http://www.novinite.com/ Real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news - economic, political and cultural, foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and world news. en 2001-2009 Novinite Ltd. http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110191 110191 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:52:14 +0200 The first EU President, Herman Van Rompuy, has stated immediately after his election Thursday night that Europe must play an important role in the world. Van Rompuy, who was selected by the EU leaders as the first President of the Union under the Lisbon Treaty, spoke in favor of the organization's continued enlargement, as long as the potential new members meet the required criteria, as quoted by BGNES. "Europe is a union of values, and has the responsibility to play and important role in the world," President Van Rompuy declared in his first news conference. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110190 110190 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:51:16 +0200 Bulgaria might become the first EU state outside of Belgium to be formally visited by the newly-elected first EU President, Herman Van Rompuy. This was announced by Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko BOrisov, shortly after the 27 EU leaders pick Van Rompuy as the first President of the Union under the Lisbon Treaty, the Bulgarian National Radio reported. Before becoming EU President, Van Rompuy had planned a formal visit to Bulgaria on December 14, 2009, in his capacity as Belgian Prime Minister. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110189 110189 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:50:18 +0200 The current Prime Minister of Belgium, Herman Van Rompuy, has been appointed the first EU President, British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, confirmed Thursday evening. UK's own Catherine Ashton, currently serving as the European Trade Commissioner, is to become the EU's Foreign Minister, Brown said, cited by CNN. The leaders of the 27 EU Member States made the decision behind closed doors in Brussels Thursday. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110188 110188 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:13:32 +0200 Catherine Ashton was elected the first EU High Representative on Foreign Policy under the Lisbon Treaty by EU leaders Thursday night when Belgian PM Van Rompuy was elected EU President. Catherine Margaret Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland (born 20 March 1956) is a British Labour politician who is currently serving as the European Trade Commissioner; formerly, she served both as Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council. On 19th November 2009, Baroness Ashton was appointed the first High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110187 110187 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:36:28 +0200 EU Commissioner for trade, UK's Catherine Ashton was selected by the EU leaders Thursday night as the first High Representative for Foreign Policy of the European Union under the Lisbon Treaty when Belgian PM Van Rompuy was elected EU President. Ashton was elected at the special summit of the 27 EU heads of state, the BBC has reported citing diplomatic sources. Belgian PM Van Rompuy was elected EU President. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110186 110186 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:34:34 +0200 Herman Van Rompuy has been elected the first President of the EU under the Lisbon Treaty at the special summit of the leaders of the 27 EU member states Thursday night, November 19, 2009. UK EU Commissioner Catherine Ashton has been selected as EU's first "Foreign Minister" or High Foreign Policy Commissioner. Van Rompuy was born October 31, 1947 in Etterbeek.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110185 110185 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:32:35 +0200 Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy has been selected by EU leaders Thursday night as the first President of the European Union under the Lisbon Treaty. Rompuy's election to the new top EU job occurred at the special summit of the 27 EU heads of state, the BBC has reported citing diplomatic sources. Van Rompuy is seen as a low key consensual politician with a reputation of a coalition builder.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110184 110184 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:12:10 +0200 The Swedish EU Presidency has formally proposed Belgium's Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy, for the position of EU President. This has been announced by a Spokesperson of Rompuy while the special EU summit to elect the first President of the EU is still going on, BGNES reported. A Spokesperson of the Czech government has confirmed the news about Rompuy's nomination by the Swedish Presidency. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110183 110183 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:10:00 +0200 Two people were buried Thursday in Sofia when a building in the so-called "Sugar Factory" complex collapsed. The incident happened after two Roma men entered the building to look for scrap, according to a Darik radio report. The Civil Defense informs that rescue teams, including experts from the Bulgarian Red Cross and a canine unit, have been immediately dispatched to the location upon receiving the signal.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110182 110182 Obituaries Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:34:23 +0200 Jeanne-Claude, artist and wife of Bulgarian-born Christo, has died at 74, Bloomberg reports Thursday. Jeanne-Claude died Wednesday night at a New York hospital from complications of a brain aneurysm. Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon was born on June 13, 1935, in Casablanca, Morocco, to a French military family, according to a biography on the couple's Web site.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110181 110181 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:15:00 +0200 Former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has dropped out of the race to become the first European Council President, BBC reported Thursday evening. EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to select their first ever full-time President and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs - new posts created by the Lisbon Treaty, which will become effective on 1 December. BBC cites a UK government spokesman as informing about the dramatic twist in the British position.