Bulgaria’s government resigns after mass anti-corruption protests

Bulgaria‘s government resigned on Thursday as mass protests gripped the country just weeks before it is due to join the eurozone.

The resignation of the minority coalition, led by the centre-right Gerb party, was announced minutes before parliament was scheduled to vote on a no-confidence motion tabled by the opposition over economic mismanagement and supported by growing public anger with widespread corruption.

“Ahead of today’s vote of no confidence, the government is resigning,” Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told reporters in parliament.

The demonstrations on Wednesday came after last week’s protests that were sparked by the government’s budget plans for higher taxes, increased social security contributions and spending increases. The government later withdrew the controversial 2026 budget plan.

The protesters’ demands had expanded to include calls for the centre-right government to step down.

“The decisions of the National Assembly are meaningful when they reflect the will of the people,” Mr Zhelyazkov said, referring to the anti-government protests. “We want to be where society expects us to be.”

Students from Sofia‘s universities had joined the protests, which organisers said outnumbered last week’s rallies that drew more than 50,000 people. Media estimates based on drone visuals put the number of protesters at over 100,000.

At the core of the protesters’ frustrations is the role of Bulgarian politician and oligarch Delyan Peevski, who has been sanctioned by both the United States and the United Kingdom, and whose MRF New Beginning party backs the government.

Mr Peevski has been accused by opponents of helping shaping government policy in line with oligarchic interests.

“We have no doubt that the government will receive support in the upcoming vote of no confidence. Regardless, the decisions of the National Assembly are important when they reflect the will of the sovereign,” the prime minister said.

President Rumen Radev, who earlier this week urged the government to quit, echoed that sentiment on Thursday: “Between the voice of the people and the fear of the mafia – listen to the public squares!” he wrote in a message to lawmakers on Facebook.

Under Bulgaria’s constitution, Radev will now ask parties in parliament to try to form a new government. If they fail – as appears likely – he will appoint an interim administration to run the country until new elections can be held.

Zhelyazkov’s cabinet will remain in office until a successor is elected.

The Balkan country of 6.4 million people is due to make the switch from its national currency, the lev, to the euro on January 1, to become the eurozone’s 21st member.

Additional reporting by Reuters.

Fifa ‘betrayal’ as England fans face £5,000 bill for World Cup tickets

England fans have been warned they could expect to pay more than £5,000 on match tickets alone if they want to follow their country at next summer’s World Cup and watch Thomas Tuchel’s team try and battle their way to the final.

The Independent understands some national associations have reacted in horror after they were informed that PMA (Participating Member Associations) tickets are up to five times more expensive than the last World Cup in Qatar, while Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the main European fan group, has accused Fifa of “betrayal” and called for an “immediate halt” to ticket sales.

Some national associations are said to be “furious”, and England’s FA is set to notify the England Supporters Travel Club that eligible members – those who have accrued enough loyalty points to meet their criteria – could expect to pay at least £198 for a “value tier” seat at their opening game of the tournament against Croatia in Dallas.

The Croatian football federation has published details of the PMA tickets for the tournament, with a “standard tier” seat at the England game £372 and the “premium tier” seat at £520. The prices then increase throughout the tournament and the cheapest PMA ticket for the World Cup final on July 19 is listed at £3,120 each.

This does not account for travel to the United States and the cost of hotels, with prices skyrocketing since the confirmation of the World Cup match schedule following last Friday’s tournament draw.

Tickets for PMAs are set at a fixed rate and not subject to “variable pricing” – while all fans can enter a random selection draw, opening on Thursday 11 December, with Fifa still yet to confirm prices for those tickets.

Tickets that hit the market on general sale will be subject to dynamic pricing, making attending in-demand games and following the most popular teams more expensive, while Fifa will also operate its own resale market that allows sellers to charge many times above face value for games in the United States and Canada, but not Mexico, and also take 30 per cent of the sell-on price.

“This is a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup, ignoring the contribution of supporters to the spectacle it is,” FSE said in a statement.

