Bulgaria

Greek customs authorities have discovered that large amounts of a chemical solvent have been imported to Greece with the purpose of adulterating gasoline sold in the country.

"The President should specify exactly what money flows I have to stop instead of criticizing the government for uncontrolable spending," said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov during his visit to the southern Bulgarian town of Luki. Borisov's speech was again  live streamed on social media and is a response to President Radev's statement about un-transparent spending of budget funds.

Today. January 18, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church venerates St. Athanasius, also called Saint Athanasius of Alexandria or Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, (born c. 293, Alexandria—died May 2, 373, Alexandria), theologian, ecclesiastical statesman, and Egyptian national leader.

Yasen Petrov is the new coach of the Bulgarian national football team. This was announced by the press release of the Bulgarian Football Union after the end of the meeting of the Executive Committee.

The other two candidates were Georgi Donkov and Georgi Dermendzhiev, who led the team until December.

Bulgarian authorities are discussing a step-by-step loosening of anti-epidemic measures in the country. It is possible to open some new facilities every two weeks. These actions will be further discussed this week before a final decision is taken, Minister of Labor and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva told "Hello, Bulgaria" TV talk show. 

The new Pfizer vaccine shipment is already in the country. It arrived this morning at Sofia Airport. However, the batch contains half as few doses than originally announced. Due to changes in the manufacturer's production process, Bulgaria will have a little over 18,000 doses instead of 35,000.

Nearly 60 percent of the population in Bulgaria is overweight, and this is one of the risk factors for the more severe course of Covid-19 infection.

Atmospheric pressure is rising and during the day will already be higher than the average for the month.

It will be sunny with more clouds over the northeastern regions. Light west-northwestern wind will rise to moderate in northern Bulgaria. Maximum temperatures will be between minus 3°C and 2°C, according to the national weather service forecast.

In the past 24 hours, 77 new cases of coronavirus infection have been detected in the country.

1194 tests were made - 765 PCR, 429 antigen. The percentage of positive samples remains stable - 6.4% for January 17.

121 people were vaccinated, thus their total number becomes 18,453.

A Palau-flagged dry cargo ship sank off the coast of Turkey's Black Sea province of Bartın on Jan. 17, according to an official.

Rescue workers managed to save six crew members and reached the body of one other on the Arvin, which sank off the coast of Bartın province, said Bartın Governor Sinan Güner.