These are some of the top stories in Bulgarian newspapers on October 14 2008. The Sofia Echo has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy.
Politics
- MiG-29 fighter aircraft will remain in use by 2029, says Lieutenant-General Simeon Simeonov, commander of Bulgarian Air Force, according to Sega.
- Most dailies continue to report on the row around the State Agency for National Security that has resulted in the dismissal of its deputy head Ivan Drashkov.
- Doctor Filip Filev, head of Blagoevgrad Hospital, was brutally attacked by two men while parking his car in the hospital car park on October 13, the dailies report. The doctor is said to be in a grave condition after being operated on for broken legs and other injuries.
Economy
- The world financial crises means that salaries will not raised by the usual 15-20 per cent a year and companies will cut back on bonuses and expenditure on staff training, says Dnevnik daily in its lead story. The newspaper concludes that the crisis will also mean the labour market suffering due to cutbacks on hiring new staff.
- Banks in Bulgaria are raising interest on loans by an average of 2.5 per cent, Sega daily reports. The paper says this is more than was expected, and criteria for getting loans are much tougher.
Social
- Amendments to the Traffic Act that will make it possible to pay traffic fines by SMS, says Standard in its lead. The proposals have come from the Interior Ministry and should become a reality by the end of the year.
- New motor vehicle license plates that will replace the current ones as of November 1 2008, says Monitor. The new ones will have just the European Union logo as opposed to the current ones that have the Bulgarian flag. Replacing the current ones will not be mandatory.
