UPDATE: Bulgaria’s Radev wins election, set for parliamentary majority
Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev is on course to secure a parliamentary majority in the country’s snap election, according to parallel vote counts, in what would be the first single-party majority since 1997. With a»»»
UPDATE: Bulgaria’s Radev wins decisive election victory, exit polls show
Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev is on course for a decisive victory in the country’s snap parliamentary elections, with the latest parallel vote counts pointing to an unexpected outright majority that would allow him to form a government without coalition partners. »»»
Rumen Radev: "We Defeated Apathy but Mistrust in Politicians Remains"
Rumen Radev delivered a brief statement following exit poll results indicating a strong lead for his Progressive Bulgaria coalition in Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections, thanking voters and calling the outcome "a victory of hope over mistrust, of freedom over fear and ethics". "We defeated apat»»»
Rumen Radev: "Victory of Hope" as His Progressive Bulgaria Leads Snap Elections
Rumen Radev delivered a brief statement following exit poll results indicating a strong lead for his Progressive Bulgaria coalition in Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections, thanking voters and calling the outcome "a victory of hope". According to exit polls, Progressive Bulgaria gets over 38% of t»»»
Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria: Voters Turn Page on GERB and MRF, Say Leaders
The leaders of Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) held a briefing for the media, following the announcement of the first results from polling agencies on the early parliamentary elections. "Bulgarian citizens came out, voted, and left GERB and Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) i»»»
Bulgaria’s Radev set for election win, exit polls show
Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev took a commanding lead in snap parliamentary elections on April 19, exit polls showed, putting him on course to win but likely short of an outright majority. Exit polls from fiv»»»
INTERVIEW: After Orbán, can Hungary reclaim its media?
It took Viktor Orbán 16 years of relentless, meticulous work to morph Hungary's media ecosystem into a formidable organism designed to perpetuate his unchecked power and serve the interests of his associates. Now, incoming»»»
Egyptian-Italian alliance targets $10bn mega projects across Egypt, Gulf
Precision Consulting Engineering (PCE) has announced a strategic partnership with RECS Architects to expand integrated architectural and consultancy services across Egypt and Gulf markets. The agreement, signed by PCE Chairperson Waleed Sweida and Pier Maria Giordani, aims to establish a cross-bord»»»
US renews Russian oil sanctions waiver and reneges on Bessent’s pledge
The US has renewed a sanctions exemption allowing Russian crude and petroleum products already loaded onto tankers to be delivered and sold freely, the US Treasury Department has announced. The move came despite a pledge by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made two days prior that the waiver would »»»
Hormuz crisis dominates IMF, World Bank Spring Meetings
Washington, April 19 (SANA) The crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz overshadowed discussions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings, which concluded in Washington on Sunday after six days of deliberations amid growing concern over energy markets and global econo»»»
Ministry highlights progress in e-commerce strategy, launches regional digital trade project
AMMAN — Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply Secretary-General Dana Alzoubi on Sunday said that the launch of the "Digital Trade in the South Mediterranean" project marks a strategic step toward building an integrated digital trade ecosystem that promotes sustainable economic growth and keeps pac»»»
Bulgarian Politicians Comment on Snap Parliamentary Elections
As she went to cast her vote in the April 19 snap parliamentary elections Sunday, President Iliana Iotova said her vote went "to have a working Parliament soon, and a strong government". "I voted so that Bulgaria has a working National Assembly soon, which will elect a leadership swiftly, skip the »»»
Hungary to Secure Deal With EU to Unlock Frozen Funds - Tisza Party Leader
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Hungary will soon conclude a comprehensive agreement with the European Union to unlock billions of euros owed to Hungary from European funds, Head of Hungary's Tisza Party Peter Magyar said on Sunday. "Over the past two days, we held high-level talks in Budapest with a European C»»»
Spain Urges EU to End Association Agreement with Israel
Spain will ask the European Union to end its association agreement with Israel over alleged violations of international law, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Sunday. "On Tuesday, Spain's government will present a proposal to the EU that the European Union break off its association agreement with I»»»
Spain to formally ask EU to break Israel association agreement, Sanchez says
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will formally request the European Union suspend its association agreement with Israel at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on April 21 in Luxembourg, El Pais reported on April 19. »»»
Spain to formally ask EU to break Israel association agreement, Sanchez says
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will formally request the European Union suspend its association agreement with Israel at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on April 21 in Luxembourg, El Pais reported on April 19. »»»
Spain to formally ask EU to break Israel association agreement, Sanchez says
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will formally request the European Union suspend its association agreement with Israel at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on April 21 in Luxembourg, El Pais reported on April 19. »»»
