Bulgaria: Pope urges ‘welcome refugees’
09 May 2019
Bulgaria’s prime minister welcomed Pope Francis when he visited Bulgaria on 5 May, saying it reflects his interest in the peaceful economic development of the Balkans. Francis’ tour included a visit to a refugee camp in…
Russia: internet censorship
02 May 2019
Reporters Without Borders and nine international human rights NGOs called on Vladimir Putin not to sign the 'sovereign internet' bill into law because it would take Russia across a major threshold in online censorship. The law…
Spain: far-right politics
02 May 2019
The Socialists won the recent Spanish election, but far-right party Vox will enter parliament for the first time. Vox opposes multiculturalism, migration, and feminism. Italy's deputy PM from the right-wing League party congratulated ‘our friends in…
Ukraine election result: Russia’s reaction
25 Apr 2019
Russia's prime minister says there is a chance for improved relations with Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a comedian with no political experience, was elected president in a landslide victory. Russian state media presented the elections as…
Russia: Kim’s visit
25 Apr 2019
President Vladimir Putin was ‘pleased’ with the outcome of his 25 April meeting in Vladivostok with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying he would discuss the results with his Chinese counterparts when he travels to Beijing…
France: damaged but still standing
19 Apr 2019
otre Dame suffered desecration during the 1789 French Revolution and was restored by 1804, when it was the venue for Napoleon’s coronation as emperor of France. A restoration project between 1844 and 1864 added the cathedral's…