Sofia

The weather in Bulgaria on Thursday, November 21, will be variable, according to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology. Rain is expected in the morning, followed by sunny periods in the afternoon. Snow will fall in Western Bulgaria and the Forebalkan region during the morning. Winds will be moderate to strong, coming from the west.

Bulgarian police detained a group of illegal migrants following a high-speed chase on Sofia's ring road. The incident occurred just before noon, near the village of Lozen. The chase began when a car with foreign plates failed to stop despite multiple police signals.

Taxi drivers across Bulgaria will stage a nationwide protest today, expressing outrage over the sharp rise in "Civil Liability" insurance premiums. They claim the increase is both drastic and illegal, accusing insurers of operating as a cartel. Representatives of the industry have engaged with institutions and political parties, seeking intervention.

Joana Kehlibarova has been officially appointed as the Honorary Consul of Australia to Bulgaria, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the two countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria presented her with the Consular Exequatur on 18 November 2024, confirming her appointment.

The weather on Wednesday, November 20, is expected to be mostly sunny and windy across Bulgaria, with rain in the southwestern regions by evening, according to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology. A moderate to strong south-southwesterly wind will blow throughout the country. Morning temperatures will range from 2°C to 7°C, with Sofia at 3°C.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev criticized the influence of the oligarchy in the country, referencing the "Magnitsky-sanctioned figures" who he believes are undermining the state.

A tragic incident occurred at a school in Sofia where an 11-year-old girl passed away, BNT reported.

The child lost consciousness earlier this morning. The school nurse immediately contacted emergency services for assistance.

Taxi drivers across Bulgaria are set to stage a nationwide protest tomorrow, voicing dissatisfaction with the rising costs of mandatory "Civil Liability" insurance. The protest, organized by the National Association for the Protection of Carriers and Taxi Drivers (NAZPTV), is expected to significantly impact traffic in 30 cities.

Members of the far-right group "Europe of Sovereign Nations" (ESN) are set to meet in Sofia on November 20 and 21, according to a statement from a spokesperson for the group's chairman, René Aust.

Residents of Sofia's "Krasna Polyana" neighborhood are once again raising concerns about dangerously polluted air as the fall season brings worsening conditions. Locals report a strong smell of synthetics, burnt clothes, and tires in the air, with some saying it is visibly dirty. Many blame nearby areas, including the "Vietnamese dormitories," for contributing to the pollution.