Government adopts National Energy and Climate Plan 2025-2030, sets clear vision on country's energy future
Skopje, 14 April 2026 (MIA) - The Government has adopted the National Energy and Climate Plan 2025-2030, a strategic document that sets the country on a clear path towards energy transformation, sustainable development and full alignment with European policies. The plan, drafted at the proposal of »»»
EU set to roll out age-check app as global push to protect children grows
Brussels: The European Union is set to roll out a new age-verification app for online platforms, as governments worldwide step up efforts to shield children from harmful content and curb access to social media. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the app is “technically ready” a»»»
[Interview] Ivan Krastev: The ‘West’ of the Cold War-era will not return
First published in Respekt. Defending the status quo cannot be exciting for anyone. Europe must be able to imagine a society that is better than ours and see opportunities even where there are objectively many risks. Where do you think the world is heading? In 1643, an English Protestant priest tol»»»
Amir, European Council president stress importance of maintaining smooth flow of energy supplies, enhancing security in maritime routes
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received at his office in the Amiri Diwan, President of the European Council HE Antonio Costa, and the accompanying delegation. During the meeting, regional and international developments were reviewed, particularly d»»»
Mali to attend IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington
BELGRADE - Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali will on Thursday begin a working visit to Washington, where he will attend the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, held on April 13-18. The conference has brought together central bank governors, ministers of finance and development an»»»
Norwegian “Oslo Patient” Achieves Long-Term HIV Remission Following Stem Cell Transplant
A Norwegian patient has achieved what researchers describe as a functional cure from HIV following a stem cell transplant, marking a significant development in global efforts to combat the virus. According to findings reported by Medical Xpress and supported by a study published in Nature Microbiol»»»
Amir receives President of the European Council
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received HE António Costa, President of the European Council, and his accompanying delegation at his office in the Amiri Diwan this morning. During the meeting, they reviewed regional and international developments, particularly those in the »»»
Black Vultures Breed Again in Rhodope Mountains after 33 Years
Three pairs of black vultures have successfully hatched chicks, marking the species’ return as a breeding bird in the Bulgarian part of the Rhodope Mountains after more than three decades, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) said on Wednesday. The last confirmed nesting of the »»»
evomag takes marketplace to nearly 25% of sales and accelerates international expansion
The international expansion strategy comes at a time when the local eCommerce market offers less room for growth than in previous years. In this context, evomag aims to strengthen its regional presence and increase its exposure in external markets through already established platforms, which can pr»»»
GERB Presents Education Development Programme in Plovdiv
MP candidates of GERB-UDF Yordanka Fandakova and Krasimir Valchev, alongside Plovdiv Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, Deputy Mayor Vladimir Temelkov, and educational institutions representatives attended a roundtable discussion on education in Plovdiv, the coalition’s press centre reported Wednesday. Openi»»»
Media Review: April 15
Wednesday’s Bulgarian media coverage is dominated by the April 19 parliamentary elections, with outlets focusing on coalition arithmetic, vote-buying and the possibility that the Hemus Motorway tunnel blockage was a political provocation. Energy security also remains high on the agenda after Washin»»»
South Korea’s K9 howitzer gains ground in Europe with Finland deal - UPI.com
South Korean-made K1E1 tanks (background R), K9 howitzers (front) and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers (L) are on standby for an integrated field maneuver at the training field of the Army's 17th Division in Incheon, 27 kilometers west of Seoul, South Korea. File. Photo by YONHAP / EPA April 14 (A»»»
Iran War Promises Green Edge for Asia as Plastic Packaging Runs Short
An "eco-friendly" range of paper tubes and pouches touted by Yonwoo, a South Korean maker of packaging for cosmetics, has reaped unexpected benefit from the Iran war, which has disrupted supplies of the plastic needed to turn out single-use wrapping. While the conflict has sent prices of plastic so»»»
Oil Prices Fall on Expectations US-Iran Peace Talks May Resume
Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday on expectations peace talks between the US and Iran may resume and supply will eventually be released from the key Middle East producing region trapped by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures were down16 cents, or 0.2%, to $94.63 a b»»»
International Airlines Resume Beirut Flights with US Assurances
Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport began recovering on Tuesday from the fallout of the Iran war, as international airlines resumed flights to the Lebanese capital after a roughly 40-day suspension caused by ongoing war, amid US pressure on Israel to spare the airport. The airport schedule »»»
Germany rallies behind Ukraine as peace talks stall, EU membership debate divides the bloc
