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 2001-2010 Novinite Ltd. http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112981 112981 Crime Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:28:32 +0200 The Sofia City Court put Tuesday a restraint on properties valued at nearly BGN 2 M, owned by alleged kidnapper Anton Petrov aka The Hamster. The restraint came on the request of the Committee in charge of seizing the illegally acquired assets in favor of the state or the so-called "Kushlev Committee", named after its Head, Stoyan Kushlev. Petrov is suspect in taking part in the notorious kidnap gang code-named "The Impudent.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112980 112980 Crime Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:26:29 +0200 Nedelcho Vasilev, who killed Monday evening a police officer, is himself the son of a policeman. His father, Kolio, had worked for the Security Police guarding the railroad station in the town of Kazanlak, according a to one of Vasilev's neighbors, the TV channel bTV reports Tuesday. The neighbor further says Vasilev is a bachelor, living with his elderly mother and is known for often abusing her. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112979 112979 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:02:08 +0200 The European Commission issued Tuesday a statement rebutting media publications that its President, Jose Manuel Barroso, wants to speed up the process to allow 2 controversial GMOs in the EU. The statement points out that the EC is not taking a stand for or against Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) or any particular GMO product. "The EC has always played the role in the procedure of GMO approval that it has been assigned to it under the EU legislation, approved by all Member States," the declaration reads. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112977 112977 Crime Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:13:17 +0200 The Prosecutor in Bulgaria's Southern city of Stara Zagora will ask a sentence of life behind bars for Nedelcho Vasilev. The 58-year-old man is charged with murdering Monday evening police officer, Boncho Chernev, in the village of Enina, near the town of Kazanlak. "What should I request - suspended sentence? It is not normal for Bulgarian police officers to get killed," Prosecutor, Konstantin Tachev says. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112976 112976 Energy Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:37:46 +0200 Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, declared Tuesday that the Nuclear Power Plant Belene can be built only if fully restructured. Borisov said that despite the fact huge money has been already poured in the NPP, in order to be completed, the project must become transparent and beneficial for Bulgaria, adding the companies involved and energy experts are looking for ways to restructure the current plan. The PM further pointed out that billions have been wasted so far and the current loans bear EUR 28 M a year in interests that his cabinet must pay. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112975 112975 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:55:51 +0200 The European Operational Programs "Technical Assistance" and "Regional Development" received a green light for their funds use by Bulgaria. The news was reported Tuesday by Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, who announced Bulgaria has received a positive assessment for compliance after 4 months of hard work that allowed to make up for a 2-year delay. Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and the Minister of Regional Development, Rosen Plevneliev, also took part in the press conference. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112974 112974 Views on BG Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:54:24 +0200 GoTimeshare.org Bulgaria and Andorra are great places for timeshare owners to enjoy some good value skiing as they are said to be two of the cheapest destinations in Europe for the activity. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112973 112973 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:40:29 +0200 Bulgaria's new European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva took over from her predecessor Meglena Kuneva on Tuesday at a short meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Kuneva thanked the attending Bulgarian MEPs for the joint work and wished luck to her successor. "The real work starts from today," the new Bulgarian European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said on Tuesday, a day after quitting as Vice-President of the World Bank. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112971 112971 Crime Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:14:00 +0200 The reporting Judge in Bulgaria's high-profile Borilski murder case rejected the request of one of the defendants' lawyers to change his client's detention to a different measure. Milcho Vanev ruled Tuesday that the request is inadmissible. The defendant Stoyan Stoichkov was sentenced on February 4 to 17 years behind bars for the savage murder of Bulgarian Sorbonne student Martin Borilski in Paris in 2000.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112972 112972 Interview Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:10:17 +0200 Exclusive interview of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) with Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, a Member of the House of Lords. Baroness Butler-Sloss is a retired judge, the first female Lord Justice of Appeal and, until 2004, the highest-ranking female judge in the UK. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112970 112970 Domestic Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:04:36 +0200 Bulgaria's former prime minister Sergey Stanishev claims he is not disturbed by the possibility to be toppled as leader of the Socialist Party. "I don't mind seeing Georgi Kadiev in my shoes on condition that he does not turn his back on his main duty as municipal councilor and member of the executive bureau of the party," Sergey Stanishev said at a press conference on Tuesday. The statement comes days after Socialist Rumen Ovcharov, Bulgaria's former Energy and Economy Minister, who left the previous government in the wake of a corruption scandal, said Georgi Kadiev, city councilor and failed runner for mayor of the capital Sofia, popular known as the "red yuppie", embodies the symbol of change in the Socialist Party. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112969 112969 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:34:20 +0200 Bulgaria's new European Commissioner, in charge of International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, will visit the earthquake-torn Haiti by the end of the month. Kristalina Georgieva spoke minutes after the European Parliament approved the new Barroso II European Commission. During her hearing on February 3, Georgieva praised the speed and generosity of the European Union's response to the Haiti earthquake - something that has come in for criticism in many quarters. