Sofia Weekly (published by Sofia News Agency, novinite.com)

HOT PHOTO

Bulgaria Police Free 2 Kidnapped Girls
Three alleged kidnappers, who are said to have demanded BGN 30,000 in ransom, have been arrested. Photo by BGNES

Top Story

Bulgaria Health Ministry Declares National Swine Flu Epidemic

Bulgaria's Health Ministry announced Friday afternoon the declaration of a state of national swine flu epidemic over the rising number of patients with A(H1N1).

The Health Ministry made the decision based on the grounds that the number of people with swine flu has reached 210 per 10 000. On Thursday, Bulgaria's Health Minister Bozhidar Nanev announced a little over 100 000 Bulgarians were infected with A(H1N1).

Thus, all schools in Bulgaria will be in a swine flu break all of next week (November 9-14). The Health Ministry recommends limiting the number and scope of public events.

Any decisions for closing nursery schools and universities over the epidemic will be made on the local level.

There will be no mandatory closing of cinemas, theaters, libraries, or other public facilities despite the declaration of a national epidemic.

The news from the Health Ministry came shortly after the Bulgarian capital Sofia declared a swine flu epidemic starting Monday. Thus, 20 of Bulgaria's 28 administrative districts had declared swine flu epidemic before the news for the national emergency.

Earlier on Friday it was announced that a 53-year-old man had died in a hospital in Sofia as a result of complications of the A(H1N1) virus, bringing Bulgaria’s total swine flu death toll to six.

According to Chief Health Inspector Tencho Tenev, the man had schizophrenia and cirrhosis. He did treat himself at home for a week, when he finally saw a doctor, and was taken to hospital in critical condition.

As the epidemic has been worsening, Bulgaria's MPs adopted Friday emergency amendments to the Medical Products in Human Medicine Act.

The aim of the amendments is to simplify the regime for purchasing medical products with state funds outside of the mandatory health insurance system in a time when the country is facing "epidemics, pandemics, or confirmed use of chemical and biological weapons, or the spread of nuclear radiation."

The MPs were in a rush because of what has been termed "a rising tension" in the Bulgarian society because of the fast spread of the A(H1N1) virus and the lack of any vaccines.

Bulgaria's Health Minister, Bozhidar Nanev, has said that the legislative changes were going to shorten the period for getting and applying the swine flu vaccines by between 1 and 3 months.

Bulgaria's Chief Epidemiologist, Angel Kunchev, has told the BNT that unfortunately there were no A(H1N1) vaccines available in Bulgaria at the moment but said that medications and vaccines would soon be procured from Germany and Sweden.

Young children, doctors, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases will be the priorities group for immunization. Kunchev has called upon all Bulgarians to still get the regular seasonal flu shots. In his words, the only vaccines available in drug stores are Tamiflu and Relenza.

Bulgaria Ex-Labor Minister Faces 20 Years in Jail over Embezzlement of BGN 10 M

Bulgaria's former Labor Minister and current Socialist Party MP, Emiliya Maslarova, is under the investigation for the embezzlement of BGN 10 M of state money.

Maslarova, and her friend Ventsislav Draganov, who has a construction firm, are believed to have pocketed BGN 9,8 M by violating the Public Procurement Act over the repair of a Ministry of Labor building in the southern city of Stara Zagora.

This was announced Friday by Prosecutor Stilyana Kozhuharova, a spokesperson of Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor, Boris Velchev. Velchev has demanded the lifting of Maslarova’s MP immunity so the investigation could proceed.

Earlier on Friday Maslarova herself gave up her MP immunity voluntarily, calling the legal procedure against her "a monstrous libel", and claiming her family had been the target of political and personal harassment over the last six months.

The Chief Prosecutor's Office is presently awaiting the results from a large-scale inspection of the Ministry of Labor, which will be added to the 250 volumes of evidence already gathered.

After the inspection is ready, the prosecutors will decide exactly what charges they are going to raise against Maslarova and her friend Draganov. They are being investigated for large-scale embezzlement of public funds, and criminal breach of trust.

