Новости за 26.06.2024

The Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office, together with the US government, has announced plans to indict Ruja Ignatova in absentia, offering a reward of up to 5 million US dollars for information leading to her arrest or conviction. This development underscores ongoing efforts to tackle international financial fraud involving Ignatova and her role in the OneCoin pyramid scheme. At a joint press conference in the Courthouse, Chief Prosecutor Borislav Sarafov, US Ambassador Kenneth Merten, and State Agency... Читать дальше...

Bulgaria is expected to adopt the euro at the beginning of 2026, rather than mid-next year as previously forecasted. This update was provided by acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ludmila Petkova, who emphasized the need for technological time to meet the final criterion for euro adoption. Following this, new convergence reports must be requested from Brussels and Frankfurt to secure a date for entering the Eurozone. ...

The first incident involving one of the new luxury BMW police patrol cars, which arrived at the beginning of the month, occurred today in Sofia. There are currently no reports of injuries from the crash. News of the accident surfaced from a post in the "Disasters in Sofia" ("Катастрофи в София") group on Facebook....

In Bulgaria, 32% of the population struggles to "make ends meet," according to Eurostat, the European statistical service. This indicator reflects whether households have sufficient financial resources to cover their monthly expenses with their available income. Individuals assess their household's financial situation by choosing from responses like "with great difficulty," "with difficulty," "with some difficulty," "relatively easy," "easy," and "very easy....

The US government has announced a reward of up to 5 million USD for information leading to the arrest of Ruja Ignatova, in connection with a major investigation involving Bulgarian and American authorities. Ignatova is implicated in a large-scale financial fraud and money laundering scheme, according to statements from Bulgarian officials and the US Ambassador to Bulgaria, Kenneth Merten. Bulgaria's temporary chief prosecutor, Borislav Sarafov, emphasized the collaborative effort between Bulgarian... Читать дальше...

Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has firmly stated that his country "will not kneel before Bulgaria," responding to recent remarks by Bulgarian leaders Boyko Borissov and President Rumen Radev. In reaction to statements made today by GERB leader Boyko Borissov and President Rumen Radev, Mickoski expressed regret over what he perceives as archaic messages from North Macedonia's eastern neighbor. He characterized such rhetoric as belonging to a bygone era, contrasting it with the demands... Читать дальше...

Representatives of the Bulgarian right-wing "Greantess" (Velichie) party, including Nikolay Markov, Victoria Vasileva, Darin Georgiev, and Georgi Kukov, attended consultations with President Rumen Radev as part of the ongoing discussions preceding the assignment of the exploratory mandate for forming a new government. President Radev acknowledged the challenges posed by low voter turnout in the recent elections, noting their significance for the political landscape. He emphasized the importance... Читать дальше...

The European Commission's latest report on convergence has determined that Bulgaria does not meet the necessary conditions for adopting the euro. This conclusion, announced today, affects Bulgaria along with five other EU member states that are not yet part of the Eurozone. According to the report, Bulgaria falls short specifically on the criterion of price stability while meeting the criteria for sustainable public finances, exchange rate stability, and long-term interest rates....

Tickets are now on sale for the additional night train that will travel during the summer season from Sofia to Burgas and from Burgas to Sofia via the Sub-Balkan railway line. The composition will move from June 29 /Saturday/ from Sofia to Burgas and from June 30 /Sunday/ from Burgas to Sofia, thus Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) strives to provide more opportunities for movement in connection with the increased interest in travel by train to seaside towns in summer. The seasonal night fast train... Читать дальше...

Consumer sentiment in Germany unexpectedly worsened in July, interrupting the recovery of the previous four months. Expectations for economic development, personal incomes, and the desire to buy weakened as the propensity to save increased. The latest survey by the German GfK Institute, conducted among about 2,000 consumers between May 30 and June 10, 2024, revealed this downturn....

The permanent representatives of NATO countries have selected Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, as the next Secretary General of the Alliance. Rutte will take over from Jens Stoltenberg on October 1, when Stoltenberg's term concludes. Rutte's election followed the withdrawal of his competitor, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who was viewed as the representative voice of Eastern Europe....

An expert cabinet is the only viable option during a political crisis, according to Toshko Yordanov, chairman of the parliamentary group of "There Is Such a People" (TISP). During consultations with President Rumen Radev, Yordanov suggested that if the third mandate were given to TISP, they should start developing a program immediately. President Radev noted that low voter turnout posed significant challenges to the Bulgarian political system and the parties, confusing many forecasts and calling... Читать дальше...

The Sofia Court of Appeal has postponed the case of Evgenia Vladimirova, who was found murdered in a suitcase, until October 8. The delay is due to the incomplete medical examination ordered at the previous hearing. The case, now in the second instance, had its first hearing two months ago....

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has expressed sharp criticism towards the new government of North Macedonia, accusing it of refusing to acknowledge the terms "Bulgarians" and "Bulgarian" within its national framework. Radev emphasized that this stance reveals a deep-seated fear within North Macedonia's political elite to accept these terms, which he views as a direct contradiction to European principles and commitments. He highlighted his previous efforts in European forums to advocate for the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia... Читать дальше...

In a statement delivered from the parliamentary podium, the political party "Revival" has urged for the intervention of the Russian state firm "Rosatom" to address a problematic steam generator issue at Unit 6 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Deputy Yordan Todorov emphasized the potential long-term benefits of this action, asserting it would enhance profitability and equipment reliability while significantly reducing the risk of major accidents. Today, representatives of "Revival" intend... Читать дальше...

Boyko Borissov, leader of the GERB party, announced plans to propose a minority government, emphasizing it would be solely GERB-controlled in response to their voters' preferences. Speaking at the parliament, Borissov dismissed any alliances with other parties, asserting they are unpopular among GERB supporters. "I don't want support from other parties....

The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to inform Bulgaria today that the country is not ready to join the Eurozone at the beginning of 2025, according to Politico. At noon, the European Commission will release reports on the convergence of EU member states planning to adopt the single currency. Bulgaria is currently struggling to meet the inflation benchmark necessary for Eurozone entry....

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pleaded guilty in a US court to receiving and publishing US military secrets after striking a deal with prosecutors that ensured his freedom. Assange, 52, who is viewed by some as a free-speech activist and by others as a criminal, was flown to this unusual location on a private jet, honoring his wish not to set foot on the continental United States. The case against him was heard in Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, a small American territory in the Pacific Ocean near his native Australia. Читать дальше...

The heat is easing, and there may be storms and hailstorms in parts of Western Bulgaria. According to the forecast from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, today will be mostly sunny. In the afternoon, cumulus-rain clouds will develop over the western half of the country, bringing short-term rain and thunderstorms, with conditions for hail in some areas. ...