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112968 112968 Crime Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:31:36 +0200 The investigation in the causes of the fatal building blast in the Belgium city of Liege follows several trails, the Belgium TV channel RTL informs. The authorities' investigation includes human trafficking and other crimes. RTL showed in their news a witness identified as Chichi Chengiz, who lived in the building next door for 20 years.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112967 112967 Crime Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:06:47 +0200 The bodies of Bulgarian native, Slavka Naydenova, and her son, Paul Wilson, who were killed in Dale City, the United States, on February 2, will be transported to Bulgaria next week and buried here, according to reports. Naydenova is the sister of Bulgarian murky tycoon, founder and President of the Multigroup Corporation, Iliya Pavlov, who was gunned down in Sofia 7 years ago. The transportation of the bodies to Bulgaria has been slowed down because of planned expertises in the United States, which have to determine whether there are DNA traces of an accomplice of the main suspect for the murder Natalia Wilson. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112966 112966 Domestic Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:50:01 +0200 Bulgaria's Supreme Constitutional Court refused to issue a rule on the moratorium of the so-called royal properties in Bulgaria. The moratorium on the use and construction activities on the properties of former Tsar and Prime Minister, Simeon Saxe-Coburg, and his sister, Maria Louisa was voted by the Parliament and became effective December 29, 2009. The decision was challenged by the Ombudsman, Ginyo Ganev, who referred the case to the Constitutional Court. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112965 112965 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:23:09 +0200 The new 27-strong team of European commissioners got the approval of the members of the European Parliament in a vote on Friday. A total of 488 MEPs voted for the proposed members of the new European Commission chaired by incumbent EC President Jose Manuel Barroso, 237 voted against and 72 abstained. Following is a list of the new European Commissioners: ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112964 112964 Diplomacy Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:08:35 +0200 Following a visit to the United Kingdom, Bulgaria's Prime Minister has suggested that the country hosts centers of the secret services to combat organized crime and drugs trafficking. "I was told the year before the general elections in the summer the special services and ambassadors of two countries have refused to work with their Bulgarian colleagues, demanding that Sofia puts its house in order," Borisov told Nova TV channel on Tuesday. He stressed that the then Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev has been warned about this refusal, but declined to specify whether the two countries he refers to are the United Kingdom and the United States. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112963 112963 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:51:50 +0200 The European Commission's Vice-President, Günter Verheugen, had asked the Greek government to undertake urgent action to reinstate the free transit between Bulgaria and Greece. Verheugen says impeding the transit of people and goods is a violation if European laws. The EC VP had informed the Bulgarian and Romanian Agriculture Ministers about his request towards Greece in an official letter, the Bulgarian Agriculture Ministry press center informs Tuesday. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112962 112962 Diplomacy Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:14:24 +0200 The German court is going to rule next week on the so-called Siderov case, the Frankfurt police spokesman Jurgen Linker informs. Linker says the case has been referred to the Prosecutor's office and they are probing the Bulgarian politician diplomatic status and if Siderov can be legally charged. On February 3, the leader of Bulgaria's right-wing, nationalist Ataka party, Volen Siderov, was detained and later released by the German police upon landing at Frankfurt airport over an incident on board of a Lufthansa flight. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112960 112960 Society Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:55:57 +0200 А special panel, investigating Bulgaria's communist-era police files, has announced that forty four members of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) have been state security agents and collaborators. The names of Konstantin Kosev, BAS deputy chair, Ivan Havezov, member of BAS Board of Directors, Georgi Markov, head of the History Institute and heads of more than eight institutions within BAS were added on Tuesday to the blacklist that the so-called Files Commission has been preparing since its establishment more than two years ago. "This is the first time that former state security agents and collaborators account for more than 10% of the members of one Bulgarian institution," the chair of the files commission Evtim Kostadinov commented. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112961 112961 Crime Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:51:33 +0200 A deal between the governing circles and the people controlling organized crime during the term of Sergey Stanishev has most likely been behind the reduction of mafia tension in Bulgaria after 2005. This opinion has been expressed by Bulgarian criminal journalist Slavi Angelov in an interview for Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency). ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112959 112959 Crime Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:31:40 +0200 The father of the policeman, who was killed in the line of duty Monday night, says his family learned from a news broadcast about the tragedy. Chernio Gonchev, father of the murdered police officer, Boncho Chernev, 38, says he spoke to his son last Monday morning. The two discussed the inclement weather and bad driving conditions. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112957 112957 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:16:44 +0200 European Commission President Jose Barroso said Europe's political commitment to the euro means investors would be wrong to bet against the single currency. "The euro will continue to constitute a major tool for our development," Barroso told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday, shortly before the vote of the new European Commission. "Those who think it can be put into question must realize we will stick to our course.