Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

UAE carriers have resumed limited flight operations across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah following partial reopening of regional airspace. Passengers are urged to check flight status online and only travel to airports if their booking is confirmed, as schedules remain subject to cha»»»

Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»

A sanctioned Russian tanker loaded with liquid natural gas is drifting out of control in the Mediterranean with no crew on board and a gaping hole in one side, prompting warnings of a "serious risk of a major ecological disaster". An official in Italy, one of nine EU countries to write a joint lett»»»

In the final decades of the Cold War, South America briefly appeared poised to join the ranks of regions developing indigenous missile technology. Argentina and Brazil pursued ambitious programs that combined domestic research with extensive international cooperation, aiming to establish strategic »»»

On 12 February in the French city of Lyon, a young man was killed in a political street brawl that escalated very badly. While terrible every time it happens, his death was, unfortunately, not unprecedented. Usually, it would result in grief among the victim’s family and friends as well as a crimin»»»

Germany, Spain, Italy, and France—along with non-NATO members Japan and South Korea—are hesitant to participate in the US-led maritime operation in the Strait of Hormuz “due to the uncertainty on the battlefield,” says Hasan Selim Ozertem, a Turkish-based political analyst interviewed by Sputnik. T»»»

Brussels, March 17 (SANA) The European Union is preparing measures to ease the impact of rising energy prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said ahead of an EU summit. In a message to EU leaders, von der Leyen outlined proposals including »»»

Russian winter Paralympic athletes were greeted with applause and cheers of “Bravo!” on Red Square after their standout performance in Italy. The team claimed 12 medals — including eight gold —At the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, finishing third overall.It was the first ti»»»

Poland ‌will not send troops to Iran as the conflict does not directly affect its security, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday, adding that the United States and other powers understood Warsaw's decision. US President Donald Trump called on allies over the weekend ‌to help ‌secure the Strai»»»

A group of European nations as well as Canada have called on Israel to stop a ground incursion into Lebanon, saying the attack could lead to “devastating humanitarian consequences” in a country where hundreds of people have already been killed in the ongoing Middle East escalation. The Israeli mili»»»

Israel carried out new strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and again ordered residents of vast parts of southern Lebanon to evacuate, as more than a million people have been displaced across the country. Early Tuesday morning Israeli aircraft bombed two neighborhoods of Beirut's southern suburbs, »»»

South Korea had 81 products that led global exports in 2024, including memory chips and face masks, a report showed Tuesday. In this photo, containers are stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek on March 12. Photo by Yonhap South Korea had 81 products that led global exports in 2024, including memory chips»»»

A three-judge panel of the Sofia Court of Appeal has overturned a ruling by the Sofia City Court that terminated proceedings in a case concerning a proposal for the conditional early release of Evelin "Brendo" Banev, the Appellate Court said in a press release. According to the appellate judges, th»»»

British holidaymakers are rebooking Easter trips away from Dubai due to the war in neighbouring Iran, causing a spike in demand for "reassuring" destinations, travel firms have told the BBC. There is mass disruption to passenger flights across the Middle East and warnings not to travel to large par»»»

Israel's military says its troops have begun "limited and targeted ground operations" against the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The military said operations had targeted "key Hezbollah strongholds" in recent days with the aim of strengthening the defence of Israeli border c»»»

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Energy ministers from the EU's 27 nations huddled in Brussels Monday to discuss how to help families and businesses as the Iran war sends energy prices soaring.The meeting laid the groundwork for a Thursday summit of EU leaders that will seek to address the issue — though the bl»»»

US President Donald Trump on Monday criticised US allies on Monday for a lack of enthusiasm in helping unblock the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing war against Iran. US and Israeli strikes on Iran have jolted global energy markets, sending oil prices higher and raising gasoline costs for US c»»»

Kyrgyz athlete Zarina Asanova won a bronze medal at the International Boxing Tournament in Thailand, the Boxing Federation reported. The World Boxing Futures Cup for athletes aged 19 and under was held on March 8-15 in Bangkok. Zarina Asanova competed in the 70-kilogram weight class. By draw, the K»»»

