Migration Situation along State Border Is Currently Calm, Interior Minister Dechev Says
A written response to a parliamentary question by caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev, regarding the Interior Ministry’s actions in the event of potential migration pressure arising from the conflict in the Middle East, says that "the migration situation along Bulgaria’s state borders is curren»»»
Canada enters SAFE and is counting on Polish funds for military contracts
Canada, the only non-European country participating in the EU’s SAFE defense financing mechanism, is seeking a stronger presence in Poland’s defense market. Export Development Canada has announced up to USD 1 bln in support for potential exports of defense and aerospace goods and services to Poland»»»
Europe wants to be free of PayPal and Visa, eyes digital euro
Europe is accelerating work on a digital euro to reduce dependence on U.S. payment giants and strengthen control over its financial system. Currently, much of Europe’s payment infrastructure relies on companies like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal, raising concerns about external influence and vulnera»»»
How Zelensky’s ‘oil blockade’ against EU states backfired on Ukraine
Hungary has again vetoed a €90 billion ($105 billion) EU loan package to Ukraine, while Slovakia has accused Kiev of “playing cat and mouse” with the bloc over its reluctance to resume the flow of Russian oil to Budapest and Bratislava via the Druzhba pipeline. During a summit in Brussels on March »»»
Vazrazhdane Launches Election Campaign, Calls for Independent Bulgaria
Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov addressed the party’s supporters at the launch of its election campaign, in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia on Saturday, saying, "For us, nothing is impossible. For a person with a free spirit who wants to live freely, there are no unattainab»»»
Czech global arms company CSG signs agreement to acquire DOMAR MS in Poland
Czech-based defense group CSG has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire Polish company DOMAR MS through its subsidiary CSG Polska. The firm produces cable harnesses, electrical systems, and components used in defense, aviation, and specialized applications. The deal is expected to close within »»»
Ninova Pledges Economic Relief Measures, Targets Rising Prices
Korneliya Ninova, leader of the Defiant Bulgaria National Movement party, during a visit to Kyustendil on Saturday, said, “We stand firmly, consistently, and unwaveringly against the existing model of governance represented by GERB and MRF.” “I have fought this model for ten years and I will not gi»»»
French navy boards Russia-linked tanker in Mediterranean
The French navy has boarded and seized an oil tanker sailing in the Western Mediterranean from the Russian port of Murmansk accused of belonging to what has been dubbed Moscow's "shadow fleet", vessels of opaque ownership suspected of dodging Western sanctions on the country's crude oil exports. T»»»
QFA announces national team squad for March training camp ahead of 2026 World Cup
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) on Friday announced the senior national team squad for the upcoming March training camp, as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The 32-player squad called up by Spanish hea»»»
Talking Europe - 'Polish populists have decided to turn anti-European': Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski
Talking Europe travels to Warsaw to meet the mayor of the city and former presidential candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, just as the political temperature rises ahead of high-stakes parliamentary elections scheduled for next year. Trzaskowski argues that a long-standing consensus in Polish politics »»»
Progressive Bulgaria Officially Launches its National Election Campaign
The Progressive Bulgaria coalition officially launched its national election campaign at the Sila Hall in Plovdiv, presenting the lead candidates on its parliamentary lists. In his address, coalition leader Rumen Radev said that a group of like-minded allies is embarking on “the most important batt»»»
Russian Strike on Zaporizhzhia Kills 2 as Ukraine Seeks to Move Forward Peace Talks
A Russian drone attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least two people, a Ukrainian official said, ahead of expected US-Ukraine talks. Zaporizhzhia regional head Ivan Fedorov said a man and a woman were killed and two children wounded when a Russian drone hit a private house on Saturday morn»»»
Acting Prosecutor General Reaffirms Commitment to European Cooperation
Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov reaffirmed the Bulgarian prosecution service's commitment to active cooperation with its European partners at a forum in The Hague, the prosecution said on Saturday. He did so during bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 20th Consultative Forum of pro»»»
Middle East tensions strain fertilizer supplies, raising global food price risks