If found guilty of embezzlement, each of the two could receive between 5 and 20 years in jail; if found guilty of criminal beach of trust, their sentences could be between 3 and 10 years.

The prosecutors started to investigate the case with the Ministry of Labor building in Stara Zagora in August 2009.

After former Agriculture Minister in the Stanishev government, Valeri Tsvetanov from the DPS party, faced similar charges in September 2009 over land swap deals, Maslarova could become the second Minister to be charged over violations.

Bulgaria's former Prime Minister, Sergey Stanishev, himself is facing potential charges over mishandling and abusing classified information; not unlike Maslarova, he has agreed to have his MP immunity lifted.

Moscow Police Raid

Russia Denies Diplomatic Status of Police-Raided Bulgarian Premise

Thursday’s raid of the Bulgarian Industrial Center in Moscow carried out by the Russian police was fully legal.
| read |

Finance

Bulgaria Finance Minister Reiterates Intention for New Tax Cuts

Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, has made clear his intention to reduce Bulgaria’s value-added tax from 20% down to 18% or even 16% by the end of the GERB cabinet’s term in 2013.
| read |

More News

· Corrupt Bulgaria Veterinarian Head Faces 15 Years in Jail
· Bulgaria Businessman Speaks out about Bribing Corrupt Prosecutor

· Bulgaria Prime Minister Borisov: I Stopped Abuses in 100 Days
· New Crisis with Russia Averted as Ukraine Pays Natural Gas Dues

