Bulgaria

The population of Bulgaria could decrease by two million people, dropping to a total of five million people in 2070.

A pessimistic forecast of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on the demographic outlook of Bulgaria until 2070 shows that the population of Bulgaria could be only 4.9 million people in 2070.

Russian President Vladimir Putin assured on Monday that Bulgaria's NATO membership would not mean an end to its relationship with Russia.

Putin noted that the decision to join NATO had already been taken and Russia respected the will of the sovereign Bulgarian people, TASS news agency informs.

The Bulgarian Finance Ministry has voiced its content with the move by Greece to revoke a 26% withholding tax on transactions from sources in Bulgaria, Cyprus and Ireland.

Bulgaria is starting on Monday the choice of young girl or boy to represent the country in the 2015 Junior Eurovision song contest.

This year's edition will be held on November 21 in the capital Sofia, at the Arena Armeec hall.

Bulgaria must do more to create favorable conditions for investment under the so-called "Juncker Plan", the EU Commission Vice President for Budget and Human Resources has said.

Chancellor Angela Merkel on August 16 condemned a surge in German attacks on refugee shelters and warned that the issue of asylum could become a bigger challenge for the European Union than the Greek debt crisis.

A Code Orange warning is in force in five Bulgarian regions on Monday, with heavy downpours and thunderstorms expected after weeks of simmering heat.

All the regions affected are in Northern Bulgaria, namely Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Razgrad and Targovishte. Weather there might be dangerous to health and/or property.

The maximum price for an umbrella and a deck chair on a Black Sea beach is "absurd", Bulgarian Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova has warned.

She has confirmed that, according to government information, there were reports of beaches offering umbrellas and deck chairs for BGN 57 (EUR 28.5) per day. Many hotels along Bulgaria's Black Sea coastline offer cheaper rooms.

A Code Red alert has been issued in Bulgaria's northern and southeastern regions, meteorologists have said.

This is a warning of possible forest blazes spreading quickly throughout the respective regions and turning hard to contain.

The areas include Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Lovech, Burgas, Yambol, haskovo, and Varna.

Upon their return home from their holidays Greeks will be facing the bitter realities of bloated bills and taxes. Here is a list of what Greek households should expect to pay from September onwards:

-Unified property tax (ENFIA). It will be paid in 5 instalments (the first one in October), instead of last year’s 6-7 instalments.