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110180 110180 Domestic Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:50:47 +0200 Associate Professor, Todorka Kostadinova, was appointed Thursday as Bulgaria's new Deputy Health Minister. The appointment of Kostadinova, who has a PhD in Economics, was made by Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, to replace Lyubomir Gaydov, who resigned in October. Kostadinova was born in 1960 in the northeastern city of Dobrich.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110179 110179 Domestic Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:42:17 +0200 Bulgarian PM Boris Borisov has undertaken to renew the investigation into property managed by the ethnic Turkish party (DPS), or rather its leader Ahmed Dogan. This has been announced on Thursday in the Bulgarian parliament by Ivan Kostov, leader of the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria party (DSB), following a meeting with the Prime Minister to warn him about the properties. The investigation will probe some five properties: the famous "Boyana Saray" in the Boyana district of Sofia; the Casa Domini hotel in Ribaritsa; the Orpheus spa complex in Devin; Rosenets park, close to Burgas; and the Palace of the Children, in Drandar - Dogan's native village. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110178 110178 Finance Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:36:58 +0200 The Members of the Bulgarian Parliament offered Thursday the latest surprise regarding the alcohol and cigarettes tax increase. The new excise duties were changed and increased on second read during the Budget Committee meeting from their values approved on first read. The move makes the Parliamentary Hall voting crucial for the final decision. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110177 110177 Industry Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:06:54 +0200 Bulgaria's former largest steel mill "Kremikovtzi" had withdrawn the application for a complex permit for its environmentally clean productions. The move has happened a month ago, the Minister of Environment, Nona Karadzhova, announced Thursday, adding the permit would not be issued. The deadline for the mill to obtain the permit expired more than a year ago - in October, 2008.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110176 110176 World Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:45:25 +0200 The American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that a computer system malfunction has affected flight plans, causing delays and cancelations nationwide. The system processes flight plans, but as it is not functioning properly, flight controllers are having to enter their plans manually. Delays are expected to continue until the problem is solved, but the safety of planes in the air is not an issue, the FAA stated. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110175 110175 Diplomacy Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:42:34 +0200 Deepining cooperation on international security, and assisting in Bulgaria's military modernization are the top priorities of the new US Ambassador to Sofia, James Warlick. Warlick spoke Wednesday during the official hearing before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The Committee is to approve Warlick's official nomination by President Obama to become Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110174 110174 Diplomacy Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:30:10 +0200 Senate Foreign Relations Committee November 18, 2009 Madam Chair and Members of the Committee, ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110173 110173 Business Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:22:20 +0200 South Korean centers for training and qualification of workers will be opened in Bulgaria in 2010, according to Labor Minister, Totyu Mladenov. In Mladenov's words, the training centers will be located at the plants owned by South Korean investors. The Labor Minister announced in Sevlievo Thursday that "serious" South Korean investments were expected in Bulgaria starting 2010, and that the Bulgarian state would do its best to provide Korean businesses with a sufficiently qualified labor force. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110172 110172 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:19:53 +0200 Bulgarian officials claim to have succeeded in calming the inhabitants of Samokov, following the stabbing on Wednesday of a Roma teenager. The Bulgarian Interior Ministry has announced that security has been maintained, and that any tensions between the Bulgarian and Roma communities have been defused. After meeting with Roma leaders in Samokov on Thursday, Kalin Georgiev, Secretary-General of the Interior Ministry (MVR), said: "I see no reasons for adding fuel to the fire.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110171 110171 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:36:10 +0200 The Sofia Administrative Court ruled on Thursday that Sofia Municipality should pay BGN 2 161 in compensation to a citizen attacked by stray dogs. 28-y-old Ogniana Madzharova had sued the municipality on two counts for dog bites suffered to her knees and calves. The incident had occurred last summer in Sofia city center.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110170 110170 Crime Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:34:05 +0200 In a surprising move the Sofia City Court postponed Thursday the case against energy tycoon Hristo Kovachki. The Judge, Alexandra Iordanova, based her decision on the fact that the two legal advisors of the National Revenue Agency (NRA) failed to present a valid power of attorney. The NRA has filed a civil suit against Kovachki for compensation in the amount of BGN 16,7 M. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110169 110169 Business Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:23:08 +0200 Bulgaria is an abnormal situation in which the unemployment is rising while the business sector is creating jobs but cannot find the skilled workers needed. This was stated Thursday in the town of Sevlievo by Bulgaria's Labor Minister, Totyu Mladenov. "It is not normal to have an unemployment rate of over 8%, i.