Moscow Police Raid

Russia Denies Diplomatic Status of Police-Raided Bulgarian Premise

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109706

Arrests of 3 Bulgarians in Moscow Confirmed after Diplomatic Premise Raid

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109681

Bulgaria, Russia Tangled over Status of Raided Diplomatic Premise

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109656

Bulgaria PM: I Wouldn't Be Mad at Russian Colleagues over Moscow Police Raid

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109653

Russia Police: We Did Not Infringe on Bulgaria Diplomatic Premises

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109649

Russia Police Raid Bulgarian Diplomatic Premises over Pirate CDs

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109644

Bulgaria Foreign Ministry Upset by Russia Police Raid on Its Property

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109643

Russia Police Targeted Businessman in Bulgaria Diplomatic Raid

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109640

Russia Police Forces Raid Bulgarian Diplomatic Property in Moscow

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109636

Finance

Exclusive

100 Days of Solitude: Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the GERB Government

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109588

Environment

Bulgaria Bird Organization Director Slams Black Sea Wind Farms

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109581

Diplomacy

New Bulgaria Ambassador to UK Presents Credentials to Queen

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109701

Bulgaria PM Borisov: Thank God Sarkozy Is Good Friend of Mine

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109627

Bulgaria Backs Thrace Refugees in Claiming Compensations from Turkey

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109626

Bulgaria Govt Prompts President to Fire Ambassadors to US, Turkey

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109618

Foreign Minister Sets to Recall Bulgaria Ambassadors to US, Turkey

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109554

Bulgaria Seeks to Clear Out German Property Scandals

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109545

Nikola Kaludov Appointed Bulgarian Ambassador to Vatican

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109515

German Ruling on Property Stirs Tension in Bulgaria

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109500

Bulgaria, Sri Lanka Seek to Develop Economic, Cultural Ties

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109497

Business

Energy

New Crisis with Russia Averted as Ukraine Pays Natural Gas Dues

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109707

Bulgaria Minister: BGN 300,000 for Nuclear Plant JV Gone

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109702

Barroso Warns Ukraine over Allowing New Russian Gas Crisis

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109664

Bulgaria Nuclear Project Maintenance to Cost EUR 200 M a Year

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109650

Ukraine Admits Trouble Paying for Russian Gas, Crisis Looming

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109628

New Bulgaria Govt Quits Plan to Shutdown Bulgaria Energy Holding

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109584

Joschka Fischer: Next Year Crucial for Nabucco

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109544

CEZ Power Utility Forced to Introduce Monthly Bills in Bulgaria

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109541

Bulgaria Energy Strategy Director Calls for New Energy Plan

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109539

RWE: No Need of Iranian Natural Gas for Nabucco Pipeline

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109522

Bulgaria Confirms EC Permission for Nuclear Plant Construction

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109516

Putin Comments Raise Concern over New Bulgaria Gas Crisis

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109466

Education

Bulgaria Education Receives BGN 2,6 B in Budget 2010

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109472

Defense

Bulgaria Won't Reduce Afghanistan Troops despite Funding Issues

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109703

Swine Flu Epidemic

Society

Industry

BGN 55 M of Salaries Delayed at Bulgaria Steel Mill Kremikovtzi

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109634

Wood-Processing First Bulgarian Industry to Recover from Crisis

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109551

Bulgaria in EU

Swine Flu Epidemic

Bulgaria Amends Legislation in Rush to Provide Swine Flu Vaccines

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109684

Sports

Properties

Russian Oligarchs Throw Money around at Bulgaria Black Sea Properties

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109714

Crisis Revives Demand for Bulgaria's Socialist Era Apartments

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109610

Domestic

Bulgaria Prime Minister Borisov: I Stopped Abuses in 100 Days

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109719

Bulgaria PM: Ethnic Turkish Leader Covered Up All Traces

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109704

Bulgaria Personal, Economic Prosperity Prospects in Decline

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109697

Bulgaria Lifts the Lid on Road Controversy

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109694

Bulgaria Ex-Minister: I Am Victim of Monstrous Libel

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109683

Bulgaria Prosecutor Initiates Charges against Ex-Labor Minister

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109680

Bulgarian Municipalities Want 20% of Personal Income Tax

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109678

Bulgaria FBI Head: Agency Can Not Keep Classified Info Safe

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109651

5 New Magistrates Exposed in Bulgaria Judicial Corruption Scandal

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109639

Minister: Bulgaria's Land Swap Abuses Worth over BGN 1 B

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109632

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov Enjoys Public Support of 64% - Poll

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109624

Bulgaria Ex Security Agency Head to Face Court over Leak Scandal

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109621

New Bulgarian Top Secret Report Leaks in Germany

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109616

Bulgaria Parliament Set to Raise Gambling Tax to 12%

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109613

Bulgaria Govt More than Happy with First 100 Days in Office

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109612

Bulgaria Cabinet Adopts Governmental Program with 7 Policies, 157 Goals

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109611

Villagers Protest Bulgaria Lyulin Highway Construction Irregularities

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109607

Bulgaria Socialists Slam Stanishev Parliament Immunity Vote

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109596

Ex Bulgaria PM Could Face Jail over Missing Security Documents

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109593

Balanced Budget, Fighting Contraband Key for Bulgaria Govt's Next 100 Days

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109580

Bulgaria Ex PM Stanishev Gives up MP Immunity Voluntarily

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109579

Bulgaria's Ex-PM Stanishev: Borisov Had 100 Days of Lies, Failures

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109572

Bulgaria Interior Minister: Ex-PM Failed to Return 2 Secret Reports

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109565

Bulgarian Conservatives RZS Demand New Constitution

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109557

Bulgaria's Ex PM Stanishev May Be Stripped of MP Immunity

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109556

Bulgaria Rightist Leader Praises Borisov's 100 Days in Power

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109531

Bulgaria National Health Insurance Fund Director Resigns

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109529

PM Borisov Uses Muscles, Laws to Put Bulgaria FBI in Order

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109526

Minister: 15 000 Driver's Licenses Bought in Bulgaria Annually

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109509

Left-wing Leader Calls for Ousting Bulgaria Oligarchy from Power

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109505

Bulgarian PM Borisov Stopped Playing Sports after Taking Office

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109503

Bulgaria PM Borisov Happy with First 100 Days in Office

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109496

Bulgaria Quits Plans for Shutdown of National Security Agency

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109491

Bulgaria Socialists Accused of Involvement with Bank Affair

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109481

Bulgaria Government to Declassify All Public-Private Contracts

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109476

BSP Leader Stanishev Leaves Ex Ministers Out of Party Executive

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109473

Bulgaria FBI Set for Changes after Scandals 'Damage Agency'

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109471

Archaeology

Bulgarian Archaeologists Find Silver Treasure in Thracian Tomb

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109548

100 Days

Bulgaria PM Borisov: We Achieved Balanced Budget in 100 Days

It can be said Bulgaria's state budget is already balanced as a surplus of BGN 52 M has been achieved for October 2009.

