Provinces of Bulgaria

Out of a total of 5009 villages in Bulgaria, 564 have a population of 0-9 people, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

According to NSI data by December 31, 2013, there were a total of 395 settlements with a population of up to 9 people, while 169 settlements had zero permanent residents and 60 settlements had one permanent resident.

The EU Commission will put aside a total of EUR 30 M for trans-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey in 2014-2020, media sources say.

The construction of a third bridge over the Danube River is to cost EUR 200 – 270 M, according to feasibility studies conducted at four places where it could be built.

Elean Gagov, expert at the Ministry of Regional Development, explained Monday that the option of building a rail line and its price tag were to be discussed in the second stage of the studies.

Bulgaria's meteorologists issued a code yellow warning for dangerously hot weather in 18 regions on Friday. 

In the Blagoevgrad, Pazadrzhik, Smolyan, Plovdiv, Kurdzhali, Haskovo, Stara Zagora, Sliven, Yambol, Burgas, Varna, Dobrich, Shumen, Silistra, Razgrad, Targovishte, Ruse and Veliko Tarnovo regions temperatures are expected to reach up to 38°C. 

By the end of the year bio farms will start selling their produce from mobile stalls and fridges in Sofia and Plovdiv, the head of Bioselena foundation Stoilko Apostolov told BTA. 

The initiative is part of the project “For The Balkan And People”. 

The Municipality of Bulgaria's Black Sea city of Varna published on its YouTube channel a video, promoting the city. 

It is part of the city's bid to become European Capital of Culture 2019. 

The video is a little over five minutes long and features bird's eye view of the city and its most notable buildings and sights.

One of the largest Russian touroperators, Neva, went bankrupt and said it terminates its activities, reports ITAR-TASS. 

According to Irina Tyurina, press secretary of the Russian tourist industry association, currently there were around 6000 customers of the agency abroad. 

State of emergency has been declared in Bulgaria's Northeastern Byala municipality over the heavy rains, mayor Anastas Trendafilov said, Wednesday.

There are reports of flooded buildings, the strong winds have knocked down branches and whole trees. There are damages along the beaches and the street pavements, too, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency reports.

The Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology issued code yellow warning for severe thunderstorms on Tuesday in northern Bulgaria. 

It covers six regions – Montana, Vratsa, Lovech, Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo and Targovishte. 

The weather in the other parts of the country will be mostly sunny, with possibility of brief showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

The best location for the construction of the third bridge over the Danube river connecting Bulgaria and Romania is at Nikopol – Turnu Magurele, according to the experts.