Public procurement violations caused damage to the state coffers worth BGN 13.991 M in 2014, according to a report of Bulgaria’s Public Financial Inspection Agency (PFIA) presented on Wednesday at a regular meeting of the government.

Business | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 14:38

Flash Estimates Show Bulgarian GDP Increased in First Quarter of 2015

According to flash estimates of the National Statistical Institute (NSI), which were released on Wednesday, the Bulgarian GDP increased in the first quarter of 2015.

Business | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 14:02

SWISS Launches Sofia-Zurich Flights as of May 14

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) launches flights between Zurich and Sofia as of May 14.

Business | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 12:59

President Plevneliev Urges South Korean Firms to Invest in Bulgarian Industrial Zones

Bulgaria’s President Rosen Plevneliev has invited Korean companies to set foot in Bulgarian industrial zones and in the Sofia Tech Park.

Business | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 11:08

Bulgaria’s Income Convergence with EU Partners to Remain Slow, IMF Says

Bulgaria’s economic growth is expected to moderate further this year and remain below levels needed to accelerate income convergence with EU partners, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday.

Business » Finance | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 19:49

Bloomberg: Low Public Debt, Plans to Cut Budget Gap Help Bulgarian Bonds

With its public-debt levels among the lowest in the EU and government pledges to cut the budget deficit “Bulgaria has been partly shielded” from the sharp drop in stock and bond prices on global markets this week, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

Business » Finance | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 16:30

Monthly Inflation in Bulgaria Stood at 0.7 % in April

According to the latest figures of the National Statistical Institute (NSI), which were released on Wednesday, the monthly inflation in Bulgaria stood at 0.7 % in April.

Business » Finance | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 15:02

Bulgaria EconMin Disputes Impact of Eurozone Entry

Bulgaria's Economy Minister has voiced his disagreement with the idea that joining the Eurozone will be a "catastrophe" for the country.

Business » Finance | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 08:16

Bulgaria-Serbia Gas Grid Interconnector Will Boost Energy Security –Deputy Minister

The construction of the Bulgaria-Serbia gas grid interconnector will boost the energy security of both countries and of the region as a whole, according to Bulgaria’s Deputy Energy Minister Nikolay Nikolov.

Business » Energy | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 12:09

FAZ: Bulgaria, Turkey 'Best Holiday Bargains in Europe'

Bulgaria and Turkey are unrivaled as the best holiday bargain in Europe, a survey cited by German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung shows.

Business » Tourism | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 08:44

Politics

Politico.eu: Many Wonder if Bulgaria’s Georgieva Might Seek to Become Next UN Chief

Bulgaria’s Kristalina Georgieva “has many wondering whether she might seek” to become United Nations Secretary General when Ban Ki-moon leaves office at the end of next year, politico.

Politics » Diplomacy | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 21:52

Bulgaria 'to Know Soon if Macedonia Events Followed a Scenario'

Bulgaria's Chief of Defense Vice Admiral Rumen Nikolov has said security services will be able to tell whether the developments in Kumanovo, Macedonia were an incident or followed "someone's scenario".

Politics » Defense | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 13:46

NATO FMs to Meet in Turkey over Ukraine, IS

A two-day meeting of Foreign Ministers from NATO states begins Wednesday in Antalya, Turkey, to discuss developments relating to the Ukraine crisis.

Politics » Defense | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 09:23

Bulgaria’s Govt OKs Operational Program Environment 2014-2020

Bulgaria’s government approved operational program Environment 2014-2020 on Wednesday, according to Environment Minister Ivelina Vasileva.

Politics » Bulgaria in EU | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 13:32

Bulgaria Opposition MPs Call for Macedonia's EU Accession

Bulgaria's two biggest opposition parties, have demanded a more rapid accession of Macedonia and other Western Balkan nations into the EU to boost "Europeanization" there.

Politics » Domestic | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 12:25

Bulgaria’s Rail Network to Undergo Repairs worth BGN 47 M in 2015

A total of BGN 47 M will be allocated to the repair and maintenance of the rail network in Bulgaria, according to the National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC).