Capitals, March 21 (SANA) Disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East are expected to deepen a global fertilizer crisis, raising the risk of further increases in food prices, particularly in developing economies. Economists and international institutions have warned that disruptions to fe»»»
Early Signs of Confidence: Bulgaria’s Markets Respond Positively to Eurozone Membership
The first months following Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone suggest a stable start and rising investor confidence, even though it is too early to draw long-term conclusions. In the opening week of 2026, trading on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange surged by 50% year-on-year, while the SOFIX index incr»»»
UN Would Like to Contribute to Resolving Crisis in Strait of Hormuz - Secretary-General
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Nations wishes to contribute to resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. "My main objective is to see if it is possible to create conditions in the Strait of Hormuz similar to what [existed] in the past. Of course, it is»»»
Models With Down Syndrome in Romania Strike a Pose for World Down Syndrome Day
Dozens of models with Down syndrome strutted down a catwalk at a fashion show in Romania’s capital for an evening celebrating style, “atypical beauty” and courage to mark World Down Syndrome Day. The SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala in Bucharest brought together designers from across the country, w»»»
Macron slams ‘unacceptable’ Israeli attacks on Lebanon
Israel’s ongoing military operation in Lebanon violates international law, French President Emmanuel Macron has said. Speaking at a European Council press conference in Brussels on Thursday, Macron also criticized the attacks on Israel being carried out by Lebanese-based militant movement Hezbollah»»»
Orbán: “We do not negotiate while being threatened and blackmailed”
Prime Minister Orbán resumed his nationwide tour with a stop in Szentendre, where he delivered a sharp message on energy security, the war in Ukraine, and Hungary’s position within the European Union. Speaking to supporters, the prime minister framed the current geopolitical situation as a decisive»»»
The World This Week - Iran: The ‘Mosaic Doctrine’, Zelensky V Orban, Hungary-splaining
In a week where assassinations have continued within the top ranks of Iran’s regime, the minister of intelligence, the commander of the Bases paramilitary and the powerful security chief Ali Larijani included, but a weakened government seems to have had little bearing on Tehran’s retaliation across»»»
Ready to help keep Hormuz open? Who said what
European powers and Japan have changed their posture on the ongoing Middle East war, by prioritising energy security and avoiding being dragged by the US into the on-going war with Iran. Recent developments show the allies are preparing to act even without full US leadership. Some countries, such a»»»
Central Election Commission: Women at 30.1% of April Election Candidates
Women make up 30.1% of candidates for parliament in the April 19 elections, Central Election Commission Deputy Chair Rositsa Mateva said on Saturday. Their share is up 1.7 percentage points from the October 2024 vote. There will be 62 more women candidates for parliament in the upcoming elections t»»»
Why modern-day wars can easily go regional
The world is now passing through an era of ‘strategic unravelling’, and its proportions are catastrophic. Conflicts no longer remain confined to their immediate geographies. With grim persistence, they expand into regional wars. Their prevalence stems from the breakdown of the post-1945 internation»»»
Spotlight - Hungary's Orbán blocks €90 billion loan, threatening vital EU support for Ukraine
Mark Owen is pleased to welcome Dr Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Studies and Global Outreach Programmes at Ukrainian Prism and editor-in-chief at UA: Ukraine Analytica. According to Dr Shelest, Ukrainian forces demonstrate that with adaptive strategy, technological innovation and ti»»»
Georgians continue fight for democracy after almost 500 days of protest
It's Saturday night in Tbilisi. A crowd is gathering outside the city's State Concert Hall, chatting among themselves. For some, the gathering offers a brief respite from the exhaustion of prolonged demonstration. For others, it is an act of defiance against a government that opposition figures, We»»»
EU Council meeting achieves little
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. »»»
EU Council meeting achieves little
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. »»»
Middle East tensions rise: Iran targets tourist spots as US deploys more marines - here's what to know
Three weeks into escalating Middle East tensions, Iran warned it could expand attacks to recreational and tourist sites worldwide. The threat came as Gulf nations intercepted multiple drones near oil installations, and Israel reported continued missile fire from Iran. Stay updated: Get the latest f»»»
Ukraine risks aid shortfall as reform delays and EU divisions test financial lifeline
