Light rain is expected in some areas until midnight, with clouds gradually dissipating to mostly clear skies in the morning of April 3. The westerly to northwesterly winds will decrease to moderate levels. Minimum temperatures will range from 6° to 11°, while in Sofia, temperatures will hover around 6°. ...
Three beloved Bulgarian National Television productions, "Undercover," "The Grapes of Guilt," and "The Portal," are set to make their streaming debut on HBO Max, marking the first time Bulgarian series will be featured on the global streaming platform. HBO Max users can expect the first season of "The Grapes of Guilt" to be available starting April 18, followed by all five seasons of "Undercover" on April 25, and the miniseries "The Portal" on May 2. Just recently, on March 24, the second season... Читать дальше...
Amid debates over Bulgaria's membership in NATO, the US Ambassador to the Alliance, Julianne Smith, reaffirmed that Bulgaria retains full autonomy in deciding its relationship with the organization. Responding to inquiries regarding a resolution proposing Bulgaria's exit from NATO submitted by the pro-Russian party "Revival" to the National Assembly, Ambassador Smith stressed the importance of recognizing the mutual benefits of NATO membership. Asserting Bulgaria's significance within NATO, Ambassador... Читать дальше...
European prosecutors are delving into allegations of corruption surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine negotiations between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, according to a report by Politico. Dubbed "Pfizergate," the case was initiated in early 2023 after lobbyist Frederic Baldan raised concerns with Belgian authorities in Liège. Baldan's complaint centers on purported text message exchanges between von der Leyen and Bourla leading up to the vaccine deal. Читать дальше...
“Until now, Bulgaria has benefited very little from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RSP). The last tranche is from December 2022 and is 2.7 billion, in the following two years we have not received any money - to date, this is the first and last tranche for our country”....
Tensions flared among former coalition partners as they debated the impact of their governance on Bulgaria's demographic crisis. Kiril Petkov, co-chairman of We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, pointed to National Statistical Institute (NSI) data suggesting a correlation between governance and the birth rate. He asserted that during GERB's rule, the birth rate remained low but surged once they took power, attributing the increase to factors like free kindergartens, improved security, and rising incomes. Читать дальше...
The Ministry of Finance in Bulgaria has revised its inflation predictions for the year 2024, slashing them by half compared to previous estimates. According to the department's spring macroeconomic forecast, the average annual inflation rate is anticipated to drop to 2.4%, with further deceleration to 2....
Russia announced its efforts to remove the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that there are crucial matters to address with Afghanistan's Taliban leadership, emphasizing the need for dialogue due to the Taliban's de facto authority in the country, Reuters reported. While Peskov did not specify the nature of these "pressing issues," the announcement comes in the wake of Russia's recent devastating attack, where gunmen targeted a concert hall outside Moscow... Читать дальше...
Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov has received yet another prestigious accolade, solidifying his status as one of the sport's all-time greats. The British publication Daily Mail has honored Stoichkov by ranking him 43rd among the 100 greatest football players in history. This recognition comes as a significant achievement for Stoichkov, who remains the sole Bulgarian to secure a place in this esteemed ranking....
It has been revealed that by 2027, Bulgaria will witness a significant increase in its elderly population, with individuals over the age of 65 constituting nearly a quarter of the total populace. This revelation emerged during a Round Table discussion organized by "Caritas Bulgaria" focused on the challenges surrounding long-term care for the elderly. Currently, Bulgaria is home to approximately one and a half million individuals aged 65 and above, comprising 23....
Natural gas prices have seen a steady decline in recent months, largely attributed to an oversupply of the blue fuel following a milder-than-anticipated winter season worldwide. The surge in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production has contributed to increased supplies and profits, prompting substantial investments in the sector. With over 150 million tons of LNG capacity currently under construction, experts are dubbing it a "record wave of expansion," as highlighted in a Morgan Stanley analysis... Читать дальше...
The Bulgarian Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology (INSAIT), affiliated with Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, has garnered international acclaim as university students from 56 countries vie for internships at the esteemed institution. Notably, applicants hail from leading universities across the globe, including those in the US, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, China, and India, showcasing the widespread recognition of INSAIT's expertise in the field. ...
The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), under the leadership of Kornelia Ninova, has firmly declined invitations for discussions regarding their potential participation in a caretaker cabinet. Ninova stated that proposing ministers, deputy ministers, and agency heads is the responsibility of caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, not political parties. She emphasized the importance of consulting President Radev to avoid potential rejection of the cabinet. ...