'They are stealing the election': How Armenia became the next Russia-EU battlefield
Armenians are set to head to the polls in June for their parliamentary elections, which the EU and Russia are closely watching. With support for joining the bloc at an all-time high, this could be a sign that the former Soviet country is moving away from Moscow, one of its closest allies. But forei»»»
Bulgaria heads to the polls for eighth general election in five years
Voters in Bulgaria headed to the polls Sunday for an eighth general election in five years, with ex-president Rumen Radev tipped to win on anti-corruption pledges. The election comes after unrest toppled Boyko Borissov’s rule and left the pro-European GERB party trailing. Bulgarians began head»»»
People & Profit - What Magyar's election win means for Hungary's economy and Europe
Hungary is preparing for a new era, after the centre-right Tisza party of Peter Magyar won a landslide victory over longtime nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Magyar says he'll seek to repair Hungary's confrontational relationship with the European Union, something that could unlock much-nee»»»
Fit in fatigues: German army presses recruitment drive
Cologne, Germany: Wearing a gas mask, a young man performs a rapid series of push-ups, jumps and squats at the German military's recruiting booth at FIBO, the world's largest fitness expo, held in Cologne. Germany hopes to grow its armed forces, winning tens of thousands of new volunteers -- a toug»»»
Prime Minister Gurov Votes for Ideas and Policies
Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Blagoevgrad, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said he voted for a country in which entering parliament is done with ideas and policies, not with bundles of cash. Gurov said he voted for a state in which politicians govern with decency and»»»
Slovakia May Block Ukraine's Accession to EU - Parliament's Deputy Speaker
BRATISLAVA (Sputnik) - Slovakia may block Ukraine's accession to the European Union if the energy conflict between Kiev and Bratislava escalates, Tibor Gaspar, the Slovak parliament's deputy speaker, told Sputnik. "Ukraine does not risk 'automatically losing EU support,' but it may face specific pr»»»
GERB Rules Out Coalition Participation, Sees Low Chances for Government, Says Leader Boyko Borissov
After voting in Sofia's Bankya neighbourhood, GERB leader Boyko Borissov said his party will not take part in coalitions and will instead engage in talks on specific issues, particularly in geopolitics and defence, where it will act as a constructive opposition. According to him, the chances of for»»»
Continue the Change Leader Assen Vassilev Votes for "Truly European Bulgaria"
Casting his vote in his hometown of Haskovo, Continue the Change leader Assen Vassilev said he hopes Bulgarians will opt for a truly European Bulgaria. He said he was encouraged by the high turnout, noting that he had to wait for about 15 minutes to cast his vote. He urged citizens to be active, st»»»
Crisis-hit Bulgaria votes in eighth election in five years
Sofia: Bulgaria on Sunday, April 19, 2026, held its eighth legislative election in five years, with ex-president Rumen Radev's grouping tipped to win on a pledge to fight corruption, after an anti-graft movement triggered a long political crisis. The European Union's poorest member has been through»»»
UK Ministers Back Starmer Amid Fresh Calls to Quit
British government ministers on Sunday backed embattled premier Keir Starmer as he struggles to shake off a scandal over long-time Jeffrey Epstein associate Peter Mandelson. Starmer is due to face lawmakers in parliament on Monday to explain how Mandelson was appointed Britain's ambassador to the U»»»
Nikoloski: Skopje and Ohrid airports regional leaders, confirmed by international media
Skopje, 18 April 2026 (MIA) - The Skopje and Ohrid airports are leaders in the region, as confirmed by international media. Skopje International Airport remains the regional leader with a 32 percent increase compared to the same period last year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Alek»»»
Chernobyl’s Radioactive Landscape Is Testament to Nature’s Resilience and Survival Spirit
On contaminated land that is too dangerous for human life, the world’s wildest horses roam free. Across the Chernobyl exclusion zone, Przewalski’s horses — stocky, sand-colored and almost toy-like in appearance — graze in a radioactive landscape larger than Luxembourg. On April 26, 1986, an explosi»»»
As Iran War Strains Ties with Trump’s US, UK Looks to Europe
Britain's government is set to announce legislation next month to move the country closer to the European Union, as the Iran war sours the UK's so-called special relationship with the United States. President Donald Trump's unpredictability and stream of insults towards America's historic ally is a»»»
Rat poison found in baby food jar in Austria as products recalled
Vienna: Austrian police have found rat poison in a baby food jar, they said late Saturday, April 18, 2026, in a probe that has seen the supplier recall the line over suspected tampering. The Germany-based HiPP brand announced the recall at SPAR supermarkets in Austria late Friday over the possibili»»»
Parents warned after toxic substance found in baby food
Vienna: Austrian police have found rat poison in a baby food jar, they said late Saturday, in a probe that has seen the supplier recall the line over suspected tampering. The Germany-based HiPP brand announced the recall at SPAR supermarkets in Austria late Friday over the possibility that "a hazar»»»
Yes, Bulgaria Co-leader Ivaylo Mirchev Votes for Bulgaria Free from Corruption Model and Reaffirming Its European Path
Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections, Yes, Bulgaria Co-leader Ivaylo Mirchev said he voted for Bulgaria to free itself "from the corruption model that has dominated it for many years" and "to reaffirm its European path". Yes, Bulgaria is part of the Continue the Change - Democratic »»»
