Latest News from Bulgaria
Happiness, Democracy 'No One-Way Street', Bulgarian President Says
Happiness and democracy are a constant journey and not a one-way street, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said just before the country marked New Year.
In his last speech as Bulgaria's head of state, Plevneliev urged on people to "give way to politicians of moral and dignity" who stand up for principles and universal values.
Romanian Police Find 48 Migrants on Truck with Bulgarian Driver
Romanian police discovered 48 Iraqi migrants in a truck at the border with Bulgaria, AP reports.
The truck driver was Bulgarian and showed police documents to claim he was driving a load of chocolate to Hungary and did not now migrants were inside.
Hungary was also the destination reported by the migrants, 22 men, 9 women and 17 minors.
Bulgaria's Media Watchdog Sides with Public Radio on Music Royalties
The Council on Electronic Media (CEM) of Bulgaria has expressed concern with the news that no contemporary music will be airead by the BNR, the country's the public radio broadcaster.
Road between Bulgaria's Aytos, Karnobat Reopened, Then Closed Again
The road linking the towns of Aytos and Karnobat in Southern Bulgaria was briefly reopened to traffic and then closed.
The blockade was lifted for nearly an hours to enable part of the james vehicles to move through.
Overgas Signs New Supply Contract with Bulgargaz
Bulgaria's biggest private gas supplier Overgas has signed a new deliveries contract that gives it gas from the biggest state company.
Bulgargaz will pump BGN 300 million cubic meters of gas to the private company, allowing it to meet the needs of 60 000 households and 3000 public and industrial consumers.
Thousands of Animals to Be Culled in Bulgaria's Stara Zagora over Bird Flu
Fifteen thousand livestock birds will have to be mortified as a bird flu epidemic is raging in the area of Stara Zagora, authorities say.
A large number of bird flu cases have been discovered in several villages near the southern Bulgarian city.
Bulgaria's UBB Bank Changes Owner
Belgium-based KBC group has finalized the purchase of the United Bulgarian Bank (UBB) and leasing company Interlease, according to its own statement.
The deal, with a price tag of EUR 610 M, gives KBC control over 99.9% of the bank's shares and 100% of Interlease.
KBC is the owner of CIBank and insurance company DZI in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's Public Radio Stops Playing Contemporary Music over Row
The Bulgarian National Radio will only play classical music, jazz and folklore as of January 01, its Director General says.
In a statement, Aleksandar Velev has cited a dispute of the public broadcaster with Musicautor, the union managing copyright of composers and record labels.
Bulgaria Expects Budget Surplus for 2016
Bulgaria's budget for this year will have a surplus of at least BGN 1.508 B, the Finance Ministry has said.
The figure amounts to 1.6% of the GDP projection, according to a ministry statement. The National Statistical Institute (NSI)'s revised estimate for the previous year, 2015, was a 1.7% deficit.
Security Beefed up at Railway Stations, Airports around New Year
Additional police forces will be deployed to railway and bus stations and airports, as well as the winter resorts across the country and public venues where celebrations are being held, Bulgaria's outgoing Interior Minister has said,
Luggage and identity documents will be carefully examined in these areas, Focus News Agency quotes Bacharova as saying after a security meeting.
Croatia Indicts Two for Ukraine Jet Deal Bribery
The Croatian office for suppressing corruption and organised crime, USKOK, filed an indictment on Friday against two Croatian citizens over the controversial deal to repair and buy MiG military jets from the Ukrainian state-owned arms company Ukrspecexport.
Bulgaria Raising Gas Price by Nearly 5%
Natural gas will become more expensive as of January 01, but the increase will be much lower than what state-owned supplier Bulgargaz wanted, Bulgaria's energy watchdog has ruled.
At a meeeting, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (KEVR) has decided to push prices up by 4.65%, against the backdrop of a demand for a 13% rise.
Russia 'Mulled Buying Bulgarian Product' for Cyber Attacks - NY Times
A Bulgarian product was one of the options considered by Russian authorities for cyber attacks, a New York Times article says.
The text tells a story about Aleksandr Vyarya, a programmer who turned down an offer from the government to join a team of hackers.
Bulgaria's Socialists, Russian Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Ties
The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leadership has met Russian Ambassador to Sofia Anatoliy Makarov, party officials say.
It is "high time" for Bulgaria to have a "responsible and balance attitude and policy both westward and eastward," Kaloyan Pargov, the head of BSP's structure in Sofia, has told the Bulgarian National Radio.
Code Yellow Warning in Force for Half of Bulgaria
Bulgaria's weather service has issued an alert for snowfall and heavy winds in Eastern Bulgaria.
Fifteen of the country's twenty-eight regions are affected. These include Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Shumen, Targovishte, Razgrad, Silistra, Dobrich, Varna, Burgas, Sliven, Yambol, Stara Zagora, Haskovo and Kardzhali.