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112958 112958 Interview Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:14:16 +0200 Exclusive interview of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) with top Bulgarian criminal journalist Slavi Angelov. Slavi Angelov (born 1972 in Sofia) has been a criminal reporter since 1994 when he started writing for the Kontinent and the 24 Chasa Daily.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112956 112956 Tourism Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:53:07 +0200 Two years and a half after Bulgaria's controversial mega-resort, dubbed Super Borovets, was given the go-ahead, representatives of the companies involved has denied Reuters agency sensational report that it has been unfrozen. "This all is quite an exaggeration. It is absurd to say that construction works are going on at Super Borovets at the time being.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112955 112955 Domestic Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:17:18 +0200 Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said Tuesday that the President's veto of the amended Defense Act was not of any political significance. Last week Borisov supported the suspension veto imposed by the President over the act which reduced some of his powers as Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian armed forces. "I do not support the President, it is just that this part of the act went through without me reading it, without my knowledge, and my advisors somehow let it through," Borisov declared on Nova TV when asked why he changed his party GERB's position over limiting the powers of the head of state. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112954 112954 Domestic Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:02:57 +0200 Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov has urged the former Forestry Agency head, Stefan Yurukov, to make confessions over the notorious land swap deals. "We expect Stefan Yurukov to tell us who ordered him to carry out the deals in which public lands were transferred to private companies at ridiculous prices," Naydenov told bTV with respect to the scandalous deals carried out mostly during the term of the Stanishev government that threaten to get Bulgaria in trouble with the European Commission. Naydenov declared that the former Forestry Agency head did not act in his own right, and that he should confess in order to save himself from being the only person charged with the violations. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112953 112953 Finance Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:57:54 +0200 Officials from the European Commission (EC), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will arrive in Bulgaria February 18 to examine the country's readiness to join ERM II, a currency stability test for euro hopefuls. The experts will visit Sofia at the invitation of Bulgaria's Minister of Finance Simeon Djankov who has discussed the issue during his formal trip to Germany and Luxembourg last week. There have been months of speculation over when the former communist state would formally apply to the bloc's exchange-rate mechanism, the so-called Eurozone waiting room. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112952 112952 Business Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:20:10 +0200 Protesting Greek farmers started to let through trucks waiting on both sides of the Bulgaria-Greece border at the Kulata-Promahonas border crossing point. The Greek farmers, who have been protesting for almost four weeks with demands for higher agricultural prices, started to ease up the blockade at 11 am Tuesday. They have decided to let through 100 trucks from each of the two long lines waiting on both sides of the Bulgaria-Greece border. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112951 112951 Society Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:01:24 +0200 Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, has criticized Bulgaria for failing to do enough to uphold minority and children's rights. "More efforts are needed to better protect minorities and children and to ensure that their needs are embedded in the decision making process," said Hammarberg, who published Tuesday a report on his visit to Bulgaria carried out in November 2009. "Protection of minorities against discrimination, racism and intolerance should be enhanced.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112950 112950 Business Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:40:14 +0200 The global social network Facebook has become the second most popular site for Internet users in Bulgaria after the search engine Google. In addition to Google and Facebook, the top five websites in Bulgaria include video exchange website Vbox7 (a Bulgarian version of YouTube), the email provide Abv.bg, and the torrent tracker Zamunda.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112949 112949 Environment Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:21:24 +0200 The Danube as well as several smaller Bulgarian rivers could spill out causing floods as a result of the high precipitation. The warning has been issued by the National Meteorology and Hydrology Center and the European Early Warning System. The rivers Arda, Maritsa, and Tundzha in Southern Bulgaria may cause floods not unlike the southeastern-most Ropotamo River, which flooded the Sozopol-Tsarevo road on Monday, the Environment Ministry announced. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112948 112948 World Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:01:56 +0200 Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has vowed to never recognize the legitimacy of Sunday's Presidential Election runoff in which she was beaten by Viktor Yanukovich. Tymoshenko made this statement late Monday night at a meeting of her party as the election results showed that Yanukovich won by a narrow margin, as cited by the Ukrainskaya Pravda. Tymoshenko has instructed her lawyers to prepare a lawsuit disputing the results of the Presidential Elections.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112947 112947 Defense Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:28:48 +0200 For the time being the Bulgarian government is backing off its previously announced plan to consolidate at one spot all of its troops on mission in Afghanistan. 260 Bulgarian rangers came back overnight from their six-month service guarding the Kandahar Airport. They were met at the Sofia Airport by the new Defense Minister, Gen.