Europe's far right leaders gather in Milan rally against immigration
Several thousand people gathered in Milan on Saturday for a large rally attended by several European far-right leaders who spoke on immigration, security, and against EU regulations. Far-right leaders from Europe gathered in Milan Saturday for a rally attended by thousands against irregular immigra»»»
US Renews Russian Oil Waiver for a Month to Curb Global Energy Prices
Washington renewed on Friday a waiver allowing countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea for about a month, even as lawmakers accused the government of going easy on Moscow as its war on Ukraine grinds on. The Treasury Department's waiver lets countries purchase Russian oil and petroleum prod»»»
India to benefit from US extension of Russian oil waiver
The United States has opted to extend a waiver permitting limited transactions involving Russian oil, despite sustained political opposition from within Washington, Russia’s special presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries says. »»»
Iran's shadow oil trade endures near Singapore despite war
PARIS, France — Near Singapore, thousands of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil have continued during the Middle East war, helping Tehran evade sanctions and maintain trade with China.Nearly 400 tankers are sanctioned by the United States, the European Union or B»»»
French UNIFIL soldier killed in Lebanon, Hezbollah responsible, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of a French UN peacekeeping soldier Saturday following an attack that also left three people wounded in southern Lebanon, saying that "everything suggests" Hezbollah being responsible for the attack. The Iran-backed group denied involve»»»
Bulgaria vote set to deliver Radev win but no clear majority
Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev is on course to win a snap parliamentary election on April 19, according to a new opinion poll, in what could mark a political breakthrough after years of instability. A survey by Ma»»»
EU must be ready to fight Russia without US by 2030 – Belgian defense chief
European nations have around four years to build up their defenses enough to deter a Russian attack without US backing, Frederic Vansina, Belgium’s Chief of the General Staff, has said. Moscow has dismissed speculation that it plans to attack NATO as nonsense. In an interview with Le Soir published»»»
Slovakia said it will sue the EU over a ban on Russian gas imports
Slovakia will file a lawsuit with the EU’s Court of Justice challenging the bloc’s decision to ban imports of Russian gas, Prime Minister Robert Fico has said. In January, the EU formally approved a plan to phase out Russian pipeline gas by 2027, overriding vetoes from Slovakia and Hungary. “We obj»»»
Hormuz domino effect: How the Middle East crisis affects food, flights and global supply chains
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered by the war in the Middle East hasn't just affected oil prices. Despite a provisional reopening during the current 10-day ceasefire, global supplies of jet fuel, fertilisers, industrial CO2 and naphtha have already been affected, potentially leading to s»»»
Spotlight - Renzi urges ‘European strategy’, denounces Trump's ‘global chaos’ and populism of Orbán and Meloni
Gavin Lee is pleased to welcome former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Italy's former head of state offers an in-depth, insightful and thought-provoking reading of contemporary geopolitics, European cohesion, and leadership ethics. Speaking from the vantage point of a former leader of a major »»»
Spain's Sanchez, Brazil's Lula lead global gathering of left-wing leaders against far-right rise
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to co-chair a gathering of left-wing leaders in Barcelona on Saturday aimed at countering the rise of the far right and strengthening democratic institutions. The meeting brings together figures from acro»»»
Bayern close in on Bundesliga title as Dortmund lose
Berlin: Bayern Munich moved closer to the Bundesliga title after Borussia Dortmund fell to a 2-1 loss at Hoffenheim on Saturday, while pioneering Union Berlin coach Marie-Louise Eta lost on her debut in the dugout. Second-placed Dortmund's defeat leaves Bayern, who host Stuttgart on Sunday, 12 poin»»»
Carney leads middle power coalition drive as CANZUK gains traction
Energy giant Canada has emerged as the leading driver of efforts to build a formal middle-power coalition among like-minded Commonwealth nations, with Prime Minister Mark Carney using his first year in office to push the long-dormant CANZUK concept and a broader variable-geometr»»»
Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier
Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) short-term state loan to national carrier airBaltic after a dispute that threatened to collapse the ruling coalition, LETA reported on April 16. The loan was approved by 4»»»
Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled in 2024, IISS says
The number of Russian sabotage operations recorded in Europe almost quadrupled between 2023 and 2024, according to new research from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) that highlights growing concerns over the resilience of European critical infrastructure. »»»
Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled in 2024, IISS says
The number of Russian sabotage operations recorded in Europe almost quadrupled between 2023 and 2024, according to new research from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) that highlights growing concerns over the resilience of European critical infrastructure. »»»
Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled in 2024, IISS says
The number of Russian sabotage operations recorded in Europe almost quadrupled between 2023 and 2024, according to new research from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) that highlights growing concerns over the resilience of European critical infrastructure. »»»