Bulgaria's government should consider introducing import restrictions if it wants to support small and medium-sized enterprises, according to Vin Morar, entrepreneurship development specialist.

Business | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 16:42

Bulgaria Nabs 2 Tonnes of Illegal Fish

A mobile group of Bulgaria's Fisheries Agency have intercepted a Romanian citizen illegally transporting close to 2 tonnes of fish.

Business | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 14:52

Unemployment in Bulgaria Down 0.1% M/M in September

The unemployment rate in September was 10.6%, down by 0.1% month on month, according to data of Bulgaria's Employment Agency, which keeps track of the number of unemployed registered at Labor Offices.

Business | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 14:27

No-Frills Wizz Air Launches New Cabin Baggage Policy

Low-cost Wizz Air company, which operates a number of flights from Bulgaria, announced its new cabin baggage policy designed to eliminate the excessive number of bags carried onboard.

Business | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 08:42

Cyprus to Request EUR 11 B Bailout - Report

Cyprus will request the amount of EUR 11 B for a bailout to recapitalize its bank system and cover holes in its budget, according to sources quoted by the Bloomberg agency.

Business » Finance | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 19:50

Energo-Pro Snaps Up Bulgaria Units on Bourse

Czech power firm Energo-Pro have acquired the bulk of the capital of its two units in Bulgaria right after the trade with their shares started on the local stock exchange.

Business » Energy | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 15:14

Bulgaria's Budget 2013 to Introduce Higher Excise Duty on Diesel

Bulgaria's Budget 2013 envisages increases of the excise duty rate on diesel, gasoil and kerosene.

Business » Energy | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 12:26

Bulgaria Forced to Pour BGN 3.5 M into Infamous Hydro Power Plant

Bulgaria's government has been forced to allot a huge sum for improving the dilapidated road next to a scandalous hydro energy project in the Rhodopi Mountains.

Business » Energy | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 10:15

21% of Foreign Tourists Would Repeat Visit to Bulgaria

Bulgaria is among the EU countries which foreign tourists avoid for repeat visits and would not recommend it to their friends.

Business » Tourism | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 17:55

Politics

Bulgaria President to WSJ: EU to Recover Soon

Europe is to remain a global power and will enter in a new phase of deeper integration, said Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev in an interview for Wall Street Journal Thursday.

Politics » Diplomacy | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 18:17

Bulgaria Condemns Syrian Attack on Turkey, Ready to Take Measures

Bulgaria has condemned Syria's attack on Turkish territory, saying it supports the statement by NATO's North Atlantic Council on developments on the Turkish – Syrian border.

Politics » Diplomacy | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 12:16

Bulgaria to Face ECHR over Death of 19-year-old in Childcare Institution

The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee is starting a new case against Bulgaria at the European Court of Human Rights over the death of a 19-year-old at a state-run institution for children with disabilities.

Politics » Bulgaria in EU | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 13:55

Two Bulgarians Win 'Europe in My Region' Photo Contest

Two lucky people from Bulgaria have each won EUR 1000 of camera equipment and a trip for two to Brussels after emerging as winners of "Europe in My Region" photo competition.

Politics » Bulgaria in EU | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 08:01

PES Leader Stanishev: We've Got to Stop GERB!

The Bulgarian Socialist Party is the only force who can prevent a second term in office of center-right ruling GERB party, said PES leader Sergey Stanishev, who also chairs the Bulgarian Socialists.

Politics » Domestic | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 16:39

Society

Bulgaria Gets Ready for Refugee Wave from Syria

Bulgaria is preparing itself from a flood of refugees from Syria in the wake of heightening of tensions in the region, revealed Bulgarian Red Cross chief Hristo Grigorov.

Society | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 20:14

Bulgarian Patriarch Maxim Leaves Hospital

Bulgarian Christian Orthodox Church Patriarch Maxim has left the Lozenets Hospital, where he was for a second prolonged treatment during 2012.

Society | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 17:47

14% of Bulgarians Ready to Emigrate Permanently

In end-September 2012, 14% of Bulgarians said they intended to leave the country for good, according to results of a nationwide representative survey by the National Center for Public Opinion Research (NCIOM) on migration attitudes in Bulgaria.

Society | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 15:40

Bulgaria President to Grant Prestigious 'John Atanasoff' Award

Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev is expected to announce on Thursday this year's holder of "John Atanassoff" annual information technologies award.

