NICOSIA, Cyprus: Skyrocketing oil and gas prices in Europe as a result of the ongoing Iran war won't return to normal levels any time soon, even if peace is declared tomorrow, the European Union's (EU) energy commissioner warned Tuesday. Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said although there are no immedia»»»

As the US-Iran war with Iran continues to disrupt global shipping, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has convened around 40 countries to demand the "immediate and unconditional reopening" of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards effectively shut the key waterway and oil conduit wh»»»

Iran and its allies traded fire with Israel and the United States, as Washington-linked assets across the Middle East were targeted alongside energy and civilian infrastructure -- with the month-long war on Friday showing little sign of easing. Strikes have increasingly targeted economic and indust»»»

The leaders of the UK and Australia have told their citizens to cut fuel consumption and prepare for months of hardship as a result of the US-Israeli war with Iran. But Keir Starmer and Anthony Albanese couldn’t bring themselves to name who’s responsible. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Aust»»»

US President Donald Trump has publicly mocked his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron’s relationship with his wife, Brigitte, sparking outrage in France. Trump made the remarks during a private White House lunch on Wednesday, the feed from which may have been accidentally posted online. Trump was he»»»

Park Hotel Pirin is cementing its position as one of Bulgaria’s leading spa and wellness destinations through its highly effective treatments, therapeutic mineral water and refurbished facilities, hotel manager Georgi Mitrev told BTA. The hotel is the first in Bulgaria to earn the EUROPESPA WELLNES»»»

Eighteen European countries on Thursday urged Israel and Hezbollah to stop fighting as their latest conflict reached one month and with fears over Israeli plans to control part of southern Lebanon post-war. "Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah's attacks must cease," the foreign min»»»

Talking to residents of Vratsa on Thursday, Continue the Change Chair Assen Vassilev said that what is evident from the election campaign over the past few days is yet another attempt to scare Bulgarian citizens. Referring to the 10-year bilateral security agreement signed between caretaker Prime M»»»

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev met with Japan’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Chikahisa Sumi on Thursday to discuss cooperation opportunities in key areas that included infrastructure development, improvement of urban environment, and cultural exchange and education, the municipality reported. The Mayor prese»»»

The Arab League strongly condemned on Thursday the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a law allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners. It urged the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Human Rights Council, to act urgently to compel Israe»»»

Three new secretaries have been appointed to Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova has appointed three new secretaries in her administration since taking office on January 20: Meglena Plugchieva, Kristiela Simeonova, and Milena Dimitrova, according to information on the President's website. Plugchieva »»»

Copenhagen: More than 200 years after being sunk by Adm. Horatio Nelson and the British fleet, a Danish warship has been discovered on the seabed of Copenhagen Harbor by marine archaeologists. Working in thick sediment and almost zero visibility 15 meters (49 feet) beneath the waves, divers are in »»»

Eighteen European countries on Thursday urged Israel and Hezbollah to stop fighting as their latest conflict reached one month and with fears over Israeli plans to occupy part of southern Lebanon post-war. "Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah's attacks must cease," the foreign mini»»»

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump challenged US allies to work towards reopening it. Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since February »»»

In our ongoing weekly digest, award-winning journalist Veronika Munk summarises and explains the most important political developments in Hungary. We guide readers on the route to the crunch 12 April 2026 election — a poll without precedent in the region over the past 15 years. This week, we cover:»»»

Greece’s “deport or jail” migration policy is failing in practice, data shows. Greek police issued 26,527 removal orders in 2025, but completed only 5,736 actual deportations. Roughly 1,800 migrants are held in pre-departure detention centers, with another 200 in police stations — far short of what»»»

Dubai: Airfares from the UAE are climbing sharply as airlines grapple with a surge in jet fuel prices, tighter capacity and operational disruptions linked to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East. For travellers planning summer holidays or last-minute trips, the message is becoming »»»

