Oil spill

The Albanian authorities said on Monday that they have not yet been able to identify the ship that spilled the oil and polluted the popular beach in Durres. 

Bulgarian Environment Minister Ivelina Vasileva called on Friday for tightening fines imposed on oil spills.

According to the Environmental Protection Act, the maximum fine, which could be imposed at present is BGN 100 000.

Vasileva intends to undertake a legislative initiative and increase the fine to at least BGN 500 000, Darik radio reports.

The U.S. Coast Guard captain overseeing cleanup of oil spilled from a pipeline rupture that closed two California state beaches and fouled offshore waters near Santa Barbara said May 21 that it may take months to restore the area to its natural condition. 

The British government has warned oil giant BP that it would oppose a foreign takeover of the company weakened in recent years by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, media reports said on April 27.

"The government has met with BP in recent days to express its opposition to any potential takeover of the oil major," the Daily Telegraph reported.