Новости за 12.02.2024

The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has marked a significant milestone in the nation's journey towards full integration into the Eurozone by finalizing the approval of the design for Bulgarian euro coins. This crucial step underscores Bulgaria's readiness to adopt the euro as its official currency and represents a pivotal moment in the country's preparations for Eurozone membership. The approved coin designs feature iconic Bulgarian symbols, including the renowned Madara Rider on denominations ranging from 1 to 50 euro cents... Читать дальше...

During the night, predominantly cloudy weather with occasional breaks in the clouds is expected over western regions. Rainfall is anticipated mainly in the eastern part of the country. The wind will be weak to moderate, initially from the southwest before shifting to the northwest after midnight....

Bulgaria and the United States have formally sealed an agreement to collaborate on the construction of two new units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The pact, signed by Bulgarian Energy Minister Rumen Radev and US Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Andrew Light, outlines cooperation in nuclear power development and technology exchange. According to Minister Radev, the cost of electricity generated by the future Units VII and VIII of the Kozloduy NPP will be capped at 65 euros... Читать дальше...

Hospitals in Sofia are facing a crisis as they turn away emergency patients due to a severe shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds. The alarming issue came to light during a forum discussing the challenges within Bulgaria’s healthcare system, where a nurse from the Sofia Emergency Service shed light on the dire situation. Despite being mandated by law to accommodate emergency cases, both public and private hospitals are refusing admission to patients in critical condition, according to Kristina... Читать дальше...

In December 2023, there were 2,229 establishments in the country, such as hotels, motels, campgrounds, mountain huts, and other short-term accommodation options. They had a total of 63.6 thousand rooms and 132....

According to information from the “Directorate Vessel Traffic Services Authority – Black Sea”, strong southerly winds with speeds of 15 to 20 m/s closed the port of Burgas. Maneuvering of small and large vessels is prohibited. The sea swell is around four on the Beaufort scale....

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivered a keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai, where she offered insights into the state of the global economy and shared her perspectives on various pressing issues. Georgieva struck an optimistic tone, asserting that the global economy is primed for a "soft landing" after experiencing some of the most substantial rate hikes in recent memory. She expressed confidence that interest rates would begin to trend downwards around the middle of 2024... Читать дальше...

A tragic shooting incident unfolded in Athens today as a gunman, identified as a 70-year-old man of Egyptian origin, unleashed a deadly attack at the office of a shipping company. The assailant, who had been terminated from his employment, reportedly entered the building armed with a shotgun, leading to a harrowing ordeal for those present. According to Greek police, the gunman initiated the assault by opening fire at the office, resulting in the deaths of three individuals....

President Rumen Radev has taken a decisive stance against amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, effectively vetoing provisions aimed at reinstating the Plenum of the Supreme Judicial Council and bolstering the powers of the Prosecutor General. This move, announced by his press office on Monday, underscores Radev's firm stance on upholding the supremacy of the Constitution in Bulgaria's legal framework. In a statement accompanying the veto, Radev's office criticized the amendments, arguing that... Читать дальше...

The Bulgarian "Vazrazhdane" (Revival) party is facing internal turmoil, with recent events shedding light on fundamental divisions within the party beyond mere political disagreements. The rift within the party became apparent during the election of the chairman of the municipal council in Sofia, leading to the exclusion of several prominent members, including former deputy Nikolay Drenchev. Drenchev, who was ousted during the chairman election, highlighted significant ideological differences within... Читать дальше...

Farmers in Bulgaria have announced plans for a protest scheduled for Tuesday following their objections to an agreement reached between the Ministry of Agriculture and certain farming representatives. The disagreement centers around aid for the agricultural sector, with farmers calling for the resignation of Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev. Twelve farming organizations expressed their dissatisfaction with the agreement signed on Sunday, stating that the signatories lacked legitimacy compared to... Читать дальше...

Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, has criticized former US President Donald Trump's recent remarks regarding NATO, asserting that the alliance cannot be subject to the whims of individual leaders. Borrell's comments come in response to Trump's statement at a campaign rally in South Carolina, where he suggested that NATO's actions could be influenced by the mood of the US president. "NATO cannot be a military alliance 'on the map' that depends on the sense of... Читать дальше...

The United States and Iraq have reopened discussions regarding the reduction of US-led coalition forces stationed in Iraq, with recent retaliatory strikes and escalating tensions shaping the dialogue, according to the Associated Press. In response to recent attacks in Iraq and Syria, including one that targeted a senior commander of the Kataib Hezbollah group, which the US accuses of targeting American troops, the talks aim to address the presence of coalition troops that have been combating the Islamic State group for years. Читать дальше...

