BULGARIA SAYS IT WANTS TO JOIN NATO.

According to the country’s state-run news agency, Bulgaria’s caretaker government announced yesterday that Sofia desires "full membership" in NATO and has tasked the foreign and defense ministers with drafting preparations for joining the Western alliance. The announcement represents a potential policy shift for Bulgaria that would be viewed in Moscow as a major diplomatic setback. Russia considers Sofia to be one of its key allies in the Balkans. (AP, February 17)

Russian Oil Spill Contained.