https://www.novinite.com/ Real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news - economic, political and cultural, foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and world news. en 2001-2026 Novinite Ltd. https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=238011 238011 Environment Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:27:32 +0200 Wednesday, April 15 will bring mostly calm spring weather across Bulgaria, with sunshine dominating large parts of the country. However, cloud cover will be more noticeable in the southern regions, where short-lived and generally light rainfall is possible, mainly over mountainous areas. Winds will come predominantly from the east-southeast, while in the Danube Plain they will shift from the north-northeast, remaining weak to moderate.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=238010 238010 Energy Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:08:16 +0200 Bulgaria has secured a six-month extension of the Lukoil waiver, following a decision by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The move comes ahead of the previously set deadline of April 29, giving the country additional time under the current arrangement. The extension is formalized through a license issued by OFAC, which permits specific transactions involving certain Lukoil-linked entities operating within Bulgaria.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=238000 238000 Politics Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:30:00 +0200 Political analysts suggest that the outcome of Hungary’s recent elections could resonate in Bulgaria ahead of its own vote, potentially shaping voter behavior and political positioning. Speaking on Nova TV, media expert Assoc. Prof.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237999 237999 Health Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:23:00 +0200 Bulgaria is not currently facing a measles outbreak, but declining vaccination coverage is raising concerns about a potential epidemic, Acting Health Minister Assoc. Prof. Mihail Okoliyski said in an interview with BNT.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=238005 238005 Society Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:30:00 +0200 Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev announced that the new metro section through Poduyane is expected to be launched in July, with construction works already reaching around 98% completion. The new line is seen as part of a broader effort to improve urban mobility in the Bulgarian capital. According to Terziev, the 3-kilometer extension will significantly shorten travel times for residents of the “Levski”, “Suhata Reka” and “Hadzhi Dimitar” districts.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237998 237998 Health Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:19:00 +0200 Bulgarian authorities have blocked the entry of more than 370 tons of food products from non-EU countries over the course of roughly one month, following inspections at the Union’s external borders. Between early March and April 5, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) stopped 51 shipments after carrying out veterinary and phytosanitary checks, with most of the irregular consignments identified at the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint. A significant portion of the rejected goods consisted of fresh produce.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=238004 238004 Politics Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:56:00 +0200 Speaking at a public meeting in Pazardzhik, “We Continue the Change” leader Asen Vassilev warned that a new external shock linked to Iran could trigger another major economic crisis, with direct effects on energy prices, food costs and vulnerable households. He argued that the key policy response should be to ensure that incomes rise faster than inflation. “Another severe crisis is looming because of Iran.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=238003 238003 Politics Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:37:00 +0200 Speaking in Asenovgrad, the leader of “Progressive Bulgaria” Rumen Radev said that a high voter turnout could fundamentally reshape the political landscape, arguing that mass participation would lead to the removal of Boyko Borissov and Delyan Peevski from public life. “We will remove Borissov and Peevski from the political scene forever if 80% of the people come out to vote, as happened in Hungary,” Radev told journalists, adding that such a scenario would bring a decisive political shift. He described growing public engagement during the campaign, saying that citizens are increasingly overcoming fear and political apathy.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=238002 238002 Crime Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0200 Authorities in Bulgaria are investigating a severe case of domestic violence in the village of Sitovo, Silistra region, after a man set a woman on fire and later took his own life. The incident was reported on April 12 at around 5:30 p.m.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=238001 238001 Society Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:45:18 +0200 In April, the value of Bulgaria’s so-called "small consumer basket" reached 61.05 euros, marking a 2% increase compared with March, according to data presented by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB). The figures were released at a press conference based on monthly monitoring of essential goods, carried out in the context of preparations for the country’s planned euro adoption from January 1. ... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237997 237997 Crime Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:16:31 +0200 Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry has seized a total of 1 million euros during ongoing operations targeting vote buying, according to an announcement by Acting Secretary General Chief Commissioner Georgi Kandev. The funds, he said, were intended to manipulate electoral outcomes by influencing voters. In a public statement, Kandev stressed that the authorities will take a firm stance against election-related crimes, making it clear that no one will be protected.