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110168 110168 Sports Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:02:16 +0200 Manchester United's striker Dimitar Berbatov has expressed his happiness after becoming the top scorer of all time for the Bulgarian National Football Team. After scoring twice against Malta in Wednesday's football friendly, Berbatov has 47 goals in 76 matches surpassing the previous record of Hristo Bonev with 46 goals and former Bulgarian star Hristo Stoichkov who has 37 goals for the national team. Upon returning to Sofia Thursday, Berbatov admitted that breaking the top scorer record of the Bulgarian National Football Team had been one of his goals. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110167 110167 World Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:58:24 +0200 Tens of thousands of people have lined the streets of Belgrade, capital of Serbia, to pay their last respects to the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Pavle. The Patriarch, who led the Church from 1990, had died on Sunday, aged 95. He had been admitted to hospital two years ago, suffering from heart and lung conditions. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110165 110165 Domestic Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:39:11 +0200 The Bulgarian Parliament officially declared August 23 a Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Crimes Committed by Communist and other Totalitarian Regimes. The Thursday discussion to support the European decrees to condemn the crimes of Communist regimes, however, triggered heated debates among the parliamentary left and right wing. Maya Manolova, from the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party, said that some Members of the Parliament had yet to realize that very recently Europe celebrated the 20th anniversary from the fall of the Berlin Wall and they reminded her of the Japanese soldier found alive in the 70s, in the Philippines jungle, not knowing World War II was over. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110166 110166 Views on BG Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:37:52 +0200 From The National Post, Canada Sofia Bulgaria can pass the Czech Republic as Eastern Europe's most lucrative solar energy market if the government removes legal pitfalls blocking investment in the country's strong sun potential, experts say. Investors are looking for new opportunities in central and southeastern Europe after Spain and Germany, the global industry leaders in photovoltaics (PV) that turn sunlight into energy, have cut or plan to curtail incentives. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110164 110164 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:06:15 +0200 The Bulgarian Finance Ministry has published online on Thursday another declassified document dealing with a risk assessment of the Trakia Highway project. The 118-page report, by PriceWaterhouseCoopers - Bulgaria, is entitled "Concession of Trakia Highway". It contains an analysis of "possible risks in the realization of the project on behalf of the government and possible recommendations for optimization". ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110163 110163 Domestic Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:59:59 +0200 For the first time in Bulgaria's history a former Member of the Parliament has been convicted for insulting a colleague. The information was reported by the press center of the Sofia District Court Thursday. The unprecedented guilty verdict is for the former MP from the National Movement of Stability and Prosperity (NMSP) party, Olimpi Katev, who used rude qualifications in addressing the Member of the European Parliament from Bulgaria's far-right, nationalist "Ataka" party, Dimitar Stoyanov. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110162 110162 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:24:12 +0200 Bulgaria PM Boyko Borisov officially received on Thursday the team from the Military Medical Academy (VMA) that had earlier returned from Ukraine. He expressed his great admiration for the work they had done in their mission to assist fellow Bulgarians living in Ukraine's Odessa region in the fight against the flu epidemic, the government press center has announced. At Minister Bozhidar Dimitrov's initiative, five medics from VMA, led by Colonel Asen Petkov, visited four cities and the same number of villages in the Odessa region, where almost 300 000 Bulgarians live. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110161 110161 Domestic Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:20:36 +0200 Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, issued an order Thursday to put a halt on all Council of Ministers budget expenses for Christmas cards and gifts. The order comes on the heels of an earlier decision of the PM banning expenses for flowers and coffee for State guests. The latest ban includes cards, promotional materials, calendars, gifts, and parties, among others. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110160 110160 Business Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:18:47 +0200 The Chinese state-owned company China Luoyang Float Glass Group is still interested in investing in the former glass factory in Bulgaria's northeast city of Razgrad. After a visit in April 2008, representatives of the Chinese holding visited Bulgaria for the second time, and met Thursday with Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, and Todor Dimitrov who is a MP from the Razgrad District. They are to visit Razgrad on Friday. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110159 110159 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:06:09 +0200 A 27-year-old pregnant woman infected with the swine flu A(H1N1) virus has died Thursday in the Black Sea city of Burgas, the hospital press center informs. The baby has been delivered and is doing fine. Another woman, whose baby has also been delivered, is in critical condition in the same hospital and is been monitored round the clock while a third pregnant woman, who is suspected to have been infected with the virus, has been admitted to the Emergency Room, but has left later on her own will. