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Serhii Kuznietsov, a Ukrainian military veteran, was detained in Italy on a European arrest warrant linked to the 2022 Baltic Sea pipeline sabotage. The Italian court rejected his claim of immunity, and he plans to appeal. The case involves complex legal and geopolitical tensions surrounding the attack.
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European football qualifiers see key wins for England, Norway, and Portugal, with Italy and Spain also progressing. Pro-Palestinian protests occurred around Italy's match, amid security concerns. Cristiano Ronaldo set a scoring record, and Norway's Haaland reached 50 goals for his country. The story highlights qualification progress and related protests.
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Romania will build a €535 million arms factory in Brasov, partnering with Rheinmetall, to produce ammunition and shells. The project aims to boost Romania's role in European and NATO defense, creating 700 jobs and enhancing regional security amid ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe.
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Serbia's government has given Russian-owned NIS 50 days to sell its stake or face nationalization, as US sanctions threaten oil supplies. Bulgaria's largest refinery also faces shutdown risks due to sanctions on Russian companies, prompting government intervention and negotiations with potential buyers. The situation highlights regional energy security concerns.
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Tanzania's government canceled Independence Day celebrations amid ongoing protests over the October election, which opposition and rights groups say led to hundreds of deaths. Authorities have detained activists and supporters, imposed internet blackouts, and warned against planned protests, raising concerns over human rights and political repression.
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As of December 16, 2025, the EU remains deadlocked over a €90 billion 'reparations loan' to fund Ukraine's 2026-27 budget using frozen Russian assets, mostly held in Belgium's Euroclear. Belgium opposes the plan, fearing legal and financial risks, demanding guarantees from other EU states. The European Commission insists the plan is vital for Ukraine's defense and peace leverage, while Russia condemns it as theft and threatens retaliation.
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A Gambian-flagged tanker, Kairos, caught fire after an alleged attack with Ukrainian drones near Turkey. The vessel, sanctioned earlier this year, was drifting off Bulgaria after the fire. The incident highlights ongoing tensions over Russian oil exports and maritime security in the Black Sea.
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Igor Grechushkin, linked to the 2020 Beirut port explosion, was detained in Bulgaria but the court rejected Lebanon's extradition request over concerns about the death penalty. The case highlights ongoing Lebanese investigations and international legal disputes.
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Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned ahead of a no-confidence vote amid widespread protests over corruption and economic mismanagement. The protests, driven by public anger over government policies and corruption, have continued despite the government’s withdrawal of a controversial budget. Bulgaria is set to join the eurozone on January 1, 2026.