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237996 237996 Southeast Europe Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:10:23 +0200 A shooting at a school in southeastern Turkey left 16 people injured after a former student opened fire before taking his own life, according to local authorities. The incident occurred in the Siverek Municipality of Şanlıurfa Province, where emergency services and security forces were quickly dispatched to the scene. Television footage showed ambulances lined up outside the school as students rushed out of the building in panic. ... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237984 237984 Defense Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:02:00 +0200 Europe is undergoing a fundamental shift in how it approaches defense, moving beyond increased spending toward the creation of an entirely new industrial ecosystem. At the center of this transformation is the European defense Fund (EDF), backed by €7.3 billion for the 2021-2027 period and more than €1 billion allocated for 2026 alone.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237978 237978 Finance Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:35:00 +0200 The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has decided to increase the countercyclical capital buffer to 2.25%, in a move aimed at easing pressure on the rapidly growing housing credit market and strengthening the resilience of the banking system. The measure is designed as a preventive tool that requires banks to set aside additional capital during periods of strong lending growth.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237994 237994 World Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:07:00 +0200 Despite the US-imposed naval blockade targeting Iranian-linked maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, several sanctioned vessels have continued to pass through the strategic waterway, according to maritime tracking data cited by CNN. One of the most closely monitored cases involves the Malawi-flagged, Chinese-owned tanker Rich Starry, which is linked to Full Star Shipping Ltd and Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd. The vessel has been under US sanctions since 2023 over alleged ties to Iran.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237995 237995 Energy Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:03:01 +0200 Energy expert Boyan Rashev has warned that Europe could be moving toward what he described as an “energy lockdown” scenario if fuel supply pressures continue to worsen, drawing parallels with restrictions seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking on Nova TV’s “Hello, Bulgaria,” he suggested that governments may eventually be forced to introduce measures such as working from home policies and even free public transport if shortages intensify. Rashev argued that authorities should already be preparing contingency plans for a potential physical fuel shortage.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237992 237992 Incidents Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:08:00 +0200 A serious road accident in the Burgas region has left a 14-year-old boy in a coma with life-threatening injuries, while several other people, including a child, were also hurt. The crash took place on the road between Karnobat and Aytos, in the stretch between the villages of Klikach and Chukarka, according to Nova TV. Preliminary information indicates that a car driven by a 24-year-old man from Karnobat lost control after driving at excessive speed on a wet road surface.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237989 237989 EU Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0200 The European Union has agreed on a major overhaul of its steel import regime, effectively doubling tariffs in an effort to protect domestic producers from what officials describe as a growing wave of low-cost foreign, particularly Chinese, exports. The agreement was reached late on Monday between EU member states and European Parliament negotiators. Under the new deal, tariffs on steel imports will rise to 50 percent, while the volume allowed into the EU without incurring duties will be reduced by 47 percent.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237991 237991 Health Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:14:52 +0200 The Bulgarian Ministry of Health has expressed support for the Bulgarian Medical Association’s proposal to raise the prices of all medical services by 25 percent, with officials indicating that the adjustment could be implemented at the earliest legally possible moment when a new budget is adopted. According to acting Health Minister Assoc. Prof.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237990 237990 Energy Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:06:07 +0200 Fuel prices in Bulgaria have continued to edge upward, with diesel and gasoline both registering increases in the days following the Easter holiday. According to market data, the average price of A95 petrol currently stands at around 1.48 euros per liter, while diesel has reached approximately 1.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237993 237993 Tourism Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:01:50 +0200 Bulgaria’s tourism sector has never been stronger and has been achieving steady growth for the past few years. The industry has been adjusting to new changes in the market, that of the digital traveller. It is nothing new to say that tourism is shaped by technology, but its influence has grown even stronger as tourism is shaped to the will of the visitor.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237988 237988 World Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:01:00 +0200 U.S. President Donald Trump has again escalated rhetoric beyond the ongoing war with Iran, suggesting that Cuba could become Washington’s next target.