Weekend guide

Defense minister discusses new radars and budget challenges for bulgaria's armed forces

Bulgaria has initiated discussions on acquiring new radars, according to Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov. The Minister highlighted that the current state of the country’s armed forces, particularly the gaps in equipment and readiness, poses significant concerns for national security. He emphasized that these issues are already threatening the overall preparedness of the military....  Oще!

Bulgaria officially requests convergence reports for euro adoption

Bulgaria has officially requested the preparation of extraordinary convergence reports to assess the country’s readiness for joining the eurozone. This move comes after a decision made by the National Assembly in July 2024, aiming to accelerate the process of adopting the euro. The request was signed by the Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), Dimitar Radev, and Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova....  Oще!

Sunny skies dominate bulgaria on wednesday, clouds in the west

On Wednesday, Bulgaria will experience mostly sunny weather, though Western regions will see increased cloud cover. Winds will be light and coming from the south. Daytime temperatures will range between 6В°C and 11В°C, with Sofia reaching a high of around 9В°C. ...  Oще!

Bulgaria’s euro adoption: key information on conversion, currency exchange, and economic benefits

The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has clarified numerous questions about the adoption of the euro, the conversion of the Bulgarian lev, and its role after the country joins the eurozone. A primary point emphasized by the BNB is that the official exchange rate between the lev and the euro is irrevocably fixed at 1.95583 leva per 1 euro....  Oще!

Sofia live festival 2025: james bay, michael kiwanuka, and more to headline the biggest edition yet!

SOFIA LIVE FESTIVAL 2025 is set to return to the heart of Sofia with an even more exciting lineup. Scheduled for June 27, 28, and 29, the festival will once again take place at Arena Sofia (Kolodruma) in the Borisova Garden, offering music lovers a chance to enjoy performances from some of the biggest names on the global stage. Among the first confirmed artists making their Bulgarian debut is James Bay, a two-time BRIT Award winner and three-time GRAMMYВ® nominee....  Oще!

Tensions in bulgaria's boboshevo, but smooth transition elsewhere in euro adoption process

The process of introducing euro-based municipal services and tax designations in Bulgaria's Kyustendil region has sparked varying reactions, with some localities experiencing tension while others proceeded without complications, BNR reports. In Boboshevo, concerns arose over the upcoming decision to list all municipal services, fees, and taxes in both leva and euros. The vote, scheduled for Thursday, has led to apprehension among residents, who fear they will be required to pay exclusively in euros and that taxes may increase as a result. ...  Oще!

Mystery illness claims over 50 lives in congo, who investigates

An unidentified illness has claimed the lives of more than 50 people in the northwestern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the World Health Organization (WHO) confirming the outbreak on Monday. The disease, which first emerged on January 21, has resulted in 419 reported cases, including 53 fatalities. Medical experts have expressed concern over the rapid progression of the disease, as most victims succumb to it within 48 hours of showing symptoms....  Oще!

Bulgaria's president: military strategy in ukraine is a dead end, diplomacy is key

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has reiterated his stance on the war in Ukraine, stating that the continued pursuit of a military solution is a losing battle. He emphasized that Europe should support the United States in finding the best resolution to the conflict. His remarks came during the presentation of an analysis on the state of the Bulgarian armed forces, attended by senior military officials, including Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov, and national representatives in NATO and EU command structures. ...  Oще!

From cradle to cane: who report highlights lifelong health crises in europe

Almost 76,000 children in the European Region die before their fifth birthday every year; chronic diseases claim one in six people before age 70 Despite progress in some areas, the WHO European Region – long reputed to have some of the world’s strongest health systems - is largely stagnating or even backsliding on a range of indicators from child and adolescent health to chronic diseases. That’s the thrust of WHO’s latest European Health Report, drawing upon the most recently available data across all 53 Member States across Europe and Central Asia. ...  Oще!

Can ukraine survive summer without u.s. support? the clock is ticking

Ukraine is expected to maintain its current pace of fighting through the summer without additional US military aid, according to current and former Western officials, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. While Ukraine has received substantial support from Western nations, including nearly US$70 billion from the United States since the start of Russia's invasion, there are concerns about potential shortages of ammunition and the inability to replace some advanced weapons by mid-year. Celeste Wallander, a former senior Pentagon official, stated that the arms shipments from the Biden administration should be enough to sustain Ukraine's efforts until at least the summer....  Oще!