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110158 110158 Business Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:01:37 +0200 According to reports in the Indonesian press the Bulgarian government has made a USD 30 M investment in the fertilizer industry in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. In a surprise report the Bulgarian government is also said to be interested in the coal potential in East and South Kalimantan, vivanews.com stated. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110157 110157 Domestic Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:59:09 +0200 Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) announced Thursday the last 13 names of magistrates who have been tangled in the so-called scandal with Krasio from Pleven. Krasimir Georgiev aka "Krasio from Pleven" is an individual who, allegedly, offered magistrates to secure their appointment to high ranking positions through the vote of the VSS in exchange for EUR 200 000 in cash. VSS also announced that legal proceedings have been initiated against 18 of the judges and prosecutors who are proven to have been in contact with Georgiev. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110156 110156 World Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:45:31 +0200 The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says growth and recovery are expected in 2010 in just about all world regions. For its 30 member countries, rich nations including the US and UK, it has more than doubled its growth forecast to 1,9% for next year, from 0,7%. But the OECD warns developed nations not to expect a smooth ride, the BBC reported. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110155 110155 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:30:08 +0200 Ashraf El Hagog was at the center of the Libyan Aids scandal, in which he and five Bulgarian nurses were accused of deliberately infecting 426 babies with HIV. Now he is divorced from his Bulgarian wife, unemployed, and living with his parents in the Dutch town of Woerden. When he and the five Bulgarian nurses were finally released by Libya, and flown to Sofia on July 24, 2007, they were accompanied by presidents, ambassadors and other important people. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110154 110154 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:25:24 +0200 Bulgaria Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev has proposed that the Bulgarian constitution should be changed to "abolish the legal untouchability of the Chief Prosecutor." Velchev stated that there is no room for the currently used legal saying 'Only god is above the Chief Prosecutor', in a democratic society.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110153 110153 Crime Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:12:51 +0200 Two of the four Bulgarian Members of Parliament who were exposed to have been in contact with notorious 'businessmen' Krasimir Georgiev, has denied knowing him. "I state with full responsibility that I have no recollection of establishing contacts with the person Krasimir Georgiev," declares Lyutvi Mestan, Deputy Chair of the ethnic Turkish party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) in a letter to Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev, in which he demands that he be presented all available data about his alleged connections with Krasio. Mestan and two other DPS MPs - Kasim Dal and Erdoan Ahmedov - were revealed Wednesday by Yane Yanev, Chair of the Parliamentary Anti-Corruption Committee, to have been had phone conversations and exchanged SMS Text messages with Georgiev, aka 'Krasio the Black', in 2008 and 2009.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110152 110152 Business Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:38:49 +0200 Bulgaria's unemployment rate increased by 0,2% in October 2009 reaching 8,23%, according to data of the Employment Agency released Thursday. In October 2009, Bulgaria's unemployment has grown by 2,38% compared to the same month of 2008. The number of people registered as unemployed in the Agency bureaus around the country grew by 7 400 reaching 304 915.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110151 110151 Environment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:12:02 +0200 Yordan Lechkov, the Mayor of Sliven, has on Thursday demanded the resignation of the Bulgarian Minister of Environment and Water, Nona Karadzhova. The mayor announced that he will present his formal statement and supporting documents on Monday. He will also approach Prime Minister Boyko Borisov concerning his demand, as well as the National Fund at the Finance Ministry and the European Commission. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110149 110149 World Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:32:53 +0200 Hamid Karzai has been sworn in for a second elected term as Afghan president following an election mired in fraud. In his inauguration speech, Karzai addressed the key question of corruption, saying his ministers had be "competent and just". Karzai said that within five years he hoped Afghan security forces would take the lead and the role for foreign troops would be reduced. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110148 110148 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:42:34 +0200 The Director of the Interior Ministry 'Enforcement of Sentences' department, Petar Vasilev, has stated that out of the 9000 people currently in Bulgarian prisons, 2000 are drug addicts. Vasilev, speaking in an interview for bTV, said that Bulgaria's prisons are a fertile ground for HIV and hepatitis with 1 syringe being used by up to 100 prisoners." He added "it is not correct to solve the problems of society behind prison bars...... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110147 110147 Domestic Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:22:33 +0200 Sergey Ignatov has been approved by the Bulgaria Parliament to become Bulgaria's new Education, Youth and Science Minister. Finance Minister Simeon Djankov presented Ignatov's credentials to Parliament and he was sworn in soon after. The new appointment comes after Education Minister Yordanka Fandakova was elected new mayor of the capital Sofia in a landslide on Sunday, replacing the former mayor and current head of government Boyko Borisov. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110146 110146 Society Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:51:42 +0200 Bulgaria's Chief Epidemiologist, Dr. Angel Kunchev, has stated that the Health Ministry will call off the national swine flu epidemic at the end of this week due to a fall in cases of infection. Kunchev stated that there has been a significant drop in cases of people infected with the A(H1N1) virus and said he expected that the epidemic is over.