Defence Minister: Iran’s Note Is Not Direct Military Threat to Bulgaria
“We do not view Iran’s note as a direct military threat to our country,” said caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov on Bulgarian National Radio (BNR). He was referring to a document sent by Iran to Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry regarding US tanker aircraft at Vasil Levski Airport. ForeignMinist»»»
German men must inform military of extended foreign trips
Berlin: A new German military service law will require most young men to inform authorities when leaving the country for long periods, with a newspaper report on the little-noticed provision prompting widespread debate. The defence ministry confirmed to AFP on Saturday that men from the age of 17 "»»»
Nearly Half Tonne of Food, Banned Plant Products Seized at Kalotina Border Checkpoint
Inspectors from the Border Control Directorate of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) seized nearly half a tonne of food and plant protection products at the Kalotina border checkpoint, the agency’s press office reported on Sunday. The operation was carried out jointly with officials from the C»»»
Bulgaria Faces Fiscal Warning as Deficit Grows, Growth Slows and Inflation Risks Rise
Finance officials and the Bulgarian National Bank have issued a series of warnings about Bulgaria’s fiscal and economic outlook for 2026, highlighting rising pressure on public finances, slower growth, and higher inflation. Speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce event in Bulgaria dedicated to »»»
Energy Minister Holds Talks with French Ambassador to Bulgaria
Energy Minister Traicho Traikov met with French Ambassador to Bulgaria Marie Dumoulin to discuss key energy challenges, including electricity prices, energy connectivity, and EU policies, the Ministry said on Sunday. During the meeting, Traikov said that the most viable option for reducing prices a»»»
A Long Middle East War Could Take Away from Support for Ukraine, Zelenskyy Says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern that a prolonged US-Israeli war on Iran could further erode America’s support for Ukraine as Washington’s global priorities shift and Kyiv braces for reduced deliveries of critically needed Patriot air defense missiles. Ukraine desperately n»»»
Iran war accelerates Chinese US treasure bill sell off
The war in Iran has triggered a potential step change in the rate that China is selling off its US Treasury bill holdings. T-bill holdings are a good barometer for geopolitical tensions and the rate that China and BRICS countries were selling had already accelerated before the Iran war. »»»
Iran war accelerates Chinese US treasure bill sell off
The war in Iran has triggered a potential step change in the rate that China is selling off its US Treasury bill holdings. T-bill holdings are a good barometer for geopolitical tensions and the rate that China and BRICS countries were selling had already accelerated before the Iran war. »»»
Middle East conflict pushes global food prices up in March, FAO says
World food commodity prices rose for a second consecutive month in March, supported by higher energy costs linked to escalating conflict in the Near East, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on April 3. The FA»»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
Middle East conflict pushes global food prices up in March, FAO says
World food commodity prices rose for a second consecutive month in March, supported by higher energy costs linked to escalating conflict in the Near East, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on April 3. The FA»»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
Middle East conflict pushes global food prices up in March, FAO says
World food commodity prices rose for a second consecutive month in March, supported by higher energy costs linked to escalating conflict in the Near East, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on April 3. The FA»»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
European drivers choke on rising diesel prices due to Iran conflict
European drivers face a record fuel inflation as diesel prices have spiralled by more than 30 percent since the start of the Iran war, highlighting the continent's dependence on imported energy and the lingering prominence of diesel on the car market. European drivers face a record fuel inflation a»»»
Middle East conflict triggers $600 million daily hit to tourism industry
Capitals, April 4 (SANA) The escalating conflict in the Middle East is inflicting severe damage on the region’s tourism sector, with daily losses now estimated to exceed $600 million, according to industry data. The widening war has disrupted international travel on a large scale, as security conce»»»
Ministry of Environment and Water Launches New Website Section on Waste Management
The Ministry of Environment and Water announced on Saturday the launch of a new website section, Waste in the Spotlight. The section aims to draw attention to the issue of waste management, which affects not only directly involved stakeholders but also society as a whole. The section will cover top»»»
