софия

Title: Joint Police Operation in Sofia: Arrests Linked to Alleged Extortion and Loan Sharking

In a coordinated police operation across two Sofia districts, Pancharevo and Manastirski Livadi, a significant number of police officers were deployed early in the morning. As reported by bTV, the operation is linked to allegations of extortion, blackmail, and loan sharking activities.

Five individuals have been detained so far, including a man known by the alias ‘Mитко’ or ‘Russia’. Notably, ‘Mитko’ was previously shot and injured, along with his son, in a parking lot in Mladost in early September.

The other four detainees are reportedly part of ‘Mитko’s’ inner circle and are described as part of the so-called ‘heavy criminal contingent’. The operation is ongoing, with police currently searching addresses and vehicles.

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Esteemed Bulgarian Composer Alexander Sevelev Passes Away After Gas Explosion

In a solemn turn of events, renowned Bulgarian composer Alexander Sevelev has succumbed to injuries sustained in a gas explosion that occurred in his residence in the Lозенец district of the capital. Sevelev’s passing was confirmed via a Facebook post by his friends.

The incident took place on January 4 at Sevelev’s home on Korab Planina Street, where his studio is also located. Reports suggest that a gas cylinder explosion was the cause of the mishap. The composer was severely injured and rushed to the hospital, where he remained until his unfortunate demise.

Sevelev was a distinguished figure in the Bulgarian music scene, known for his exceptional compositions and contributions to various genres. His work spanned over decades, leaving an indelible mark on the Bulgarian musical landscape. His loss is a significant blow to the country’s artistic community.

As details surrounding the incident continue to emerge, we urge our readers to stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. For on-the-spot news and coverage, you can follow us on our Google News Showcase. Our hearts go out to Sevelev’s family, friends, and admirers during this difficult time.

Teenage footballer stabbed twice in the chest in brawl near Sofia

A 17-year-old footballer from CSKA, Anton Tolev, is fighting for his life after being stabbed twice in the chest during a brawl in a village near Koolinbrod, Bulgarian National Television (bTV) reports. The incident was confirmed to the media by the Sofia Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior.

The teenager is currently in critical condition in a hospital. The attacker, who has been arrested, faces charges of attempted murder and possession of illicit substances, namely cocaine and marijuana.

The brawl involved a group of individuals in the village of Gara Lovo GPU, located near Koolinbrod. Tolev, a promising young footballer, was apparently targeted in the confrontation.

More details about the incident are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.мия:

Title: Bulgaria’s Bread Prices Skyrocket in 2025 as DDS Rebate Ends

The new year has brought unwanted news for Bulgarian bread lovers as prices have already started to rise. The end of the zero VAT rate for bread, introduced during the pandemic, has triggered warnings from bakers since December 2024. The reimplementation of the standard 20% VAT rate is expected to generate an extra over 400 million levs for the national budget.

A price check conducted by Money.bg in Sofia revealed the current costs of some of the most consumed bread types and the extent of the price hikes:

• "Dobrudja" bread (650g): now BGN 1.69, up 31% from BGN 1.29
• Wholegrain bread (300g): now BGN 2.89, up 21% from BGN 2.39
• Typical bread (650g): now BGN 2.59, up 18% from BGN 2.19
• Village bread (600g): now BGN 2.49, up 21% from BGN 2.05
• White bread (550g): now BGN 2.29, up 15% from BGN 1.99
• Rye bread with whole grains (470g): now BGN 2.29, up 21% from BGN 1.89

Overall, the average price increase is around 20%. Some types of bread, which are typically more expensive, have even seen increases above this average.

When the VAT hike was announced, there was no significant decrease in bread prices. Instead, only isolated cases of slight price drops were observed. This implies that bakers might only increase prices by a few percentage points now, using their previous reserves. However, this may not be the case in reality.

SEO Keywords: Bulgarian bread prices, VAT increase, DDS rebate, bread price hike, Bulgaria 2025

title=" delaying trains across Bulgaria underlines infrastructure woes, passengers frustrated"

Bulgaria’s state railway operator, BDZ, is grappling with widespread delays today, causing substantial inconvenience to passengers on key routes. The latest incident, reported by BNT, involved a train on the Varna-Sofia line, which departed from Bulgaria’s coastal capital at 09:20 but was stuck for over an hour between Stara Zagora and MichaIlovo due to a fault in the contact network.

The state-owned BDZ informed passengers that they would be transported by bus instead, but the alternative solution did little to mitigate the delays. At Sofia’s Central Station, the train arrived 90 minutes behind schedule, extending the journey from Varna to almost 10 hours. The disruption wasn’t isolated; another train at Septemvri Station was delayed by 82 minutes in the late afternoon.

Passengers on social media have expressed their frustration, with many calling for investment in Bulgaria’s railway infrastructure. The recent delays come amidst increasing concerns about the dilapidated state of the country’s railway network, which is considered one of the worst in Europe.

Officials from BDZ have yet to comment on when services will return to normal, leaving thousands of passengers across the country’s key routes experiencing significant disruptions to their travel plans.

Booming Home Sales in Bulgarian Cities

Bulgaria witnessed a sharp surge in residential property sales in major cities during the final quarter of 2024. A 32.4% surge in transactions involving apartments and houses was recorded in Sofia compared to the previous quarter, according to data from the Agency for in Willis.

In Sofia, 10,441 property deals were registered in the fourth quarter, more than double the 7,879 deals closed in the previous quarter. Other large cities also experienced significant increases in purchases.