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112946 112946 Diplomacy Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:46 +0200 Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov declared Tuesday that restoring the cooperation between Bulgarian and UK intelligence services was a major success. "I was told directly that a year before the July 2009 elections, the British secret services declared they did not want to work with the Bulgarian intelligence until some sort of order is introduced. Ex PM Stanishev was warned about that," Borisov told Nova TV Tuesday morning as he returned from his UK visit Monday night. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112945 112945 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:33:21 +0200 The European Parliament is voting Tuesday on the confirmation of the new European Commission chaired by incumbent EC President Jose Manuel Barroso. The vote, which is expected to take place in the early afternoon, is largely formal as the various EP Committees have already approved each of the Commissioner-Designates. Bulgaria's new EU Commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, who will be in charge of humanitarian aid, was the last one to be approved last week as the country's first EC-Designate, ex Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva withdrew after her failed EP hearing.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112944 112944 Tourism Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:15:55 +0200 Bulgaria is to be presented at the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) 2010 in Israel's Tel Aviv Tuesday and Wednesday.Bulgaria Presented at Tel Aviv IMTM 2010 Tourism Expo Its participation in the oldest tourism expo in the Eastern Mediterranean is led by Bulgarian Deputy Economy Minister in charge of tourism, Ivo Marinov. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112941 112941 Diplomacy Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:11:00 +0200 Prime Minister of the UK, Gordon Brown, has backed Bulgaria's aspirations to join the Eurozone, in the words of his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov. Borisov met with Brown in London late Monday night. After the meeting he said that Brown had evaluated highly the fact that the Bulgarian government is keeping its state budget deficit under 3%, which is a major Eurozone accession criteria. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112939 112939 Environment Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:44:27 +0200 Heavy snowfall has led a total of 12 Bulgarian municipalities in the northeastern part of the country to declare a state of emergency. Those are Tutrakan, Sitovo, Glavinitsa, Alfatar, Dulov, and Kaynardzha in the Silistra District; Ivanovo, Borovo, Dve Mogili, Slivo Pole in the Ruse District; and Isperih and Samuil in the Razgrad District. The situation in all of Northeastern Bulgaria is complicated by the heavy snowfall creating a lot of work for emergency rescue teams. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112940 112940 Crime Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:36:11 +0200 Bulgarian private news agency BGNES has announced that one of its reporters had been abused verbally by the police in the Stara Zagora District Monday night. "You are dead? Do you get that? You are already dead! Go away!", Stara Zagora police spokesperson Yonka Georgieva is reported to have shouted at reporter Ivan Yanev who is said to have been the first to cover the news about the murder of a police officer in the village of Enina near the town of Kazanlak. BGNES states that the abuse was generated by the fact that the reporter announced the news immediately. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112938 112938 Diplomacy Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:50:57 +0200 Bulgaria is going to continue to get support from the UK regardless of the outcome of the upcoming British Parliamentary Elections. This was stated in London Monday by Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, who met with representatives of the political parties in the UK, as cited by the press center of the Council of Ministers. "We work well with both leading parties in Great Britain, and we are following our priorities together," said Borisov who met with William Hague from the Conservative Party, the Speaker of the UK House of Commons John Bercow (also conservative), Kevin Barron (Labor Party), Chair of the All Party Group on Bulgaria, and other UK MPs. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112937 112937 Crime Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:35:18 +0200 A police officer was killed and another one was wounded as they interfered into a family brawl near the town of Kazanlak in central Bulgaria. The incident happened in the village of Enina. The two policemen were attacked with a knife by Nedelcho Vasilev, who was drunk, as they arrived to a private home after a call requesting emergency help.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112936 112936 Diplomacy Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:26:06 +0200 Bulgarian Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, has thanked the UK for helping Bulgaria boost its cooperation with Europol. Tsvetanov is part of a delegation led by PM Boyko Borisov. On Monday he met with his UK counterpart Alan Johnson, the press center of the Bulgarian Interior Ministry announced. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112935 112935 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:23:04 +0200 The former Director of Boyana Film's film studio Evgeni Mihaylov has threatened to inform Europe about deals that harmed the Bulgarian state after the privatization of Boyana Film. Mihaylov stated Monday that he would inform the European institutions over the issue, if the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office does not act on its own-initiative. He alleged that their have been unfounded claims made by "Nu Boyana" against the National Museum of History, National Military Museum and the Ethnographic Museum and "Nu Image Bulgaria", which bought the multiplex from the Bulgarian state. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112934 112934 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:17:05 +0200 A section of broken track was the possible cause of the incident at Kurilo railway station earlier on Monday, when four carriages of the Sofia-Moscow train were derailed, according to the Bulgarian Transport Minister. Speaking after his visit to the crash site, Minister Alexander Tsvetkov suggested the broken rail as a possibility, but added that the investigation is still ongoing. The accident had occurred on Monday morning, as the international Moscow-Sofia express was approaching Kurilo station.