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»»»
‘Ending Soon’: Netanyahu Shifts Iran War Goals
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is gradually scaling back his sweeping ambition to end the war with Iran by toppling its regime, bringing his rhetoric closer to that of US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu now speaks of “achieving tremendous gains” through three objectives: curbing Iran’s»»»
'Resistance' Axis without Voice as It Loses Narrative, Psychological Warfare Architects
Since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, the confrontation in the Middle East has not been limited to missiles and drones, but has expanded to a parallel front no less dangerous: the architects of narratives and psychological warfare. Military spokesmen and media figures emerged, some masked, some officers,»»»
Simultaneous megaproject filings signal Chile mining shift - UPI.com
Analysts say these investments in planned Chilean copper mines respond to sustained growth in global demand, driven by electrification, power grids and the energy transition File Phot by Pedro Tapia/EPA SANTIAGO, Chile, March 20 (UPI) -- Mining companies BHP and U.S.-based Freeport-McMoRan submitte»»»
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»»»
Vucic: Measures for next several months prepared, gas price a bigger problem
BELGRADE - Speaking to reporters after a session of an extended National Security Council that addressed the energy situation, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday the current natural gas price of 735 euros per thousand cubic metres was an even bigger problem than the crude oil price, »»»
Vote-Buying Prices Differ Across Regions, Says Interior Minister Dechev
The exact amount of money given for vote buying is difficult to establish, as it varies in different parts of the country, commented caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev on Friday, before a meeting with the management of the Regional Directorate of the Interior Ministry in Burgas. He was accompa»»»
Egypt, Turkiye warn of catastrophic repercussions of continued violence, escalating conflict in region
Cairo: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, warned in a phone call today of the catastrophic and dangerous repercussions of the continued cycle of violence and escalating conflict in the region, which threatens regional and international peace and secur»»»
On First Day of Election Campaign, GERB Leader Visits New State Hospital under Construction in Yambol
GERB leader Boyko Borisov visited the new building of the state hospital under construction in the southeastern town of Yambol on Friday, the first day of the election campaign. "What we committed to back in 2018 is now 98 percent complete. In a few months, everything will be ready, and people will»»»
Vazrazhdane Leader Goes to Glozhene Monastery on First Day of Campaign
Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov went to the Glozhene Monastery of St. George the Victorious on the first day of the campaign on Friday. There, Father Nektariy held a prayer service in the presence of Vazrazhdane candidates from the Lovech and Pleven constituencies, as well as party members a»»»
Turkiye is mobilising all resources to achieve peace, stability in the region: President Erdogan
Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that his country is harnessing all its resources to achieve peace and stability in the region. In remarks today, Erdogan added, "We, as the Islamic world, are trying to overcome a path fraught with obstacles, traps, and conspiracies. Wherever we»»»
Arab Parliament Condemns Iranian Attacks on Oil and Industrial Facilities in Gulf States
The Arab Parliament condemned the blatant Iranian attacks that targeted oil and industrial facilities in several Gulf states, describing them as a dangerous and unprecedented escalation, and a highly perilous development that threatens the security and stability of the region and exposes global ene»»»
Children Should Not Be Involved in Political Campaigning, Child Protection Agency Says
The State Agency for Child Protection (SACP) urged adults on its website not to involve children in political campaigning, as the upcoming snap election campaign marked its official start on March 20. "Children's rights and best interest are every adult's responsibility," said SACP Chairperson Teod»»»
‘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»»»
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»»»
Lebanon: 350 Hezbollah Members Killed Since Start of New Round of War
The war between Hezbollah and Israel has seen a shift in media handling, particularly regarding announcements of casualties. After initially adopting, at the start of the 2024 war, a policy of near-daily announcements, the group later gradually reduced such statements before halting them altogether»»»
Russian Paralympians added to Ukraine’s Mirotvorets database after 2026 Italy Games
Five Russian Paralympians have been added to the ‘kill list’ run by Ukraine’s state-backed Mirotvorets website, which publishes the personal details of individuals it labels as ‘enemies’ of the state. The athletes, placed on the list on Thursday, include alpine skier Aleksey Bugaev, and cross-count»»»
350 Hezbollah Members Killed Since Start of New Round of War
The war between Hezbollah and Israel has seen a shift in media handling, particularly regarding announcements of casualties. After initially adopting, at the start of the 2024 war, a policy of near-daily announcements, the group later gradually reduced such statements before halting them altogether»»»
New BTS album drops ahead of comeback mega-gig
Seoul: K-pop megastars BTS released a new album Friday, as buzz built ahead of their open-air comeback concert in Seoul that will go ahead despite leader RM being advised to rest his injured ankle. The Saturday gig, expected to draw around 260,000 people, will be BTS's first after a hiatus of almos»»»
