Bulgaria

Amid self-immolations and other gruesome protests, something essential is missing in Bulgarian public life.

Plus, fraud reports circulate ahead of Macedonia's elections, and North Caucasus lawyers are under attack.

Plus, a museum dedicated to Jewish life in Warsaw unveils a celestial roof and Uzbeks choke on coal while shipping their gas abroad.

Plus, Russia and the EU again talk of easing visa rules and Uzbek pundits see an Islamist threat to Central Asia.

Some politicians can make Bulgaria’s political volatility work for them – until they can’t.

Plus, North Caucasus republics face off over a border dispute and Latvia makes a bid for euro adoption.

Plus, a Moldovan court rejects a local ‘gay propaganda’ ban, and views of Stalin reflect unfinished business in some post-Soviet countries.

Plus, crisis-battered Slovenia and Bulgaria try to pick up the political pieces and Saakashvili admits he flubbed an attack on Russian banks.

Plus, Brussels sees gloom in this year’s Eastern economies and Ukraine mulls renting its pipelines to Gazprom.

Plus, unrest has Sofia mulling revocation of a major utility’s license, and Chechnya’s strongman shows his soft and cuddly side.