Trump's go-it-alone certainty confronts the uncertainties of war
Washington: President Donald Trump did not equivocate in his first live address to Americans about the war in Iran. "We've beaten and completely decimated Iran," he said in a prime-time speech from the White House on Wednesday. "They are decimated both militarily and economically and in every other»»»
QNB: External energy shock could force ECB policy shift
Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Bank (QNB) has warned that an external shock in the energy sector could push the European Central Bank (ECB) into a difficult policy trade-off, as rising inflation risks collide with weakening growth prospects. In its weekly report, QNB said persistently elevated energy »»»
Progressive Bulgaria Leader in Stara Zagora: Overcoming Citizens’ Fear of Speaking Out Is Biggest Challenge
The biggest challenge for Progressive Bulgaria is overcoming fear, because in regions with diverse ethnic or political communities people are intimidated and hesitate to express their political affiliation or preference for fear of losing their jobs, Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said dur»»»
Sisi hopes Trump will save Egypt from Iran war fallout
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had good reason to issue his latest appeal to US President Donald Trump to end the US-Israeli war against Iran. Nevertheless, his doing so raised eyebrows. El-Sisi banked on Trump last year as Israel finally brought its ferocious war on Gaza to an end after t»»»
Dembele leads PSG to victory ahead of Liverpool tie
Paris, France: Ousmane Dembele scored twice, including a stunning opening goal on the volley, as Paris Saint-Germain warmed up for their Champions League quarter-final showdown with Liverpool by beating Toulouse 3-1 on Friday to cement their place at the top of Ligue 1. Last year's Ballon d'Or winn»»»
European drivers choke on rising diesel prices
Paris, France: The price of diesel fuel has rocketed by more than 30 percent across Europe since the start of the Middle East war highlighting the continent's dependence on imported energy and the lingering prominence of diesel on the car market. The Easter holiday weekend across Europe is expected»»»
Is opposing Israel 'anti-Semitism'? France’s latest attempt to fight hate risks inflaming it
The French government is backing a draft law based on the idea that "hatred" of Israel is inseparable from hatred of the Jewish people. Critics of the “Yadan law” warn the new legislation will not just muzzle legitimate criticism of Israel but could further fuel anti-Semitism in France. Frenc»»»
Ex-Economy Minister: Claims That Eurozone Drove Prices Up Are False, Inflation in Bulgaria Remains Low
Nikolay Vassilev, former Minister of Economy, dismissed claims that prices in Bulgaria have doubled following eurozone-related developments, arguing instead that inflation remains low and that public fears about sharp price increases are exaggerated. Speaking on Nova TV, Nikolay Vassilev stated tha»»»
From Asia to the Americas: Governments Race to Contain Energy Shock
Governments worldwide are moving swiftly to contain the fallout from a sharp rise in energy costs, as global supply disruptions linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran rattle markets. Surging fuel and electricity prices have prompted urgent steps to protect consumers and secure supplies, with mounting»»»
Bombers from Kola take part in major daytime attack
Two Tu-95MS aircraft from Olenya Air Base participated when Russia carried out one of the largest bombardments of Ukraine so far this year on 3 April. Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Telegram that Russia launched hours-long attacks using UAVs, as well as air- and ground-launched missiles, across th»»»
How a Russian influence network is spreading anti-Ukrainian propaganda in Ivory Coast
The Company – a network of Russian agents specialised in disinformation operations – has been carrying out a vast propaganda campaign against the Ukrainian embassy in Ivory Coast. When the pan-African media outlet The Continent received a trove of leaked documents about this operation, the FRANCE 2»»»
French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan to be tried for 'advocating terrorism' in X post
Rima Hassan, a European Parliament member from the France Unbowed (LFI) party who is of Palestinian descent, will face trial in July on charges of "advocating terrorism" online over a message on X she posted last month. The International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism and the Eur»»»
Baltic Sea strikes: How Ukraine aims to undermine Russia's oil profits from Iran war
Ukraine has in recent days intensified drone attacks on ports and refineries in Russia’s Leningrad region on the Baltic Sea. Yet Kyiv’s strategy of trying to stop Moscow from reaping the benefits of oil disruption in the Middle East doesn’t come without significant risk. Ukrainian drones struck key»»»
GRIFID Encanto Beach Hotel Develops New Detox Programme for Guests