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112933 112933 Business Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:58:09 +0200 A large grocery chain store is interested in buying a building of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), according to Stefan Vodenicharov, the Chair of the General Assembly of the Academy. Vodenicharov, speaking after holding a meeting with Bulgarian Socialist Party MPs and leader Sergey Stanishev, said the grocery company had written official letter to Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, Education Minister Sergey Ignatov as well BAS Chair Nikola Sabotinov. Vodenicharov's meeting with Stanishev was held regarding the reform by the center-right GERB government of BAS, which they both oppose, including job cuts, closures and mergers of research institutes. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112932 112932 Crime Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:43:51 +0200 Increasing numbers of Bulgarian children and youngsters are being targeted online by pedophiles, the Head of the Computer Crimes Department has warned on Monday. Yavor Kolev, whose specialized department is part of the Main Directorate for Combating organized Crime (GDBOP), gave the warning at an open session on internet Safety. According to Kolev, children aged between 10 and 13 years who publish their pictures on dating sites are the most vulnerable group. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112931 112931 World Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:06:15 +0200 Twitter, the social network messaging site, has added new features to the site, with an on-screen floating "hovercard" facility. Described as a useful way "to interact with the folks behind each tweet", the hovercard will offer more information about a Twitter user, and from any timeline, saving the user from having to click through to find out more. The hovercard contains the name, characteristics and status of the user.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112930 112930 Business Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:39:33 +0200 A British investment fund is going to set up an electric car factory in Bulgaria's Stara Zagora. This was announced by Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who is on an official visit to the UK, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio. According to BTA, the investment fund in question is Quorus Ventures. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112929 112929 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:30:11 +0200 Disgruntled police officers are seeking a meeting with Bulgaria PM Boyko Borisov over problems in the Interior Ministry, Ivan Savov from the union federation at the Interior Ministry reported. Savov stated Monday that one of the reasons for dissatisfaction is that the leadership of the Interior Ministry has stopped the money that employees receive for specific working conditions. He added that the problems of police officers continue to increase with some divisions in the capital Sofia lacking money for paper, petrol or car parts for repairs. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112928 112928 World Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:17:54 +0200 The Ukrainian Presidential run-off election on Sunday has met most of its commitments to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), election observers have announced on Monday. "Yesterday's vote was an impressive display of democratic elections. For everyone in Ukraine, this election was a victory," said Joao Soares, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE short-term observers. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112927 112927 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:56:58 +0200 The Southeast Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) strongly condemns the attack on TV SKAT in Bulgaria. In a press announcement Monday, the SEEMO, which is an affiliate of the International Press Institute, reminds that on February 3, 2010, the premises of the Varna office of Bulgarian TV SKAT were attacked with a Molotov cocktail, following a similar attack on the head office of TV SKAT in Burgas just one day previously, on February 3, 2010, and that the perpetrators remain unknown so far. It also says that in 2009, TV SKAT journalist Silvija Trendafilova and her colleague, cameraman Peter Georgiev, were beaten by bodyguards of a leader of a political party. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112925 112925 Bulgaria in EU Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:10:27 +0200 The European Commission announced the winner of a competition to design a new EU-wide logo for organic food - a leaf formed from the stars of the EU. The logo, known as the Euro-leaf, will be compulsory on all EU pre-packaged organic foods from 1 July this year. Over the past two months, some 130,000 people have voted online to choose the new organic symbol from three finalists. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112924 112924 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:53:20 +0200 Flights taking off from Sofia Airport are being delayed by 2-3 hours on Monday. "Severe weather is affecting Sofia Airport, and the entire city," Plamen Stanchev, the airport director, stated, adding that: "The runways for takeoff and landing, and the taxiing approaches, have all been cleared". According to him, the process of de-icing planes before takeoff is the cause of the delays. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112923 112923 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:44:01 +0200 Doctors from state and private hospitals will hold a civil protest, if the amount of funds delegated for medical institutions is not increased within 7 days, Dr. Stoycho Katsarov, the head of the 'Center for Health Rights', reported Monday. Katsarov stated that in real terms the budgets for municipal hospitals have been cut by 60% by the center-right GERB government.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112922 112922 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:31:26 +0200 An aircraft of the Bulgaria Air airlines on a flight to Madrid returned Monday to the airport of the capital Sofia over malfunctioning, the company announced. The craft took off at midday only to hover over Sofia airport and return shortly after, citing technical reasons. There were no reported injuries or problems during the emergency landing in Sofia. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112921 112921 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:17:16 +0200 An 80-meter ship is currently stuck on a sandbank in a Burgas bay in the Black Sea after strong winds and waves broke its anchor Monday morning. The 'Irtysh 1' has been stuck on the sandbank under Foros Cape close to the 'Kraimorie' neighborhood, since 06:45 after the breaking anchor was reported at 06:20, Captain Zhivko Petrov, head of the Maritime Administration-Burgas, reported. "Right now the measurements and inspections have shown that there is no breach in the hull, nor any leakage.