Новости за 15.05.2024

In the initial quarter of 2024, Bulgaria's economy expanded by 0.4%, as per an expedited evaluation by the National Statistical Institute (NSI), a slight deceleration from the 0.5% growth witnessed in the final quarter of the preceding year. ...

The European Commission anticipates that Bulgaria will narrowly approach meeting the inflation criterion required for entry into the Eurozone, although it may not fully satisfy it. In its latest spring economic forecast released on Wednesday, the Commission noted that Bulgaria's inflation stood at 3.1% as of March, slightly above the Eurozone average of 2....

The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, was the target of an attempted attack, with no current information available regarding his condition. The incident has sparked tensions within the ruling Smer party, leading to accusations and counter-accusations regarding responsibility for the attack. ⚡️ According to Slovak mass media, Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot 2-3 times, allegedly in the limbs, chest and stomach....

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced that Romanians will likely no longer require visas to travel to the United States by October of this year, as reported by the Romania Insider news site. Ciolacu stressed the importance of continuous efforts by Romanians to renew expiring visas, citing Poland's successful experience in a similar process. He emphasized that the renewal of existing visas would contribute to lowering the refusal rate, a key condition for visa waivers. ...

Authorities in Botevgrad are currently investigating a grave crime, as reported by Nova TV. The discovery of charred remains has prompted a serious inquiry. The Ministry of the Interior disclosed that a 57-year-old resident of Novachene village, missing for several days, was officially declared as subject to a nationwide search as of yesterday. ...

Bulgaria ranks among the top three countries in Europe in terms of financial support for sheep farming, yet the sector struggles due to outdated farming practices, making Bulgarian lamb meat uncompetitive in the market. Simeon Karakolev, representing the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Association, highlighted this issue on BNR ahead of the National Meeting of Sheep Breeders. Despite Bulgarian sheep breeders receiving an average annual subsidy of BGN 180 per animal, their counterparts in Romania... Читать дальше...

According to Levon Hampartzoumian, the likelihood of Bulgaria joining the Eurozone in 2025 is very slim, as no country has ever entered during the middle of the year. He expressed hope that the country could achieve this milestone in early 2026, emphasizing the need for organized efforts and continuity in political direction, regardless of changes in government leadership. Hampartzoumian cautioned against the risk posed by potential shifts in government dynamics, likening it to the emergence of... Читать дальше...

All state universities, along with some private institutions, will be closed on May 20 in protest against the government's failure to fulfill its obligations outlined in the Higher Education Law. Activities deemed urgent will proceed, while all other operations will be suspended, as indicated in an open letter circulated by the Council of Rectors. The letter highlights a significant decline in funding allocated to Bulgarian universities from the gross domestic product over the past three years....

Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) is set to bid farewell to paper tickets, as passengers will soon have the option to purchase their train tickets using various electronic channels. This move comes as part of a new initiative by BDZ, with an estimated value of BGN 15.8 million excluding VAT, following a recent 20% increase in ticket prices. ...

French President Emmanuel Macron has designated Varna as one of his favored travel destinations, as revealed in his response to a question on Instagram's "Answers of Young People about Europe" column. When prompted with "Which destination do you recommend we visit?", Macron singled out the Bulgarian maritime capital. Macron's endorsement of Varna comes after his visit to Bulgaria in 2017, accompanied by his wife Brigitte Macron, at the invitation of then Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and President... Читать дальше...

"Wizz Air" has unveiled a fresh route from Varna to London Gatwick Airport, marking an expansion in its flight offerings, the airline has confirmed. Travelers can now secure tickets to this London destination through wizzair.com or the airline's mobile app, with prices starting from BGN 58....

The taxi industry in Bulgaria is issuing an ultimatum to the local government due to recent changes in road organization, particularly the removal of taxi stands in Sofia. This dissatisfaction follows protests from residents in the city center, with taxi drivers feeling adversely affected by the elimination of many spaces designated for their vehicles. The National Taxi Union has presented an ultimatum to Sofia's Mayor, Vasil Terziev, demanding the restoration of these removed taxi waiting areas....

"Toplofikatsia Sofia," the capital's heating supply company, has proposed a significant reduction in the price of thermal energy starting from July 1st. According to their application to the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), the company aims to lower the price per megawatt hour to 97.78 leva without VAT, which represents a 29....

Acting Minister of Culture Nayden Todorov expressed concerns regarding certain streaming platforms operating in Bulgaria without providing Bulgarian translations, stating, "We have problems with some of the content streaming platforms that work in Bulgaria, but without Bulgarian translation." He conveyed this to journalists during his attendance at the Education, Youth, Culture, and Sports Council in Brussels. Discussions within the EU are ongoing regarding the proliferation of these platforms....

The passing of Georgia's "Foreign Agents" Act by parliament on Tuesday has prompted a warning from the United States, indicating a potential reevaluation of its relationship with the Caucasus nation and the cessation of aid. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre expressed anticipation for President Salome Zourabichvili to veto the legislation, although uncertainty remains regarding potential parliamentary actions to override it. Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien emphasized the peril... Читать дальше...

Today, several regions in the country are facing adverse weather conditions once again. The weather forecast includes a yellow code for heavy rainfall across eight regions: Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Pernik, Sofia-city, Sofia-region, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, and Smolyan. Rainfall amounts are predicted to range between 15 and 25 liters per square meter, with some areas expecting up to 30-35 liters per square meter. ...