ARCHIVE - 20 December 2012

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Business

Bulgarian Labor Costs Up by 5.9% Q3 2012 Y/Y
Fitch: Banks Outlook in CEE 'Stable but Bleak'
EC Opens Public Consultation on Unconventional Energy Sources
Bulgarian Energy Holding CEO: Shah Deniz II Consortium May Acquire 50% Stake in Nabucco
Bulgarian Energy Holding to Report BGN 36 M Profit for 2012
Gas Prices in Bulgaria Down 9.8%, Central Heating 3-7% Cheaper in Q1, 2013
Romania Sets High Priority on Shale Gas
Bulgarian Minister Announces New 6-Month Delay of Nabucco West Pipe

Politics

Sotir Tsatsarov Elected Bulgaria's New Chief Prosecutor
PES's Stanishev Inspired by Slovakia's Fico
1 in 6 EU Workers Were Low-Wage Earners in 2010
EC to Collect Bulgaria's Judiciary Scandals in Report
Bulgaria Chief Prosecutor Election Drags On for More Than 9h
Bulgarian Chief Prosecutor Hopeful Vows to Tackle Corruption Cases
Bulgaria for Citizens Movement Stages Protest Spectacle against Corrupt Judicial Elections
Bulgaria's Top Juridical Body to Vote on New Chief Prosecutor

Society

400 Employers in Bulgaria Delay Salaries by 4-Plus Months
Blizzard Claims at Least 1 Life in Bulgaria's NE Varna Region
76% of Bulgarians to Stay at Home for New Year's Eve
Candidate for Bulgaria's Top Prosecutor Exposed in Lying
Skiers, Hikers Sound 'Wake Up Call' for Bulgaria's Rulers
500 Bulgarian Schools Closed over Severe Winter
Half of Bulgaria Trapped in Snow
Deep Purple to Headline Bulgaria's 2013 Kavarna Rock Fest
2nd Online Chinese Film Festival Underway in Bulgaria
St. Ignatius Day Opens Christmas Festivities in Bulgaria

Sports

Fiorentina Thank Berbatov He Did Not Join
UEFA Executives to Discuss Euro 2020 in Sofia

Crime

Bulgarian 'Killers' Head, 2 Gang Members Get Life without Parole

World

Syrians Demand Ransom for Kidnapped Foreign Workers - Report
Chavez's Inauguration May Be Delayed - Report
Obama Vows Gun Violence Proposals by January
Miss USA Crowned Miss Universe
Senior US Official Quits over Libya Аttack

Novinite Insider

Apocalypse: Why Bulgariаns Don't Buy It

Business

Bulgarian Labor Costs Up by 5.9% Q3 2012 Y/Y

Bulgaria's total hourly labor cost rose by 5.9% in the third quarter of 2012 as compared with the third quarter of 2011, according to the National Statistical Institute.

Business | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 15:08

Fitch: Banks Outlook in CEE 'Stable but Bleak'

The overall outlook for banks in Central and Eastern Europe, including Bulgaria, is stable but bleak given the backdrop of the eurozone crisis, stated rating agency Fitch Thursday.

Business » Finance | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 16:28

EC Opens Public Consultation on Unconventional Energy Sources

The European Commission has launched a procedure to gather the opinions of the public regarding the pros and cons of exploiting unconventional energy sources.

Business » Energy | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 17:21

Bulgarian Energy Holding CEO: Shah Deniz II Consortium May Acquire 50% Stake in Nabucco

The international consortium developing the Shah Deniz II gas field offshore Azerbaijan is expected to sign an agreement to acquire a 50% stake in the Nabucco gas pipeline project, according to Mihail Andonov, CEO of the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH).

Business » Energy | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 16:08

Bulgarian Energy Holding to Report BGN 36 M Profit for 2012

The Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), which brings together all state-owned energy companies, expects to close 2012 at a profit of BGN 36 M, according to Mihail Andonov, CEO of BEH.

Business » Energy | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 14:27

Gas Prices in Bulgaria Down 9.8%, Central Heating 3-7% Cheaper in Q1, 2013

Gas prices in Q1, 2013 will drop by 9.8% and heating rates will be fall by 3-7%, according to Angel Semerdzhiev, Chair of the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR).

Business » Energy | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 12:56

Romania Sets High Priority on Shale Gas

Romania's negotiations with Chevron on the exploration and production of shale gas will be an area of interest for the country's future government, Designated Prime Minister Victor Ponta has declared.

Business » Energy | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 11:21

Bulgarian Minister Announces New 6-Month Delay of Nabucco West Pipe

The start of the Nabucco West gas pipeline project will be delayed by at least another six months, according to Delyan Dobrev, Bulgaria's Minister of Economy, Energy, and Tourism.

Business » Energy | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 10:52

Politics

Sotir Tsatsarov Elected Bulgaria's New Chief Prosecutor

Judge Sotir Tsatsarov has been elected to serve as Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor for a 7-year term by the Bulgarian Supreme Judicial Council Thursday.

Politics | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 19:47

PES's Stanishev Inspired by Slovakia's Fico

PES and Bulgarian Socialist Party chair Sergey Stanishev said he is inspired by the efforts and policies of fellow socialist Slovak PM Robert Fico.

Politics | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 16:57

1 in 6 EU Workers Were Low-Wage Earners in 2010

A total of 17.

Politics » Bulgaria in EU | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 15:45

EC to Collect Bulgaria's Judiciary Scandals in Report

The European Commission would closely watch the vote for new chief prosecutor and will prepare a report on Bulgaria's results in judicial reforms, corruption combat and organized crime.