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112920 112920 Crime Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:10:27 +0200 Sofia Regional Court has ruled that Yuriy Galev, a nationalist municipal councilor in the Bulgarian town of Samokov, is to remain under house arrest. The court has confirmed on Monday both his detention and that of his accomplices for the recent beating up of two lift attendants at the ski resort of Borovets. Yuriy Galev, who is also the President of "Rilski Sportist" Football Club, had been called to the scene by his son, Yuriy Galev Jnr, following an argument with the lift guards.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112919 112919 Views on BG Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:59:48 +0200 Catherine Deshayes The Move Channel Banks could hold the key to what will happen with Bulgaria's depressed real estate sector in 2010, it is claimed. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112918 112918 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:33:34 +0200 The main hospital in Sofia 'Pirogov' has received 35 people with snow-related injuries so far on Monday after a blizzard hit the Bulgarian capital overnight. Officials from Pirogov reported that three patients had come in with broken ankles while others mainly had hand and arm injuries after falling in the icy snow. Other hospitals from around Bulgaria also reported a steep increase in patients. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112926 112926 Diplomacy Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:21:02 +0200 Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, was given a rather warm welcome by the Bulgarian community in London, UK, Sunday night. Borisov's visit to London started with the Chelsea-Arsenal game in which Chelsea - Borisov's favorite English team - triumphed. After the derby on Stamford Bridge, the Bulgarian PM headed straight for the Bulgarian Embassy where he was welcomed by some 400 Bulgarians who filled up the three banquet halls there, the Deutsche Welle has reported. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112917 112917 Domestic Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:01:52 +0200 Emil Dimitrov, an MP from Bulgaria's center-right governing GERB party, has given up his automatic MP's legal immunity after being implicated in the scandalous public land swap deal saga. Dimitrov announced Monday that he would give up his immunity even though he had not been a direct participant in any land swap deals. Bulgarian Socialist Party MP Dimcho Mihalevski also gave up his immunity Monday for the same reasons as Dimitrov. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112916 112916 Crime Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:39:49 +0200 A Bulgarian court has postponed yet again the trial against Mario Nikolov and eight other defendants over the draining of EUR 8 M from the EU SAPARD program. The next hearing has been scheduled for March 4. The Supreme Judicial Council announced last week that pre-trial proceedings have began against Nikolov for witness tempering, a wrong-doing that has been denied by the defendant. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112915 112915 Views on BG Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:30:12 +0200 By Christina Spencer Toronto Sun When Canadian Michael Kapoustin finally won freedom from a Bulgarian prison in 2008, after a 12-year legal and diplomatic battle, he faced two choices. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112914 112914 World Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:21:50 +0200 With almost all votes counted in Sunday's Presidential election, the Ukrainian Central Elections Commission has announced the gap between contenders Yanukovich and Tymoshenko has widened to 2,17%. The leader of the Party of Regions, Viktor Yanukoovich has received 48,27%, while opponent Yulia Tymoshenko got 46,1%, with 95,42% of votes counted. Voter turnout has been registered at 69,07%, with 4,42% of the electorate voting against both candidates.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112913 112913 Views on BG Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:06:53 +0200 From gilkatho.com.au ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112912 112912 Properties Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:53:57 +0200 Residential properties in the Bulgarian capital Sofia could fall by another 10% this year followed by a period of stabilization, according to analysts. "The real estate sector should not be viewed as the driver of the economy. It is just a supporting industry," Atanas Garov, Managing Director at Colliers International Bulgaria, told Darik Radio. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112911 112911 Environment Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:46:02 +0200 Several street sections in Sofia city center have been temporarily closed to traffic at 10 am on Monday, to allow for more efficient clearing of overnight snow. The situation in the Bulgarian capital is difficult because of the accumulation of snow and as a result of heavy traffic, Sofia municipality has announced. City transport is moving under winter conditions, with some public transport routes running 30 - 40 minutes behind schedule. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112910 112910 Society Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:42:35 +0200 Three carriages of the international express train 'Bulgaria Express' from Moscow to Sofia derailed near Kurilo station, close to the Bulgarian capital. No injuries were reported and the passengers have been transferred to another train. There were 19 Russians and 30 Bulgarians on board the 8-carriage train, Bulgarian State Railroad company, BDZ, stated. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112909 112909 Sports Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:33:28 +0200 Though the urns gifted Bulgaria with what is believed to be the most difficult group in qualifying for Euro 2012, the country's prime minister has said the team is able to come top of their table. "My forecast is for a heavy battle for the second place in the table between the teams of England and Wales. Bulgaria will be the leader," Boyko Borisov said in London, where he is on an official visit at the invitation of Gordon Brown. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112908 112908 Sports Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:14:34 +0200 Italy coach Marcello Lippi said Group G of the UEFA Euro 2012, which includes Bulgaria, has been handed the most difficult draw. "I think that England have been handed the most difficult draw," Lippi told Datasport. With current World Cup holders Italy drawn with Northern Ireland, Estonia and the Faroe Islands, the coach also commented on the benefit of being in a big group. