News Agency

Sofia. The government has approved an additional BGN 60,000 for archaeological research at Heraclea Sintica in Rupite, Petrich. The government press office said the allocation was in response to the urgent need to continue field research there.

Sofia. In August 2018, the business conjuncture in the country was assessed as unfavourable, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said. The total business climate indicator decreased by 2.9 percentage points month-on-month, with a decrease in all observed sectors - industry, construction, retail trade and services.

Sofia. The government has approved a plan to protect and store data from the critical systems and registers in Bulgaria by creating a backup repository, the government press office said.

Varna. An inspector from the Varna prison was detained on August 27 over corruption. There is evidence that he financially benefited from inmates' payments in relation to their legal status, the Appellate Prosecutor's Office - Varna said. Yesterday the inspector and an accomplice were charged with bribery.

Veliko Tarnovo. A burial site with the body in foetal position from the Early Iron Age and two medieval graves from the 13th century have been found during archaeological excavations at the Rahovets fortress, team leader Ilian Petrakiev said, quoted by Focus Radio. For a second year in a row, the team came across graves from that period.

Sofia. In July 2018, the number of arrivals to Bulgaria of visitors from abroad was 2152.8 thousand or 6.5% more in comparison with July 2017, according to the National Statistical Institute. An increase was registered in the trips with all monitored purposes: business and professional - by 16.7%, holidays, leisure and recreation - by 3.1%.

Stara Zagora. A heavy thunderstorm has caused serious damage to four 110 kV power lines, said the Electricity System Operator (ESO). The high winds have knocked six poles down into the waters of the Rozov Kladenets dam leading to loss of the electric power produced by Brikel thermal power station.

Sofia. Legislative texts on safety belts have been drafted and will be sent to the Parliament in September, Automobile Administration Agency Director Boyko Ranovski told Nova TV this morning. "The belt issue is very important, brought up after each serious accident, and there is no room for retreat anymore, the law must be changed," he said.

Sofia. A code yellow warning for rain and thunderstorms has been issued for 13 regions across Bulgaria, said the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology. The warning is in place for the regions of Sofia-city, Sofia-region, Pernik, Kyustendil, Blagoevgrad, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Lovech, Gabrovo, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Smolyan.

Sofia. Today is a day of national mourning for the victims of the heavy bus crash near Svoge on August 25. In memory of the victims, the national flags at all state institutions will fly at half mast. 16 died in the tragic incident, while 21 were injured. Most of the victims were from the village of Svetovrachene, including a 13-year-old boy.