'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»»»
Myara Poll: Six Parties Would Enter Parliament If Elections Were Held in Mid-March
If elections were held in mid-March, six political formations would enter Parliament, according to a survey by the Myara sociological agency released on Friday. The survey was conducted face-to-face using tablets between March 7 and 16, 2026 among 809 adult Bulgarian citizens. The maximum standard »»»
UN warns of UNRWA's collapse amid severe funding crisis, potential repercussions in Gaza
New York: Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini warned that the agency's continued operation is in doubt. Lazzarini's warning came in a letter published today, as the agency has been facing a severe funding crisis for s»»»
Venezuela interim president replaces top military commanders in sweeping reforms
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez said on Thursday she had replaced all senior military commanders, expanding sweeping reforms after the US ousted Nicolas Maduro. The move follows the dismissal of a long-serving defence minister and the appointment of a former intelligence chief, as Car»»»
No Imminent Threat? US Senator Presses Intelligence Chief Over Contradictions in Iran War Narrative
US Senator Jon Ossoff confronted Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard over contradictions between intelligence assessments and White House claims that Iran posed an “imminent nuclear threat,” casting doubt on the justification for military action against the Islamic Republic. During a te»»»
'Volatile: Oil market much more resilient than in 1970s' as conflict speculation drives price swings
Peter O'Brien is pleased to welcome Dan Marks, Research Fellow in energy security at the Royal United Services Institute. He views the global oil system as significantly more resilient than in past crises, in stark contrast to the 1970's. The current oil price movements being driven »»»
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»»»
95% drop in Hormuz traffic as war disrupts oil route
The Strait of Hormuz — a narrow but critical artery for global energy supplies — is facing near paralysis as the Middle East conflict intensifies, disrupting shipping, driving up costs and raising fears of prolonged supply shocks. The crisis erupted after the United States and Israel launched strik»»»
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 Iotova: Disputes over Gaza Peace Board Do Not Contribute to Bulgaria’s Image
The strong-worded exchange in relation to Bulgaria’s participation in the Gaza Peace Board do not contribute in any way to the country’s international image and authority, President Iliana Iotova said in Pernik on Friday. “I have always been against taking over domestic political disputes to the in»»»
India news: Stocks open higher after massive sell-off
BusinessIndiaIndia news: Stocks open higher after massive sell-offMahima Kapoor with ANI, AFP, AP, dpa, ReutersIndian investors are on edge as the US-Israel war in Iran disrupts the global energy supply and sends oil prices soaring. Meanwhile, the LPG shortage continues at home. DW has more. https:»»»
New Survey Puts “Progressive Bulgaria” First, Six Parties Clear Threshold
A new sociological snapshot suggests that six political formations would secure representation in the 52nd National Assembly if elections had taken place in mid-March, with a new political project linked to Rumen Radev ("Progressive Bulgaria") emerging as the leading force. According to data from t»»»
Vucic: We have prepared measures for next several months, gas price an even bigger problem
BELGRADE - Speaking to reporters after a session of an extended National Security Council that addressed the energy situation, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday the current natural gas price of 735 euros per thousand cubic metres was an even bigger problem than the crude oil price, »»»
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»»»
Israel says struck Syrian army camps after Druze 'attacked'
Israel's military said on Friday it had struck Syrian army camps in response to what it called attacks against the Druze community in the southern Sweida province. The latest flare-up between the neighboring countries comes as war roils the Middle East after the United States and Israel attacked Ir»»»
Bulgaria: Peevski Blasts Caretaker Government over Board of Peace Participation
Delyan Peevski, chairman of the “DPS-New Beginning” party, issued a sharp statement criticizing Bulgaria’s caretaker government and Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov over the country’s position on the Board of Peace led by US President Donald Trump. Gyurov had previously described Bulgaria’s involvement»»»
Zelensky Using Terrorism to Undermine Ukraine Negotiation Progress – Russian MFA
Between March 17 and 19, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked infrastructure related to the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines, but the attacks were repelled, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "These reckless actions by Kiev are in line with the terrorist attacks it has au»»»
'War has aged us': Lebanon's kids aren't alright
Forced by yet another war in Lebanon to flee his home for the second time in just two years, and mourning lost relatives and friends, Hassan Kiki said he feels much older than 16. "War has aged us... We have lived through what no one else has," the tall teen from south Lebanon told AFP in Beirut. "»»»
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»»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Ex-president Radev declares war on oligarchs in Bulgaria election bid
Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev launched his party’s election programme on March 19, vowing to dismantle entrenched oligarchic influence and drive faster economic growth ahead of April’s snap parliamentary vote. Pr»»»