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International payment systems Visa and Mastercard have unblocked cards of Russian bank "Northern Sea Route" (SMP), according to a Sunday media statement of the bank.
According to the press release, as cited by ITAR-TASS, MasterCard Inc approved a decision to resume services for clients of SMP Bank overnight and Visa Inc followed suit on Sunday morning.
" The validity of cards Mastercard is fully restored, transactions with Visa cards will begin within a few hours as long as communications channels are adjusted and equipment settings are updated," SMP Bank said.
On Friday, Visa and MasterCard, both US-based companies, blocked services to customers of four Russian banks, including Rossiya, Sobinbank, InvestKapitalBank and SMP Bank, due to the sanctions imposed by the US.
Bulgaria has registered its lowest refusal rate for U.S. tourist and business visas in almost 20 years, with rejections standing at 5.11%, according to official figures released by the U.S. Department of State for the 2025 U.S. fiscal year
The Bulgarian passport offers its holders visa-free access to 178 countries and territories, placing it 11th globally for travel freedom and expedited border crossing, according to Henley & Partners.
Russian opposition figures have voiced strong criticism of the European Union’s recent decision to ban multi-entry visas for Russian citizens traveling to the Schengen area
Vietnamese Communist Party leader To Lam has called on Bulgaria to simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens to encourage more visitors to the country, during his official visit to Sofia
From today, travelers from 12 countries, including Bulgaria, can enter Vietnam for tourism without a visa for up to 45 days
Bulgaria is on the verge of joining the US visa waiver program
NEW POLL: HUNGARIANS UNITED ON NEED FOR A ‘DIFFERENT’ RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EU, BUT DIVERGENCES REMAIN ON UKRAINE
The Kremlin has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an “Easter ceasefire” in the war in Ukraine, declaring a temporary halt in hostilities lasting around 36 hours
A group of Members of the European Parliament has raised concerns over the potential leakage of confidential EU information to Russia, urging stronger safeguards within the European Parliament
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has formally enacted legislation withdrawing the country from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), marking a decisive step in Chisinau’s gradual disengagement from Russian-led structures
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has carried out a series of coordinated investigative actions across several countries, including Bulgaria and Romania, as part of a probe into suspected large-scale fraud involving EU funds
A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has coincided with escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has moved to tighten control over one of the world’s most critical maritime routes
Aniventure Comic Con Returns to Bulgaria with Star Guest Christopher Judge!
Global Fuel Shock: Oil Jumps Over 40% Since Iran War Began
