Bulgaria has officially requested NATO to demonstrate strength in the Black Sea and is collaborating with Romania and Turkey to establish a new NATO military command in the region. This comes after recent drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria's territorial waters, prompting Prime Minister Rumen Radev to summon Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova for explanations. President Radev stated that while the exact origin of the attacks is unclear, the risk stems from Russia's war in Ukraine.

Mediapool: Bulgaria Asked NATO for 'Show of Force' in Black Sea

Bulgaria has requested NATO to demonstrate strength in the Black Sea amid regional tensions.

Mediapool: Radev: Still No Answer on Attack Origins, But Risk Comes from Russia's War

President Radev stated he has not yet identified the source of recent attacks but affirmed that the risk originates from Russia's war in Ukraine.

Mediapool: Two Merchant Ships Hit Near Bulgaria; Radev Unaware of Attacker, Yotova…

Two merchant ships were attacked near Bulgaria, with President Radev claiming ignorance of the perpetrator, leading Deputy President Yotova to call a National Security Consultative Council meeting.

Mediapool: Radev to Mitrofanova: No Logic in Ukraine Destroying Its Own Ships

President Radev responded to a Russian official, questioning the logic of Ukraine being solely responsible for destroying its own ships.

Sega: Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey Seek New NATO Black Sea Command

Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey are advocating for the establishment of a new NATO military command in the Black Sea region.

Capital: Business Breakfast: Attack on NATO Ship, Bulgaria Buys Air Defense Systems for…

Reports include an incident involving a ship in NATO waters, Bulgaria's purchase of air defense systems worth 1.139 billion euros, and a potential minimum wage of 660 euros.

The proposed 2027 budget for Bulgaria includes increases to both minimum and maximum insurance contributions, a measure that will impact individuals and businesses. The plan also foresees higher tax revenues, though economists are raising questions about the overall fiscal impact and the sufficiency of the projected income.

Sega: 2027 Budget Raises Minimum and Maximum Insurance Contributions Again

The proposed 2027 budget will increase both the minimum and maximum insurance contributions, impacting individuals and businesses.

Sega: 2027 Budget: Higher Taxes and Only 988 Million Euros More Revenue

The 2027 budget foresees higher tax revenues but economists question the overall fiscal impact and sufficiency of the projected income.

Capital: Government's 2027 Budget Plan: Cautious Spending Cuts, New Insurance Thresholds

The government's budget plan for 2027 indicates a modest reduction in expenditures and an increase in mandatory insurance contribution thresholds.

The General Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime (GDBOP) has successfully uncovered a significant corruption scheme related to water supply repairs, with specific ministries implicated in the findings.

Mediapool: MRRB - 18%, MOSV - 19%: GDBOP Busts Corruption Scheme in Water Supply Repairs

The General Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime (GDBOP) has uncovered a corruption scheme related to water supply repairs, with specific percentages attributed to ministries.

The Ministry of Interior has initiated operations targeting individuals involved in vote trading across multiple Bulgarian cities, including Sofia, Burgas, and Aytos.

OFFNews: MIA Conducts Raids Against Vote Traders in Sofia, Burgas, and Aytos

The Ministry of Interior has launched operations targeting individuals involved in vote trading in multiple Bulgarian cities.

Former Bulgarian Prime Ministers Ivan Kostov and Boyko Borissov, along with Kiril Petkov, have asserted that appeasement or merely hoping for leniency from Vladimir Putin will not guarantee peace.

Sega: Kostov and Borissov: Peace is Not Guaranteed by Yielding to Putin

Former Bulgarian Prime Ministers Kostov and Borissov state that appeasement towards Vladimir Putin does not ensure peace.

Dnevnik: Kostov, Borisov, and Petkov: Peace is Not Guaranteed by Hoping Putin Will…

Political figures Kostov, Borisov, and Petkov express concerns that hoping for leniency from Putin will not secure peace.

The United States has granted a six-month extension to Lukoil's operational license in Bulgaria.

Sega: US Extends Lukoil Bulgaria's License for Another 6 Months

The United States has granted an extension of six months to Lukoil's operational license in Bulgaria.

Experts in architecture and ecology have raised concerns about potential risks associated with the selected location for a new children's hospital. Concurrently, a new series of disturbing accounts detailing poor conditions and patient care has emerged from various hospitals across the country.

Sega: New Series of Nightmarish Stories Emerge from Hospitals

A series of disturbing accounts detailing poor conditions and patient care have been revealed from various hospitals.

OFFNews: Architects and Ecologists Warn of Risks at Children's Hospital Site

Experts in architecture and ecology have raised concerns about potential risks associated with the chosen location for a new children's hospital.

The We Continue the Change party is advocating for an additional emergency session of the National Assembly to address the 'Petrich Escobar' case.

OFFNews: PP Wants New Extraordinary Parliament Session Next Tuesday for 'Petrich Escobar'

The We Continue the Change party is pushing for another emergency session of the National Assembly to discuss the 'Petrich Escobar' case.

A political statement from Skopje suggests that Bulgaria is being utilized as a refuge for convicted criminals.

OFFNews: Government's Stance in Skopje: Bulgaria a Haven for Convicted Criminals

A political statement from Skopje suggests Bulgaria is being used as a refuge for convicted criminals.