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»»»
Iran to boycott US but not FIFA World Cup, football chief says
Iran intends to take part in this summer’s FIFA World Cup but only if the team’s matches are moved from the US to Mexico, the head of the country’s football federation has said. The announcement comes as the US and Israel continue their military campaign against Iran, now in its fourth week. The 20»»»
‘Resistance Economy in Light of National Unity, Security,’ Leader Announces Slogan of New Year
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a message on the occasion of the Persian calendar New Year. In a message on Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated both the Eid of Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr, which have coincided this year, to the Iranian nation and to the»»»
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»»»
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»»»
British man accused of shooting partner in France
A British man has been detained on suspicion of murder by French police after allegedly shooting his partner with a hunting rifle. George Goodayle, 47, is accused of killing his British partner, 49-year-old Jayne Nicholson, at their home near Brillac in southwest France. Nicholson was discovered wi»»»
'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»»»
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»»»
Officer reportedly leaks location of French aircraft carrier with Strava run
A French officer has reportedly revealed the location of an aircraft carrier deployed towards the Middle East after publicly registering a run on sports app Strava. French news outlet Le Monde first reported the officer, referred to as Arthur, logged a 35-minute run on the app while exercising on t»»»
Romanian Parliament adopts 2026 budget after heated debates over spending priorities
Romania’s Parliament has adopted the 2026 state budget following several days of political tensions and negotiations, setting a deficit target of 6.2% of GDP and projecting modest economic growth. The budget was approved with 319 votes in favour and 104 against, while the social security budget pas»»»
Aoun calls for truce as French minister visits Lebanon and Israel
President Joseph Aoun said a proposed framework to halt fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah was "still on the table", as he hosted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Thursday. Lebanon was pulled into the regional war on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets toward neighboring»»»
Hungary's Orbán accused of disloyalty and blackmail over Ukraine loan veto
European Union leaders have accused Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of disloyalty and blackmail after he blocked a €90bn (£77bn) loan for Ukraine. "No oil = no money," Orbán said in a post on X after Thursday's summit in Brussels during which he refused to lift his veto, citing a feud over a »»»
Vodafone Romania: Scaling connectivity through consolidation
At this year’s Business Review Awards, where over 15,000 votes shaped one of the most community-driven editions to date, Vodafone Romania stood out with two major distinctions. The company received Most Impactful Investment of the Year for the acquisition of Telekom Romania Mobile, while CEO Nedim »»»
Media Review: March 20
OVERVIEW The launch of the election campaign and the rising fuel prices are the dominant topics in the media on Friday. ELECTIONS In an interview for Bulgarian National Radio, Iva Lazarova, from the Institute for Public Environment Development, part of the Public Council of the Central Election Com»»»
Bulgaria Faces Uncertain Elections: Challenges in Forming a Stable Government
As Bulgaria approaches the parliamentary elections on April 19, the prospect of forming a stable government is looking increasingly complex. Political scientist Georgi Prodanov, speaking on the National Radio, emphasizes that the balance of power between former President Rumen Radev’s formation (Pr»»»
Deputy Foreign Minister, Italian Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Relations
Bulgaria's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Radi Naydenov and Italian Ambassador Marcello Apicella conducted a meeting at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday to discuss the bilateral relations, the Ministry reported on Friday. The two discussed the excellent bilateral relations, based on shared Euro»»»
How US Marines could reopen the Strait of Hormuz — and break the blockade
The Strait of Hormuz is not just an oil tanker passage. It’s a key waterway in global trade. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) uses a brutally simple playbook here: squeeze the world economy through this narrow gate — and control the gate. At just 39 km wide at its narrowest, shipping is»»»
Running App Reveals Location of France Aircraft Carrier in Mediterranean
A member of the French navy using an app to track his jogging performance broadcast the exact position of his country's flagship aircraft carrier, a newspaper has reported. France deployed the Charles de Gaulle -- and accompanying frigates -- to the Mediterranean in early March shortly after US-Isr»»»
Running app reveals location of France aircraft carrier in Mediterranean
Paris: A member of the French navy using an app to track his jogging performance broadcast the exact position of his country’s flagship aircraft carrier, a newspaper has reported. France deployed the Charles de Gaulle - and accompanying frigates - to the Mediterranean in early March shortly after U»»»
Allianz-Țiriac announces revenues of nearly RON 4 billion in 2025
In 2025, Allianz-Țiriac paid nearly RON 1.7 billion to insured clients and third-party claimants in compensation for covered events, 12.7% more than in 2024. On each working day of the past year, around 900 customers benefited from insurance coverage, with Allianz-Țiriac covering their costs. Total»»»
In ‘Solidarity’ Visit to Beirut, French FM Vows to Pursue Lebanon Truce Efforts
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Friday expressed solidarity with Lebanon and pledged to press ahead with diplomatic efforts to halt escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Barrot’s visit came as Lebanon faces mounting security and humanitarian problems resulting from ongoing h»»»
PENELOPE project to protect posidonia seagrass beds launched
Tunis, March 20 (TAP) - The French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM)French Global Environment Facility and the World Wide Fund for Nature France launched a new project dedicated to protecting posidonia seagrass beds and developing blue carbon...»»»
Tunisian independence: Between political negotiations and armed resistance
Tunis, March 20 (TAP) - March 20, 1956 was not an ordinary date, but a decisive milestone in Tunisia's contemporary history. On that day, after 75 years of French colonial domination, Tunisia broke with a past of subjugation, following the...»»»
