Latest News from Bulgaria
Weather Forecast: Fog in Some Places, Maximum Temperatures between 4C and 9C
It will be mostly sunny today, with low clouds or fog in lowland areas and along the Danube.
In most areas it will be fairly calm, with light to moderate southwest wind in eastern Bulgaria. Maximum temperatures mostly between 4C and 9C, lower in areas with persistent fog. Atmospheric pressure will drop slightly, but will stay higher than the average for the month.
US is against the Second Line of the TurkStream Gas Pipeline
"The USA is against the second line of the Turk Stream gas pipeline intended for gas supplies to Southeast Europe via Bulgaria, because our country views it as geostrategic project of Russia", the United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale said in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio.
Bulgaria’s Environment and Water Minister, Neno Dimov Charged Deliberate Mismanagement
Bulgaria's Minister of Environment and Water, Neno Dimov, on January 10 was accused of deliberate mismanagement. He remains in custody for 72 hours. The Prosecutor's Office will seek for remand.
Herro Mustafa Chose a Bulgarian Rose as the Motif of her Ambassador’s Coin
The US Ambassador to Bulgaria, Herro Mustafa, chose a Bulgarian rose as the motif of her unique Ambassador's Coin. The Ambassador will present this coin as a gesture of respect as she engages with Bulgarians, BNT reported.
Bulgaria Minister Resigns after Arrest Over Water Crisis
Bulgaria's Minister of Environment and Water, Neno Dimov, has resigned and been charged with deliberate mismanagement of a water crisis. He faces further grilling over a scandal concerning transports of scrap from Italy.
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov accepted his resignation on Friday. Dimov stepped down after being arrested on Thursday.
EU Households Spend over €1.1 Trillion on Transport
In 2018, households in the European Union (EU) spent 13.2% of their total consumption expenditure on transport. This represents a total expenditure of over €1.1 trillion, equivalent to 7.2% of the EU's GDP or €2 220 per EU inhabitant, Erostat data showed.
BNR: Over 10% of Bulgarians don't Pay Health Insurance Contributions
Lowest life expectancy, high childhood obesity, biggest number of smokers per capita and unusually high medical costs - these are the conclusions of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies about Bulgaria's healthcare, BNR reported.
Life Expectancy in Bulgaria - The Lowest in the EU
The average life expectancy in Bulgaria remains the lowest among EU countries, according to a new annual report from the European Commission on Community Health which was presented today.
The average life expectancy in Bulgaria has increased from 72 years in 2000 to 75 in 2017, but it is still the lowest in the European Union.
The Minister of Environment and Water Neno Dimov Resigned
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has accepted the resignation of the Minister of Environment and Water Neno Dimov. It was deposited in the Prime Minister's office, the Council of Ministers reported.
Bulgaria Buys Share of Greek Gas Terminal
The Bulgarian government on Thursday approved the participation of the country's main energy company, Bulgartransrgaz, in the LNG gas terminal in Greece, in a move designed to reduce its dependence on gas from Russia.
Bulgaria's share of the terminal located in northern Greece, offshore from Alexandropolis, will be 20 per cent.
Ekaterina Zaharieva to Participate in the Foreign Affairs Council on the situation in Iraq and Libya
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva will participate today in Brussels at the Foreign Affairs Council, called extraordinary because of the escalation of tensions in Iraq and Libya. This was reported by the MFA.
Three Presidents and a Prime Minister Launched TurkStream
A ceremony in Istanbul marked the launch of the TurkStream gas pipeline, attended by Russian and Turkish presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.
Bulgaria’s Consultative Council convened by President Radev with 5 Recommendations on Middle East Crisis
Bulgaria's Consultative Council on National Security on January 9 was convened by President Rumen Radev over the escalated tensions in the Middle East. After the meeting, President Rumen Radev said that Council members had agreed on the position that the escalation of the crisis was endangering peace, not only regionally but also globally.
World Bank Raised Economic Growth Projections for Bulgaria
In a report, published last night, the World Bank raises the 2018 economic growth forecast of Bulgaria from 3 to 3.6 percent, BNR reported.
For this and for next year, the World Bank is also raising its forecast - a 3 percent growth rate for 2020, and 3.1 percent for 2021. In June last year its growth forecast was 2.8 percent for both years.
World Defense Expenditure: Bulgaria with a Record Jump in 2019
Bulgaria's defense spending rose significantly in 2019 - by 125%, according to a report released by the information-analytical agency Jane's, world agencies and BTA reported.
Exprets explained that the reason for the rise is the payment for the eight F-16 planes which was made back in August.
Globally, defense spending in 2019 exceeds $ 1.8 trillion.