Latest News from Bulgaria
Three Skiers Represent Bulgaria at 2015 Alpine World Ski Championship
Bulgaria is to be represented by three skiers at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship that takes place in Vail/Beaver Creek in Colorado between February 2 and 15.
The three Bulgarians, who are to compete in the giant slalom and the slalom in the second half of the championship, are Albert Popov, Stefan Prisadov and Maria Kirkova, daily Dnevnik reports.
Bulgaria's Krasimir Anev Grabs Silver at Biathlon European Championship
Bulgaria's biathlete Krasimir Anev won a silver medal at the Biathlon European Championship on Sunday, which is taking place in the town of Otepaa, Estonia.
Anev finished second in the men's 12.5 kilometer pursuit, winning his eighth individual prize at a continental championship in his professional career, daily Dnevnik reports.
Bulgaria's IntMin to Propose New Chief Secretary
Bulgarian Interior Minister Veselin Vuchkov announced on Monday that he plans to propose to the government a new candidate for the position of Chief Secretary.
Vuchkov said that the proposal will be submitted once the parliament approves the amendments to the Interior Ministry Act, which is expected to happen until the end of next week.
FT: Bulgarian Economy May be Approaching Normality
Politics and economy in Bulgaria "may be getting back to something approaching normality in 2015" after two difficult years, the Financial Times has opined.
Its article comes amid last week's reports that Sofia is planning to raise close to BGN 6.9 B on government bonds this year.
Bulgaria Plans to Establish Financial Ombudsman by Mid-Year
The deputy chairperson of the parliamentary Budget Committee Diana Yordanova announced during the weekend that Bulgaria should have a financial ombudsman by the middle of the year.
Yordanova pointed that the establishment of the institution was recorded in the governance programme, daily Dnevnik reports.
Bulgarian Energy Effectiveness Programme Worth BGN 1 B Starts Monday
The application for participation in the National Programme for Energy Effectiveness starts on Monday, as announced by the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development.
The project will be funded by the Bulgarian Development Bank, providing a BGN 1 B loan for the project.
Floods Cause State of Emergency Across Bulgaria
A state of emergency was announced on Sunday, after floods and hurricane winds took over a number of cities in Bulgaria. The disaster wrecked havoc on Smolyan, Burgas, Topolovgrad and Dobrich. Varshets, Devin and Kardzhali were also affected.
Bulgaria's Refugee Centers under Curfew from Monday
Accommodation centers hosting asylum seekers and refugees across Bulgaria are to be imposed a curfew as of Monday, February 2.
The measure will prevent about 3700 of refugees from leaving their compounds after 20:00 EET, or 22:00 EEST in the summer.
Bulgaria Recovered over BGN 438 M in Blocked EU Funding - Environment Minister
The European Commission has restored over BGN 438 M in blocked payments for November and December 2014 to Bulgaria, according to Environment Minister Ivelina Vasileva.
Vasileva told mediapool.bg Sunday that Brussels had restored payments under the program with an official decision date November 14.
Bulgaria's Smolyan Municipality Declares State of Emergency over Heavy Rain
The southern Bulgarian municipality of Smolyan is in a state of emergency over heavy rain and strong wind.
The Cherna River overflowed its banks in several places in the town of Smolyan.
Scores of basements and buildings have been flooded.
Six Bulgarians Held Captive in Sudan since Jan 26 Released
The six Bulgarian aid workers, who were held captive in Sudan since January 26, have been released.
The six Bulgarian citizens were detained by Sudanese rebels after their helicopter made an emergency landing.
Bulgaria Holds Day of National Mourning for Ex President Zhelyu Zhelev
Bulgaria holds a day of national mourning for late Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev.
Zhelev, a dissident who served as Bulgaria's first democratically elected president (1990-1997) after the fall of communism, passed away on Friday at the age of 79.
Bulgarian national flags at all state institutions will be flown at half-mast.
Bulgaria's first democratically-elected president Zhelev dies at 79
Zhelyu Zhelev, Bulgaria's first democratically-elected president, died on Jan. 30 at 79, his family says Zhelyu Zhelev, Bulgaria's first democratically-elected president, died on Jan. 30 at 79, his family told AFP.
Maritsa Motorway Should be Launched by End of August - Minister
Bulgaria's Regional Minister Lilyana Pavlova announced in the town of Haskovo on Saturday that Maritsa Motorway is expected to be completed by the end of August.
Since the two lots of the motorway are funded under Operational Programme Transport, their completion until the end of the year is compulsory, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reports.
Bulgaria Registers 2 % Decrease in Unemployment in 2014 - Eurostat
Bulgaria registered a 2 % decrease in its unemployment rate in the past year, according to the latest data of Eurostat, which was released on Friday.
In December 2014 the unemployment rate in Bulgaria was 10.8 %, which represents a decrease of 0.2 % compared to the previous month and a drop of 2 % compared to December 2013.