Latest News from Bulgaria

DW: 'Brain Drain' from Bulgaria, Romania Helps Germany

The exodus of hundreds of thousands of skilled workers from Bulgaria and Romania has largely helped Germany's labour market, especially in sectors such as medicine, a Deutsche Welle article says.

It cites official data from the Bulgarian Academy of Science, which estimates the country will have lost some 40 000 qualified workers "in five to ten years".

Bulgaria Investing Millions in Dobrich's Water Cycle

The outgoing Bulgarian government is to grant more than BGN 86 M to local authorities in Dobrich to work on the northeastern town's water cycle.

The transfer has been affirmed in an agreement signed by outgoing Environment Minister Ivelina Vasileva and Dobrich Mayor Yordan Yordanov.

Bulgaria Sets Aside Day to Honour Anti-Nazis

At its last meeting for the year on Wednesday, Bulgaria's outgoing government adopted a proposal to establish a commemoration day in honour of Bulgarians who fought against Nazi Germany. The proposal was submitted by the Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev.

Bulgaria's FM Dismisses Syria Arms Trade Allegations

Bulgaria's outgoing Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov has denied that the country might have exported any arms and ammunition to Syria.

His comments follow reports of Bulgarian military produce found at a warehouse in Aleppo, but also comments from Moscow officials lambasting Sofia for its arms deals.

Bulgaria Denies Registration to Church of Flying Spaghetti Monster

A Bulgarian court on Tuesday turned down the registration of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, local media reported.

The Sofia City Court ruled that Pastafarianism's history is one of deliberate antagonism to other religions, with the movement potentially endangering inter-faith tolerance if its application was granted.

Strong Winds Expected in Eastern, Southwestern Bulgaria

Bulgaria's weather service has issued a Code Yellow warning in 13 out of 28 regions in the country.

A higher level alert, Code Orange, is in force in the eastern Bulgarian region of Sliven, where severe gales are forecast at a speed of 20-25 m/s, with gusts of up to 34 m/s, according to the National Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology. 

Flu Epidemic Declared in Two Bulgarian Towns

The southern Bulgarian towns of Harmanli and Haskovo have declared a flu epidemic as of December 29, public broadcaster BNR reports.

A total of three towns and cities, including Pernik in southwestern Bulgaria, have now taken the step.

In Haskovo and Harmanli, the alert will be in force until January 04.

FT: Bulgaria's President-Elect Seeks to Dispel Fears of Kremlin Ties

Bulgaria's President-elect Rumen Radev has said he wants the country to be a "real member of NATO, with real capabilities and to be a loyal and predictable partner."

"Bulgaria will always work only together with its partners, the EU and NATO," the Financial Times quotes him as saying in a recent interview.

Bulgaria Enables Online Purchase of Train Tickets

A centralized railway ticket issuance system has been certified by Bulgarian authorities, local media report.

The development upgrades the currently enforced system which has not been improved for more than 20 years. Ticket issuance, train composition and many other issues relating to rail transport will now be managed "digitally".

Bulgaria to Relaunch Concession on Plovdiv Airport over Lack of Bidders

The Bulgarian government will launch a new procedure to grant a concession on the airport of Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city.

The 35-year concession announced earlier this year failed to attract any bidders.

Any new tender, however, will be carried out in line with EU requirements, allowing for a bigger number of investors to take part.

Russian Website Names President 'Bulgarian Obama' over Remarks

An interview of Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev with Germany's Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung (FAZ) has sparked outrage in Russian media.

Plevneliv has been referred to as "the loyal servant of Brussels" by Federalnoe Agentstvo Novostey (Federal News Agency), with a piece reading he "traded friendship with Russia for defending EU interests".

Bulgaria Declares February 21 Day of Homage to Anti-Nazi Fighters

The Bulgarian government has officially chosen February 21 as a day to pay tribute to people who fought Nazism in Bulgaria.

On February 21, 1941 a meeting was held at the home of Bulgarian lawmaker (and then former Prime Minister) Nikola Mushanov among opposition leaders rejecting the country's accession to the Tripartite Pact of Japan, Italy and Germany during World War Two.

Bulgaria to Host Vine and Wine Congress Next Year

The government of Bulgaria has approved the country's move to host a world congress and assembly of vine growers and wine producers at the and of May and early in June.

The forum will give huge publicity to Bulgarian wine and to Bulgaria itself as a wine-producing country, the cabinet has said in a statement.

Bulgaria: 16 Events Worth Remembering of 2016 (Part 2)

Novinite is publishing highlights of the year, using only one selection criteria: those which gained the biggest reader interest throughout 2016 have made it into the shortlist.

The events are ordered chronologically, according to the moment they began, even if their major development occurred over the months to come.

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