Bulgaria is among the countries expected to achieve an economic growth by 2050, HSBC has predicted in a study entitled "The World in 2050: From the Top 30 to the Top 100?.

Business | January 13, 2012, Friday // 12:04

S&P Strips France of Triple A Rating, Spares Germany - Report

Global rating agency Standard & Poor's has decided to downgrade France's top-notch credit rating but will spare Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, an EU government source said on Friday.

Business » Finance | January 13, 2012, Friday // 17:58

Bulgaria at Spot 20 in Most Risky Sovereign Credit Ranking

Bulgarian sovereign credit default swaps spreads widened less than the Greek and Romanian in the fourth quarter of last year, according to data from credit information specialist CMA.

Business » Finance | January 13, 2012, Friday // 16:43

Weak Consumption Holds Down Bulgaria Inflation in Dec

Bulgaria's consumer price inflation slowed in December on the back of shrinking consumption and demand, data of the statistics office showed on Friday.

Business » Finance | January 13, 2012, Friday // 13:37

EU Still Up for Trilateral Gas Talks with Ukraine, Russia

The European Commission has confirmed its willingness to start gas transit talks with Ukraine and Russia any time the two countries wanted, according to EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger.

Business » Energy | January 13, 2012, Friday // 21:00

12 Bulgarian Cities Rally Against Shale Gas Development

January 14 will see nationwide protests against shale gas development in Bulgaria.

Business » Energy | January 13, 2012, Friday // 14:13

Politics

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry Vows Business Focus before AmCham

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has stressed its commitments to turning the country into an "attractive business destination" during a meeting with the leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Bulgaria.

Politics » Diplomacy | January 13, 2012, Friday // 20:26

Bulgaria's Defense Minister Heads to Israel for Talks with Barak

Bulgaria's Defense Minister Anyu Angelov is heading on a state visit in Israel for talks with his counterpart Ehud Barak.

Politics » Defense | January 13, 2012, Friday // 17:45

Bulgaria's Decorated VP Pardoned 209 High-Profile Felons

A total of 209 felons with harsh sentences for high-profile crimes have been pardoned during the presidential term of Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Vice President Angel Marin, out of several hundred pardoned in total.

Politics » Domestic | January 13, 2012, Friday // 19:38

Bulgaria's Vice President Returning Medal: PM Is Disgrace!

A huge public scandal has erupted over the decoration of Bulgarian Vice President Angel Marin with the highest state order, "Stara Planina" - 1st degree.

Politics » Domestic | January 13, 2012, Friday // 18:02

Bulgarian President, PM Clash over VP Top State Medal

President Georgi Parvanov has expressed his discontent with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's reaction after VP Angel Marin received Stara Planina – First Degree order, Bulgaria's highest state medal.

Politics » Domestic | January 13, 2012, Friday // 17:50

Bulgarian Nationalist MPs, Renegades Trade 'Disgusting' Text Messages

MPs from the troubled Bulgarian far-right Ataka (Attack) party and some of their former colleagues who left the parliamentary group to become "independent", have apparently engaged in a text message war.

Politics » Domestic | January 13, 2012, Friday // 14:29

Bulgaria's Outgoing President Anticipates Ideological Clash with Prime Minister

Outgoing President Georgi Parvanov has said that he has engaged in numerous arguments with Prime Minister Borisov on issues of the past and the present, but the real ideological clash between them is yet to unfold.

Politics » Domestic | January 13, 2012, Friday // 10:24

Society

Guard Commits Suicide in Japan’s Embassy to Bulgaria

A privately contracted security guard has committed suicide in the yard of the Japanese embassy in Bulgaria's capital Sofia.

Society | January 13, 2012, Friday // 13:38

It Is Friday The 13th, 2 More to Endure in Infamous 2012

Today is Friday the 13th, a "fatal" date that will occur two more times this year, which has been filled with superstitions.

Society | January 13, 2012, Friday // 12:32

Last Chance to Pick Bulgaria's 2011 'Personalities in the News'! Vote Now!

Our readers from around the world are invited to vote by midnight on January 15, 2011, in the annual "Personality in the News" polls of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) and Novinite.bg!