Politics » Bulgaria in EU | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 13:02

Bulgaria Chief Prosecutor Election Drags On for More Than 9h

The procedure for election of Bulgaria's new Chief Prosecutor, which was launched Thursday morning, is continuing after having already taken 9 hours.

Politics » Domestic | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 18:30

Bulgarian Chief Prosecutor Hopeful Vows to Tackle Corruption Cases

The Bulgarian prosecutors have achieved a great progress in dealing with organized crime over the past few years, Chief Prosecutor candidate Borislav Sarafov stated on Thursday.

Politics » Domestic | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 13:15

Bulgaria for Citizens Movement Stages Protest Spectacle against Corrupt Judicial Elections

Volunteers from the Bulgaria for Citizens Movement staged a protest spectacle Thursday morning in front of the building of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) in Sofia.

Politics » Domestic | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 11:51

Bulgaria's Top Juridical Body to Vote on New Chief Prosecutor

Bulgaria's highest juridical body is voting on Thursday to appoint a new chief prosecutor with a selection process that has been denounced by civic groups.

Politics » Domestic | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 08:03

Society

400 Employers in Bulgaria Delay Salaries by 4-Plus Months

Around 400 companies in Bulgaria delay salaries by four-plus months, according to statistics of the General Labor Inspectorate (GLI).

Society | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 17:04

Blizzard Claims at Least 1 Life in Bulgaria's NE Varna Region

At least one person has frozen to death in Bulgaria's Varna Region after a cold spell with heavy blizzards fell on eastern Bulgaria overnight.

Society | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 15:17

76% of Bulgarians to Stay at Home for New Year's Eve

Some 76% of all Bulgarians plan a stay-at-home New Year's Eve, according to a survey conducted by the country's National Center for Study of Public Opinion.

Society | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 14:37

Candidate for Bulgaria's Top Prosecutor Exposed in Lying

Sotir Tsatsarov, Chairman of the Plovdiv Regional Court and Chief Prosecutor candidate, has lied during the hearings before the Ethics Committee of the Supreme Judicial Council, VSS.

Society | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 12:15

Skiers, Hikers Sound 'Wake Up Call' for Bulgaria's Rulers

Environmentally conscious Bulgarian citizens assembled Thursday in front of the Ministry of Agriculture in Sofia to warn of possible encroachments on Bulgarian nature and mismanagement in the winter tourism industry.

Society » Environment | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 20:38

500 Bulgarian Schools Closed over Severe Winter

Nearly 500 schools remained closed on Thursday in Bulgaria over the severe winter weather in the country.

Society » Environment | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 16:41

Half of Bulgaria Trapped in Snow

Twelve regions in Northeastern and Eastern Bulgaria have been placed under Code Orange due to severe winter conditions, authorities announced.

Society » Environment | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 10:30

Deep Purple to Headline Bulgaria's 2013 Kavarna Rock Fest

Legendary British hard rock band Deep Purple will present its fresh new 19th album at the 2013 edition of Bulgaria's traditional Kavarna Rock Fest.

Society » Culture | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 16:09

2nd Online Chinese Film Festival Underway in Bulgaria

An online Chinese film festival entitled "Weeks of Chinese Cinema" has been launched in Bulgaria.

Society » Culture | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 12:22

St. Ignatius Day Opens Christmas Festivities in Bulgaria

Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria mark on Thursday Ignazhden, the day of St. Ignatius, which inaugurates all Christmas and New Year festivities.

Society » Culture | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 08:32

Sports

Fiorentina Thank Berbatov He Did Not Join

Italian football club Fiorentina are happy that Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov chose not to join them, leaving them the chance to chose a more worthy player.

Sports | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 19:30

UEFA Executives to Discuss Euro 2020 in Sofia

UEFA's Executive Committee is to hold a sitting in Bulgaria's capital Sofia in March 2013, Bulgarian Football Union head Borislav Mihaylov has told reporters.

Sports | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 17:50

Crime

Bulgarian 'Killers' Head, 2 Gang Members Get Life without Parole

A Bulgarian court has delivered the toughest sentence to the president of the country?s Sumo Federation, founding him guilty of leading a gang, involved in murders, beatings, arsons and explosions.

Crime | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 11:12

World

Syrians Demand Ransom for Kidnapped Foreign Workers - Report

The kidnappers of two Russian workers and an Italian who were abducted this week have demanded a ransom of 50 million Syrian pounds (USD 700 000; EUR 530 000), according to a Russian news report.

World | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 13:46

Chavez's Inauguration May Be Delayed - Report

The upcoming inauguration of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez could be delayed, an official has revealed.

World | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 11:58

Obama Vows Gun Violence Proposals by January

US President Barack Obama has vowed to push "without delay" a set of proposals that will be due by January in the wake of Connecticut shooting rampage last week.

World | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 09:44

Miss USA Crowned Miss Universe

A 20-year-old beauty queen from Rhode Island was crowned the new Miss Universe on Wednesday, beating out 88 other women at the Planet Hollywood casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

World | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 09:19

Senior US Official Quits over Libya Аttack

A senior US official quits and others are suspended following a damning report into their handling of September's killing of the US envoy to Libya

World | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 07:30

Novinite Insider

Apocalypse: Why Bulgariаns Don't Buy It

Many believe the world will end Friday - 12/21/12 - when an important phase on the ancient calendar of the Mayan people terminates.

Novinite Insider » Opinions | December 20, 2012, Thursday // 13:16
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