Israeli police criticised after Gaza Flotilla detentions shown in video footage
Israeli police have come under criticism after footage showed activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla kneeling on the ground with their hands tied...
The European Central Bank has confirmed that Bulgaria now meets all criteria to adopt the euro, setting the stage for the country to join the eurozone on January 1, 2026, pending final approval from EU finance ministers.
Bulgaria is set to become the 21st member of the eurozone after the European Central Bank announced the country meets all necessary conditions to adopt the euro from January 1, 2026.
“This positive assessment of convergence paves the way for Bulgaria to introduce the euro,” said ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane.
The final decision will rest with EU finance ministers, expected to approve the move in early July. Following this, Bulgarian central bank officials will begin participating in ECB meetings as observers before formal accession.
While Bulgaria had previously struggled with inflation requirements, this time it just passed, with a 12-month inflation rate of 2.7% - slightly under the 2.8% reference value.
Though inflation is expected to rise to 3.6% in 2025, the European Commission forecasts a drop below 2% by 2026, aligning with eurozone standards.
Bulgaria’s euro entry will mark a major milestone in its EU integration, following years of effort and gradual economic alignment with the bloc.
Asian stocks surged on Thursday as some vessels resumed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while forecast-beating results at Nvidia and a suspended workers' strike at Samsung Electronics lifted shares of chipmakers.
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Day four of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku brings a packed agenda on sustainable cities and the global housing crisis, with sessions on green housing, smart cities, public spaces and urban rights taking place on Wednesday (20 May) at Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.
At least 21 people have been killed and thousands evacuated after torrential rain triggered flooding, landslides and transport disruption across southern and central China, with authorities warning that more heavy rainfall is expected along the Yangtze River.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 21st May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States has removed Francesca Albanese, a United Nations expert on the Palestinian territories, from its sanctions list, according to the U.S. Treasury Department website.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Beijing on Wednesday, showing close political alignment even though key economic deals were not finalised.
Britain has struck a major trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), expected to be worth around £3.7 billion ($4.96 billion) a year in the long run.
FormeFormer Cuban President Raúl Castro has been indicted in the United States, according to a senior Trump administration official. The move marks a significant escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign against Cuba’s communist leadership.
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