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110145 110145 Sports Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:32:22 +0200 After Wednesday's final World Cup play-offs it has now been decided which 32 nations will join the 2010 football party in South Africa next June. On Wednesday, Greece and Algeria both secured places in the Finals next summer with wins over Ukraine and Egypt respectively, with three further teams from the Europe Zone of qualification also decided. Portugal beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 on aggregate to book a place in the Finals, while Russia were beaten by Slovenia 2-2 on aggregate, with Slovenia winning on away goals to gain a place, while the Republic of Ireland lost 2-1 to France on aggregate for Les Bleus to seal a place in the World Cup Finals. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110144 110144 World Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:13:59 +0200 A bomb blast outside the main gate of a court building in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar has killed 16 people, and injured 26 others. The court is located on the busy Khyber Road and the area is generally crowded during the morning, the BBC reported. Last week a car bomb targeted Pakistani intelligence offices on the same road, just a couple of kilometres west. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110143 110143 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:03:40 +0200 Sweden's prime minister has expressed disquiet about Russia's human rights situation after an EU-Russia summit in Stockholm. Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said: "We exchanged views on human rights, the rule of law in Russia and democracy. "This is an increasing cause for concern," he added. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110142 110142 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:48:22 +0200 The European Union has confirmed that in the bloc's 2010 budget EUR 75 M will be allotted to Bulgaria for the closure of Soviet-designed reactors 1 to 4 at Bulgaria's Kozloduy nuclear power plant. The decision was confirmed after after an all-day meeting of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union regarding the EU 2010 Budget and more specifically the extra EUR 767 M to be given to the EU dairy sector for Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP decommissioning. Bulgarian Socialist Party MEP and Ex-Foreign Affairs Minister reported the news after being part of the Bulgarian team at the negotiations.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110141 110141 Bulgaria in EU Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:28:58 +0200 European Union leaders will gather in Brussels later to select their first full-time president and foreign affairs high representative. The heads of the 27 EU member nations are divided over which candidates to choose, and after-dinner negotiations are expected to last into the night. Former UK prime minister Tony Blair had been an early favourite for president, the BBC reported. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110140 110140 Sports Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:05:57 +0200 Manchester United and Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov has become the top scorer of the Bulgarian National Football Team. Berbatov scored twice in Bulgaria's friendly with Malta Wednesday night which brought his total number of national team goals to 48, one more than the previous record of legendary Bulgarian footballer from the 1960s and 1970s, Hristo Bonev. (Bonev played for the Bulgarian national team in 1967-1979; he played 98 matches.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110139 110139 Business Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:51:07 +0200 Buglaria's largest private television station bTV will not be sold before January 2010. This has been announced by Bulgarian media expert Krassimir Guergov, who is bTV's consultant, in an interview for the Trud Daily. Guergov says he would bet EUR 1 M that the largest Bulgarian private station bTV, which is owned by the Australian media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, would not be sold before New Year's. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110138 110138 Sports Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:41:03 +0200 Bulgaria's National Football Team beat Malta in before 1 500 spectators in La Valetta Wednesday night. The goals for Bulgaria were scored by Parma's forward, Valeri Bojinov, in the 5th minute, Manchester United's striker Dimitar Berbatov in the 75th and 82nd minute, and half Blagoy Georgiev in the 80th minute. Malta scored their goal in the 47th minute.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110135 110135 Diplomacy Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:31:22 +0200 Foreign Minister, Rumiana Jeleva, is going to inform US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, of progress made by the Bulgarian government in fighting high-level corruption. Bulgaria's Minister is going to tell Clinton about the cases of investigation and charges against five former Bulgarian Ministers from the Stanishev government during their meeting in Washington DC on November 23, 2009. Jeleva had a special meeting with Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev on Wednesday in order to get updated on the cases. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110136 110136 Crime Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:29:08 +0200 The police have arrested a 28-year-old man in the Bulgarian capital Sofia in a special operation Wednesday night. According to unofficial information reported by BGNES, the man named Dimitar Mitov is the grandson of a former Bulgarian Prime Minister. Expect details as more information becomes available... