Bulgaria
Iliana Iotova is receiving 52. 5% compared with 43.4% for the pro-Western Andrey Gyurov. The final results will be announced by the election commission.
Nearly 6. 6 million voters are electing Bulgaria’s president and vice president. Iliana Iotova and Andrey Gyurov led in the first round.
The container ship Contship Jet, attacked by three maritime drones, sank off Bulgaria. The four Ukrainians were unharmed and are in Varna.
At least 36 countries will take part in Eurovision 2027 in Burgas, including Ukraine. Canada will make its debut, while North Macedonia will return.
In 30 provinces across Turkey, 85 members of the "Daltons," suspected of setting fire to Starlink facilities in Europe, were detained. Another 15 suspects are being sought.
Ankara called on Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. Turkey expects a response to the plan for the safe export of grain.
In the Black Sea near Bulgaria, drones struck the CONTSHIP JET. All 18 crew members were rescued; there were no casualties.
At the Novae fortress, archaeologists discovered a building covering more than 418 m² with private baths, statues, and precious artifacts. Scientists assume that the legion’s commander lived there.
Incumbent President Iliana Iotova received 34. 6% of the vote, while Andrey Gyurov received 32%. The second round of the election is likely to take place on November 1.
The exit poll gave Yotova 35. 2% and Gyurov 32.4%. The second round of Bulgaria’s election will take place on November 1 amid a record-low turnout.
As of 4:00 p. m., 16.04% of Bulgarians had voted, compared with 24.12% in 2021. The main contest is between pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian candidates.
Since the beginning of 2026, more than 570 vessels have been hit in the Black Sea and more than 40 sailors have been killed. NATO and the EU are strengthening shipping security.
The Khoryv vessel sank after a drone strike near Constanța. One sailor was killed, three are missing, and nine were rescued.
Over the course of two weeks, at least seven vessels were attacked near Romania and Bulgaria, with around 30 sailors killed or missing. Bucharest will strengthen surveillance and protection.
Russia is preparing a Zoom teleconference involving representatives of 80 countries to divert attention from the crimes in Oleshky.
Since the beginning of October, Russian drones have attacked seven vessels near Bulgaria and Romania. More than 20 sailors have been killed, and the threat of escalation has increased.
Bulgaria is maintaining its contributions to the European Peace Facility but will direct them only toward non-lethal aid for Ukraine. Sofia supports negotiations.
MOL has agreed to purchase Russia’s stake in Serbia’s NIS. The deal is awaiting approval from antitrust authorities, while Serbia’s stake\r\nwill increase to 35%.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev rejected the country's participation in a new loan for Ukraine. He linked the protests in Europe to the consequences of the war.
The European Parliament discussed protecting shipping after six attacks by allegedly Russian drones in ten days. The EU will strengthen monitoring and pressure.
The Alliance will deploy aircraft, radars and drones to the Black Sea following a series of attacks on vessels. At least 23 sailors are missing or have died.
The EU is urgently seeking €70 billion to support Ukraine in 2027 amid an intensifying Russian offensive. The options include joint borrowing or frozen Russian assets.
An Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna landed in Sofia following a report of explosives. No threat was found after an inspection.
Russia is intensifying arson attacks, sabotage, and drone incursions into the airspace of NATO countries. The goal is to disrupt aid to Ukraine and test the Alliance.
Russian attacks and logistics problems have reduced grain exports from Ukraine. Surpluses could lower farmers’ incomes and the 2027 harvest.
Russia is increasingly attacking Ukrainian grain corridors in the Black Sea. Romania and Bulgaria are asking NATO to strengthen protection against drones.
The U. S. Treasury Department allowed transactions involving Lukoil’s assets abroad until April 24, 2027. Sanctions against the company remain in effect.
A fire broke out on the San Marino-flagged vessel Wide Trader near Sulina. Four people have been rescued, while the search for eight others is still underway.
Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey are asking NATO to protect shipping after attacks on five vessels. Ninety-five percent of Ukraine’s grain exports are at risk.
Near Sofia, unidentified individuals set fire to 11 of the 17 Starlink antennas. The Bulgarian authorities said that an intensive investigation was under way and that security had been tightened.