Protests in Turkey continue after Istanbul mayor's arrest

Mass protests in Turkey continue after Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested on March 19. Nearly 1,900 people have been detained for participating in the demonstrations, 260 remain in custody, BNT reported. İmamoğlu's lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan has also been arrested. Students and professors from many universities in Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara have joined the protests, boycotting the academic process.

Although in custody, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from office on charges of corruption and terrorism, won the internal party elections of the opposition Republican People's Party held on March 23 to determine its candidate for the presidential elections, which are due to be held in 2028. He is considered the most serious competitor to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the opposition says this is the reason for his arrest.

Meanwhile, the Turkish court released several journalists who were detained after covering the protests. Among them is AFP photojournalist Yasin Akgül. BBC correspondent Mark Lowen was arrested and later deported from Trukey.

Unsuccessful asylum seekers in Britain could be sent to the Balkans

Unsuccessful asylum seekers in the United Kingdom could be sent to migrant centers in the Western Balkans and other third countries. This is according to plans by the British authorities to limit the crossing of the English Channel in small boats, BNR correspondent in London Vesselin Paunov has reported. The government is drawing up proposals to open a series of "return centers" abroad, where migrants would be sent after they have been denied asylum and have exhausted all possibilities of appeal. Formal negotiations have not yet started, but government sources say they plan to approach countries in the Western Balkans, including Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia. The UK is expected to pay the countries for each unsuccessful asylum seeker sent to them.

US freezes visa-free travel for Romanians

The US government has decided to review Romania's recent inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program to ensure compliance with strict security requirements, Radio Romania International reported. Romanians wishing to travel to the US for a short period of time for business or tourism will have to apply for a B visa at a US embassy or consulate.

Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program was announced on January 10 shortly before President Donald Trump took office and it was planned that Romanians would be able to travel visa-free to the US for tourism or business from March 31.

Cyprus to give 220 euros to young people for cultural life

Cyprus will allocate a budget of 500,000 euros for its "Youth Culture Card" program for 2025, the government has announed. With this money, the state will subsidize the participation of young people in various cultural events. With annual cards worth 220 euros young people from 18 to 21 years of age will be able to purchase tickets for concerts, theater performances, film screenings, art festivals, exhibitions, museums and archaeological sites, the Bulgarian National Radio correspondent in Cyprus, Branislava Bobanac, has reported. This opportunity can be used by young people from other European countries who live permanently on the island. Last year, such cards were provided only to 18-year-olds, but now their scope has been expanded.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

Publication in English: Al.Markov

Photos: BGNES, X /@GuvernulRo, bankofcyprus.com