against Russia have been frozen due to a disruption caused by the war in Iran, according to a diplomatic source cited by TASS on March 16. Citing diplomatic sources in »»»
ING: Energy markets brace for a prolonged supply disruption
There are few signs of de-escalation or a resumption in energy flows from the Persian Gulf. The market is having to reprice the duration of ongoing supply disruptions. We have updated our scenarios for oil and gas markets. »»»
EU freezes plans to adopt Russian twentieth sanctions package due to Iran war turmoil, growing internal divisions
The EU’s plans to adopt a twentieth sanctions package against Russia have been frozen due to a disruption caused by the war in Iran, according to a diplomatic source cited by TASS on March 16. Citing diplomatic sources in »»»