The leaders of five Western countries said in a joint statement Monday that a large-scale Israeli ground operation in Lebanon "must be averted." "A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict," said the joint statemen»»»

Capitals, March 16 (SANA) – Several European countries have signaled they will not participate in military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing tensions in the region and calls by the United States to form a coalition to secure shipping through the strategic waterway. Greece announced i»»»

Italy, France and seven other nations told the ​European Commission that a Russian ‌liquefied natural gas tanker currently adrift in the Mediterranean represents an ​ecological threat, and they ​urged swift action on the ⁠issue, a letter showed on ​Monday. “The precarious condition of the ​vessel, »»»

European countries on Monday sought more details about US President Donald Trump's plans for the war on Iran and warned that NATO must not become involved it, as they weighed whether to agree to his call to send warships to help shore up security in the Gulf. The cool response to Trump’s demand ref»»»

The XXI International Jazz_Bishkek_Spring Festival will be held on April 24-25. Organizers told 24.kg news agency. According to them, this is the most anticipated calendar event of the spring. «The festival’s motto is «Music Without Borders». Our mission is to build bridges of friendship and unders»»»

BELGRADE - Serbia's January external goods trade totalled 4.89 bln euros, which is a 11.0 pct decline y-o-y, according to figures released by the national statistical office. Goods exports were worth 2.36 bln euros, dropping by 5.7 pct y-o-y, while imports totalled 2.53 bln euros, declining by 15.4»»»

Italy’s energy giant, Eni, announced today that it has made two new gas discoveries in Libya totalling more than 1 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) – thanks to an exploration campaign initiated in the past months. Two adjacent geological structures, Bahr Essalam South 2 (BESS 2) and Bahr Essalam South 3 (»»»

European countries on Monday demanded to know more about U.S. President Donald Trump's plans for the war on Iran and when the conflict might end as they weighed whether to agree to his call to send warships to help shore up security in the Persian Gulf. Trump has asked allies — including France, Ch»»»

The OECD’s economic survey of Romania projects that GDP growth will reach 1.0% this year, before rising to 2.2% next year, following 0.7% growth last year. Inflation is expected to remain high, at 6.6% in 2026, before falling to 3.0% in 2027, as the impact of previous fiscal measures fades. “Romani»»»

Spain will not take part in any military mission in the Strait of Hormuz because it considers the US-Israeli war on Iran to be illegal, Madrid's defense and foreign affairs ministers said on Monday. The leftist coalition government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has criticized the offensive an»»»

France's government is bolstering the country's military presence in the Middle East, dispatching its aircraft carrier and other warships, while President Emmanuel Macron engages with key players in the conflict, including Iran, in a bid to position Paris for future diplomatic talks. Macron said th»»»

Direct talks with Iran have proven the most effective way to restart shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Indian official said, even as calls grow for a multinational naval effort to secure the critical waterway amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The comments came after Donald »»»

Tehran: President Donald Trump urged NATO partners and China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical conduit for crude that Iran has effectively closed, as major economic players began releasing oil reserves on Monday to ward off supply disruptions. Global oil prices have surged by 40 to »»»

France's government is bolstering the country's military presence in the Middle East, dispatching its aircraft carrier and other warships, while President Emmanuel Macron engages with key players in the conflict, including Iran, in a bid to position Paris for future diplomatic talks. Macron said th»»»

THIS WEEK offers a weekly snapshot of the key developments in Brussels and across Europe over the next seven days, published every Monday morning. EU leaders are meeting on Thursday (19 March) for a busy and timely European Council in Brussels, where support for Ukraine, energy security, Middle Eas»»»

Hollywood, United States: Hollywood's best and brightest stars on Sunday hit the red carpet for the 98th Academy Awards, the movie industry's biggest night. Here are some of the top looks: Spring hues Pops of spring color were a welcome sight on the red carpet. Jessie Buckley at the 98th Oscars at »»»