This was announced Tuesday by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov during the Fourth Annual Meeting of Government and Business organized together with the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG).

Borisov declared that securing financial stability by reducing the deficit that emerged in the summer of 2009 and balancing the budget is the most crucial achievement of the government in its first 100 days (July 27 – November 3, 2009).

The Prime Minister stressed the GERB party government inherited huge deficits in all sectors and took drastic measures to rectify the situation by cutting state spending.

“The achieving of a balanced budget is a crucial signal for foreign investors, for financial stability, and credit interest rates,” Borisov said.

As another major achievement of his first 100 days in office he pointed to the unblocking of frozen EU funds.

Borisov stressed the importance of financial stability and security as a top priority of his government, and announced that he had formed a special council of economy experts to advise him on financial matters.

The newly formed council includes Kristalina Georgieva, Vice-President of the World Bank; Lyubomir Hristov, former advisor of the World Bank President, and Professor Iliyan Mihov.

"The Ministers have had it really tough with what they have discovered in their ministries. They cannot stop talking about that because either there is no money, or there are contracts leaving their institutions deeply in debt,” the Prime Minister said.

“We have not enjoyed a bit of “media comfort”. They started to count my days since the very beginning. If my father was alive, he would say, “Son, you are a dummy for taking responsibility with all this deficit during the hardest economic crisis. If you don’t like what I do – you can have new elections,” stressed Borisov adding that even the very fact that his government stopped the swap deals with state lands was an important achievement.

The PM asked the some 200 top Bulgarian businessmen present at the meeting “not to reduce their business more than they have to.”

Borisov also said the fact that former Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski attack his successor Simeon Djankov over the idea to deposit part of Bulgaria’s fiscal reserve at commercial banks while Oresharski himself had done that through a secret deal with the central bank was clearly an attempt to deliberately affect the stability of the banking system.

Tourism

Bulgaria Ski Resorts 40% Cheaper Than French Alps - Survey

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109467

Crime

Show Buzz

Miss Bulgaria Puts on Her Final Touches for Miss World Contest

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109668

Bulgaria First Music Idol Sued by Producers

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109538

Bulgaria Foreign Minister Jeleva to Dance at VIP Reality Show

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109513

Obituaries

French Anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss Dies at 100

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109583

Elections 2009

Sofia Bans Alcohol Sale on Election Day

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109536

Vote for the New Sofia Mayor at Novinite.com

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109517

Interview

Franco Del Fabbro, CEO of Kraft Foods Bulgaria: There is Never a Dull Moment in Bulgaria!

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109600

BSPB Director Nada Tosheva: Few Countries Can Rival Bulgaria's Diverse Nature

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109560

Views on BG

Editorial

Tango or Waltz? European Dancing Stars out of Step

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109672

Smile

The Communists Are Back!

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=109629

World


	7 Nov 2009 \| Issue 164 \| Sofia: min 11°, max 19°; Varna: min 12°, max 19°

Moscow Police Raid \| Finance \| Exclusive \| Environment \| Diplomacy \| Business \| Energy \| Education \| Defense \| Swine Flu Epidemic \| Society \| Industry \| Bulgaria in EU \| Swine Flu Epidemic \| Sports \| Properties \| Domestic \| Archaeology \| 100 Days \| Tourism \| Crime \| Show Buzz \| Obituaries \| Elections 2009 \| Interview \| Views on BG \| Editorial \| Smile \| World \| In Pictures