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Title: Dramatic Tree Falls Blocking Busy Bulgarian Highway; No Injuries Reported

In a dramatic turn of events, a colossal tree has fallen across a busy highway in Bulgaria, causing significant traffic disruption and sparking concern among travelers. The incident, which occurred on the Samokov to Borovets road, was captured on social media platforms, painting a vivid picture of the scene.

Eyewitnesses reported that the traffic gridlock was further exacerbated by another fallen tree blocking the path, with motorists waiting for the road to be cleared. Unbeknownst to them, another large tree was about to come crashing down. Remarkably, there were no immediate reports of injuries or vehicle damage, thanks to the quick reflexes of drivers who managed to stop before or after the fallen tree.

According to regional news network bTV, the alert drivers had anticipated the potential danger and taken necessary precautions, avoiding a catastrophic situation. Despite the close call, no immediate injuries or vehicle damage were reported.

This incident follows a similar event earlier this week, where a falling tree crashed onto a vehicle onMt. Vidisha. In a separate, yet equally concerning incident, a tree branch in the same area struck a car and severely injured a 19-year-old named Kaloyan. Kaloyan remains in critical condition at the "Pirogov" hospital, with medical teams working tirelessly to save his life.

The recent spate of tree-related incidents has raised concerns about the safety of Bulgaria’s highways and roads, particularly during the ongoing stormy weather. Authorities are urging extreme caution and have deployed emergency services to patrol and clear affected areas. As the cleanup operation continues, motorists are advised to be vigilant while traveling through woodland areas.

Residents of Kystendil and Nearby Villages Gather to Mourn Teenager Killed in Horse-Car Crash

Residents from Kystendil and surrounding villages gathered on the Kystendil-Sofia road, close to the site of a tragic accident, which claimed the life of an 18-year-old girl in a collision with a horse drawn carriage early yesterday morning, according to Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA).

In a sign of respect, the gathered community observed a minute of silence, knelt down, and laid flowers to honor Adi, who was set to be an graduate this academic year.

Kystendil Mayor Ognyan Atanasov and Municipal Council Chairman Dimitar Velichkov were present at the scene. The residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the ongoing issue of horses crossing the busy Kystendil-Sofia road, a concern that has remained unresolved for years.

Mayor Atanasov addressed the crowd, acknowledging the issue but emphasizing that the road and the adjacent lands are not under the municipal jurisdiction. He assured that the municipality has installed 10 km of electric fencing and plans to repair the street lighting at its own expense, with a permit obtained from the Road Infrastructure Agency, by January 2025.

Atanasov undertook to organize a meeting with all relevant institutions to tackle the animal-related issue on the road. A woman close to the family proposed another gathering on January 4th at 12:00 PM to discuss the progress made, inviting all responsible institutions to attend.

Bulgaria Braces for Winter Chill: Snow, Rain, and Mists Expected Over the Holidays

As the year draws to a close and the new one begins, Bulgaria is set to experience a mix of snow, rain, and mists, according to TV-MET’s chief synoptic, Petar Yanukov. Here’s what to expect in the coming days.

Friday, December 24: Chilly and Wet

• Morning: Expect temperatures ranging from -5°C to 0°C in central regions, dropping to -6°C to -7°C in higher western areas, and hovering around 0°C to 1°C along the Black Sea coast.
• Daytime: Cloudy skies with rain and snow expected. Western and northern regions may see wet snow, while southern and eastern areas could experience rain and snow, with thunderstorms possible in Dobrudja.
• Evening: Rain will gradually subside, but clouds will persist. Western and northern settlements may see snow depths of 7-10 cm, and up to 10-15 cm in western Bulgaria.
• Wind: Strong winds from the northeast, with speeds up to 60-65 km/h.
• Temperatures: Maximum temperatures ranging from -1°C to 5°C, with the Black Sea coast reaching up to 3°C.

Saturday, December 25: More Snow and Rain

• Morning: Temperatures will range from -4°C to 1°C in central regions, and up to 1-2°C along the Black Sea coast.
• Daytime: Cloudy skies with rain and snow expected, particularly in northern and eastern regions.
• Evening: Rain will gradually subside, but clouds will persist. Western and northern settlements may see snow depths of 7-13 cm.
• Wind: Winds will weaken to light to moderate speeds, up to 25-30 km/h.
• Temperatures: Maximum temperatures ranging from 1°C to 6°C, with the Black Sea coast reaching up to 4-5°C.

Sunday, December 26: Mists and Snow

• Morning: Temperatures will range from -5°C to 0°C in central regions, dropping to -7°C in western areas, and reaching up to 2°C along the Black Sea coast.
• Daytime: Cloudy skies with rain and snow expected, particularly in northern and eastern regions.
• Evening: Rain will gradually subside, but clouds will persist. Western and northern settlements may see snow depths of 7-13 cm.
• Wind: Light to moderate winds from the north, with speeds up to 25-30 km/h.
• Temperatures: Maximum temperatures ranging from 1°C to 6°C.