“For the first time in World Cup history, no consistent price will be offered across all group stage games. Instead, Fifa is introducing a variable pricing policy dependent on vague criteria such as the perceived attractiveness of the fixture. Fans of different national teams will therefore have to pay different prices for the same category at the same stage of the tournament, without any transparency on the pricing structure enforced by Fifa.

“We call on Fifa to immediately halt PMA ticket sales, engage in a consultation with all impacted parties, and review ticket prices and category distribution until a solution that respects the tradition, universality, and cultural significance of the World Cup is found.”

A Fifa statement on ticket prices previously said: “The pricing model adopted for Fifa World Cup 26 reflects the existing market practice for major entertainment and sporting events within our hosts on a daily basis, soccer included.

“This is also a reflection of the treatment of the secondary market for tickets, which has a distinct legal treatment than in many other parts of the world. We are focused on ensuring fair access to our game for existing but also prospective fans.

“Stadium category maps do not reflect the number of tickets available in a given category but rather present default seating locations. Fifa resale fees are aligned with North American industry trends across various sports and entertainment sectors.”

The FA and Fifa have been approached for comment

Time unveils its person of the year and it’s the driving force looking to replace humans

Time magazine has named its 2025 “Person of the Year” as the “Architects of AI.”

“2025 was the year when artificial intelligence’s full potential roared into view, and when it became clear that there will be no turning back,” Time wrote in its announcement. “For delivering the age of thinking machines, for wowing and worrying humanity, for transforming the present and transcending the possible, the Architects of AI are Time’s 2025 Person of the Year.”

Time has named a “Person of the Year” since 1927 based on who its editors say shaped headlines the most over the past 12 months.

Though the picks are not often without controversy. In 1938, Adolf Hitler was named the magazine Person of the Year. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini was named to the cover in 1979.

The magazine said it deliberately selected people this year, or the “individuals who imagined, designed, and built AI,” rather than the technology itself.

“We’ve named not just individuals but also groups, more women than our founders could have imagined (though still not enough), and, on rare occasions, a concept: the endangered earth, in 1988, or the personal computer, in 1982,” Sam Jacobs, Time’s editor-in-chief, wrote while explaining the choice. “The drama surrounding the selection of the PC over Apple’s Steve Jobs later became the stuff of books and a movie.”

One of the cover images replicates the iconic “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photograph from the 1930s, showing eight tech leaders sitting across the beam.

A second cover image shared by Time shows scaffolding surrounding giant letters reading “AI.”

The cover story notes 2025 made way for fierce debate about “how to wield AI responsibly,” before tech giants “gave way to a sprint to deploy it as fast as possible.”

“Every industry needs it, every company uses it, and every nation needs to build it,” Jensen Huang, the president and CEO of Nvidia, told Time.

AI had been a top contender for the coveted honor, according to prediction markets. Tech CEOs Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Sam Altman of OpenAI were also considered popular picks, as well as President Donald Trump, Pope Leo XIV and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Trump was named the 2024 person of the year after winning his second term in the White House.

Hundreds of artefacts stolen in raid on Bristol Museum collection

More than 600 items of “cultural significance” have been stolen from Bristol Museum’s collection of artefacts dating back to the 19th century, police have said.

Avon and Somerset Police said four men entered the building on 25 September between 1am and 2am to steal the high-value items.

The force, which released CCTV images of four people officers want to speak to, said more than 600 artefacts of “various descriptions” were taken by the offenders.

Officer in the case, DC Dan Burgan, said: “The theft of many items which carry a significant cultural value is a significant loss for the city.

“These items, many of which were donations, form part of a collection that provides insight into a multi-layered part of British history, and we are hoping that members of the public can help us to bring those responsible to justice.

“So far, our enquiries have included significant CCTV enquiries as well as forensic investigations and speaking liaising with the victims.

“If you recognise the men pictured or have seen any of the possible items being sold online, please call us on 101 and quote reference 5225269603.”

The British Empire and Commonwealth Collection contains thousands of historic objects, photographs and films which Bristol Museum say document “the links between Britain and countries in the British empire from the late 19th century to recent times”.