BR Analysis | How Romania’s new media art & technology industry is growing
Worldwide, prestigious institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Tate Modern are incorporating digital art into their exhibitions, recognising its cultural and financial significance. These museums are pioneering new ways to engage visitors through immersive digital experiences. Mea»»»
Italy, Germany and France Offer Help with Hormuz Only after Ceasefire
Six major international powers said Thursday they were ready "to contribute to" ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though three stressed that any initiative would take place post-ceasefire. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands said Thursday they were ready "to»»»
UAE minister holds high-level India talks on Iran attacks, security
New Delhi: Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, visited New Delhi on Thursday, March 19, 2026, where she met with Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, and Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary. During the meetings, the two sides discu»»»
Talks in Baghdad Aim to Halt Attacks on US Embassy
A series of meetings held over the past two days inside Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone have produced a preliminary framework aimed at halting attacks on the US Embassy, according to an informed Iraqi source. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the source said the discussions brought together representativ»»»
Vodafone Romania: Scaling connectivity through consolidation
At this year’s Business Review Awards, where over 15,000 votes shaped one of the most community-driven editions to date, Vodafone Romania stood out with two major distinctions. The company received Most Impactful Investment of the Year for the acquisition of Telekom Romania Mobile, while CEO Nedim »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Japan Ski Paradise Faces Strains of Global Acclaim
Beneath the powder snow at internationally popular Japanese ski resort Niseko, anxiety is mounting among residents over soaring prices and a massive influx of overseas workers. At a time when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is talking tough on immigration, upscale Niseko has never been more popular w»»»
From Bats to Bonds: Uganda's 'Cricket Grannies'
Giggles and songs ripple across a field in rural eastern Uganda where elderly women swing cricket bats as a way to reshape what ageing, health and sports can look like in later life. The so-called "cricket grannies" are bound together by a growing love of a game they initially knew nothing about bu»»»
Syria Sets 2026 Budget at Around $10.5 Billion
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Friday the 2026 budget was set at around $10.5 billion, nearly triple last year's level, state TV reported. He said GDP is estimated to reach $60 billion-$65 billion this year, adding the economy could return to 2010 levels and improve services. Speaking af»»»
Dubai boosts Eid security with patrols, drones and emergency teams
Dubai’s Event Security Committee have finalised their comprehensive security arrangements for the Eid Al Fitr holiday, following a coordination meeting chaired by Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs and Chairman of the Events Security Committee»»»
Israel Strikes 'Decimated' Iran as War Roils Markets
Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Friday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated", and as Gulf nations faced a fresh set of attacks. The Iranian capital, under near daily bombardment since a joint US-Israeli attack started the war on February 28, was »»»
Decapitation strikes unlikely to topple Iran's regime
Leadership decapitation has long appealed to outside powers as a shortcut to regime collapse. Remove the figure at the top, the theory goes, and an authoritarian system will fracture under the weight of its own rivalries. That is not what has happened in Iran, at least not so far. Following the kil»»»
ADNOC, OMV advance plans for forming Borouge Group with new agreement
Dubai: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and OMV AG said they have made further progress toward forming Borouge Group International AG, signing an agreement tied to the Borouge 4 production complex that is expected to lift earnings and improve operational flexibility. Sign up for our daily business ne»»»
France, Spain, Bahrain, India condemn Iranian attack on Ras Laffan in Qatar
DOHA: His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, held phone calls today with a number of Arab and international leaders to discuss developments in the region following the attack targeting Ras Laffan Industrial City and its implications as a serious escalation threate»»»
Gulyás: “No oil, no money”
At today’s Government Info press conference, Minister Gergely Gulyás outlined a series of key government decisions and positions, focusing on energy security, Ukraine, and domestic political developments. The briefing also addressed recent diplomatic tensions, economic measures, and upcoming politi»»»
EU freezes plans to adopt Russian twentieth sanctions package due to Iran war turmoil, growing internal divisions
The EU’s plans to adopt a twentieth sanctions package against Russia have been frozen due to a disruption caused by the war in Iran, according to a diplomatic source cited by TASS on March 16. Citing diplomatic sources in »»»
EU freezes plans to adopt Russian twentieth sanctions package due to Iran war turmoil, growing internal divisions
The EU’s plans to adopt a twentieth sanctions package against Russia have been frozen due to a disruption caused by the war in Iran, according to a diplomatic source cited by TASS on March 16. Citing diplomatic sources in »»»
EU freezes plans to adopt Russian twentieth sanctions package due to Iran war turmoil, growing internal divisions
The EU’s plans to adopt a twentieth sanctions package against Russia have been frozen due to a disruption caused by the war in Iran, according to a diplomatic source cited by TASS on March 16. Citing diplomatic sources in »»»
EU freezes plans to adopt Russian twentieth sanctions package due to Iran war turmoil, growing internal divisions
The EU’s plans to adopt a twentieth sanctions package against Russia have been frozen due to a disruption caused by the war in Iran, according to a diplomatic source cited by TASS on March 16. Citing diplomatic sources in »»»
EU freezes plans to adopt Russian twentieth sanctions package due to Iran war turmoil, growing internal divisions
The EU’s plans to adopt a twentieth sanctions package against Russia have been frozen due to a disruption caused by the war in Iran, according to a diplomatic source cited by TASS on March 16. Citing diplomatic sources in »»»