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237983 237983 Politics Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:20:00 +0200 A leading global research center on democratic systems has issued a stark warning about political trends in several countries, concluding in its latest annual report that Bulgaria is now among those showing clear signs of democratic backsliding. The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute argues that concerns long debated in public discourse are now backed by data, placing Bulgaria within a group of states moving toward autocratization. According to the institute, eight countries currently warrant close monitoring due to what it describes as a pronounced drift toward authoritarian governance.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237987 237987 Ukraine Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:03:00 +0200 Hungary’s incoming prime minister Péter Magyar has signaled that his government will not obstruct the European Union’s €90 billion loan for Ukraine, while making clear that Budapest itself will not participate in the mechanism. Speaking to foreign journalists in Budapest, Magyar stressed that the decision had effectively already been settled at EU level and does not directly involve Hungary. He pointed out that during the December European Council meeting, Viktor Orban had voted for Hungary to opt out of the loan, while the broader decision was approved by the EU.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237986 237986 World Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:00:35 +0200 The United States has moved forward with a major escalation in its conflict with Iran, enforcing a naval blockade on all Iranian ports as of Monday, targeting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that typically carries around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil supply. The measure took effect at 14:00 GMT, following the collapse of negotiations in Islamabad over the weekend, which had aimed to secure a longer-term settlement after a recently agreed ceasefire. President Donald Trump framed the move as decisive and immediate, declaring that the US Navy would begin stopping vessels linked to Iran and warning that ships paying what he described as “illegal tolls” would not be granted safe passage.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237985 237985 Environment Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:48:03 +0200 Weather conditions across Bulgaria today are expected to remain stable and predominantly sunny, accompanied by light winds coming from the southwest. Morning temperatures will range between 4 and 8 degrees, gradually rising during the day to highs of 16 to 20 degrees. In Sofia, daytime temperatures are forecast to reach around 17 degrees, reflecting the generally mild spring pattern. ... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237973 237973 Industry Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:28:00 +0200 Industrial output in Bulgaria posted a modest monthly increase in February 2026, but continued to decline sharply on an annual basis, according to preliminary, seasonally adjusted data from the National Statistical Institute. On a monthly comparison, the industrial production index rose by 0.9% compared to January.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237972 237972 Energy Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:18:00 +0200 The president of the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions, Plamen Dimitrov, has warned that inflation in Bulgaria is likely to exceed earlier projections, even if fuel prices begin to decline. Speaking to the Bulgarian National Radio, he stressed that a formal meeting of the Tripartite Council had been expected before Easter to discuss proposed anti-crisis measures, but such a step has yet to take place. Dimitrov said the unions will continue to push for dialogue with the government, although he expressed uncertainty about the outcome.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237971 237971 EU Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:03:00 +0200 The introduction of the euro in Bulgaria has so far produced only a limited and largely one-off effect on consumer prices, according to an analysis by the European Central Bank. The findings come amid widespread public concern that replacing the lev with the euro would trigger significant price increases. The ECB notes that such fears are typical in countries undergoing a currency transition and are often linked to expectations of price rounding, additional transition costs, and opportunistic increases in sectors with weaker competition.... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237982 237982 World Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:06:45 +0200 Efforts to secure a lasting end to hostilities between the United States and Iran have stalled after prolonged negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough, casting doubt over a fragile ceasefire now entering its seventh week. The 21-hour talks concluded without agreement, with both sides accusing each other of responsibility for the impasse. The conflict, which has already claimed thousands of lives, most of them in Iran, continues to send shockwaves through global energy markets. ... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237981 237981 EU Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:56:07 +0200 Viktor Orban’s long hold on power has come to an abrupt end after a decisive electoral victory by Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is projected to secure a commanding parliamentary majority. With more than 98% of ballots counted, preliminary results point to around 138 seats for Tisza, compared to 55 for Orban’s Fidesz and six for the far-right Our Homeland party. The outcome marks the collapse of a political system that critics had described as an “electoral autocracy,” bringing to a close 16 years of uninterrupted rule. ... https://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=237977 237977 Culture Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:51:00 +0200 Orthodox Easter Monday is the day following Easter Sunday and is observed across Bulgaria as part of the wider Easter celebration within the Orthodox Christian tradition. While the most important liturgical moment takes place on Sunday night, Monday continues the festive atmosphere, blending religious meaning with long-standing social customs. Unlike the solemnity of Holy Week, Easter Monday is marked by a more relaxed and communal tone....