Bristol City Council released images of an elephant carved in ivory, an ivory statue of the Buddha, a ship lantern and an Emancipation token.

Philip Walker, head of culture and creative industries at the council, said: “We’re deeply saddened by the theft of these artefacts which make up the extensive British Empire and Commonwealth Collection.

“These artefacts were part of a collection that documents the links between Britain and countries formerly part of the British Empire from the late 18th century to the late 20th century.

“The collection is of cultural significance to many countries and provides an invaluable record and insight into the lives of those involved in and affected by the British Empire.

“We’re grateful for the support of Avon and Somerset Police and continue to work closely with officers to investigate this crime and seek to apprehend the offenders and recover these artefacts.

“Security at the facility has been tightened and members of our museum community have been informed.”

The four men pictured are described as white.

One was of medium to stocky build, wearing a white cap, black jacket, light-coloured trousers and black trainers.

The second man was of slim build, wearing a grey hooded jacket, black trousers and black trainers.

The third male wore a green cap, black jacket, light-coloured shorts and white trainers and appeared to walk with a slight limp in his right leg.

Finally, the fourth man was of large build, wearing a two-toned orange and navy/black puffed jacket, black trousers, and black and white trainers.

Bonnie Blue endorses Nigel Farage as she claims there are ‘too many people in the UK’

Bonnie Blue has declared her support for Reform UK as the controversial adult content creator faces 15 years in prison in Bali.

The 26-year-old, whose real name is Tia Billinger, has said she “stands with Nigel Farage” over what she calls his “sensible positions” on immigration and inheritance tax.

Though admitting she is “not knowledgeable about politics”, she said the “UK is very messed up”.

“The tax system is terrible and it’s smart to leave if you have money. There are too many people here, we are too accommodating, and it is causing problems,” she wrote in The Spectator.

“I worked for the NHS, and most people have no idea where the money goes.”

She added: “You shouldn’t have to pay any inheritance tax, as you’ve already been taxed on that money. When my grandad died, it was particularly sad because he was too young for my grandma to receive his pension. That’s disgusting. Reform has sensible positions on immigration and inheritance tax, so I stand with Nigel Farage.”

Ms Billinger is known for controversial stunts, and was banned from OnlyFans earlier this year after making headlines for reportedly having sex with 1,057 men in just 12 hours.

She was arrested in Bali on suspicion of breaking local morality laws last Thursday, and could face up to 15 years in jail or a £270,000 fine over alleged pornography offences.

Indonesia has strict laws banning the production, distribution and public display of pornographic material, with harsher penalties for offences involving minors.

The police raid on a rental studio followed public complaints that she had hired a bus to travel around the resort island to film explicit material during “schoolies week”, an Australian post-high-school celebration.

Ms Billinger was released, but her passport remained seized, and she was transferred to immigration authorities for further interrogation.

In addition to explaining her political views, Ms Billinger gave an insight into her thoughts on Christmas and the royal family to The Spectator.

She wrote: “I watched The Crown until Kate and William appeared. They seem fine. I like Harry. He chose to step away and for that I give him a lot of credit. Everyone is opinionated about Meghan, but it’s nice that they have been able to distance themselves.”

From bean tech to bespoke brews, discover the ultimate coffee machine

There aren’t many Christmas gifts that are guaranteed to be used every day, unless you opt for a toothbrush. Which to be honest, isn’t the most exciting present to rip open on Christmas morning. Unlike a brand new, stylish and sleek coffee machine.

De’Longhi’s stellar Rivelia system will steal the show in any kitchen it calls home. Its bean-to-cup system gives you at-home coffee that’s as delicious as the one made by your favourite barista, and also offers a more sustainable option, that feels as good as it tastes. So whether you’re looking for your first machine, or want to upgrade your existing coffee set-up, here’s why this market-leading crema-de-la-crop needs to be top of your 2025 Christmas list…

Bean-to-cup machines are the most sustainable way to enjoy coffee, with no single-use coffee pods, minimal packaging and biodegradable grounds that you can throw straight into your compost bin. Bean-to-cup also serves up the fullest flavour, whatever coffee you’re in the mood for. And if that preference tends to change, the Rivelia’s interchangeable bean hoppers mean you can flip between your I-need-to-wake-up-in-the-next-two-minutes espresso and leisurely afternoon decaf with ease.