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112907 112907 Energy Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:53:05 +0200 Czech power utility CEZ, which supplies power to over 2 million households and companies in western Bulgaria, including the capital Sofia, announced the start of issuing monthly bills. One third of the company clients will receive monthly bills as of February 8, while the rest will get the so-called transition bills so that all scores between the company and the subscribers are settled. Talking to journalists at the end of January CEZ representatives argued that the shift would mean more expenses, estimated at BGN 14,5 M per year, but assured that the company will try to minimize the increase in the bills for consumers. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112906 112906 Views on BG Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:31:09 +0200 By Laura Cochrane and Michael Patterson Bloomberg Agency The cost to protect Bulgarian debt from default rose to a five-month high and Serbia yields jumped the most since July as analysts said the economies are among the most vulnerable to lower investment because of Greece's crisis. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112905 112905 Culture Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:20:55 +0200 Five songs performed by the internally selected Bulgarian representative at the Eurovision song contest Miro Kostadinov were presented Sunday evening in a special show, broadcast on the national TV channel. The five entries - "Eagle", "Stay", "You are Angel","Twist and Tango", "My eyes on you" - will continue to be previewed and heard on TV and radio respectively for three full weeks and then on 28th February the national final that determines the selection of the Bulgarian entry will take place in Sofia. The public will select the song that Miro will sing in the second semi-final by tele-voting and sms-voting. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112904 112904 Business Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:12:27 +0200 Two flights from Sofia to the Black Sea town of Varna have been delayed on Monday due to adverse weather conditions, shows a check of the schedule at the airport. The flight from the coastal town of Burgas to the capital Sofia has been canceled. The incoming flight from Rome to Sofia will also be delayed. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112903 112903 Views on BG Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:54:44 +0200 By Dan Bilefsky The New York Times Prime Minister Boiko M.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112902 112902 Bulgaria in EU Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:42:34 +0200 A European Parliament session opens in Strasbourg on Monday in the framework of which MEPs will vote on whether to approve or reject the new Barroso II European Commission. The delayed final vote on the 26 new EU commissioners will be held on Tuesday February 9. MEPs generally attract little attention but once every five years they get the chance to grill nominees for the commission. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112901 112901 Diplomacy Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:17:42 +0200 Cooperation between the security services of Bulgaria and the United Kingdom and opportunities for Bulgarian workers there will top the agenda on the second day of the prime minister visit to London. Boyko Borisov is being accompanied by a delegation including the Deputy PM and Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, and Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov. On Monday, The Bulgarian Prime Minister will have talks with his UK counterpart, Gordon Brown.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112900 112900 Environment Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:55:45 +0200 Bulgaria awoke Monday morning buried in snow with the mercury far below zero and numerous reports of electricity blackouts or telephone cuts. The traffic in the Bulgarian capital Sofia is currently impeded, as only major arteries have been cleaned up. The district mayors have the task of reporting the traffic situation to mayor Yordanka Fandakova and even though the roads will be more or less cleared soon, drivers have been advised to be extra careful because they will remain slippery. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112899 112899 World Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:56:34 +0200 The Ukraine Electoral Commission is not due to release official results of the presidential run-off vote until Monday, but several independent pollsters in the country have produced similar results immediately after voting centers had closed on Sunday. As Novinite.com has already reported, Victor Yanukovich, Party of Regions leader, has claimed victory at the second round of the presidential election, outrunning his political rival, Orange revolutionary and incumbent Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112898 112898 World Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:06:33 +0200 The leader of the Party of Regions, Viktor Yanukovich, has triumphed over PM Yulia Tymoshenko in the runoff of Ukraine's Presidential Elections Sunday, according to an exit poll. Yanukovich is reported to have won by a 6%-lead. He got 49,6% of the votes vs.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112896 112896 Sports Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:21:10 +0200 Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kaloyan Mahlyanov, aka Kotooshu, has been promoted to second position in the profession, following the forced retirement of champion Asashoryu. The Mongolian's career came to an abrupt end following a drunken brawl in a bar in Rupongi. His behavior was judged to be against all norms, both within Japanese society and in the world of sumo. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112895 112895 Sports Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:36:11 +0200 Borislav Mihailov, head of the Bulgarian Football Union, has described Bulgaria's group for the Euro 2012 as "hard" while also expressing his satisfaction with the expected revenue from the matches. As a result of Sunday's draw in Warsaw, Bulgaria was placed in the same qualification group for Euro 2012 together with England, Switzerland, Wales, and Montenegro. "It was important for me from a financial point of view that our opponents help us generate revenue in these economically hard times, and we got lucky because this will happen since we have England in our group.