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110134 110134 Bulgaria in EU Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:22:17 +0200 The Russian Federation has expressed its readiness to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 by 20%-25% from the level in 1990. This has been announced by European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, who has welcomed this news given by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during Wednesday's EU-Russia Summit in Stockholm, Sweden. Barroso has welcomed "the signal" given by President Medvedev just two weeks before the world summit on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110132 110132 Crime Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:32:28 +0200 Four former Bulgarian Members of Parliament were exposed Wednesday to have been in contact with notorious "businessman" Krasimir Georgiev, aka "Krasio the Black". This was made public by Yane Yanev, Chair of the Parliamentary Anti-Corruption Committee, who said three MPs from the ethnic Turkish party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and one from the Bulgarian Socialist Party had made calls and exchanged SMS Text messages with Krasio. Some of the messages contained directions for 'lobbying' on some issues. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110133 110133 Crime Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:32:07 +0200 A 15-year-old youth was stabbed with a knife in a fight between four youths of Bulgarian origin and four of Roma origin. All are pupils either at the Professional High School for Tourism or a local school in Samokov, a town some 60 kms south east of the capital Sofia. According to the Samokov police, the incident occurred Wednesday morning between the two schools which are situated across the street from each other. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110131 110131 Crime Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:01:32 +0200 A woman and a man were wounded and a child was shot dead shortly after 6 pm Wednesday in the southern Bulgarian city of Yambol. A 53-year-old man, whose name is reported to be Tenyo Popov, got in fight with his uncle in the village of Kozarevo, and shot him leaving for the city of Yambol. As he was driving he shot at a woman and a child who were in front of an apartment building in the Hale Quarter. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110130 110130 World Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:39:17 +0200 The British quality daily "The Times" and the partner "Sunday Times" will begin to charge online consumers for access to their news content from spring 2010. The paper is part of the giant News Corporation, owned by tycoon Rupert Murdoch. He first aired his belief that readers would eventually pay for content that they now receive free, some six months ago. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110129 110129 Domestic Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:32:56 +0200 Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor's Office is preparing suits against four more former Ministers from the Stanishev government over corruption and abuses. This was announced Wednesday by Bulgaria's Foreign Minister, Rumiana Jeleva, after she met with Chief Prosecutor, Boris Velchev. One of the Stanishev government Ministers, ex-Agriculture head, Valeri Tsvetanov, was already charged with violations in September. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110128 110128 Diplomacy Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:15:06 +0200 Energy security is expected to top the agenda of the meeting of Bulgarian Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton next week. According to a statement of the US Embassy in Sofia, transparency in energy contracts and diversity of supply as key points to Bulgaria's energy strategy be matters of the talks. Another major issue on agenda to be discussed by Jeleva and Clinton is the progress the new Bulgarian government is making on rule of law in the country. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110127 110127 Domestic Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:39:44 +0200 Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, vowed full-fledged support for badly needed reforms at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). Borisov met Wednesday with the BAS Director, Nikola Sabotinov. The meeting comes after a public controversy in which Finance Minister Simeon Djankov and President Georgi Parvanov exchanged offensive remarks. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110126 110126 Bulgaria in EU Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:35:31 +0200 EU and Russian leaders have been meeting Wednesday in Stockholm, Sweden, at a summit aimed at improving the relations between the two powers. Russia's President Medvedev announced as the one-day summit closed that they have reached agreement on all outstanding issues concerning energy co-operation. "We spoke of the development of big economic projects including energy co-operation, and the development of energy safety.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110125 110125 Crime Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:44:57 +0200 Bulgarian sailors get paid about EUR 1 000 on average for trafficking small quantities of drugs. This has been announced by Kalin Mihov, a former Deputy Director of Bulgaria's unit for fighting organized crime, GDBOP. Mihov told Darik Radio that the Bulgarian sailors are usually recruited by smaller-scale drug producers and traffickers in various ports in Latin America to become part of trafficking channels for smaller shipments. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110124 110124 Crime Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:35:24 +0200 Officers from the police station in the north west Bulgarian village of Hairedin foiled an attempted robbery of a local branch of DSK Bank early on Wednesday. The bank's security system was triggered at around 4.30 am.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110123 110123 Domestic Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:21:58 +0200 Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, has declared that Wednesday's unblocking of previously frozen PHARE Program money for Bulgaria, was a great boost for his government. Borisov announced the his cabinet had received a fax from EU Enlargement Commissioner, Oli Rehn notifying him of the Commission's decision, and saying that it had resulted from the constructive dialogue with the Bulgarian government. "It is these assessments that I care about, and that the Bulgarian people care about.