Bulgaria media coverage all over the world...

"Mafia Muscles Its Way Into Politics Bulgaria," read a headline in The New York Times. "Politics is played to the death in Bulgaria, where the lives of politicians can be as cheap as spent bullets and murky business groups wage a murderous struggle for their cut of everything from real estate deals to millions in European aid."

Issue 26, November 2008 

Think you have wasted a week at the local Interior Ministry office trying to renew your ID card? Be glad you're not trying to get a business license or a planning permission. "Starting a business in Bulgaria still takes too long – 49 days – and the minimum capital requirement is an additional obstacle for entrepreneurship", 24 Chasa reports.

Issue 25, October 2008 

"What scandalises ordinary Bulgarians is that their country, the poorest in the EU, is missing a vital chance to modernise, writes The Economist.

Issue 24, September 2008

The Dearn family from Wolverhampton, UK, were shocked by starkers staff romping on their hotel bed during a recent holiday, said The Sun.

Issue 23, August 2008

While Bulgaria waited for the European Commission's report, the government sent Brussels its own update – which didn't include a single arrest, indictment or conviction of mafia bosses or corrupt high-ranking government officials.

Issue 22, July 2008

What do Bulgaria and Botswana have in common? Not much, except similar restrictions on freedom of the press. Not that younger Bulgarians don't care much - they're too busy watching naughty video clips on their mobiles than pay attention to the mainstream media.

Issue 21, June 2008

Hard times for the Bulgarian government. Bulgaria was again criticised by the EU during the visit of José Manuel Barroso, which took place against the background of the ongoing scandal in the Interior Ministry in Sofia. Meanwhile, what some newspapers see as the amalgamation of organised crime, private business and politics make Bulgaria appear bogged down in a vicious circle of corruption and inefficiency.

Issue 20, May 2008

Bulgaria observed its national holiday with flags at half-mast, as the government declared national mourning for nine victims of a train fire. Little did the subdued revellers know that more bad news was on the way: the latest round of sanctions from Europe. Only a pat on the back from the United States - and malicious glee over the falling dollar - could cheer Bulgarians up.

Issue 19, April 2008

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov soared on the wings of love during a press conference – and flirted with disaster above the Atlantic on an ageing TU-154.

Issue 18, March 2008

Special Irish Issue