Monday, December 27: Mists and Mild Temperatures

• Daytime: Mists will be more persistent. Daytime temperatures in western Bulgaria will range from -1°C to 6°C, reaching up to 7-8°C in eastern areas.

Tuesday, December 28: New Year’s Eve

• Morning: Mists and low clouds expected along the Black Sea coast.
• Daytime: More sunshine expected. Temperatures will rise, with higher elevations and mountainous regions feeling the warmth more noticeably. Maximum temperatures above 2500m will range from -4°C to -2°C, and 1500m will see temperatures from 1°C to 4°C. In settlements, maximum temperatures will reach 4°C to 9°C.

New Year’s Night: Clear Skies in the West, Clouds in the East

• Night: Eastern Bulgaria will see increased cloud cover, but no rain is expected. Western and central regions will be clear with temperatures around 0°C to 1°C.

Wednesday, January 1, Thursday, January 2, and Friday, January 3: Mists and Sunshine

• Daytime: Mists will be frequent, but afternoons will see more sunshine. Traditional warmer areas may see daytime temperatures above 10°C.

Title: Over 200 Bulgarian Settlements Without Power: DPS-NN Demands Investigation

In a shocking revelation, DPS-Novo Nasledstvo (DPS-NN) has condemned the current power situation in Bulgaria, stating that over 200 populated areas have been without electricity, a scandalous figure that has left residents struggling, especially during the holidays.

In a statement to the media, DPS-NN stated, "It’s alarming that the minister is ‘scaring’ the ERPs, the very entities responsible for these outages. There’s been no reprieve for these people, with the temperatures dropping and no stable power supply to keep them warm."

The party has urged the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR) to immediately launch an investigation into the investments and technical security of the power grids. They emphasized that Bulgarian citizens have paid for 24/7 power supply and any continued crisis should result in stringent penalties, including the revocation of licenses for the companies involved.

"If KEVR doesn’t take immediate action, we will involve all competent authorities for a full-scale investigation of the electricity distribution companies," the statement reads.

DPS-NN stresses that there is no excuse for such widespread power outages in 21st-century Europe. They demand accountability and offenders to be held responsible.

The party’s harsh criticism comes amidst ongoing power shortages during the severe winter, leaving thousands of Bulgarians in the cold and dark. The current situation is raising questions about the effectiveness of the country’s power distribution system and the regulatory bodies responsible for ensuring stable supply.

Power Restored in Most Areas; Two Villages Near Samokov Still Without Electricity

Bullet Points:

• Deputy Governor of Sofia Region, TanyaIvanova, reports progress in power restoration after a meeting with crisis management officials.
• Villages Shipochane and Novo Selo in Samokov are still without electricity for the third day due to challenging accessibility and heavy snow.
• Crews from Blagoevgrad are assisting to cover a larger area and resolve outages more efficiently.
• Power supply to Borovets restored; road conditions improving with a new bypass route established.
• Key stakeholders, including police, firefighters, and utility providers, attended the crisis meeting.

(Full Article)

Deputy Governor of Sofia Region, Tanya Ivanovareported progress in power restoration efforts following a crisis meeting held today. However, two villages near Samokov—Shipochane and Novo Selo—remained without electricity for the third consecutive day.

Ivanova attributed the prolonged outage to difficult accessibility in some areas, with snow depth reaching over 80 cm in places. She stated, "In some remote villages, machine access isn’t possible, so we have to rely on manual labor. Moreover, wet snow and fallen trees have been the main issues."

Additional teams from Blagoevgrad have been deployed to help cover a wider area and resolve the remaining outages more efficiently. Ivanovareported that the situation is gradually improving, with crews working diligently in all affected municipalities.

In positive news, power supply to Borovets has been restored. Ivanovareported that road conditions are becoming passable, with the exception of the tunnel on the "Trakia" motorway, which is still without electricity. Ivanovareported that a bypass route has been established to prevent similar traffic congestion experienced last weekend.

The crisis meeting was attended by representatives from the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, the Regional Fire Safety and Population Protection Directorate, Sofia-Obst District Network Operations, Western Electric Distribution Networks, "Water Supply and Sewerage," and Sofia Regional Road Administration.

Title: Miracle Survival: Teenager Fights for Life After Pine Branch Impales Him

In a harrowing turn of events, a 19-year-old Bulgarian teen, Mount Vitosha“>Kaloyan Pavlov, is battling for his life after a pine branch impaled him following a snowfall on Mount Vitosha. The near-fatal incident was captured on a dashboard camera and widely shared on social media.

On Christmas Eve, Kaloyan and his friends were returning from a hiking trip in the mountains when a heavy pine branch, laden with snow, snapped and fell onto their car. The branch pierced through the automobile’s windshield, striking Kaloyan in the upper torso.

The teenager was rushed to Pirogov Emergency Hospital in critical condition. After days of uncertainty, Kaloyan was finally taken off a medically induced coma this morning, his parents confirmed to BTV.

"The fact that my son is alive is a miracle. A few millimeters difference and it would have been fatal," Kaloyan’s father, Petar Pavlov, told BTV, fighting back tears. "We owe the doctors everything. It’s a miracle, a testament to their skill."

