The parties agree that significant changes are needed in the new electoral code, but will there be political will to make those changes?
Authors: Mila Simonova (UAE, Dubai), P. Stamatov (USA, Chicago)
The Bulgarian media portal www.Eurochicago.com turned to the leaders of the most influential parties in Bulgaria, and asked several identical principle questions relating to elections, electronic voting and the adequacy of state policy towards Bulgarians abroad. The aim of this survey was to clarify the policy positions before the importation of the text of the new electoral law …

By Edward Hugh
As the IMF say in their most recent staff report on the country, the aftermath of the recent severe economic crisis leaves us with the question as to whether potential output growth in Bulgaria in the years to come is going to be markedly lower than it was during the boom years. As the IMF point out, the current recession was preceded by an investment boom in construction, real estate and the associated financial sectors. Now that the boom (which was always unsustainable, Bulgaria’s current account deficit in …

Bulgarian troops from ISAF, who took part in beating back an attack on the airport in Afghanistan’s Kandahar launched by Taliban insurgents, including suicide bombers, have been awarded for their professionalism.
Gordon Moulds of the British Royal Force, who is the commander of Kandahar Airfield, conferred recognition on seven Bulgarian soldiers and extended his gratitude for the courage and determination they showed.
Bulgarian troops were on duty when Taliban insurgents launched two missiles and a ground attack against the NATO air field on August 3. They joined in repelling the attack together …

By NICK SKREKAS And TOM MUDD
VARNA, Bulgaria—For decades the beach holiday of choice for students and budget package tours, Bulgaria still struggles to get higher up the quality ladder.
Bulgaria’s tourism sector accounts for 8.7% of gross domestic product in this former Soviet bloc country. But people in the industry complain about the heavy dependence on all-inclusive mega resorts, an underdeveloped service mentality among employees and a rundown infrastructure.
Agamemnon Zaharopoulos and his wife last month flew to Sofia and rented a car there for what they expected to be a four-hour …

Every year on August 15 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Assumption of Mary. It is one of the biggest Christian holidays, which is proved by the fact that some of the many orthodox temples and monasteries in Bulgaria have been established in the honor of the Assumption of Mary.
All eparchies throughout the country will service festive holy mass.
Bulgarian Pilgrims Hail Mary at Rila Monastery
Thousands of believers flocked to Bulgaria’s famed Rila Monastery to celebrate the great Christian Orthodox holiday Dormition of the Holy Mother of God, reports Blagoevgrad24.bg.
Known to …

The number of Greeks who have contracted the West Nile virus has risen to 32, the centre for disease control and prevention said in a media statement cited by the Greek daily Kathimerini on August 13.
For the moment, the virus had not spread to Bulgaria, as the Health Ministry said it has not detected any cases of the West Nile virus in the country.
The ministry said earlier in the week that the deadly mosquitoes are the same in appearance as the regular ones. However, their development and reproduction cycle differs …

In Sofia, Israel’s President Shimon Peres has paid tribute to Bulgaria’s record with respect to the plight of its Jewish population during World War II.

The start of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan was marred in Bulgaria when tensions among a group of Muslims escalated into a brawl in a mosque, local reports said Thursday.

Bulgaria-born Canadian actress Nina Dobrev has received two 2010 Teen Choice Awardsfor the TV show “The Vampire Diaries”, where she has the lead role.
At a ceremony Monday night in Los Angeles, Dobrev received the awards for TV Actress in Fantasy/Sci-Fi and for TV Show in the same category.
The 21-year-old actress gained popularity in the United States with her role as Elena Gilbert, a beautiful young girl caught between two vampire brothers in “The Vampire Diaries”.
Born in Bulgaria, Nina Dobrev moved to Canada at the age of 2 and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. …

Kimberly Bogin /Marathon Examiner/
The beach town of Kavarna, Bulgaria is no longer just a popular resort for tourists. Yesterday the IAAF announced Kavarna will host the World Half Marathon Championships in 2012.
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Kavarna draws a half a million tourists each year.
The town also hosts the Kavarna International Marathon in May. Even though the event is only two years old, it offers $60,000 in prize money and draws a strong international field. It’s also the official Balkan Marathon Championship and Bulgarian …