The Rivelia comes equipped with Bean Adapt technology as well as a how-to guide, to make it super simple to get the best out of your beans. The guide helps you find the right grind, extraction temperature and aroma intensity for the specific blend and roast, all of which means that you get to enjoy the most perfect, personally crafted coffee. You can even name each bag of beans entered for future caffeine (or non-caffeine) hits.

With four user profiles, the Rivelia can get to know everyone in your household and their coffee preferences, even better than Dan from the local coffee shop. And he knows them well. Nothing is set in stone though: you can always tweak your order when needed. Is it the kind of day that demands an extra shot? Throw one in. Going large and savouring a long coffee in the garden this morning? Not a problem, the Rivelia lets you customise away.

Did you get the nativity tickets? Where are the Christmas lights? Have you pre-ordered the turkey? If your pre-Christmas to-do list is already sixteen pages long and you can’t cope with another question, the De’Longhi Rivelia can take one decision off your plate. Pre-programmed choices include a classic flat white, on-trend cortado, and trusty Americano among many others (16 in total). Hot water and milk-only options are available and when the sun finally comes out again, the Rivelia can do its magic on iced coffee choices too. Simply hit the button, and breathe.

The Rivelia’s LatteCrema carafe creates hot milk and milk foam to give the sort of silky-smooth finish you normally associate with a ten minute queue and a six quid bill. Now, you can get the same barista-style experience at home, whilst lolling in your kitchen in your slippers. Want an alternative milk option? Not a problem; the Rivelia is compatible with oat, soy and coconut milk too.

How clever is this? If you tend to start your day with a flat white but crave the pep of an espresso by mid-morning, your Rivelia will learn that. Soon it will know your personal preferences and update its screen to show the drink that you’re likely to fancy, at the time that you fancy it. It’s almost as if you have your own barista hanging out in your kitchen (without the awkwardness when you turn up bleary-eyed in your dressing gown).

It’s not just flavour and sustainability it excels at: the Rivelia’s sleek look means that it’s a design win for any stylish home too. And it’s easy to keep it looking and working at its best. The De’Longhi Rivelia rinses automatically and is easy to wash by hand (bonus: some parts will go in the dishwasher), with the brewing unit simple to remove and rinse too. All you need to do is descale it regularly (frequency depends on water hardness in your area), plus you can register your machine for a two-year guarantee, for even more peace of mind.

To find out more about the Rivelia and buy your machine, visit Delonghi

Wes Streeting ‘frustrated’ by ‘technocratic’ Labour leadership

Wes Streeting has voiced his frustration with the Labour leadership’s “practical, technocratic approach” just weeks after an extraordinary row erupted over accusations he was plotting to replace Sir Keir Starmer.

The health secretary also warned that the government risked presenting itself as just the “maintenance department for the country” and was failing to communicate its achievements.

With Labour trailing Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the polls, he warned the danger for his party was that “if someone else comes along and says, ‘Well, I’ve got a maintenance company too, and mine’s cheaper,’ why wouldn’t people go, ‘OK, well, we’ll give that … team a try’?”

Mr Streeting is seen as a frontrunner, alongside the home secretary Shabana Mahmood, amid widespread speculation that Sir Keir could be forced to step down as prime minister.

Mr Streeting was forced to deny speculation that he was plotting to oust the prime minister after a series of briefings against him last month.

In an interview with The New Statesman, he said of the row: “It sort of came from the blue.

“I couldn’t understand what on earth they were thinking. Putting to one side the attempted drive-by on me, I could not understand the political strategy of people who purport to be the prime minister’s allies going out and saying he’s fighting for his job.

“The problem with that kind of practical, technocratic approach is that if someone else comes along and says, ‘Well, I’ve got a maintenance company too, and mine’s cheaper,’ why wouldn’t people go, ‘OK, well, we’ll give that maintenance team a try’?”

