In January 2026, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado — who had been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize — presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House as a symbolic gesture of respect and gratitude for his actions related to Venezuela. Trump accepted the medal, but the Nobel Peace Prize itself remains hers, since the prize cannot actually be transferred or awarded to someone else by the Nobel Committee.

Among key U.S. allies, France has publicly declined to participate in the Board of Peace, citing concerns that it could undermine the role of the United Nations and the established international order

To secure permanent membership on the Board of Peace, a country is expected to make a contribution of $1 billion to the board, which otherwise offers a shorter, three‑year term without that payment.

The Board of Peace is an international organisation launched by U.S. President Donald Trump in 2026. It aims to promote peace, stability, and reconstruction, especially in the Gaza Strip. Trump serves as its chairman, and countries are invited to join to support conflict resolution and governance.

Bulgaria officially adopted the euro as its legal currency on 1 January 2026. The euro replaced the Bulgarian lev, and Bulgaria became the 21st member state of the Eurozone upon adoption

Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026. It became the 21st member state of the Eurozone. From February 1, 2026, the euro became the sole official currency in Bulgaria.