Новости за 17.02.2026

Bulgaria is bracing for a challenging day on Wednesday, February 18, as icy conditions, strong winds, and widespread precipitation are expected, the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) reports. Almost the entire country has been placed under yellow and orange warnings for high winds. Across northeastern regions, ice floes are forecast to form in some areas, while precipitation will gradually taper off from the west during the afternoon....

Sofia Municipality has initiated the process to acquire 80 new trams, with an initial market consultation already posted on the national public procurement portal. Deputy Mayor for Transport Viktor Chaushev announced the development on Facebook on February 17. The project forms a key part of Sofia’s 2026 budget vision and marks the city’s largest investment in tram rolling stock in 15 years....

Bulgaria is set to complete construction of its first observation station for the world’s largest low-frequency radio telescope by the end of 2026, the Institute of Astronomy at the National Astronomical Observatory of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAO-BAS) announced. This station will become part of the LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) network, marking Bulgaria’s entry into cutting-edge European radio astronomy. LOFAR is a pan-European project and the largest telescope of its kind in the world....

Have you ever scrolled through a digital storefront or a casino lobby and felt that sudden wave of sensory overload? It's a real thing. Whether it’s Steam, the PlayStation Store, or a massive online gaming hub, the sheer volume of choices is staggering. You’re looking at hundreds, sometimes thousands, of thumbnails competing for just a fraction of your attention. ...

Bulgaria has formally raised concerns about violence and hate speech targeting the Bulgarian ethnic community in the Republic of North Macedonia before the Council of Europe. A written question on the issue has been submitted to the Committee of Ministers and registered as written question No. 806 on February 17, 2026, according to BGNES. ...

According to the latest nationwide survey by the sociological agency "Myara", if parliamentary elections were held in mid-February, voter participation would reach 51.5 percent, translating into the involvement of roughly three million voters. Further reading: NATO Pilot, Putin Sympathizer, or Something Else? Who Is Rumen Radev and Why Did He Just Blow Up Bulgarian Politics ...

A tragic incident has once again drawn attention in Haskovo. On 14 February 2026, a 16-year-old student from the Atanas Burov Finance and Economics High School took his own life at his home, according to information published by Glasnews.bg, citing an anonymous source. ...

The European Prosecutor's Office in Sofia has formally charged four individuals in a case involving the misuse of European funds intended to support the employment of people with disabilities. According to investigators, two companies were set up solely to gain access to a European Union programme financed through the European Social Fund. The scheme was designed to promote labour market integration and social inclusion for people with permanent disabilities....

Mayors from across Bulgaria gathered in the village of Bistritsa to show support for their colleague Samuil Popov, following the arson of his home and car on Monday night, Bulfoto reported. The demonstration, held in front of the local administration building, was attended by political figures including MP Venko Sabrutev from “We Continue the Change.” ...

A teacher from the Pleven region has been taken into custody over allegations of sexual abuse involving two 13-year-old girls, Nova TV reported. The 29-year-old mathematics instructor, who works at a school in the village of Sadovets, is accused of engaging in sexual acts with one girl and committing fornication with another between late December 2025 and early February 2026. The Pleven District Prosecutor’s Office has requested that he be placed under permanent detention. ...

The market for brand new passenger cars in Bulgaria saw notable growth in 2025, according to data from the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and their authorized representatives. While the sale of light commercial vehicles recorded a slight decline compared to 2024, heavy commercial vehicles experienced an increase in sales, reflecting continued demand in sectors requiring transport of larger loads. Overall, more than 6,000 additional new cars were sold across the country last year, signaling a positive trend in the automotive market. Читать дальше...

WCC-DB MP Nikolai Denkov has indicated that his political formation could support President Rumen Radev and his team in elections, provided there is a genuine commitment to tackling corruption. Speaking to Nova TV on Tuesday, Denkov emphasized that any potential coalition would depend on clear positions regarding corruption, Bulgaria’s relations with the EU, Russia, and the United States, and the willingness to implement meaningful reforms. He cited a recent sociological survey suggesting that half... Читать дальше...

US President Donald Trump has once again rejected claims linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, insisting that he has been “totally exonerated.” Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said, “I have nothing to hide. I’ve been exonerated....

Financier Levon Hampartzumyan has forecast a gradual rise in loan interest rates in Bulgaria, noting that current levels are historically very low and cannot be sustained indefinitely. Speaking on bTV, he stressed that such an increase is a natural development rather than a cause for alarm. Hampartzumyan praised the transition to the euro, saying it had proceeded more smoothly than expected and that several anticipated risks had not materialized....

The withdrawal of lev banknotes and coins is continuing in line with the approved schedule, although the pace of the process is expected to ease in the coming period, according to data published by the Bulgarian National Bank. The central bank reports that 4.5 percent of the lev cash that was in circulation at the start of 2025 has already been taken out of use....

US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran ahead of the next round of diplomatic talks in Geneva, saying Tehran must agree to a deal or face serious consequences. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump confirmed he would be involved in the negotiations indirectly and described the upcoming discussions as critical. He characterized the talks as highly significant, noting that Iran is a difficult counterpart at the negotiating table....

The emerging outlines of Andrey Gyurov’s caretaker cabinet suggest a strong emphasis on technical expertise rather than political weight, according to sociologist Elena Darieva, speaking on bTV. She said the approach appears focused on bringing in professionals capable of stepping into ministries immediately, but warned that this raises questions about political accountability once the interim government’s mandate ends. Further reading: Bulgaria: Unofficial Lineup Emerges for Andrey Gyurov’s Caretaker... Читать дальше...

An unofficial outline of the expected caretaker cabinet headed by Andrey Gyurov has begun to circulate, with multiple familiar political figures likely to return to government. According to information reported by bTV, the proposed lineup must be formally submitted to President Iliana Yotova no later than Thursday, when the caretaker government is expected to be appointed and early parliamentary elections announced. Further reading: Will Radev and the Liberals Join Forces? What the Caretaker PM... Читать дальше...

Twenty new high-clearance vehicles have been added to support state authorities in safeguarding Bulgaria’s territories within the EU’s Natura 2000 ecological network. The symbolic handover of keys took place during a traditional blessing ceremony, with Manol Genov, outgoing Minister of Environment and Water, receiving the keys on behalf of the ministry. The acquisition of the vehicles was carried out under a project co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund... Читать дальше...

In 2024, Bulgaria ranked second in the European Union in terms of road fatalities, according to a European Commission report assessing progress toward the goal of halving road deaths and injuries by 2030. Across the EU, 19,940 people lost their lives on the roads last year, marking a 12% drop since 2019, but still falling short of the 4.6% annual reduction required to reach the 2030 targets. ...