April 2 (UPI) -- A shipment of Russian crude delivered to Cuba is expected to sustain the island's electricity system and key economic activities for about 10 days, officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines told the Cuban News Agency. The tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, described as part of Russia's»»»

Polls ahead of the Hungarian elections point to an opposition victory, but players behind the scenes expect Prime Minister Viktor Orban to come out on top. Others say it’s a scenario ripe for a Kiev-style ‘color revolution’. READ MORE: Battle for Hungary: EU attacks on Orban are a sign of worse thi»»»

Three new secretaries have been appointed to President Iliana Iotova since she took office at the end of January, shows information on the President's website. They are Meglena Plugchieva, Kristiela Simeonova, and Milena Dimitrova. Plugchieva has been appointed Secretary for Foreign Policy. She has»»»

The price of oil surged while stock markets fell back after U.S. President Donald Trump's address Wednesday night stoked fears the Iran war could be about to get a lot worse. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo April 2 (UPI) -- The price of oil surged while stocks retreated on Thursday afte»»»

Bulgaria has formally requested assistance from the European Union to counter potential foreign interference and disinformation campaigns ahead of its upcoming parliamentary elections, according to reporting by POLITICO and correspondence seen by the publication. In the request, Bulgarian authoriti»»»

Caretaker Agriculture and Food Minister Ivan Hristanov said on Thursday that he does not expect a significant increase in the prices of goods. He was speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Iliana Iotova, during which they shared concerns about prices, the resilience of the agri-food»»»

Dubai: Pakistan has stepped up high-level diplomatic engagement with the United States and regional stakeholders in a bid to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, positioning itself as a key facilitator for dialogue amid a conflict that has rattled global energy markets and heightened geopolitic»»»

Vienna: Austria has rejected US requests for military overflights of its territory since the start of the conflict in the Middle East in line with its policy of neutrality, a defence ministry spokesman told AFP on Thursday. "There have indeed been requests and they were refused from the outset," Co»»»

London: Britain accused Iran on Thursday of holding the world's economy hostage as diplomats from more than 40 countries held talks on ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that has been choked off by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. The U.S. is not attending the virtual mee»»»

The dollar rose sharply on Thursday after US President Donald Trump's address on Iran shattered hopes for a swift end to the conflict, sending investors towards safe-haven assets as oil prices jumped and stocks tumbled. In a televised speech, Trump vowed more aggressive strikes on Iran in the next »»»

BELGRADE - In a statement released after a session of its head committee, the Movement of Socialists proposed an urgent reshuffle of the Serbian government, the passage of a law granting Serbian citizenship to all Serbs in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, as well as a binding referendum on t»»»

The European Commission has announced a new financial aid package for the cash-strapped Ukrainian government using the revenue generated from frozen Russian assets. The sum of €1.4 billion ($1.63 billion) would largely be spent on covering Kiev’s debts to its Western backers, the statement said. Uk»»»

Dubai: A 19th-century masterpiece by Raja Ravi Varma has sold for a record $17.9 million at an auction in Mumbai, setting a new benchmark for Indian art and underscoring its growing global value. The oil-on-canvas painting, Yashoda and Krishna, was auctioned by Saffronart on Wednesday, far exceedin»»»

President Iliana Yotova has called for Bulgaria to be actively promoted as a safe and competitively priced destination in order to secure a strong tourist season, during a meeting with caretaker Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva. The discussion was part of a broader series of consultations initiated»»»

European leaders are mulling how to deal with US threats to pull out of NATO, US media reports. "It's pretty clear" that NATO is already disintegrating and its European members "can't wait for the alliance to be completely dead." European nations should urgently bolster their own defenses, one of t»»»

Dubai: Nearly everyone in the UAE knows seat belts save lives. About 95 per cent of residents, in fact. So why are only 24 per cent of rear-seat passengers actually wearing one? A new survey in the UAE has identified what it calls the single biggest opportunity to reduce road fatalities in the coun»»»