Germany has unveiled a sweeping €4bn military support package for Ukraine and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for the rapid disbursement of a long-delayed €90bn EU loan to Kyiv, as European powers scramble to shore up Ukraine's defences as the Trump administration loses interest in the conflic»»»
Sixth edition of Film O'Clock International Festival to kick off on April 16 across 12 countries
Film O'Clock International Festival #6 will take place from April 16 to 19 in 12 European and African countries, the organizers informed in a release.The festival brings together 12 countries - Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Egypt and South »»»
Romania was among the EU countries with the sharpest declines in industrial producer prices in February
In February 2026, compared with January 2026, factory-gate prices fell by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the European Union (EU), and Romania is among the member states with the sharpest declines in industrial producer prices, according to data published Wednesday by Eurostat. According to th»»»
European Public Prosecutor's Office launches investigation into the procurement of electric school minibuses
The European Public Prosecutor's Office has officially confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the procurement of electric school minibuses, Minister of Investments and European Projects Dragos Pislaru announced on his Facebook page.'I have received official confirmation from the Europ»»»
Avangarde poll: 29% of Romanians back aligning with US on Iran conflict
Some 24% of Romanians agree that Romania should align with its strategic partner, the United States, in addressing the conflict in Iran, regardless of the position of other European countries, according to a public opinion barometer conducted by GSSC Avangarde between 7 and 10 April.Of these, 5% fu»»»
Senate passes bill on Romania's joining European Infrastructure for Life Sciences
The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill on Romania's accession to the ELIXIR Consortium Agreement, which establishes the European life sciences infrastructure for biological information. The agreement was approved in Copenhagen April 22-23, 2013 and entered into force on 12 January 2014.The bill passed»»»
Senate's Abrudean: Result of election in Hungary confirms pro-European direction of the entire region
Senate President Mircea Abrudean said on Tuesday that the result of the elections in Hungary confirms the pro-European direction of the entire region."I believe it is a result that confirms the pro-European direction of the entire region. I think this is what we should focus on more, not on individ»»»
Russia Can Help China, Other Countries Replenish Energy Resources - Lavrov
BEIJING (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Russia can fill the energy shortfall in China and other interested countries caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. On Russia-China Relations"Russia can certainly fill the resource gap that has arisen in Chin»»»
Dozens of migrants rescued south of Crete
Dozens of migrants have been rescued from a small boat in difficulty south of Crete that had crossed over from north Africa, authorities said Wednesday. A Coast Guard statement said 59 men were found by a patrol vessel from the European Union’s Frontex border agency on the boat, some 17 miles south»»»
Hormuz Under Insurance Pressure as ‘War Premiums’ Violate Int’l Laws
As military tensions flare in the Strait of Hormuz, another battle is unfolding behind the scenes, one no less dangerous. Insurance companies have emerged as key players shaping the fate of global shipping. With premiums surging to unprecedented levels, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat the world is app»»»
What the Hormuz shutdown means for Asean’s energy security, renewables: 10 things to know
Manila: The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, 2026 disrupted passage for roughly a quarter of the world’s daily seaborne oil. To this day, uncertainty remains and the global fuel crunch continues to raise fears of a deeper supply shock. Uncertainty over freedom on navigation»»»
Trump breaks silence on Hungary’s election results, Russia adds Budapest to list of unfriendly countries
After two days of silence following Hungary's historic elections, US President Donald Trump has issued a measured response to the defeat of his ally Viktor Orban, but refrained from openly congratulating his challenger, Peter Magyar. Meanwhile, the Kremlin expressed support for Magyar’s w»»»
Major fiscal challenges ahead for Hungary's incoming Tisza government
The new Hungarian government will face significant macroeconomic and public finance challenges following the election, driven by weak economic growth, a high budget deficit and a rising public debt burden, Fitch Ratings said in an assessment published in London, financial website Portfolio.hu wrote»»»
Bulgaria Won’t Touch Fuel Reserves to Cut Prices, Energy Minister Says
Acting Energy Minister Traycho Traykov said Bulgaria should not tap into its 90-day fuel reserves to ease prices, stressing that they must remain a safeguard in case of an actual supply disruption. Speaking to journalists after the opening of the National Repository for Radioactive Waste, he underl»»»
Iran Nuclear Program ‘Badly Damaged’ But Not Wiped Out
The United States and Israel may have obstructed the path towards a future Iran-built nuclear bomb by severely damaging Tehran's nuclear and ballistic capabilities in recent attacks. But they have not succeeded in seizing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, key to any future negotiations betw»»»
Can NATO survive the US-Iran war?
