Latest News from Bulgaria
Bulgaria's Chief Mufti's Office: Trial Against Imams Is A Disgrace
Bulgaria's Chief Mufti's Office condemned in a declaration the sentences against the 13 imams for promoting radical Islam and called the court decision “a disgrace”.
New EU Program to Cover Energy-Efficient Building Costs in Bulgaria
Some 25% of buildings can become energy efficient by 2020 if Bulgaria absorbs the next programming period funds, according to Regional Development Minister Desislava Terzieva.
Protests Resume in Bulgaria over Threat to Coast
Thousands of people joined marches in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, and other cities this week, denouncing a project to redevelop part of the Black Sea coast and calling on the government to resign.
“Dirty interests related to offshore companies are trying to destroy one of last remaining untouched places on the coast,” Borislav Sandov, a leader of the green movement, said.
Ski Season In Bulgaria's Pamporovo Continues Till Mid-April
The ski season in the Rhodope resort Pamporovo will end around the middle of April, said the head of the Rhodope tourist association Pantelevi Memtsov.
According to him there are few tourists in the resort right now, but the upcoming spring break will most likely will fill it with families with children.
Bulgaria Had Lowest Hourly Labor Costs in EU in 2013
Bulgaria had the lowest hourly labor costs in the EU in 2013, yet it was the country to register the highest increase in the segment since 2008, according to Eurostat.
According to Eurostat data, in 2013 Bulgaria registered the lowest hourly labor costs among EU member states, at EUR 3.7, followed by Romania with EUR 4.6.
61 Illegal Immigrants Apprehended At Bulgaria's “Green” Border
Sixty-one illegal immigrants were apprehended at Bulgaria's “green” border with Turkey in the last 24 hours, Interior Ministry said.
They are taken to the primary holding centers and are receiving medical attention. Later they will be processed in accordance with the legal requirements.
Bulgaria Lacks Focus in EU Funds Absorption – Expert
Bulgaria's EU funds absorption is characterized by a lack of priorities, according to EU funds expert Atanas Kirchev.
Foreign Minister Vigenin Receives Bulgaria’s Honorary Consuls
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin welcomed the country's honorary consuls from around the world for a conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the first part of his opening address, Minister Vigenin outlined the priorities of Bulgaria's foreign policy.
Half a Million Bulgarians Barely Pay Electricity Bills
Around 500 000 Bulgarians find it difficult to pay their electricity bills, an expert at a Bulgarian energy trade union said.
Bulgaria Attracted 320 Thousand Foreign Visitors in February
In February 2014, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 249.5 thousand or by 1.4% above the registered in February 2013.
Bulgarian Statistical Institute Riven by Scandal over 2011Census Data
Ivan Balev, head of the Demographic and Social Statistics unit of Bulgaria's National Statistical Institute (NSI), has insisted that the 2011 census was deeply flawed.
Balev, as cited by Darik radio, claimed that the shortcomings of the 2011 census were due to mistakes of census workers and statisticians.
Bulgaria's Cleanest Air Is At Rozhen Peak
The cleanest air in Bulgaria is at Rozhen peak in the Rhodope mountains, while the cities Plovdiv and Varna have the most polluted air.
The main cause of air pollution in Bulgaria are the fine dust particles, said the head of the Air Monitoring Department in the State Environment Agency, Valeri Serafimov.
Ukraine, IMF Agree USD 18 B Rescue Deal
Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund have signed a deal granting a USD 14-18 B package to the country, IMF mission's head Nikolay Gueorguiev has announced.
Under the new agreement, up to USD 27 B more could be allocated to Kiev over the next two years.
Bulgaria's Audit Office Considers Appointment of Ex Deputy FinMin
Lawmakers are considering the appointment of Former Deputy Minister of Finance Kiril Ananiev as the new President of the Bulgarian National Audit Office.
Ananiev was Deputy Finance Minister in three consecutive offices, that of former rightist PM Ivan Kostov, former Tsar and PM Simeon Saxe-Coburg and socialist leader Sergei Stanishev.
Bulgarian MPs Adopt Incentives for Small, Rooftop Power Plants
Bulgaria's Parliament adopted incentives for small and rooftop power plants with a capacity of up to 30 KW.
Bulgarian MPs lifted the regulatory regime requiring the registration of people conducting installation and maintenance activities for power plants with a capacity of up to 200 KW, according to reports of dnevnik.bg.