The day in 3 news: Borissov appears to question NATO principle; Anti-cheating school app launches; Bulgarians embrace conspiracies

The day in 3 news: Borissov appears to question NATO principle; Anti-cheating school app launches; Bulgarians embrace conspiracies

© Capital weekly


Is Borissov undermining NATO commitment?

GERB leader Boyko Borissov caused controversy by appearing to contradict the NATO founding principle that Bulgaria's armed forces could, in theory, be deployed to defend the territory of an attacked or threatened ally.

Borissov, speaking in Dobrich, recounted his visit to the Battle of Tutrakan Museum, and emphasized the sacrifice of thousands of Bulgarian soldiers "on our land." He stated, "In this context, since many people have been preparing their soldiers recently, I want you to know that a Bulgarian soldier can fight and die, just like any of us, for the territory of Bulgaria. I want you to know that."

Borissov did not specify whom he was referring to as "preparing", but the context relates to statements by President Rumen Radev about the potential deployment of Bulgarian troops to Ukraine and a NATO-Russia conflict. Similarly, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently stated his government's intention to opt out of participating in NATO operations outside the alliance's territory.

Developer creates app to end cheating in school

A Bulgarian developer has created SmartTest, an app designed to eliminate cheating during school exams. The app generates numerous versions of tests, ensuring each student receives different questions, making it impossible to copy from classmates, explains its creator Alexander Popov.

During a test, students cannot exit the app, preventing cheating via Google or ChatGPT. If they attempt to leave the app a second time, the test is automatically submitted.

Teachers can create multiple test versions during a 10-minute break. They can even photograph textbook lessons, and the app will generate test questions. SmartTest can also produce tests in foreign languages and check students' answers.

70% of Bulgarians believe in conspiracy theories

Nearly 70% of Bulgarian citizens believe in conspiracy theories, with 48.8% maintaining there is no single truth, and 36.9% who share misinformation and conspiratorial views. These results come from a study by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), conducted in collaboration with the Central European and Hungarian Media Observatories.

The study, conducted from May 25 to June 2 among 1,071 people over the age of 16 via an online survey, revealed that nearly 80% of Bulgarians expect foreign interference in the upcoming European and national parliamentary elections on June 9.

The majority believe this interference could come from the U.S. government, followed by the European Commission. Far fewer Bulgarians think such interference might come from Russia or Turkey

Is Borissov undermining NATO commitment?

GERB leader Boyko Borissov caused controversy by appearing to contradict the NATO founding principle that Bulgaria's armed forces could, in theory, be deployed to defend the territory of an attacked or threatened ally.

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