Bulgarian banks have injected approximately 3.7 billion in additional credit resources into the housing market over the past year alone, with a staggering total of over 8 billion in the last three years, according to Lachezar Bogdanov, chief economist at the Institute for Market Economy, speaking on Nova TV. Bogdanov emphasized the significance of bank loans for home purchases as a vital tool enabling a broad spectrum of individuals to acquire homes....
In a devastating incident in southern Albania, eight people lost their lives, including seven suspected migrants, in a car crash early this morning while attempting to evade police pursuit, as reported by AFP. The fatal accident unfolded when the driver, identified as an Albanian citizen, lost control of the vehicle near the town of Permet, just a few kilometers from the Greek-Albanian border. According to authorities, the tragedy occurred after a police patrol signaled the vehicle to pull over... Читать дальше...
In response to concerns regarding the unlawful taking of children out of the country following the lifting of border checks, the Ministry of the Interior has introduced new measures aimed at safeguarding children's welfare and preventing such occurrences. Under the new measures, if one parent initiates legal proceedings to prohibit their child from leaving the country, this information will be promptly relayed to the Ministry of the Interior. In cases of divorce disputes, district courts will directly... Читать дальше...
In a tragic incident at Viertola school in Vantaa, Finland, three 12-year-old children were shot on Tuesday, with the suspected shooter, taken into custody by police. According to Reuters, the victims were rushed to the hospital, although further details about their condition were not immediately available. Later in the day, Finnish authorities announced that a 12-year-old boy lost his life and the two others sustained serious injuries. ...
Since the activation of the extension of the Turk Stream gas pipeline passing through Bulgarian territory, the revenue generated from reserved capacities and the volume of natural gas transported between Bulgaria's borders with Turkey and Serbia has amounted to BGN 1.308 billion. This figure accounts for the period spanning from January 1, 2022, to March 26, 2024, covering the route between Strandzha2/Malcochlar (at the Turkish border) and Kireevo/Zajecar (Bulgarian/Serbian border), as reported by... Читать дальше...
Amid ongoing political maneuvering in Bulgaria, GERB leader Boyko Borissov has categorically dismissed the possibility of forming a government coalition with DPS, even if the two parties secure a combined total of 150 deputies following elections, as reported in "Focus." In a statement delivered outside the Party House, Borissov directed his message to purported "paid speakers" representing GERB and DPS, emphasizing his refusal to entertain any collaboration between the two parties....
Bulgaria faces mounting uncertainties regarding its preparedness to receive the first batch of F-16 Block 70 aircraft, with retired Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev highlighting significant infrastructure challenges in an interview shared on Facebook, as reported by "Focus." Tagarev expressed concerns over the nation's inability to adequately address the backlog in infrastructure development necessary for accommodating the advanced fighter jets....
A bus stop adjacent to the "Slivnitsa" metro station has been fortified with armor plating due to recurring incidents of vandalism, as reported by bTV. The decision to reinforce the stop came after repeated instances of systematic window breakage, prompting authorities to replace the damaged glass with thick sheet metal to deter further acts of vandalism. Vladimir Lazarov from the Center for Urban Mobility highlighted the escalating issue, noting that the stop had been targeted by vandals eleven times... Читать дальше...
Austria's Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, has summoned the National Security Council amidst mounting suspicions of espionage involving former high-ranking security service officials allegedly spying for Russia. The investigation, conducted jointly by Austrian publication "Falter" and Germany's "Spiegel," has revealed alarming connections between Egisto Ott, a former employee of the Austrian Internal Security Service, and Martin Weiss, the former head of a department within the service, with Jan Marsalek... Читать дальше...
More than 25 Bulgarian cities will have updated images on Google Maps Tours start this week Google Street View cars will once again be on the roads of Bulgaria this spring....
Drone attacks targeted businesses in Yelabuga and Nizhnekamsk in southwestern Russia, resulting in injuries to six individuals, with three requiring hospitalization. While the final tally of victims remains uncertain, Russian state media, citing the press service of the head of Tatarstan, assured that there was no significant damage, and the industrial processes remained uninterrupted. Drones strike Yelabuga, Tatarstan: hitting the Elaz-Nefteproduct refinery and the Shahed drone factory....
In a swift decision that sets the stage for a new caretaker government, the Committee on Legal Affairs in Bulgaria has voted in favor of appointing Dimitar Glavchev as Prime Minister, also serving as the Chairman of the Audit Chamber. In a brief session lasting just 15 minutes, the committee members overwhelmingly supported the appointment with 13 votes in favor, 3 against, and 3 abstentions. This endorsement includes provisions allowing Glavchev to temporarily suspend his duties as Chairman of... Читать дальше...