Politics » Domestic | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 10:12

Yordan Bakalov to Head Bulgaria’s Defense Information Service

Yordan Bakalov, former MP of the right-wing Union of Democratic Forces and former caretaker Interior Minister, will be appointed head of the Defense Information Service unit, according to Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev.

Politics » Domestic | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 09:39

Bulgarian Parties Join Hands against Internet Trolls

Bulgaria's major political parties are to sign an agreement to declare they will not use Internet trolls to spread their messages more efficiently, an MP has announced.

Politics » Domestic | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 07:58

Society

Bulgarian Population to Decrease to 5.5 Million in 2060 – EU Commission

According to forecasts of the European Commission, the population of Bulgaria will decrease to 5.5 million by 2060.

Society | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 13:13

Sports

Grigor Dimitrov Loses to Fabio Fognini at Rome Second Round

Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov on Wednesday was defeated by Fabio Fognini in the second round of the Italian Open, losing his chance to win the Rome Masters.

Sports | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 21:09

Quotes

Today's Quote: Macedonia's Shortest Way to Brussels

"Today the government in Skopje must know that the shortest way to Brussels is not via Belgrade, Pristina, Tirana or, even less, Ankara, but via Sofia.

Quotes | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 12:34

World

Air Strike in Iraq Reportedly Kills IS Deputy Leader

The second-in-command of Islamic State (IS) was likely killed in air strike, carried out by the US-led coalition in northern Iraq.

World | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 17:39

EU Commission Presents European Agenda on Migration

The EU presented on Wednesday its European Agenda on Migration, which contains the concrete and immediate actions the Commission will take in order to deal with the influx of refugees.

World » EU | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 16:03

EU Commission to Unveil Migrant Quota System

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is expected to propose on Wednesday a mandatory migrant quota system, which will ensure that responsibility for migrants during times of emergency is shared between the member states of the Union.

World » EU | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 12:05

Macedonia’s Govt, Opposition to Try to Defuse Tensions at Thursday Meet - Report

The leaders of the four biggest political parties in Macedonia will meet on Thursday in a bid to reduce the political tensions, the country’s private TV channel Telma has reported.

World » Southeast Europe | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 18:54

Macedonian Parliament Approves Cabinet Reshuffle, New Protest Expected

The Macedonian Parliament approved on Wednesday the reshuffles in the government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, which were necessitated after the resignations of the interior and transport ministers.

World » Southeast Europe | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 17:11

Bulgaria DefMin Says Events in Macedonia Pose No Direct Threat

There are no immediate threats to Bulgaria from the situation in Macedonia, the country's Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev has said.

World » Southeast Europe | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 12:55

Turkey Police Detain Migrants, Traffickers at Border with Bulgaria

Forty-five asylum seekers and 4 traffickers have been detained while trying to cross into Bulgaria from the Turkish side of the border.

World » Southeast Europe | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 09:00

Macedonian Interior, Transport Ministers, Security Chief Resign

Macedonian Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska, Transport and Communications Minister Mile Janakieski and the Director of the Administration for Security and Counterintelligence (UBK) Saso Mijalkov all resigned on Tuesday evening.

World » Southeast Europe | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 01:12

Novinite Insider

Turkish Stream to Make Turkey “Middleman for Europe’s Energy Buyers”

The agreement between Moscow and Ankara to launch the construction of Turkish Stream gas pipeline “suggest Turkey’s patience with Brussels is wearing thin…and Ankara’s willingness to support Europe’s foreign-policy priorities…is diminishing,” Keith Johnso

Novinite Insider » Opinions | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 17:13

Letters to the Editor

Kabile: When One Is Curious

Novinite is publishing another travelogue by Yoav Chudnoff, who recently visited the National Architectural Reserve of Kabile, located near the town of Yambol in southeast Bulgaria and is one of the country's 100 Tourist Sites.

Letters to the Editor | May 13, 2015, Wednesday // 06:45