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110122 110122 Crime Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:52:29 +0200 The illegal drugs market in Bulgaria's capital Sofia does not have a single boss at the moment after the police made a number of recent arrests according to the Sofia Interior Ministry Chief, Valery Yordanov. Due to the arrests there is now a vacuum in Sofia with a struggle for new territory and influence set to start according to Yordanov, cited by Darik Radio. He continued, "As we have made arrests, turmoil will now occur...... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110121 110121 Bulgaria in EU Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:50:32 +0200 The European Commission confirmed it has unblocked EUR 82,563 M in EU funding for Bulgaria under PHARE program, which was suspended last year for the country's failure to adequately tackle corruption. This was announced by an official statement of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria. "The Commission is lifting the suspension of payments for the accession-related programmes PHARE and the Transition Facility in Bulgaria," European Commission spokesman Mark Gray said. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110120 110120 Crime Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:37:16 +0200 The case for the defense will begin on December 2 at the Municipal Court of Sofia (SSC), in the ongoing murder trial of Australian Paul "Jock" Palfreeman. Polfreeman's defence request for a new fifth expertise to establish the condition of Monov after a probable consumption of alcohol, was rejected by the magistrates on the grounds that this had already been established with previous expert testimony. The fatal stabbing occurred in Sveta Nedelya Sofia square on December 28, 2007.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110119 110119 Crime Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:29:16 +0200 The eight Bulgarians who have been busted over a scheme for stealing credit card information in Austria and Poland are highly intelligent and hold university degrees. This has been announced Wednesday by the Plovdiv Regional Prosecutor Ivan Daskalov as quoted by Radio Plovdiv. Six Bulgarians were busted in the southern cities of Plovdiv, Yambol and Burgas, and two more were arrested in Poland Tuesday in a joint operation of EUROPOL, and the police authorities in Austria, Bulgaria, and Poland. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110118 110118 World Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:14:59 +0200 US President Barack Obama has for the first time admitted that the US will miss the January 2010 deadline he set for closing the Guantanamo Bay prison. Obama made the admission in interviews with US networks during the president's tour of Asia, the BBC reported. He said he was "not disappointed" that the deadline had slipped, saying he "knew this was going to be hard". ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110117 110117 Society Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:53:32 +0200 The Mayor of Popovo in North East Bulgaria, Lyudmil Veselinov, has ordered the re-building of the controversial monument of the "unknown Muslim/Turkish warrior" to be stopped. Regional Prosecutor, Stefan Hristov, confirmed that Veselinov had issued a ban on the illegal building of the monument and had also stopped workers from entering the sight. According to Hristov the monument needs permission from the local government as it is legally a 'war memorial.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110116 110116 Industry Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:52:51 +0200 Bulgaria's government has ruled out adopting a proposal for two of the biggest bondholders of indebted Kremikovtzi steel mill, state-owned companies, to acquire a majority stake in it to prevent an imminent shutdown. "Should this scenario unfold, the state-owned companies will have to pay Kremikovtzi debts while they have no permits for work and also have to pay back public takings to the Finance Ministry," the minister said at a round table on Wednesday. The forum was also attended by representatives of the trade unions, who want the government to adopt the recovery plan for the company and give up plans for its liquidation. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110115 110115 Business Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:35:18 +0200 The American state of Ohio has set off to attract more investments from Europe, including from Bulgaria. The Mayor of the city of Cleveland, Frank Jackson, has presented at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry the project "Investing in America: Destination Cleveland". Jackson is on a visit to Bulgaria where he is accompanied by representatives of the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP), an organization with 16 000 member companies, the Small and Medium Enterprises Union, and other business organizations from Ohio. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110114 110114 Domestic Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:11:43 +0200 A huge row has erupted in the Bulgarian Parliament on Wednesday, with MPs trading accusations and insults at their opponents, and criticizing the Speaker for her conduct. This was in reaction to Tuesday's debate of the draft state budget for 2010, presented by the ruling party GERB. The 2010 State Budget Act had been passed with minimal debate, as Novinite.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110113 110113 Elections 2009 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:43:52 +0200 The Bulgaria conservative party "Order, Law, Justice" (RZS) leader, Yane Yanev, has stated that 59 000 votes were manipulated in Sunday's Sofia Mayor elections. RZS experts have estimated that 32% of protocols presented by Precinct Election Commissions showed a discrepancy between the number of ballots given out and the number of votes cast. "Our experts have determined that incorrect votes as a result of these manipulations total 44 000.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110112 110112 Bulgaria in EU Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:41:24 +0200 The EU's second sweep of the mobile phone content market - ringtones, wallpapers and other services - has revealed that fourteen Bulgarian sites are guilty of breaking European directives and misleading consumers. The European Commission said twelve out of all fourteen Bulgarian sites have been "cleaned up". The names of the sites have not been revealed. