Provinces of Bulgaria

Bulgaria marks the 139th anniversary of the 1876 April Uprising for the liberation of Bulgaria.

Celebrations will be held in different towns and cities in the country, including Koprivshtitsa, Klisura, and Panagyurishte.

Koprivshtitsa was one of the centers of the Uprising and is known for its traditional Bulgarian architecture, making it a very popular tourist destination.

The project of the Kardzhali municipality ''Perperikon - past for the future'' received a funding approval Thursday.

Depopulated towns in Bulgaria are 164 as of December 2014, as reported by the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

The biggest number of locations with no inhabitants are in the municiplaities of Grabrovo, Veliko tarnovo and Kardzhali - respectively 61, 57 and 11.

There were 164 Bulgarian villages with no residents as of December 31, 2014, national statistics show.

The Bulgarian government approved the draft of the protocol of intention between the Bulgarian and Romanian tourism ministries, which foresees the creation of joint tourist centre in China.

The document expressed the desire of the two countries to strengthen their friendly relations and to contribute to their economical development and expansion of their tourist potential.

Bulgarian Regional Development Minister Lilyana Pavlova announced on Saturday that no more delays were expected to the completion and launch of the Maritsa Motorway.

Pavlova stated this during an inspection on the progress of construction works at a section of the motorway.

Starting April 16 young people that are not permanently employed will be able to apply and participate in the project Residence Baba ( Residence Granny). The procedure will close on May 4.

US-based ContourGlobal on Thursday hailed the deal it had signed with the government in Sofia ahead of the planned change in the electricity purchase agreement for its Bulgarian power plant.

Bulgaria's National Electric Company (NEK) has signed agreements with US-owned thermal power plants AES Maritza East 1 and ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 TPP under which it will pay BGN 1 B less to the TPPs over the next 10 years.

Bulgaria's National Electric Company (NEK) and the two US-owned thermal power plants AES Maritza East 1 and ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 TPP are to sign agreements Wednesday on amending the existing long-term contracts.