Society | January 13, 2012, Friday // 11:51

Bulgaria Roma Usher in New Year with 3-Day Celebrations

The Roma minority in Bulgaria are kicking off on Friday colorful festivities to mark the Roma New Year also known as Vassilitsa, the Day of Vassil (Basil) or Bango Vassili (the Lame Basil).

Society | January 13, 2012, Friday // 09:59

60% of Bulgarians Back Full Smoking Ban

60% of the Bulgarian citizens are in favor of the full smoking ban in closed public spaces that is expected to be introduced later in 2012, a poll conducted by Gallup has revealed.

Society » Health | January 13, 2012, Friday // 12:38

Sports

Bulgaria's CSKA to Become Udinese Affiliate - Report

Italy's Udinese may become the parent club of Bulgarian giants CSKA Sofia, reports emerged on Friday.

Sports | January 13, 2012, Friday // 16:34

Bulgaria's Tennis Hopefuls Enjoy Favorable Draw at Australian Open

Bulgaria's best tennis players, Tsvetana Pironkova and Grigor Dimitrov, will face rather surmountable opponents in the first round of Australian Open.

Sports | January 13, 2012, Friday // 11:17

Crime

Bulgaria Court Frees 2 Roma Kingpins, Alleged Contract Murderers

The Sofia City Court has released two of the three Roma kingpins arrested on suspicions of preparing three killings, including the assassination of a senior magistrate.

Crime | January 13, 2012, Friday // 15:00

Former Sofia Property CEO Jailed for 4 Years

Following a long-protracted trial, a Bulgarian court has sentenced to four years in jail the former CEO of the scandalous municipal real estate company Sofiyski Imoti (Sofia Properties), Toshko Dobrev.

Crime | January 13, 2012, Friday // 14:59

Bulgaria's PM Now Scolds Police, Demands Apology from Son of Other Victim

Thursday's suicide of a murder suspect during a police search in his home in the Bulgarian city of Pernik on Thursday was the result of a serious mistake on behalf of the police, Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov believes.

Crime | January 13, 2012, Friday // 13:21

Bulgaria's Katunitsa Alleged Murderer Faces 20 Years in Jail

The man who allegedly ran over and killed with his van a teenager in the village of Katunitsa, triggering a wave of violent protests against a Roma baron, has been charged with manslaughter.

Crime | January 13, 2012, Friday // 10:50

Husband Confesses to Killing Missing Bulgarian Tax Official

Doremi Dzhorleva, a tax official in the northwestern Bulgarian town of Vratsa, who went missing about a week ago, has been found dead.

Crime | January 13, 2012, Friday // 09:10

Bulgaria PM Apologizes over Cynic Remarks on Murder Case

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has offered an apology for the remarks he made in connection with the murder of 17-year-old girl.

Crime | January 13, 2012, Friday // 08:36

Lifestyle

Nina Dobrev: I’m Too Young to Tie the Knot

Bulgarian-born actress Nina Dobrev has refuted media allegations that is about to get married to her boyfriend and Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder.

Lifestyle | January 13, 2012, Friday // 15:42

World

Hungary Denies Sliding towards Autocracy

Hungary is ready to negotiate with the European Union over its controversial domestic legislation, Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi has declared.

World | January 13, 2012, Friday // 18:37

Norway Court Orders New Psychiatric Evaluation of Breivik

Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian man who shocked the world by killing 77 people in July 2010, has to undergo a new psychiatric evaluation, an Oslo court has ruled.

World | January 13, 2012, Friday // 15:12

Iran Warns West on Oil Embargo, Up for Nuclear Talks

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has urged the West to think twice before introducing an oil embargo against his country over the situation around the Strait of Hormuz.

World | January 13, 2012, Friday // 14:23

IMF: No Loan Talks Until Hungary Proves Commitment to Economic Stability

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has refused to to discuss financial aid to Hungary until the country makes "tangible steps" demonstrating its willingness to stabilize the economy.

World | January 13, 2012, Friday // 11:33

Urinating US Marines Identified

Two of the four Marines shown in a video urinating on dead bodies sprawled out on the ground have been identified by the Marine Corps, a Marine Corps official told CNN Thursday.

World | January 13, 2012, Friday // 11:30