Nationwide, 60,429 houses and apartments were sold between October and December, marking an 11.6% rise from the previous quarter. This trend is not limited to major cities; smaller towns and villages also saw increased activity, indicating a broader appetite for both urban and rural properties.

The six largest cities— Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, and Stara Zagora—together accounted for 23,760 registered sales, an 18.2% increase from the previous quarter. Sofia led the way with the highest increase, followed by Varna and Ruse.

The trend extended to smaller towns and villages as well. When compared to the previous quarter, registered sales in these areas rose by 7.6%.

Post-pandemic, demand for rural houses and vacation homes has surged, with buyers appreciating the benefits of a second home close to nature. Many remote workers have chosen to relocate from cities, and real estate investments are seen as a safe haven amid high inflation and low bank deposit rates.

The towns of Breznick and Oryahovo topped the list of locations with the most significant sales increases. Breznick, close to Sofia, witnessed a 47.4% rise in sales, while Oryahovo saw a 40% increase.

As the Bulgarian real estate market continues its-Asian trend, investors and homebuyers are advised to stay tuned for further developments.

Veteran Composer Alexandar Savelyev Fighting for Life After Gas Explosion in His Home

In a sudden turn of events, renowned Bulgarian composer Alexandar Savelyev, 66, is currently in critical condition after an explosion at his residence. The incident occurred late last night at his home, which also doubles as his studio, on Kobrabnisa Street, No. 17.

Explosion at Savelyev’s Residence

Emergency services received a call around 18:40 hours regarding the explosion. Savelyev was reportedly severely injured and rushed to University Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment and Emergency Medicine "N.I. Pirogov" in critical condition.

Legendary Composer Battling for Life

Confirming the incident, the hospital stated that there has been no change in the patient’s status, and Savelyev continues to be hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit. The hospital did not disclose further details on his condition or the extent of his injuries. However, neighboring residents swiftly confirmed the incident through social media, stating that the explosion had taken place at the composer’s house.

Lifelong Musical Contribution

Alexandar Savelyev is a highly regarded figure in Bulgaria‘s music scene, with numerous compositions and performances to his name. His absence from the local music landscape due to this incident has sent waves of concern throughout the community. Fans and supporters are encouraged to follow updates for more information regarding his condition and recovery.

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headline: Bulgarian Police Seize Drugs and Vaping Supplies from Online Dealers in Sofia

In a significant bust, Bulgarian police have arrested two individuals and seized a substantial amount of drugs and vaping supplies in the capital, Sofia. The operation was conducted by officers from the "Narcotics" sector of the Main Directorate of the National Police (GDN) and the Ninth Regional Directorate on January 3, following a tip-off about a suspect dealing in new psychoactive substances.

Investigations revealed that the duo was operating an online platform for distributing the illicit substances, run by a 48-year-old man with a criminal record. Further inquiries led police to a 70-year-old woman who was also implicated in the operations. Her car yielded a trove of evidence, including 4 bottles containing various liquids, 4 boxes of around 500 empty e-cigarette pods, and 4 metal containers filled with aromatic liquids.

The seized substances were analyzed and found to be 1.5 kg of nouvelle psychoactive substances (NPS) and 1.5 kg of their analogues. During a subsequent search of the suspects’ residence, police confiscated over 300 vaping devices containing various substances, which are being further examined for traces of drugs and their analogues.

A pre-trial investigation has been launched, and the case is being overseen by the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office. Meanwhile, the seized URLs of the websites involved have been forwarded to the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) for further scrutiny.

This operation underscores Bulgaria’s commitment to cracking down on the illegal drug trade, particularly the sale of NPS, which have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. With the rise in online sales, law enforcement agencies are employing innovative strategies to stay ahead of the curve and disrupt these illicit activities.

Tags: Bulgarian Police, Drug Bust, Sofia, New Psychoactive Substances, NPS, Online Drug Trade, Vaping Supplies, Criminal Investigation

Breaking News: House Fire in Sofia‘s Lозeneц District After Gas Cylinder Explosion

In a dramatic turn of events, a house in Sofia’s Lозeneц district was engulfed in flames following an explosion of a gas cylinder, BTV reports. The fire quickly spread to a nearby second house. Fortunately, a woman and her children managed to escape the burning residence. Emergency services were swiftly deployed to the scene.

A 66-year-old man, seriously injured in the explosion, was transported to University Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment and Emergency Medicine (UMABSM) "N.I. Pirogov". He is in critical condition, suffering from extensive and deep burns, including damage to his upper respiratory tract. Doctors are working to stabilize him before scheduled surgeries in the coming days.

This developing story highlights the importance of gas safety in homes. As investigations continue, residents are reminded to regularly check their gas appliances and follow safety guidelines to prevent such tragedies.

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Breaking: Explosion Leads to Fire in Sofia‘s Lозенец District, Two Houses Affected

Sofia, Bulgaria – In a rapidly developing incident, a gas cylinder explosion has triggered a fire in the capital’s Lозенец district. According to bTV news, the blaze has spread to a second house, putting the lives of countless individuals at risk.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a mother and her children safely evacuate their burning home. Emergency services have been swiftly deployed to the scene. Tragically, a 66-year-old man has been pulled from the inferno with severe burns. He is being transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.

As of now, firefighters are battling the flames, and rescue efforts are underway to ensure no other lives are endangered. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and are searching for any remaining occupants in the affected homes.

Stay with us for more updates as this story unfolds.