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Archived edition · August 19, 2026 Today's news →

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Highway Contracts Under Threat, Tech Giants Withhold Legal Aid

The government, led by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, has threatened to terminate contracts for the construction of the Hemus highway, indicating potential issues with the project's progress. This comes as the nation also faces significant challenges in legal proceedings, unable to secure urgent assistance from major tech companies Google and Meta.

In other domestic news, an environmental tragedy unfolded with five protected vultures found poisoned near Botev Peak, while a child suffered serious injuries in a Burgas kindergarten reportedly lacking medical staff. Meanwhile, Democratic Bulgaria plans to raise concerns in Frankfurt over potentially risky appointments at the Bulgarian Development Bank, and a digitalization project for the construction sector has failed to deliver on its promise.

On the international front, diplomatic efforts are underway as Deputy Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has assured her Iranian counterpart that the presence of US aircraft in the country is defensive, aiming to de-escalate tensions amid reports of Iran considering attacks on US targets in Europe, including Bulgaria.

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Legal Challenges with Tech Giants

Bulgaria is encountering difficulties in obtaining urgent assistance from technology giants Google and Meta for its legal proceedings, highlighting potential challenges in digital legal cooperation.

Diplomatic Assurances Amid Regional Tensions

Deputy Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has communicated to her Iranian counterpart that the presence of US aircraft in Bulgaria is solely for defensive purposes, aiming to de-escalate potential misunderstandings. This comes as US aircraft are scheduled to land in Bezmer next week despite public protests, amidst reports of Iran considering attacks on US targets in Europe, including Bulgaria.

Tourism Minister Eyes Eurovision for Quality Boost

The Minister of Tourism has announced plans to implement thousands of QR codes to monitor and enhance tourism quality, viewing the Eurovision contest as a significant opportunity for this initiative.

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