Bulgaria faces protests over controversial LGBT bill

Demonstrations have occurred and continue to occur in several major cities across Bulgaria. Many NGOs have formed a coalition to pressure the Bulgarian president to veto a controversial bill that bans the “promotion” of “non-traditional” sexual orientations in schools.

Germany advances probe into Nord Stream pipeline sabotage

Germany is taking a step toward clarifying the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which occurred nearly two years ago.

Romania defuses a stray mine on the Black Sea shore

Romanian Navy carried out on Tuesday a controlled explosion of a mine that had drifted to its Black Sea shore, announced the Ministry of National Defense in Bucharest. We remind that Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have a joint task force to defuse stray mines, which started floating in the Black Sea after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Wildfires in Greece. Moldovan firefighters deployed in Greece rescued three people

Three people were rescued by the Moldovan firefighters deployed in Greece, who successfully intervened to extinguish a devastating fire in Varnavas town, Attica. The fire, which broke out on August 11, affected dry vegetation and forests, spreading rapidly to residential areas due to high temperatures and low humidity.

State of emergency in the Russian Kursk region, as Ukraine incursion continues

Russian authorities have declared a state of emergency in the Kursk region amid the border attack by Ukrainian troops in the biggest incursion into Russian territory since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to Russian officials, at least 5 civilians have been killed and 31 injured. President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of launching a major provocation and indiscriminately bombing civilian targets.

Attack in Kursk region: At least five people died and more than 20 were injured

Fighting continues in the Kursk region, in southwestern Russia, the BBC reports. At least five people were killed and more than 20 were injured, Russian media reported.

Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7 attack, is the new leader of Hamas

Hamas has named Yahya Sinwar as the new head of its political bureau, elevating the hardline militant to the group’s leadership after the assassination in Tehran of its previous political leader. Sinwar’s appointment was announced in a brief statement by Hamas on Tuesday that was aired on pro-Hamas Iranian state media channels, reports The Guardian.

Drone attack in northern Israel: At least six people were hospitalized

Hezbollah attacked with drones in northern Israel and injured six people, reports The Times of Israel.

Tensions in the Middle East: Missile attack on a US base in Iraq

At least five US personnel were wounded in an attack on a military base in Iraq, US officials told Reuters, as the Middle East braced for possible further attacks by Iran and its allies following the killing last week of some top members of the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, informs Reuters.

Iran warns Israel of its attack plans

Iran has issued a warning about its intention to attack Israel. Such a strike is intended to be a response to the removal of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz says, RBC-Ukraine reports. "Iran has informed us that it intends to attack Israel," says the official.

Tarom suspends flights to Tel Aviv, Amman and Beirut

The Romanian national company Tarom has announced that it is suspending flights to Tel Aviv (Israel), Amman (Jordan) and Beirut (Lebanon) starting August 6 for security reasons. Flights could be resumed on August 13, depending on developments in the region, writes Romania-Insider.com.

Bulgaria is heading for new early elections, after yet another failure to form a majority

Bulgaria is heading to the seventh round of legislative elections in the last three years, after the third party tasked by President Rumen Radev to form a governing coalition returned the mandate on Monday, failing to get the necessary support for a majority, Reuters and EFE agencies report.