The cabinet minister said he is “pretty frustrated” by the party’s predicament.

“I feel like on one hand, since we’ve come into government, we’ve actually done a huge amount that we said we’d do… But that’s not reflected in the polls, and I don’t think it’s even reflected in our storytelling. I think we sell ourselves short.”

Reflecting on Labour’s path to electoral success, Mr Streeting said it must communicate its values “so that people understand the choice that they face at the next general election”.

Framing the next election as a battle between Labour and Reform UK, Mr Streeting said: “We’re certainly not going to win by out-reforming Reform …

“We can take them on and beat them with values-driven Labour arguments. We can reunite the centre and the left, and I think that is the historic responsibility that we have.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, Tony Blair effectively endorsed Ms Mahmood as a future Labour leader, praising her as “brilliant” and “impressive” in a joint public appearance.

The former Labour prime minister hosted a Christmas event for the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) alongside Ms Mahmood, which she used to deliver a passionate personal and political manifesto.

Sir Tony said he was “thrilled” to get the chance to interview her as he praised her “radical” style and the “political philosophy” behind her crackdown on immigration, which he compared to his own approach in power.

Downing Street insisted the government is “united”, despite Mr Streeting’s comments.

A No 10 spokesman refused to be drawn on suggestions the cabinet minister was criticising the PM.

He told reporters: “I think what the health secretary is setting out is that the public voted for change.

“That’s what they want to see delivered, and again, that is exactly what the Government is focused on doing.”

He added: “The government is united behind a manifesto of change.”

‘Madness not to’: Why readers back a return to EU customs union

Independent readers say it’s no surprise that the debate over rejoining the EU’s customs union has erupted – with many arguing that Brexit’s economic fallout has made renewed alignment not just desirable but necessary.

Their comments came after a dramatic and highly unusual Commons vote on a Liberal Democrat motion calling for negotiations on a bespoke UK–EU customs union.

The division ended in a rare 100–100 tie – the first since 2019 – forcing deputy speaker Caroline Noakes to use her casting vote. In line with parliamentary convention, she voted “aye” to allow further debate, meaning MPs will now examine the proposal again at a second reading on 16 January.

Thirteen Labour backbenchers backed the Lib Dem plan, while only three voted against it.

Many readers said rejoining the customs union represents the most realistic first step in repairing the UK’s strained relationship with Europe.

Some blamed Keir Starmer for ruling it out entirely, calling this a missed opportunity to reduce trade friction, restore efficiency and revive an economy still feeling the shock of Brexit. Others stressed the practical advantages: eliminating internal tariffs, easing border checks and improving market access.

But several warned that a customs union alone is no simple fix – and that Britain would need to accept regulatory alignment and its diminished post-Brexit leverage before meaningful progress can be made.

If you want to know more about how the customs union works read more here.

Here’s what you had to say:

With the huge majority he won in 2024, if Starmer had shown some vision and courage, we would now be back in the single market and the customs union.

Our economy, security, and influence around the planet, which had been seriously damaged by Brexit, would have almost recovered by now. Gradually, we could have regained the benefits we had as part of the bloc – schemes like Copernicus, Euratom, Erasmus, Frontex, Europol, etc.

The only party which campaigned to rejoin the EU were the Lib Dems. I could not vote for them as it would have been a wasted vote due to our undemocratic first past the post electoral system. I did the best I could. I voted Labour to get rid of my local Tory MP. Many people did the same. At least we got rid of a lot of corrupt and inept Tory MPs.

HASTINGSPIER

I am a Reform voter but not, nor ever have been, a Brexiteer. It was obvious to all that the best interests of our country were served by being in the EU, and it was maddening that so many failed to see this. Yes, the EU was a mess and is still in need of desperate reform, but us running away was never the answer.

We should have stayed and led from the front, turning the Union away from being the ridiculous woke, progressive experiment that it was under the likes of Merkel, and, like Meloni and Orban, steered the bloc back to more traditional, conservative, and common-sense ground… as the vast majority of Europeans, including the UK, have been begging the EU to do for decades.