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112894 112894 World Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:15:44 +0200 Viktor Yanukovich was leading the second round of Ukraine's presidential election according to the initial exit poll after several hours of voting. Yanukovich had received about 55% of the vote, with rival Yulia Tymoshenko trailing at 40%, according to Moscow radio. The poll indicated that more than 66% of those eligible to vote in Kyiv cast their vote in favor of Tymoshenko, whereas in Crimea, over 80% chose Yanukovich. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112893 112893 Sports Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:08:00 +0200 Bulgarian national football coach Stanimir Stoilov has reacted to the result of the Euro 2012 draw that sees Bulgaria pitted against some stiff opposition in Group G. "The games against Montenegro worry me the most. All of the teams have places they can lose points.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112892 112892 Sports Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:21:08 +0200 Bulgaria has been drawn in Group G of the UEFA Euro 2012 competition, in the qualifying draw held on Sunday in the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland. The five-nation Group G also includes England, Switzerland, Wales and Montenegro, all of whose national teams are highly regarded. Bulgaria will play eight games, two against each team - at home and away.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112891 112891 World Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:56:03 +0200 Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's presidential campaign chief has accused her rival's supporters of killing a member of her campaign staff in the early hours of Sunday, according to Ukrainian media. Alexander Turchinov claimed that supporters of rival candidate Viktor Yanukovych killed a Tymoshenko official at a polling station in Ivano-Frankivsk, traditionally a Tymoshenko stronghold in western Ukraine. Police in Ivano-Frankivsk have confirmed the death, but said they had not yet determined the cause.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112890 112890 Business Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:28:46 +0200 The Kulata - Promahonas border checkpoint has been closed to heavy vehicles at 3 pm on Sunday by striking Greek farmers, the Interior Ministry has announced. Protesting Greek farmers had lifted their blockade of the crossing on Saturaday evening to allow through a 2-km queue of trucks waiting to enter Greece. The ministry has reported that all other border crossings to Greece are operating normally.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112889 112889 Bulgaria in EU Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:59:54 +0200 The Chair of the Bulgarian parliamentary commission on European affairs, Svetlin Tanchev, has announced that take-up of EU funding by Bulgaria ihalfway through the period was extremely low, at 1,3% of all available money. The European Union has allocated 15 billion euros in post-accession funds to new member Bulgaria for 2007-2013. At a meeting of the commission held on Sunday in the Bulgarian town of Pravets, Tanchev has presented its annual report for 2009, covering 21 operational programs funded by the European Union. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112888 112888 World Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:03:51 +0200 Oleksandr Turchynov, the campaign manager for presidential candidate Yuliya Tymoshenko, announced that its party representative and secretary of a polling precinct in Ivano Frankivsk Oblast has been found dead, Kyiv Post has reported on Sunday. "The secretary of Polling Precinct 62 from Voting District Number 85 was at her polling precinct before she died," Turchynov said. "The safe at her polling precinct was found open and voting ballots were missing.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112887 112887 World Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:50:45 +0200 The leading industrial nations, the Group of Seven (G7), have announced on Saturday that they plan to write off all debts owed by Haiti, following January's catastrophic earthquake. The Canadian Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, encouraged other international lenders to do the same. Some USD 1,2 B of Haiti's foreign debts have already been cancelled. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112886 112886 Diplomacy Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:30:34 +0200 As announced on Friday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov travels on Sunday to Great Britain, on an official two-day visit at the invitation of UK PM Gordon Brown. Borisov is being accompanied by a delegation including the Deputy PM and Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, and Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov. His first meeting in the UK will be with members of the Bulgarian community, an event to be hosted by The Bulgarian Embassy in London. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112885 112885 Views on BG Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:50:40 +0200 By Antonio Olivo Chicago Tribune February 6, 2010 ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112884 112884 World Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:25:48 +0200 Ukrainians are voting on Sunday for a new President, in an election run-off between Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and rival opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych. The run-off campaign has seen both sides accuse each other of plotting to rig the vote, with threats of street protests and demonstrations. Voting, however, has been proceeding smoothly, according to election observers, who are expecting a larger turnout than in the first electoral round in January.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112883 112883 Society Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:45:22 +0200 The Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates this Sunday as the Day of the Last Judgment, the Second Sunday before Great Lent, eight weeks before Easter. Traditionally, this is the last week when young people may gather together to sing and play together, before all believers begin a period of fasting for Lent. During the fast, eating of meat is forbidden, so on this day, the traditional meal consists entirely of such dishes, before the following weeks when believers avoid consumption of all meat, meat products, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112882 112882 Environment Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:06:12 +0200 Almost the entire territory of Bulgaria is affected by snow or rain. Mountain passes are closed, and there is a danger of avalanches in the mountains. It is raining in the regions of Shumen, Dobrich, Varna and Burgas The Hemus and Trakia highways are wet and snowy, with some icy patches in exposed areas such as viaducts....