Acting Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski has stated categorically that Bulgaria will not take part in any military coalition aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, citing the country’s limited capabilities. She emphasized that this position is clear and final, while noting that Sofia may still en»»»

The Bulgarian brewing sector has consolidated its position as one of the most dynamically developing production branches in the country. With increased investments, innovations and adaptation to consumer attitudes, the industry has made a significant contribution to the economy, regional growth and»»»

Mumbai, India: An Indian oil painting by celebrated 19th century artist Raja Ravi Varma has sold for a record $17.9 million at auction in Mumbai, the highest price ever paid for a modern Indian artwork. Mumbai-based auction house Saffronart said the painting, "Yashoda and Krishna", depicting the Hi»»»

Talks with the tourism sector show readiness to maintain the prices of already agreed tourist packages for the summer season, provided there is no sharp increase in fuel and electricity prices, caretaker Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva told journalists on Thursday after a meeting with President Il»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Thursday that, as always, President Aleksandar Vucic would call all political factors to social dialogue and that the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) would speak with Vucic to ask him to be its candidate for PM. In a»»»

Construction of a new centre for support for children and parents began on Thursday morning with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony in Sofia. White doves were also released during the event as a message of kindness and peace. The facility will be named House of Children. The project is implemented »»»

For Iraq, this is a strange moment both politically and militarily. The state of Iraq has proximity to—but no direct connection to—the fierce battle raging between Iran on one side and Israel and the United States on the other, with Gulf states becoming Iranian targets as a result. That is the stat»»»

OVERVIEW No single issue dominates Thursday’s media, but the note sent by Iran to Bulgaria, the security agreement signed between Bulgaria and Ukraine, and the justice minister’s request for the disciplinary dismissal of the acting prosecutor general, are among the main topics. POLITICS Speaking on»»»

The Ethics Commission at the Prosecutors' Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) opened proceedings on its own initiative following media reports concerning the head of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, Emilia Rusinova, and requested information from the competent authorities, the SJC pres»»»

Romanian digital book streaming platform Voxa has secured more than EUR 4 million in a funding round led by Catalyst Romania. The capital is earmarked for regional growth and product development as the company eyes a dominant position in South Eastern Europe. The investment marks the 12th transacti»»»

Delegates stand and applaud after the adoption of the text of the High Seas Treaty at the United Nations headquarters in New York on June 19, 2023. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA April 2 (UPI) -- Delegates were gathered in the busy corridors at United Nations headquarters in New York this week for a»»»

The Government approved an emergency ordinance that introduces new measures for the decarbonization of the energy sector, in accordance with the commitments assumed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and with the requirements of the European Commission.According to a press rel»»»

Skopje, 30 March 2026 (MIA) - Directorate for Technological-Industrial Development Zones (DTIDZ) CEO Goce Dimovski presented the investment potentials and opportunities that zones offer to foreign investors before the Hungarian business community, in the framework of a forum titled "Hungary - North»»»

Romania is the most successful country in terms of convergence with the European Union, and in terms of the speed of catching up, we are far ahead of Poland or other states in the region, Romania's Minister of Investments and European Funds Dragos Pislaru said on Wednesday at the regional conferenc»»»

Doha, Qatar: Since entering 2026, the global automotive industry has been undergoing a dual cycle of structural adjustment and technological restructuring. In this complex market environment, Chery has demonstrated robust growth resilience and strategic focus. According to the latest data released »»»

BusinessUnited States of AmericaWealth tax: Why are countries afraid to tax the ultrarich?Timothy RooksGrowing income inequality and public displays of billionaire power are increasing calls for new income and wealth taxes aimed at the world's richest individuals. Can wealth ever be taxed fairly? h»»»

Doha, Qatar: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 runners-up France are at the top of FIFA Men’s World Rankings for the first time since September 2018 Spain while Argentina have dropped down to second and third place, respectively. World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar, who have also qualified for the 2026 tournament, »»»