However, the incident has raised questions about maintenance and safety measures in the area. Petar Pavlov expressed his concerns, stating, "These issues have been happening for years. Why weren’t the branches trimmed? Someone should be held accountable."

In response, Sofia Municipality explained that snow removal and road maintenance are handled by the municipal inspectors, while the upkeep of trees and pruning in the region is the responsibility of Vitosha Nature Park. The park’s management, a branch of the State Forestry Company – Sofia, stated that they had undertaken precautions before the winter season, removing overhanging branches and trees that posed an obstacle to public transport along the roadways. They also mentioned that emergency crews had removed several fallen trees and branches throughout the day.

Sofia Municipality further clarified that they have a contract for winter and summer maintenance services on Vitosha’s roads, covering two main routes from the Boiana Quarter to Zlatni Mostove and Dragalevci Quarter to Aleko. The contract does not, however, include services for waste collection, maintenance, and cleaning around the park’s chalets.

Despite these measures, questions about the adequacy of preventative maintenance remain. As Kaloyan continues his fight for life, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety and preventive measures, especially in areas prone to harsh weather conditions and heavy foot and vehicle traffic.

Headline:
Urgent Air Ambulance Transfer: 29-Year-Old Woman Battles Life-Threatening Stroke in Bulgaria

Article:

At precisely 1:00 PM today, a woman from Blagoevgrad was airlifted to the Capital’s St. Anna Hospital in a critical condition after suffering a severe stroke. The 29-year-old’s life is currently in danger.

Medical sources have confirmed to 24 Chasa that the young woman was initially admitted to the Multi-Profile Hospital for Active Treatment (MBAL) in Blagoevgrad. However, due to the complexity of her medical emergency, specialists deemed it necessary to transfer her to a more advanced medical facility. An urgent call was made to the emergency number 112 to arrange her transfer.

The woman was transported by a medical team from the Blagoevgrad Emergency Medical Assistance Center to Stadium "Hristo Botev," where the air ambulance was waiting. After a swift transfer, she was airlifted to Sofia’s St. Anna Hospital for specialist care.

This alarming incident underscores the importance of prompt medical intervention and access to advanced healthcare facilities in life-threatening situations. The local authorities and medical professionals are working diligently to ensure the highest standard of care for the young woman in this harrowing time.

Iva Sofiyaniska-Bojkova Celebrates Father and Son on Stefanovden

In a heartwarming Facebook post, Iva Sofiyaniska-Bojkova, daughter of former Sofia mayor Stefan Sofiyaniski, expressed her warm regards to her father and son as they celebrated Stefanovden, a day that holds dual significance as her son’s namesake.

"Happy holiday to my little boy and to my grown-up boy," Iva wrote, accompanied by a cherished snapshot of the duo. "Be in good health and don’t give me a hard time, please," she added with a touch of light-hearted humor.

Married to Anton Bojkov, son of Vasil Bojkov, the couple has three children together: Maya, Vasil, and the youngest, Stefan. The little Stefan was welcomed into the world last year at "Mama Clinic" in Sofia, swelling the ranks of the Sofiyaniski family to five grandchildren.

Headline: Fathers March in Dobrich Calling for Joint Custody and Against Parental Alienation

Subhead: Protest held during ‘Father’s Day’ supports national campaign for shared parenting

Article:

Hundreds of fathers gathered at the ‘Democracy’ square in Dobrich on Father’s Day, not just to celebrate, but to protest under the banner, "NO to Parental Alienation and YES to Shared Parenthood!" The rally was part of a national campaign and protest scheduled for the upcoming Thursday in the capital, initiated by the ‘For Shared Parenthood’ foundation.

Organizer and participating father, Nikolay Lyakov, a pedagogue himself, expressed his satisfaction with the increased awareness among parliamentary groups this year. "We’ve seen three bills introduced in the National Assembly, and a fourth is anticipated. Our foundation’s bill is the most comprehensive," he stated.

Lyakov emphasized that the protest wasn’t merely about fathers’ rights, but also about ensuring every child has equal access to both parents. "There are many women in Bulgaria who’ve been separated from their children for years. This isn’t just a gender issue. Each year, the State Agency for Protection of Children receives around 250 signals of children at risk, opening about 50-60 cases. Sometimes, the Law for Protection Against Domestic Violence is misused to restrict one parent’s access," he added.

First-time participant, Lyubomir Todorov, shares Lyakov’s concerns. With an 11-year-old child, Todorov emphasized the urgency of systemic change. "My child should be laughing and growing, not suffering due to this. I believe all of us, along with institutions, should address this. Right now, I’m forbidden from approaching my own child. I think the Law for Protection Against Domestic Violence is sometimes abused to limit parent-child contact," he stated.

The Dobrich protest echoed sentiments heard nationwide, with fathers advocating for change in the archaic custody laws, pushing for shared parenting as the norm, and opposing parental alienation strategies. As the ‘For Shared Parenthood’ campaign continues, more protests are expected in the coming weeks.