Iran Discovers New Natural Gas Field In Caspian Sea

Shana news agency reported earlier this month that Iranian experts have discovered a large natural gas field 700 meters under the surface of the Caspian Sea. The Iranian Minister for Petroleum, Rostam Qasemi, was quoted as saying that the entire field is … Continue reading →

German Bank Could Block Bulgaria’s Only Modern Passenger Trains Over Unpaid Debts

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Sofia, 15 Dec 2011: With the strike of the railway workers loosing steam after 22 days, the state-owned railway company BDZ now faces another peril: half the fleet of modern passenger trains could be blocked over delayed payments to German … Continue reading →

Bulgarian Farmers Demonstrating Against Government Policy

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Despite the pouring rain about a thousand protesters – farmers and supporters – gathered in front of the Alexander Nevski Cathedral in central Sofia today to demonstrate for higher government subsidies and more EU money. (All Images Copyright Johann Brandstatter / JB … Continue reading →

Photo Report From The Railway Strike In Bulgaria

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Sofia, 25 Nov 2011: Bulgarian railway workers went on strike today for the second day in a row, effectively bringing all trains to a stand-still during daytime. Trade unions announced that the strike will continue indefinitely until a compromise over … Continue reading →

Bulgaria Faces Days Of Strikes And Disruptions

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Sofia, 22 Nov 2011: Workers of the state-owned Bulgarian railway company BDZ are starting an unlimited strike on Thursday, farmers and healthcare employees follow next week. (All Images Copyright Johann Brandstatter, JB Photography) The management of the Bulgaria’s largest employer, … Continue reading →

The End Of The Line For Bulgaria’s State Railways?

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Sofia, 15 Nov 2011: Because of unpaid debts a court in Sofia last week blocked all accounts of the Bulgarian State Railways BDZ. If the government does not step in quickly to save the ailing company, passengers trains might stop running … Continue reading →

Reports about Israel’s Fighter Jets Facing Turkish Ship Near Cyprus Called a Hoax

According to the Turkish newspaper Today’s  Zaman, yesterday’s reports by Turkish media that fighter jets from  both Israel and Turkey took to the air on Friday over a disputed natural gas field south of Cyprus, are entirely baseless. The Turkish … Continue reading →

Hot Autumn in Greece: New Protests – International Community Plays Down Greek Default

Athens, 22 Sept 2011: Today the two largest trade unions have called for a new general strike in Greece over the implementation of painful reforms to reduce the Greek debt and avoid default. After a seven hour meeting on Tuesday, … Continue reading →

Turkey Starts Offshore Exploration – Heading For Confrontation With Cyprus?

Ankara, 21 Sept 2011: Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc confirmed yesterday that a Norwegian survey ship is on its way to Turkey to start exploration of potential oil and gas fields in the region. The minister added that his … Continue reading →

THE UNBIASED OBSERVERS, Issue 44

From 1 September 2011 this newsletter service is subscription only. See Balkan News Service for details. Wednesday, 31 August 2011   Politics and others: Bulgaria Bulgaria’s Consumer Protection Commission “Decapitated” after Dismissal of All its Members Bulgaria’s Government Adopts a Memorandum on … Continue reading →