Latest News from Romania
Bulgaria Marks 20 Years in NATO with Celebration and Reflection
Bulgaria commemorates a significant milestone today as it celebrates 20 years of NATO membership. On March 29, 2004, Bulgaria, alongside several other nations including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, officially became a member of the NATO alliance.
Explosion Rocks Romania's Largest Refinery - Petromidia
An explosion shook the largest Romanian refinery, Petromidia, located in Constanta County on the Black Sea coast, this morning, as reported by Radio Romania. Fortunately, authorities have confirmed that there were no casualties resulting from the incident, although measures are underway to assess the extent of air pollution caused by the explosion.
Russian Drone Strikes Ravage Ukraine
Russian forces have launched a devastating drone attack across the entirety of Ukraine, leaving a trail of destruction and casualties in its wake. The assault, which struck residential areas in cities like Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv, has sent shockwaves through the region, prompting urgent responses from international leaders and organizations.
EU Grants Rheinmetall Over 130 Million Euros for Ammunition Production Expansion
German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has secured a substantial financial boost from the European Union, receiving over 130 million euros to enhance its ammunition production capabilities. The funding is earmarked for the production of 155 mm ammunition and gunpowder, with projects set to take place in Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Spain.
Bulgaria Reports Lowest Hourly Labour Costs in EU for 2023: Eurostat
Eurostat's recent publication on Wednesday showed insights into hourly labour costs across the European Union (EU) in 2023, indicating a notable rise compared to the previous year. The average hourly labour costs for the entire economy were estimated at EUR 31.8 in the EU and EUR 35.6 in the euro area, marking an increase from EUR 30.2 and EUR 34.0, respectively, in 2022.
Bulgaria's E-commerce Set to Contribute 2.11% of GDP in 2023
On a briefing held at the National Press Club of BTA, Nikola Ilchev, the creator and organizer of the Balkan eCommerce Summit, showed projections indicating a significant rise in Bulgaria's e-commerce sector. Citing data from three studies, Ilchev disclosed that e-commerce is anticipated to account for 2.11% of Bulgaria's GDP in 2023, up from 1.92% in 2022.
Serbia on Edge: Race to Find Missing Toddler Near Bulgarian Border Intensifies
A race against time unfolds in Serbia as emergency services mobilize to locate two-year-old Danka Ilić, who vanished from Banjsko Polje near Bor. The activation of the "Find Me" system, akin to an Amber Alert, marks a first for Serbia, underlining the urgency of the situation.
European prices with Balkan purchasing power
Despite the increase in the minimum wage in 2023, Greece's gross domestic product (GDP) per capita expressed in purchasing power standards is 67% of the European average, according to Eurostat.
This puts Greece in 26th place among the 27 member-states, with Bulgaria in last, where GDP per capita in purchasing power units was 64% of the European average.
PPC completes acquisition of Romania wind farm
Public Power Corporation (PPC) announced on Tuesday it has completed the acquisition of an 84-megawatt wind farm in Romania through its subsidiary PPC Renewables.
Bulgarian Black Sea Resorts: Anticipating Summer Boom Despite Aviation Hurdles
As the arrival of warmer weather beckons, hotels lining the Bulgarian Black Sea coasts are gearing up to welcome the first wave of sea tourists, with an expected surge in visitors around the Easter holidays, coinciding this year with St. George's Day on May 6.
Early Tourist Registrations Surge on Bulgaria's Southern Black Sea Coast
Hoteliers along Bulgaria's Southern Black Sea coast are anticipating a notable increase in tourist numbers, with early bookings already showing promising growth. Both domestic travelers and visitors from key international markets such as Germany, England, Austria, and Poland are contributing to this surge in reservations.
Boundless Skies: Bulgarian Airports will Embrace the Schengen Integration with Inaugural Flights on March 31
As the clock strikes 00:20 on March 31, a significant milestone unfolds at Sofia Airport, marking Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen area by air. The inaugural Schengen flight from Naples, operated by a low-cost airline, will touch down on Sunday, symbolizing a new era of borderless travel for the nation.
Man arrested for revenge porn, rape
Police in Rafina, eastern Attica have arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of revenge pornography, rape and domestic violence.
According to information, the 30-year-old, who is originally from Romania, is accused of uploading photos of his ex-partner to closed groups on Facebook.
EU to Supply Emergency Power to Ukraine Amidst Russian Airstrikes
Overnight Russian airstrikes targeted energy facilities across Ukraine, leaving over 1 million energy consumers in the country without electricity, as reported by Reuters.
The airstrikes primarily focused on regions in eastern Kharkiv Oblast, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and Poltava Oblast, resulting in widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.
168 Foreigners Returned to Bulgaria Under Dublin Regulation
In a recent parliamentary scrutiny session, resigned Minister of Internal Affairs, Kalin Stoyanov, unveiled startling statistics regarding the return of foreigners to Bulgaria under the Dublin Regulation. Within just over two months, a total of 168 individuals have been repatriated to Bulgaria, shedding light on the complexities of international migration policies and their enforcement.