Political situation in Bulgaria
Expert on the election: The question is whether pro-European signals hold up
The fact that the pro-Russian ex-president Rumen Radev gets his own majority in the parliamentary elections could mean a hard blow to Ukraine, several news agencies report.
The election result certainly means that he does not need support from the pro-Russian far right to govern, but he is more Eurosceptic than previous winners and is critical of the country's arms support for Ukraine.
- The first signals are that he will pursue a pro-European policy and not block the EU. The question is whether those signals are actually followed through, analyst Daniel Smilov tells the AFP news agency.
He predicts pressure for a line critical of the EU from both the far-right opposition and Radev's own left-leaning party.
Elections in Slovenia
Jansa expected to get chance to form government in Slovenia
Right-wing leader Janez Jansa is expected to try to form a government in Slovenia.
The liberal party Golobs won the election with a narrow majority. Party leader Robert Golob declared victory on March 22, but has so far been unable to form a government.
This gives the Trump-friendly Jansa the opportunity, which will be the fourth time. On Monday, Jansa said he is in no hurry to form a government and has so far rejected all coalition talks publicly.
Golob says the reason for the failed government formation is that he could not find a party to cooperate with.
“We look forward to our work in opposition,” Golob said according to AFP.
US-Cuba relations
Cuba and the US have held their first meeting in ten years
The US and Cuba have held a meeting, the Cuban Foreign Ministry told the state-run newspaper Granma, according to AFP. It is the first time a US government plane has landed in Cuba since Barack Obama visited the country ten years ago.
“I can confirm that a meeting between Cuban and US delegations was recently held here in Cuba,” said Alejandro Garcia, who is responsible for US affairs.
On Friday, Axios reported, citing sources, that the Americans had held several meetings with, among others, Raúl Guillermo Rodriguez Castro – the grandson of former President Raúl Castro.
According to the sources, the US pressured the Cuban delegation to implement reforms, but this is denied by the Cuban Foreign Ministry.
Cuba’s long-standing economic crisis has worsened significantly since January, when Trump blocked the supply of Venezuelan oil to the country.
Canada-US relations
Canadian leader: Our ties to the US are a weakness
Canada must get rid of its strong economic ties to the US, says Prime Minister Mark Carney in a video speech according to Politico.
– Many of our former strengths, which were built on our close ties to the US, have become weaknesses. Weaknesses that we must correct.
Canada must now attract new investors and sign trade agreements with other countries, is Carney's message.
The prime minister has previously angered Donald Trump by talking about the economic blackmail of smaller countries by major powers.
– Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that the next time you speak, Mark, Trump said in January.
Middle East Crisis Economic Impact
Bangladesh gig workers stuck in queues amid fuel crisis
Long queues of motorbikes are winding their way to Dhaka's gas stations. Many of those waiting are gig workers who are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet during the fuel crisis, writes Rest of World.
“It's not just less income, it's lost time and energy,” says driver Rubel Malita.
He queued for five hours to fill up with fuel worth the equivalent of 37 Swedish kronor. The fuel shortage in Bangladesh has worsened since the war in Iran broke out in March, which has delayed oil deliveries to the country.
A driver in Dhaka says his income has almost halved in the past month. Despite a sharp drop in the number of trips, ride-sharing companies are continuing to charge the same commissions, according to the drivers.
