As May 1 dawns, Bulgarians can expect a diverse array of weather conditions across the country, ranging from sunny skies to thunderstorms and snowfall in the mountains. In southwestern Bulgaria, the morning will greet residents with mostly sunny skies, giving way to cumulus cumulonimbus clouds in the afternoon, accompanied by rain and thunderstorms in some areas. A moderate easterly wind will prevail, shifting to northeasterly winds in the eastern part of the country....
Bulgaria is set to establish its emergency air assistance service by the end of May, marking a significant step forward in the country's healthcare infrastructure. According to reports from the company supplying the helicopters, the training of pilots designated to operate the medical helicopter will be completed by May 2nd. Following the in-house training, a test pilot from "Leonardo" is scheduled to assess the proficiency of Bulgarian pilots in executing missions....
A significant blow has been dealt to the media landscape in Bulgaria as the National Assembly approved a ban on gambling advertisements across television, news websites, and print media. The decision, made in the second reading with changes to the Gambling Act, comes amidst heated debate and divergent opinions among lawmakers and industry stakeholders. The ban, proposed by Temenuzka Petkova from GERB and Yordan Tsonev from DPS, is set to take effect just three days after its promulgation, signaling... Читать дальше...
The Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Bulgaria is set to embark on a significant transition as it begins the process of replacing Russian nuclear fuel with American fuel from Westinghouse. The transition, scheduled to commence in May, will involve the loading of 43 cartridges of Westinghouse fuel into the reactor core of the fifth unit of the Kozloduy NPP. Tsanko Bachiyski, the chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, revealed that the process of replacing the cartridges will span four years... Читать дальше...
Bulgaria's Defense Minister, Atanas Zapryanov, affirmed that the reintroduction of mandatory conscription is not under consideration amidst the country's ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance military personnel remuneration. Speaking about upcoming infrastructure projects aimed at bolstering operational capabilities, Zapryanov highlighted the significant strides being made in preparing the Third Air Base to accommodate the new F-16 Block 70 aircraft. Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov echoed this sentiment... Читать дальше...
Easter, or the Resurrection of Christ, stands as the most significant and vibrant holiday in the Orthodox Christian calendar. Rooted in the celebration of Jesus Christ's return to life after crucifixion, Easter embodies both spiritual renewal and the triumph of spring over winter. In Bulgaria, as in many Orthodox countries, Easter is a movable feast, falling on the Sunday of Holy Week, marked by the first spring full moon....
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in collaboration with partners, is launching today the Compass Bulgaria Network of Protection and Inclusion Centres, a joint initiative in six refugee-hosting cities in Bulgaria spanning Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna, Dobrich, and Ruse. The community centres are established to promote collective empowerment, inclusion, and social cohesion for refugees of all nationalities and Bulgarians alike, through comprehensive support tailored to their diverse needs. More than... Читать дальше...
Bird lovers from across Bulgaria participated in the eighth annual "Let’s Count the Sparrows” campaign organized by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds on April 27. Volunteers from 465 locations reported a total count of 6,240 sparrows belonging to three species: house sparrow, field sparrow, and Spanish sparrow. Among these, the house sparrow emerged as the most prevalent species, comprising 83% of the total count. ...
During the World Economic Forum, United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken raised concerns over Russia's unprecedented pace of weapon production, comparing it to historical records, including the Cold War era of the USSR. According to Blinken, Russia's recent surge in ammunition, missile, tank, and armored vehicle production surpasses any period in modern history. He attributed this acceleration to significant support from China, particularly in providing crucial equipment, microelectronics, and optics. Читать дальше...
In response to ongoing staffing challenges within the Bulgarian army, the caretaker government is exploring alternative solutions, with military training for security personnel emerging as a potential strategy. Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov made it clear during a video conference with Bulgarian contingents abroad on the Day of Courage that the return of conscription is not under consideration. However, Zapryanov emphasized that if recent social measures and a substantial 30% increase in military... Читать дальше...
A recent report by a group of Western insurers has shed light on Russia's ability to circumvent Western oil sanctions, revealing that measures aimed at capping Russian oil prices have proven ineffective and have inadvertently fueled a surge in gray zone activities. Introduced by the seven most developed industrial countries, including the EU, the cap on Russian oil prices was designed to curtail Kremlin revenue without disrupting global oil trade or causing energy price spikes. However, the cap... Читать дальше...
Former Bulgarian Prime Minister and Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Sergey Stanishev has announced his return to politics but clarified that he will not participate in the upcoming parliamentary or European elections. Stanishev made this declaration during a press conference at BTA, shortly after the BSP released its list for the European elections, which notably did not include him. Despite being nominated by several local BSP structures for another term in Brussels, Stanishev was ultimately... Читать дальше...
With Easter festivities fast approaching, Bulgarians are eagerly preparing to celebrate one of the most cherished holidays of the year. However, as households gear up for the traditional Easter meal, a recent analysis sheds light on the financial outlay required to ensure a bountiful spread on the table. According to findings by the Institute for Social and Trade Union Research, Education and Training (ISTURET) at the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB), the essential items... Читать дальше...
In a significant stride towards enhancing connectivity between Turkey and Bulgaria, the launch of direct flights between Istanbul and Sofia marks a milestone in air travel. The initiative, spearheaded by the low-cost airline "Pegasus," is set to commence operations from May 1, 2024, promising convenient and affordable travel options for passengers. Announced via a post on Facebook by the Embassy of Bulgaria in Turkey, the commencement of direct flights reflects the culmination of collaborative efforts... Читать дальше...
As the clock ticks down to midnight tonight, Bulgarians are reminded that April 30th marks the final day for filing their 2023 personal income tax returns. For those utilizing electronic services, the deadline is midnight, while those opting for paper submissions at revenue agency offices must do so by 5:30 pm. The National Revenue Agency (NRA) reports that over 707,000 individuals have already submitted their tax returns, with nearly 85% utilizing the convenient Portal for electronic services....
Anticipated heavy traffic looms over Bulgaria as the nation gears up for the upcoming holidays. According to projections from the Institute for Analyzes and Assessments in Tourism, nearly 1 million Bulgarians are expected to embark on journeys during this period. Despite May 2nd being a regular workday, a significant portion of the populace has opted to extend their holiday break, aligning it with May 1st festivities and Easter....
Efforts persist to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with the latter considering a proposed 40-day truce from Israel. The proposal entails the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the ceasefire, prompting Hamas to deliberate over its response. US President Joe Biden has engaged in discussions with leaders from Qatar and Egypt to facilitate peace talks. ...
In the hallowed halls of Bulgarian tradition, Holy Tuesday emerges as a beacon of spiritual reflection and renewal. As the faithful gather in solemn contemplation, the Parable of the Ten Virgins takes center stage, its timeless message echoing through the ages. Within the sacred narrative, a tale of preparation unfolds....