A disturbing incident unfolded in Sliven, Bulgaria, as a woman and her two-year-old son faced a terrifying ordeal when her ex-boyfriend, the child's biological father, doused them with gasoline. The woman, who remains unnamed for privacy reasons, revealed that the attacker had a restraining order against him for harassing and threatening her. Recalling the harrowing experience, the victim recounted the moment when the aggressor threatened to set them alight with a lighter fluid....

The Health Ministry of Hamas, the governing authority in the Gaza Strip since 2007, has reported a significantly higher death toll from the Israeli military's overnight operation in Rafah, a town located in the southern part of the enclave. Initial estimates pegged the casualties at around 40, which were later revised to over 50, but in a recent statement, the ministry has now corrected the figure to approximately 100 lives lost. This drastic escalation in casualties underscores the severity of... Читать дальше...

In a comprehensive analysis conducted by Institute for Market Economics (IME) Senior Economist Adrian Nikolov, Bulgaria's labor market is forecasted to face a severe shortage of skilled workers, potentially reaching half a million individuals within the next three to five years. Nikolov's findings, published on the IME website on February 9, highlight significant challenges that lie ahead for the country's economic sectors and regional labor markets. According to Nikolov, employers in Sofia anticipate... Читать дальше...

Former US President Donald Trump faced backlash from some of his former Republican allies after suggesting that NATO member countries falling behind in financial contributions might not receive protection from a potential Russian attack. Reuters reported on the response from prominent Republicans, highlighting concerns over Trump's remarks and their implications for US foreign policy. Chris Christie, a former presidential candidate, criticized Trump's statement, asserting that it indicated he was not running for president of the United States.

Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas after a very tense game against the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 25:22. The wide receiver Mecole Hardman became the big hero for Kansas as he caught the championship pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. By the end of the first half of the game, the play was dominated by strong defensive performances from both teams....

Dog owners in Sofia are being reminded of the strict regulations governing pet ownership in the city, with fines of BGN 100 (EUR 50) for walking dogs without a leash or failing to carry the animal's passport. The Sofia Inspectorate emphasizes that repeat violations will incur increased penalties. Under the regulations, every dog owner must keep their pet on a leash during walks, carry its passport, and ensure that the animal is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, with up-to-date registration at the district administration. Читать дальше...

Reports from British maritime security company Ambrey reveal that a Greek bulk carrier, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, was targeted by two missiles in separate incidents in the Bab el Mandeb Strait. The vessel's crew reported being unharmed, with the ship continuing its course toward its next port destination. Details of the attack emerged from various sources, including Reuters, the Associated Press, and AFP, though the specific identity of the ship has not been disclosed....

The United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, has been hospitalized for symptoms of a bladder issue, leading to the transfer of duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. The development was confirmed by Pentagon Press Secretary Major Gen....

Starting today, drivers across Bulgaria will face increased scrutiny on the roads as the traffic police roll out new mobile cameras for monitoring traffic violations. These advanced speed control devices will be deployed across 20 regional directorates, targeting high-traffic areas and accident-prone sections of the road network. The introduction of these state-of-the-art cameras aims to address two pressing issues: reducing the number of accidents caused by speeding and tackling the problem of... Читать дальше...

Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant praised a successful rescue mission in Gaza, where two hostages were freed from Hamas captivity amid ongoing airstrikes, according to the Times of Israel. The operation, which unfolded overnight, marked the second such rescue since October 7. Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Norberto Louis Har, 70, abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in October, were safely retrieved and taken to Tel Hashomer Medical Complex, stated the military....

As tensions simmer in Bulgaria's agricultural sector, a divide emerges among farmers following the signing of an agreement with authorities. While some have opted for dialogue, others are staging roadblocks across the country, signaling ongoing discontent. The recently brokered agreement, finalized last night, outlines the categorization of farms into three tiers based on size and proposes an annual rate per hectare, to be disbursed in two installments....

The National Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology has issued weather alerts for Monday, warning of heavy rain and strong winds in several regions across Bulgaria. An orange alert for heavy rain has been issued for Kardzhali and Smolyan, while a yellow alert for strong winds applies to 10 administrative regions: Burgas, Varna, Dobrich, Razgrad, Silistra, Sliven, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Additionally, Haskovo will experience heavy rainfall. ...