We need to reintegrate ourselves back into the EU, shape and mould policy, and make sure our continent is safe from leftists, internationalists/globalists, Islam, and so forth.

saghia

Rejoining the customs union would be complex, given that we’ve diverged from the EU since Brexit, as well as posing political danger from Brexit zealots like Farage. However, it is possible to have a more limited bespoke customs union with the bloc – Turkey has one – so ‘ruling out the customs union’ isn’t quite as definitive as it looks. Rejoining any of the EU’s structures will have to be an incremental process, so although not ideal, that (or a revival of May’s Brexit deal, which contains similar elements) wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

It’s important to get the process of re-engagement moving and build up some momentum, but there are both political and practical limits on what Starmer can promise, because readmitting the UK to the customs union or single market isn’t his call – it’s an EU decision, and he can’t make the commitment until he’s sure it would have us back, and on terms which wouldn’t reignite Brexit fever.

Tanaquil2

I cannot understand why Keir Starmer has always said he wanted closer relations with the EU but that “under my watch we’ll never rejoin the customs union or single market.”

Why on earth wouldn’t you, when rejoining the customs union would:

It also offers benefits like economies of scale, cost savings, trade creation, and stronger collective bargaining power, while protecting industries with a common external tariff. It’s absolute madness not to, so it’s no wonder it passed, especially by Labour MPs.

Amy

The UK cannot join THE customs union; only EU members are in THE customs union. Turkey has a treaty WITH the customs union. Its main characteristic is that Turkey adheres unquestioningly to the regulations of the EU customs union and even to any changes that the EU might make in the future.

As soon as the UK realises that that is the kind of agreement it can aim for, it could go ahead with that. The Lib Dems may be aware of that, but the majority of Britons think that the UK and the EU are equal partners (well, in truth, they think that the EU needs the UK more than vice versa. But that was felt only by eager pro-Europeans like me in the late sixties when the EEC only had six members and EFTA had eight and was growing. Now the EU has 27 and several eager to join, and EFTA has four and does not even want the UK to join again).

There will be no serious improvement of relations with the EU before the UK realises what the consequences of Brexit are. To be honest, it hasn’t sunk in with most Britons. Nor are they aware of what they wasted by leaving, nor what they really need to do if they want to repair (some of) it.

The likes of Farage and Lammy see different approaches to the EU, but both live in a fantasy environment as to what are the possibilities for the UK. Both will face disappointment in their aspirations.

RebootedyetagainHans2

Why do we need to rejoin the customs union/single market… it only gives us free access to 750 million potential customers! (Sarcasm)

Look how well we’re doing with the 12 freeports that Johnson told us would make us “prosper mightily”! Each will cost the taxpayer between £25 & £52 million to set up… the tax breaks alone will cost the government £50 million a year, which could rise to about £200 million annually over 10 years.

Jook

Although there may have been a genuine case for some aspects of Brexit (like political and military union), economic separation was always going to be a total disaster, especially as it took place in the middle of a pandemic. Nothing was planned with foresight, few alternative markets were found; its architects simply employed propaganda to ram it through. I’ll never trust buses again!

As usual, it’s left to the Lib Dems to be the voice of reason between Laurel & Hardy’s mutual opposition, whose reputations have only gone lower than before as a result of this fiasco, and allowed the real culprit to take advantage for his own gain, as he did for years in the EU parliament. It is a real shame that Cameron, in coalition, didn’t stand up to the divisive forces within his party – he didn’t have to allow it to happen the way it did – an advisory vote where one minority was a bit bigger than the other minority. He could have thrown them out before 2015.

FreeLife

A comprehensive customs deal with the EU would mean effectively being under EU rules again without any stake in policy. It would undoubtedly require full regulatory alignment as well as adoption of common tariffs (meaning all the UK’s other trade agreements being declared null and void).

I’d rather see the UK rejoin as full members than this. Thankfully, Starmer has no intention of pursuing either.

Ian Robinson

Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.

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