Public sphere

A London road played host to another “host” of paparazzi who spotted US Actress Lindsay Lohan. The actress was wearing no makeup and appeared extremely tired.

Public procurement violations caused damage to the state coffers worth BGN 13.991 M in 2014, according to a report of Bulgaria's Public Financial Inspection Agency (PFIA) presented on Wednesday at a regular meeting of the government.

At the same time the fines imposed for these violations stood at BGN 1.975 M.

By Vangelis Mandravelis

German transport company Fraport on Thursday expressed concern over the progress of the privatization process for 14 Greek regional airports, with the preferred bidder for the concession of the terminals citing delays in the procedure despite state sell-off fund TAIPED officials? recently expressed optimism.

The leftist Greek government’s apparent displeasure with the online publication of various state sector expenditures is reportedly behind an amendment allowing for an “exception” to a draft law mandating the posting of all public administration decisions on the Internet.

Journalists marched with the slogan ?stand up for journalism? on World Press Freedom Day, celebrated worldwide on May 3. 

A group of journalists and representatives of press unions marched from Istanbul?s Tünel to the Galatasaray high school on May 3, while chanting slogans to stand up journalism in the country. 

BELGRADE - The Fiscal Council has noted on Thursday that conditions have not been met to consider rises in pensions and public sector salaries, not only in 2015, but also in the next two years, as in case of this year's increase, the fiscal deficit would as soon as in 2016 practically go back to the level before the introduction of the fiscal consolidation measures.

Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian Prime Minister, on Thursday said Serbia's austerity measure are bringing sufficiently good results for pensions and salaries in the public sector - reduced by 10 per cent in November - to rise this October.

"In August, we will start talks with the IMF about salaries and pensions increases, and we will increase them," Vucic said on Thursday.

By Esteban Duarte & Ben Sills

The euro area risks fueling extremist nationalist groups with its hard-line approach to negotiations with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, according to the Greek premier?s Spanish ally, Pablo Iglesias.

By Stathis Kousounis

The possibility that a new luxury tax or ?holiday? tax could be introduced drew a strong reaction on Tuesday from the Association of Hellenic Tourism Enterprises (SETE), which instead proposed the adoption of a series of measures to bring revenues of 500 million euros into the state coffers.

KRAGUJEVAC - Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Kori Udovicki stated on Wednesday that she is satisfied with the results achieved in the first year of the government's work and added that important foundations for changes have been built.