NATO allies said on Monday they would not get involved in US President Donald Trump's plan to blockade Iranian ports, proposing to intervene only once fighting ends, in a move likely to anger Trump and increase strains in the alliance. "We're not supporting the blockade," British Prime Minister Ke»»»
Orban loss gives 'new push' to Ukraine accession, loans: EU expansion chief
The change in Hungary's government could help unlock 90 billion euros for Ukraine and give a "new push" for it to join the European Union, the bloc's expansion chief said Tuesday. Marta Kos, speaking on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank spring meetings, described the Hungarian election on Sun»»»
Oil prices drop: Brent at $95, WTI at $91 on hopes for Mideast peace deal — stocks rise
Oil prices tumbled early on Wednesday on rekindled hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Overnight on Tuesday, Wall Street's main indices climbed, with both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq now back at levels from before the US and Israel began bombing Iran on Febru»»»
Hungary vote driven by domestic anger but opens door to EU reset, analysts say
Tisza's April 12 landslide election victory in Hungary reflects deep domestic frustration rather than foreign policy concerns, but could pave the way for a reset in relations with the European Union, analysts told a European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) webinar on April 13. »»»
Grupa Azoty and fertilizer production becoming strategically important
Grupa Azoty is in weak financial condition, burdened by heavy debt, yet is becoming strategically important for both Poland and the European Union. Recent geopolitical tensions, including conflict in the Persian Gulf, exposed the risks of relying on imported fertilizers and raw materials. Disruptio»»»
Von der Leyen urges abolition of EU veto rule after Orban’s defeat in Hungary
The time has come for the EU to remove individual member states’ veto power on the bloc’s foreign policy decisions, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has insisted. Von der Leyen issued the call less than 24 hours after her long-time opponent, former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor »»»
Grupa Azoty and fertizilizer production becoming strategically important
Grupa Azoty is in weak financial condition, burdened by heavy debt, yet is becoming strategically important for both Poland and the European Union. Recent geopolitical tensions, including conflict in the Persian Gulf, exposed the risks of relying on imported fertilizers and raw materials. Disruptio»»»
UAE passport ranks world’s second strongest, with visa-free access to 187 destinations
Abu Dhabi: The passport of the UAE has climbed eight places to rank second globally and first in the Middle East in the 2026 list of the world’s most powerful passports, published by Henley & Partners. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Holders of th»»»
Fortinet report: cyberattacks against banks increasing
European banks are facing a growing wave of cyberattacks originating outside their own systems, particularly through third- and fourth-tier suppliers. According to the Fortinet report, incidents involving external partners have risen by 25% in two years, with 97% of banks affected at deeper supply »»»
Fuel Congress 2026: 30 refineries close in Europe, EU looking to Poland
At the Fuel Congress 2026 in Warsaw, policymakers said the war in the Persian Gulf has exposed a key weakness of the European Union: economic competitiveness. Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka stressed that secure fuel supplies are essential for both economic strength and climate policy. He noted a shi»»»
Bulgaria Needs More People Engaged in Scientific Research, Increased Investment in Science and Innovation, Education Minister Says
Caretaker Education and Science Minister Sergei Ignatov, speaking at the opening of a forum on science and innovation at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), said that Bulgaria needs more people engaged in scientific research, as well as increased investment in science and innovatio»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»
Italy suspends defence pact with Israel as Meloni rebukes Trump over pope remarks
Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its defence co-operation agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on April 14, in Rome's sharpest signal yet of disapproval over Israeli military operations, while separately rebuking US President Donald Trump for his attacks on Pop»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»
Italy suspends defence pact with Israel as Meloni rebukes Trump over pope remarks
Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its defence co-operation agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on April 14, in Rome's sharpest signal yet of disapproval over Israeli military operations, while separately rebuking US President Donald Trump for his attacks on Pop»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»