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110111 110111 Sports Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:56:31 +0200 Manchester City are interested in Tottenham winger David Bentley and could bid GBP 8 M for the 25-year-old in a deal that will include Bulgarian Martin Petrov, British media reported. Winger Martin Petrov was agonisingly close to becoming a Spurs player in the summer after being consistenyly left on the substitutes' bench by Mark Hughes. The two clubs started negotiations on the last day of the transfer window, but failed to reach an agreement. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110110 110110 Society Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:42:23 +0200 Balkan music guru Goran Bregović and his Weddings and Funerals Orchestra will perform on New Year's Eve on Sofia's central square, the state TV channel has announced. Bregović will be the main star of this year's New Year's Eve concert in Sofia organized by the Bulgarian national television (BNT), which marks its 50th anniversary. His fee has been set at EUR 110,000. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110109 110109 Views on BG Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:12:08 +0200 EurActiv Bulgaria, the EU country worst hit by gas delivery disruptions last January following a dispute between Russia and Ukraine over transit, warned about delays to infrastructure work designed to boost energy security. Speaking to journalists in Brussels, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Roumiana Jeleva said not a single euro had been received from the European Commission towards sums allocated last summer for two gas interconnectors, designed to reduce the country's dependence on Russian gas supplies.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110108 110108 Society Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:59:33 +0200 Days after the bye-elections for mayor in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, the municipality has announced plans to increase the fee for parking in the blue zones. "We will keep unchanged the blue zones in some districts, while in others the fee will go up several times. Parking in parts of the center will be prohibited," Radoslav Toshev, head of the transport commission at the municipality council, said. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110107 110107 World Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:18:44 +0200 Suicides among soldiers this year have topped last year's record-breaking numbers, CNN reported, citing army officials. Since January, 140 active-duty soldiers have killed themselves while another 71 Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers killed themselves in the same time period, totaling 211 as of Tuesday, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, U.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110106 110106 Diplomacy Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:11:19 +0200 Zbigniew Brzezinski, former national security adviser to US president Jimmy Carter, has scolded East Europeans for behaving like children, who go to the United States to complain about Russia's aggressiveness. ""East Europeans should stop behaving like children and start coping with their own problems by themselves instead of going to the United States to complain about Russian aggressiveness," Brzezinski said in an interview for the public Czech Television (CT) on Tuesday. Brzezinski, who is referred to as the "grey eminence" of US politics, gave the interview on the day of the 20th anniversary of the events in Prague that brought the fall of the Communist regime. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110105 110105 Sports Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:49:51 +0200 Bulgaria and Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov has the chance to break the national team's goal scoring record on Wednesday against Malta. Berbatov has a scored 46 goals for Bulgaria needs one more to draw level with all time great Hristo Bonev. Dimitar Berbatov is believe to have recovered from a knee injury and to join Bulgaria's national team for Wednesday's friendly at Malta, even though Manchester United sources have reported that he may have to have an operation to overcome a problem with fluid on knee. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110104 110104 Industry Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:35:33 +0200 Trade unionists have repeated their calls on the government to adopt a recovery plan for Bulgaria's indebted steel behemoth Kremikovtzi to prevent its imminent shutdown. Key Bulgarian ministers made it clear last week that bankrupt steel-making giant Kremikovtzi would most likely be liquidated, since 80% of Kremikovtzi's creditors have disapproved the action plan to save the steel-maker, presented by the administrator. "Shutting down the ailing state-run plant before winding up its businesses and offloading its assets will make more difficult the outstanding payments to the laid-off workers and their social securities," Zhelyazko Hristov, leader of KNSB trade union, said at a round table on Wednesday. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110103 110103 World Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:58:00 +0200 European Union leaders are due to discuss key issues such as trade and energy with their Russian counterparts at a summit in Stockholm. Moscow and Brussels are still rebuilding relations after falling out over last year's Georgia-Russia war. The EU will also seek assurances there will be no repeat of last winter's disruption of gas exports to the West. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110102 110102 Bulgaria in EU Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:27:03 +0200 The European Commission has unblocked part of hundreds of millions of euros in EU funding for Bulgaria under PHARE program, which were suspended last year for the country's failure to adequately tackle corruption. This emerges from a letter from the European Commission Enlargement Directorate to Bulgaria's Finance Minister Simeon Djankov. Bulgaria has been allowed to fund, through its own budget for the time being, projects under PHARE pre-accession program, concluded by July 2008, when the European Commission barred two agencies from handling PHARE money. ...