Latest News from Bulgaria
Saint Barbara’s Day: A Blend of Faith, Folklore, and Festive Customs in Bulgaria
On December 4, the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Barbara, a revered figure in Christian tradition and folklore. Known as the patron saint of those who passed away suddenly, without the opportunity to repent and receive communion, Saint Barbara's life and martyrdom are deeply rooted in both history and legend.
Turkey Left Out as Bulgaria and Romania Prepare for Schengen Membership
Turkish media outlets have reacted strongly to the anticipated accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area, with headlines emphasizing a perceived negative impact on Turkey.
Cold and Cloudy Weather Expected Across Bulgaria on December 4
The weather forecast for Bulgaria on Wednesday, December 4, predicts mostly cloudy skies across the country, with fog expected in the plains. The wind will be light, coming from the northeast, and from the north in the eastern regions. Temperatures will range from lows of 0°C to 5°C and highs between 4°C and 9°C, with Sofia expected to reach 6°C.
Bulgaria Declares January 3 a Nationwide Non-School Day
By order of the Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Galin Tsokov, January 3, 2025, will be a non-school day for all schools across Bulgaria. This decision comes after the Ministry of Education and Science closely monitored the situation throughout the country, maintaining continuous communication with local mayors.
Major Migrant Trafficking Ring Busted in Bulgaria: 10 Arrested
One of Bulgaria's largest criminal networks involved in migrant trafficking has been dismantled following a coordinated operation by the Border Police and the National Security Agency (SANS). Ten individuals were arrested today, including the ringleader from Burgas.
U.S. Army Completes Scheduled Transfer of Forces at Novo Selo Training Area
This morning, the United States Army carried out its scheduled transfer of forces at the Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA). As part of this routine exercise, the 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division replaced the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Sofia Heating System on the Brink of Collapse: Councilors Demand Urgent Action
Municipal councilors from the "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria-Spasi Sofia" (WCC-DB-SS) coalition are raising concerns over the dire situation at Toplofikatsiya-Sofia (District Heating Sofia), the capital's heating company. They have called for a hearing with the company's management to address the alarming technical and financial state of the enterprise.
Fourlis Group hit by cyberattack that crippled online store operation
Retail group Fourlis was hit by a ransomware attack last month, affecting the operations of the Group's companies in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular IKEA and Intersport.
According to a statement from the Group, the technical problem was noticed on November 27 and was found to be due to "malicious external action."
Karimanski Assumes Role in Bulgaria's National Bank, Emphasizes Eurozone Preparedness
President Rumen Radev emphasized the stability of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), describing it as one of the most secure financial institutions in Europe, despite ongoing political instability. He made these remarks during the swearing-in ceremony for Lyubomir Karimanski, who joined the Governing Board of the BNB.
Petkov Challenges Peevski’s Influence as Plevneliev Urges Dialogue for Bulgaria’s Stability
In recent months, Bulgarian politics have been marked by tension and instability, fueled by the deepening rifts between key political figures and parties. These divisions center around the so-called "Peevski model," a reference to the influence of controversial political figure Delyan Peevski, who has been a polarizing presence in the country's political arena.
Bulgaria's Latest Military Aid to Ukraine Likely Includes Surplus Anti-Aircraft Systems
Bulgaria has decided to provide additional military aid to Ukraine, as confirmed by the latest meeting of the caretaker government led by Dimitar Glavchev. While the decision was published on the Council of Ministers' website, the government has not made an official announcement regarding the new aid, and the list of specific weapons being sent remains classified.
Bulgaria’s Budget Deficit Narrows to 3.7 Billion Leva in November
Preliminary data from Bulgaria's Ministry of Finance indicates a slight reduction in the budget deficit for November compared to October. By the end of November, the deficit is expected to stand at 3.7 billion leva, marking a decrease from nearly 4 billion leva reported in October.
EU and Bulgaria Press North Macedonia on Constitutional Reforms and EU Accession
During a debate in the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in Brussels, Timco Mucunski, Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, refrained from providing a timeline for including Bulgarians as a state-forming nationality in the country's constitution. Despite repeated questions from both MEPs and Bulgarian journalists, Mucunski avoided addressing the issue directly.
Cloudy Skies and Rain in Parts of Bulgaria on December 3
On December 3, Bulgaria will experience predominantly cloudy skies, with rain expected in parts of Southeastern Bulgaria. Winds will be light to moderate, coming from the northeast. Daytime temperatures will range between 4°C and 9°C, with Sofia seeing highs around 6°C.
Economic Impact of Schengen Membership: Bulgaria Stands to Gain Substantial Benefits
Bulgaria's admission to the Schengen area could bring substantial financial benefits, amounting to an estimated 1.63 billion leva annually. This projection comes from a study conducted by the Institute for Economic Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, commissioned by the Ministry of Economy and Industry to evaluate the economic implications of joining Schengen.