Ukraine faces a growing risk of losing critical international support in 2026-2027 as reform delays at home coincide with mounting political divisions within the EU over future financing for Kyiv, reported Ukraine Business News. »»»
The attack on Iran’s South Pars, world’s largest gas field, and Tehran’s retaliation threatens energy supply
Israel’s recent strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field and Tehran’s retaliation on key energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries is more than just another escalation of the war roiling the Middle East. What began as a campaign of decapitation strikes and base‑to‑base missile exchanges has esca»»»
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»»»
Sanctioned Russian tankers nearing Cuba test U.S. oil ban enforcement - UPI.com
The U.S. Treasury Department said this week that Cuba is prohibited from receiving Russian crude oil File Photo by Anatoly Maltsev/EPA March 20 (UPI) -- Two tankers carrying Russian oil and fuel are expected to arrive in Cuba in the coming days, testing new U.S. restrictions and raising uncertainty»»»
French foreign minister calls on Iran to make ‘major concessions’ – Ya Libnan
Share: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on a visit to Israel that Iran must make major concessions as part of any long-term political solution following the Middle East war. “Whatever the outcome of the ongoing military operations, it must be complemented by a political solution that p»»»
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»»»
Bulgarian President Highlights Country’s Strong French-Language Tradition
On the International Day of La Francophonie, March 20, Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova underscored the longstanding tradition of the French language in Bulgaria and the high standards of French-language teaching in the country. She made these remarks during a visit to the Simeon Radev Foreign Lan»»»
Bulgaria Fully Applies Schengen Legislation, Shows Achievements across Cooperation Areas, EC Assessment Finds
Bulgaria fully applies Schengen legislation and has achieved substantial progress across key areas of cooperation, including external borders, return, internal security, visas and data protection, according to an assessment by the European Commission (EC), presented in Sofia by Olivier Onidi, Deput»»»
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»»»
Trump makes Pearl Harbor joke at meeting with Japanese PM to justify Iran war secrecy
US President Donald Trump joked about the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor in front of a visibly uncomfortable Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as he defended his decision not to warn allies before striking Iran. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump was pressed on the lack »»»
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»»»
Spain to Spend 5 bn Euros to Ease Middle East War Fallout
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Friday a sweeping package worth five billion euros ($5.8 billion) aimed at cushioning the economic impact of the Middle East war, including a "drastic reduction" in energy-related taxes. Speaking after an emergency cabinet meeting, the Socialist leader»»»
'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»»»
Damaged Russian Tanker Days away from Libyan Shores, Italian Official Says
A damaged Russian LNG tanker that has been drifting unmanned in the Mediterranean for more than two weeks, risking a major ecological disaster, is four to six days from Libya’s shores, an Italian official said on Friday. The Arctic Metagaz, carrying LNG from the Arctic port of Murmansk, has been un»»»
Press Review - 'Online diplomacy': How Trump narrates war in Iran on Truth Social
PRESS REVIEW – Friday, March 20: Donald Trump is turning to "online diplomacy" to defend his actions in Iran and lambast his critics on Truth Social. The Times of London looks at how Monica Witt, a US servicewoman-turned-spy for Iran, could play a crucial role in the war. Also: a Belgian court»»»
French FM Calls on Iran to Make 'Major Concessions'
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Friday on a visit to Israel that Iran must make major concessions as part of any long-term political solution following the Middle East war. "Whatever the outcome of the ongoing military operations, it must be complemented by a political solution that p»»»
President: Package of Measures Necessary Due to High Fuel Prices, Overall Price Pressure
President Iliana Iotova Friday commented on rising fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East, as well as on a proposed measure to provide financial support to the most vulnerable groups. She was speaking in Pernik, where she took part in celebrations marking the International Francophonie »»»
Araqchi to UK: Hosting US Bases Makes You an Aggressor
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has sharply criticized the United Kingdom for granting military bases to the United States, stating that the move amounts to participating in aggression against Iran. During a phone call with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper, Araqchi said the decision wo»»»