News archive of March 2014

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the UN has decided that Japan must halt whaling activities in the Antarctic.

Authorities in Tokyo announced they accept the ICJ's ruling, which is legally binding.

Greece saw the biggest rise in the European Union between 2011 and 2012 in terms of the proportion of its population that is at risk of poverty, according to the European Commission's latest Employment and Social Situation Quarterly Review, which was published on Monday.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been found guilty of bribery in the "Holyland affair".

The case has been known as one of the worst corruption scandals in Israel's history.

BELGRADE - The session of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) concerning the constitution of the future government will be held on Saturday, April 5, Tanjug learnt in the information service of SNS as the party that won a convincing majority of votes in the parliamentary elections on March 16.

Euro area annual inflation reached its lowest level since 2009 in March 2014, according to an estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The latest data reveals a 0.5% inflation in March 2014, down by 0.7% in February, which is the lowest annual rate of inflation since November 2009.

The first quarter of 2014 saw active property sales in Sofia, shows the data of Bulgarian Properties. 

The sales of residential properties in Sofia rose by 15% year-on-year and inquiries rose by 30%, which could mean an increasing activity in the upcoming months. 

Four Bulgarian parties would win seats in the European Parliament if the elections were now, according to the latest survey of Sova Harris agency.

The ruling Socialist Party (BSP) increases its lead over the main opposition center-right GERB Party. The Socialists would receive 21.9% in the Euro-vote, while GERB would come second with 20.6%, the survey shows.

Serbia's stance on Ukraine "not topic in Brussels on Monday"

BRUSSELS -- A spokesperson for EU's Catherine Ashton says Serbia's stance towards the crisis in Ukraine will not be the topic of today's Belgrade-Priština dialogue.

However, said Maja Kocijančič, all candidate countries are expected to align their foreign policy with that of the EU.

An investment fund is to build a satellite city near Bulgaria's capital Sofia, sources close to the entity have said.

Three billionaires are reported to be involved in the project, Bulgarian newspaper 24 Chasa has revealed, citing the sources.

Pharmacists in Attica will end their strike on Tuesday despite measures liberalizing their sector passing through Parliament on Sunday night.