Society | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 14:34

Bulgaria Captures 22 Syrian Refugees in Single Day

Bulgaria's border police have captured 22 Syrian illegal immigrants in a single day at the country's Turkish border.

Society | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 13:56

Bulgaria's John Atanasoff Award Goes to Harvard, Berkeley Graduate

Information security researcher Dimitar Zhechev received 2012's John Atanasoff Information Technologies Award, granted by the Bulgarian President's Office.

Society » Education | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 19:10

No Bulgarian Universities Make It to World Top 400

Not a single Bulgarian university has made it to top 400 in the prestigious Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012-13, Bulgarian media have observed.

Society » Education | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 11:31

Belogradchik Rocks, Magura Cave Declared Bulgaria's Miracles

The Belogradchik Rocks and the Magura Cave were declared the newest Miracles of Bulgaria Wednesday evening, while the Plovdiv area masters of puppets from corn husk and foliage won in the intangible treasures category.

Society » Culture | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 12:21

Cartoon Exhibition Makes Fun of Bulgaria, Europe's Woes

An array of 80 cartoons by prominent artist Chavdar Nikolov, lampooning the political scenario in Bulgaria and Europe, is on display at Seasons Gallery in Sofia as of Thursday.

Society » Culture | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 11:12

Sports

Qatar Airways to Sponsor WTA Tournament of Champions in Sofia

Bulgaria's capital Sofia will host the Tournament of the Champions for the first time October 30-November 4, a chance for tennis fans to enjoy some of the world's elite players.

Sports | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 13:50

Bulgaria's Topalov with Brilliant Victory at FIDE Grand Prix London

Bulgarian chess master Veselin Topalov outplayed Dutch Anish Giri with black, clinching a precious victory at FIDE Grand Prix London.

Sports | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 12:55

Stoichkov to Be Interrogated over His Match-Fixing Accusations

Hristo Stoichkov is to be questioned by Bulgarian authorities over his recent statements that games have been rigged in the country's football league, local media have confirmed.

Sports | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 10:52

Bulgaria Bids to Host Beach Football World Cup 2015

Bulgaria is among the bidders to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2015, according to, Worawi Makudi, head of the Football Association of Thailand.

Sports | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 10:18

Crime

Ghezali 'Reemerges' as Burgas Bombing Suspect

Swedish ex Guantanamo detainee Mehdi Ghezali may have been the suicide bomber who killed six people in July's terror attack in the Bulgarian city of Burgas, a Bulgarian paper has claimed.

Crime | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 09:27

Views on BG

Bulgaria May Follow Lithuania with Vote on Nuclear Plant

Lithuania will hold a referendum on whether to build the Visaginas nuclear energy plant when voters go to the polls on 14 October to elect members of Parliament. Meanwhile, Bulgarians will probably vote on the future of its Belene nuclear station.

Views on BG | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 15:18

Bulgarian Lions Roaring Once Again

'Back from the brink' is probably the most fitting way of describing the recent history of the Bulgarian national side.

Views on BG | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 13:18

World

Syria Sorry for Deadly Stray Shell in Turkey

The Syrian government has presented its deepest regrets to Turkey for a stray shell that fell onto Turkish territory, causing the deaths of 5 Turkish civilians.

World | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 16:02

Turkish Parliament Allows Cabinet to Attack Syria

Turkey's Grand National Assembly has give a green light to the government for military intervention in Syria, following recent cross-border skirmishes between the two countries.

World | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 15:06

EU Calls on Turkey, Syria to Refrain from Violence

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton has condemned Syria for shelling that killed five civilians in Turkey, calling on both countries to refrain from violence.

World | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 14:45

NATO Outraged at Syrian Attack on Turkey

NATO has demanded an immediate halt to Syria's "aggressive acts" against alliance member Turkey.

World | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 11:15

Nervous Obama, Bullish Romney Clash over Economy, Health Care

US President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney have clashed over their economic plans in the first of three televised debates, as polls show only a narrow lead for the incumbent.

World | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 09:16

EU's N-Plants Need Upgrade - Draft Report

Nuclear stress tests carried out at the European Union's 143 atomic reactors have exposed "hundreds" of problems which could need between EUR 10 B and EUR 25 B of investment in order to restore proper plant safety levels.

World | October 4, 2012, Thursday // 08:42