Dimov

The Bulgarian economy is expected to gain significantly from the country's admission to the Schengen area, with annual economic benefits estimated at 500 million leva. The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) expressed optimism that the removal of border controls will have an immediate impact, not only on transport companies but also on Bulgarian citizens.

Lightning ignited a fire in an apartment in Plovdiv's "Yuzhen" district, BNT reported. The blaze occurred around 2:00 p.m. amid a severe rainstorm that hit the city.

Sozopol, Primorsko and Tsarevo elected mayors in the first round of the local elections in Bulgaria.

Sofia Pride parade in the Bulgarian capital in June 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

The men appeared to be connected with the far-right Bulgarian National Union party and Lukovmarch, an annual event in commemoration of WWII general Hristo Lukov, often criticised for providing a forum for neo-Nazis to gather.

"Yesterday we noticed that more people were coming for vaccination between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., but in the afternoon it is generally very calm. As of 4 p.m. yesterday, 1,150 people had been vaccinated at the Military Medical Academy (MMA). That's what the Deputy Director of the MMA Col. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimo Dimov told BGNES.

46 news cases of Covid-19 were registered in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours. 22 people were admitted to hospital in the past 24 hours. The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases reached 1,911, the Secretary of the National Operational Headquarters Associate Professor Dimo Dimov announced at the regular morning briefing held at the Council of Ministers building.

The head of the national coronavirus operative headquarters, Ventsislav Mutafchiiski, will no longer be giving a briefing every day and give it on TV.

Following today's decision of Bulgaria's Premier Boyko Borissov, the National Crisis Headquarters ceases its regular daily briefings. Information about the Covid-19 situation in this country will be provided via summaries.

Following the arrest of the previous Ecology Minister, Neno Dimov - and amid growing turmoil over alarming levels of pollution - Bulgaria on Wednesday appointed a new Ecology and Water Minister despite what critics say is his questionable reputation.

Emil Dimitrov is the new Ecology Minister. This happened after the National Assembly has accepted the resignation of Neno Dimov with 111 votes in favour, 96 against and no abstentions. 

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.