All News from Balkans

Death toll now 27, prime minister announces

BELGRADE -- Serbian PM Aleksandar Vučić said on Wednesday that so far 27 bodies of victims have been recovered from areas hit by the severe floods in Serbia.

According to him, "at least 10 or 11 died of natural causes."

Botev Plovdiv Ordered to Pay Damages for Cup Final

The Bulgarian Football Union's Disciplinary Committee has ordered Botev Plovdiv to cover the damages caused by its fans in the Bulgarian Cup final.

27 people lose their lives during floods

BELGRADE – Floods in Serbia have claimed the lives of 27 people, and at least 10 or 11 of them died of natural causes, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Wednesday.

We still cannot give the true number of those who died or were killed in the flooding and it will be done by physicians performing autopsies, Vucic told a press conference at the Serbian government.

US Vice President Discusses Romanian Shale Gas, Defense Budget

Shale gas and military expenditures, alongside the Ukraine crisis, were the main issues in meetings of US Vice President Joe Biden with Romanian leaders.

"We discussed shale gas [with Vice President Biden]. It is quite clear that the US is encouraging such exploitation," AGERPRES agency quoted Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta as saying.

Hunting Association: Great damage to wildlife

BELGRADE - The floods in Serbia have covered an area of 900,000 ha and caused great damage to wildlife, the Hunting Association of Serbia said on Wednesday.

The most populated areas where, rabbits, birds and deer are present were hit the hardest, and during the reproductive season.

"Disaster came from God, people can fix it"

SMEDERVSKA PALANKA -- President Tomislav Nikolić has said he will ask UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to organize a fund raising dinner to help those affected by the floods.

Floods devastating, environmental accidents avoided

BELGRADE - The floods that have hit Serbia have a devastating effect on the environment, but major environmental accidents in the form of industrial pollution have been avoided, Environmental Protection Agency Director Filip Radovic said on Wednesday.

European Commissioner delivers aid to Interior Ministry

BELGRADE - European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva delivered in Belgrade on Wednesday to the Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic the aid in the fight against floods.

Bulgarian Mines To Be Inspected Due to Risk of Flooding

The heavy rains in Bulgaria have increased the risk of flooding in the mines, the General Labor Inspectorate has warned.

The managers of the colliery companies have been warned to take measures for the monitoring and the protection of workers, Bulgarian National Radio informs.

Labor Ministry: Elderly evacuees need assistance

BELGRADE -- The Ministry of Labor on Wednesday appealed on citizens and companies to help social welfare institutions care for the elderly evacuated from the flooded areas.

Bulgarian Govt. Approves BGN 132,000 for Humanitarian Aid

Bulgaria's humanitarian assistance to flood-hit Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina will amount to BGN 132,000.

The funds have been approved by the government through the budget of the Ministry of Interior for Official Development Assistance.

The humanitarian aid will be granted in the form of tents, blankets, clothes, beds, mineral water, and other vital items.

Bulgarian Household Electricity Bills Lowest in EU

Bulgarian households had the lowest electricity bills in the European Union in the second half of 2013, Eurostat data has revealed.

A family in Bulgaria pays EUR 8.8 per kWh of energy on the average, compared to EUR 20.1 for the EU as a whole.

Romania (EUR 12.8) and Hungary (EUR 13.3) rank second and third, according to the European statistical agency.