GRIFID Encanto Beach Hotel in the Golden Sands resort has developed a new detox programme for its guests. The programme offers stays of varying length designed to promote health, balance and body harmony, the hotel manager Anita Atanasova told BTA. Key elements of the GriFit D-TOX programme are thr»»»
Air Serbia carries record-high 813,188 passengers in Q1 2026
BELGRADE - In Q1 2026, Air Serbia set a new standard for its business operations with 813,188 passengers carried and 3 pct growth y-o-y, the national airline said on Friday. "This is also the first time that the number of 800,000 carried passengers was surpassed in the January-March period. During »»»
Putin, Erdogan Urge Immediate Middle East Ceasefire
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East war during a phone call on Friday, the Kremlin said. The war started over a month ago with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, triggering a conflict throughout the Middle East »»»
Photo Exhibition of Ukrainian Sculptor's Works Opens on Sofia’s Capital Day
A photo exhibition titled "In the Footsteps of Mykhailo Parashchuk," dedicated to the 147th anniversary since Sofia was declared Bulgaria’s capital, was opened on St Nedelya Square on Friday. Mykhailo Parashchuk was a Ukrainian sculptor and the author of sculptural facades and decorations on buildi»»»
Environment Minister, French Ambassador Discuss Current Topics on Environmental Protection
Caretaker Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov discussed current topics on environmental protection with the Ambassador of France to Bulgaria Marie Dumoulin, the Ministry's press centre reported on Friday. A topic raised by the French side was the import of batteries and solar panels. Pop»»»
Finance Ministry Revises Inflation, GDP Projections for 2026 Due to Middle East Conflict
The average annual inflation in Bulgaria is expected to reach 4.3% this year, while the annual increase in consumer prices is projected to amount to 5.2% by the end of 2026, according to the spring macroeconomic forecast of the Finance Ministry, published on its website. At the same time, the real »»»
Sweden seizes ship accused of oil spill in the Baltic Sea - UPI.com
Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin speaks during the Swedish-Polish Total Defense Forum at the Museum of the Polish Army in Warsaw, Poland, on March 11. Bohlin said the Swedish coast guard had seized an oil tanker believed to be responsible for a recet oil spill. Photo by Piotr Nowak/»»»
NATO Chief to Meet Trump Amid Iran Tensions
NATO chief Mark Rutte will meet Donald Trump next week on a visit to Washington, as the US president lashes out at the alliance over the Iran war, NATO said Friday. Trump has suggested he is considering quitting the 77-year-old military alliance due to the response by European nations to his war. T»»»
Beyond Oil: How the Iran Conflict Is Disrupting Pakistan's Critical Labor Exports to the Gulf
Pakistan's economy depends heavily on labor exports to the Gulf, where millions of its citizens work. The Iran war has complicated this, prompting the government to devise a new strategy. In recent years, Pakistan has significantly increased both its labor exports and the volume of remittances that»»»
Iranian media says US jet shot down, bounty offered for pilot
Tehran: Iran deployed troops and offered a bounty as it launched a hunt for a US pilot whose jet Iranian media said had been downed by the Islamic republic's air defence systems Friday. US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for military operations in the Middle East, did not immediately respond»»»
President Iotova, Bulgarian MEPs Discuss Need to Actively Uphold Bulgarian Position on North Macedonia's EU Accession
Bulgarian institutions should make more efforts to uphold the national position on the European Union membership of the Republic of North Macedonia. President Iliana iotova and Bulgarian MEPs rallied around the idea during a meeting on Friday, the press office of the head of state said. The meeting»»»
Cabinet Submits Fourth Payment Request under Recovery and Resilience Plan, Warns Part of Funds at Risk
The caretaker government has submitted to the European Commission the fourth payment request under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), amounting to EUR 900 million, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for European Funding Maria Nedina told a briefing here on Friday. Caretaker Finance Mini»»»
Progressive Bulgaria Leader Says Forming Coalition with Peevski, Borissov "Absolutely Impossible"
Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said on Friday that “it is absolutely impossible” for his political force to form a coalition with Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Delyan Peevski and GERB leader Boyko Borissov. Radev spoke at a meeting with citizens in Zlatograd (Southern Bulgaria) a»»»
Italy's public deficit falls but still above EU ceiling: official
Milan, Italy: Italy’s budget deficit declined in 2025 but remained slightly above the European Union’s 3 percent threshold, national statistics agency Istat said on Friday. April, 3, 2026. The deficit stood at 3.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to €70bn ($81bn), down from 3.4 p»»»