ARCHIVE - 28 January 2010

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Business

No Contact from Bulgarian Crew on Somali Pirate Hijacked Ships
Bulgaria Prosecutors to Investigate Lyulin Highway Officials
All Truck Traffic Halted at Bulgaria Border over Greek Blockade
Greece Vows to End Blockade on Bulgaria Border by Weekend
NSI: Business Climate Improves in Construction, Service Sectors
Bulgaria's M-Tel Adopts Openmind Messaging Platform
Bulgaria Energy Minister Calls for BSEC Integrated Energy Market
CEZ Ready to Introduce Monthly Bills in Bulgaria
CEZ Power Utility Introduces Monthly Bills in Bulgaria

Politics

Bulgaria to Accept 1 Guantanamo Detainee
Bulgaria Decides on Guantanamo Prisoners
Bulgaria Soldier Stops Illegal Entry to NATO Afghan Air Base
Bulgarian Rangers Injured in Taliban Attack Moved to Germany
Bulgaria Candidate Nominated for EU Head in Afghanitsan
EC Opens Bulgaria Legal Action over Social Radio Frequency
Bulgaria's Meglena Kuneva May Stay on in Brussels - Report
Bulgaria New EU Commissioner-Designate Takes EP Test Feb 3
TV Channels in Bulgaria Mandated to Air 50% EU Programs
Bulgaria PM Set to Sack Tobacco Fund Leadership
Bulgaria Tobacco Producers Cancel Protests

Society

Bulgaria bTV Organizes Haiti Charity Concert
Bulgarian Red Cross Collects BGN 180 000 for Haiti Quake Victims
380 000 Bulgarians Lose Rights to Free Healthcare
Bulgaria Watchdog Members Exposed as State Security Agents
Bulgaria Finance Minister's Son Released from Hospital
Bulgaria Prince Kardam Deteriorates Year and Half after Hellish Crash
Banned Turkmen Students to Attend US University in Bulgaria
Light Earthquake Shakes South-West Bulgaria

Crime

Crucial Witness in Killer Train Trial Wanted by Bulgaria Court
Bulgaria Blagoevgrad Court Shaken by Latest Judiciary Scandal
Bulgaria Court Releases Top Crime Boss 'Baretata' over Illness
Big Mate of Gangster 'Baretata' Arrested in Bulgaria's Samokov
Bulgaria SAPARD Case Defendant Accused of Witness Tempering
No Progress in Trial over Bulgarian Showman Death
Bulgarian Court Releases 'Impudent' Gang Member on Bail
Teenager Shot Dead at Sofia Central Train Station

Views on BG

Risk.net: Surplus of Bulgarian EUAs Could Flood Market
Lack of Screening Burnt the Commission
Tough times? Car Dealer Flogs Bulgarian Land with Big Sales

Smiles

Bulgaria in Dutch

Quotes

Today's Quote

World

Toyota Announces Mass Recall of Vehicles over Safety Concerns
9 Bodies Found in Belgian Apartment Block Rubble
Obama Makes Jobs Top US Priority
Haiti Girl Rescued after 15 Days

Business

Flexjob Manager Pamoukchiev: Temporary Jobs Not Popular in Bulgaria as in the Netherlands

Diplomacy

Why Bulgaria Has Image Issues in the Netherlands

Crime

Bloody Coincidence: Murders of Bulgarian Mafia Bosses on Dutch Soil*

Business

No Contact from Bulgarian Crew on Somali Pirate Hijacked Ships

The Bulgarian sailors who were kidnapped by Somali pirates at the start of January have not been in contact with their families since the start of last week, Prodan Radanov from the UK Zodiac company reported Thursday.

Business | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 18:40

Bulgaria Prosecutors to Investigate Lyulin Highway Officials

Bulgarian Prosecutors will investigate the officials who were involved in the lengthy redesigning process of the Lyulin Highway project, one of the main reasons for the six month delay in its construction.

Business | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 16:45

All Truck Traffic Halted at Bulgaria Border over Greek Blockade

The protesting Greek farmers continue the blockade at cross border points between Bulgaria and Greece.

Business | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 15:29

Greece Vows to End Blockade on Bulgaria Border by Weekend

Greece has made the commitment to solve the problem with the Greek farmers' blockades at the Greece-Bulgarian border.

Business | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 14:45

NSI: Business Climate Improves in Construction, Service Sectors

Bulgarian entrepreneurs in the construction and services sectors are becoming more optimistic about future prospects, according to monthly data released on Thursday by the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

Business | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 14:42

Bulgaria's M-Tel Adopts Openmind Messaging Platform

Bulgarian mobile operator M-Tel has completed the implementation of Openmind's next generation messaging platform.

Business | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 10:25

Bulgaria Energy Minister Calls for BSEC Integrated Energy Market

Bulgaria Energy, Economic and Tourism Minister, Traicho Traikov, has stated that Bulgaria will work towards the creation of an integrated energy market in the region during a meeting of BSEC Energy Ministers.

Business » Energy | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 15:01

CEZ Ready to Introduce Monthly Bills in Bulgaria

Czech power utility CEZ, which supplies power to over 2 million households and companies in western Bulgaria, including the capital Sofia, announced readiness to introduce monthly bills as of February 1.

Business » Energy | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 12:50

CEZ Power Utility Introduces Monthly Bills in Bulgaria

Czech power utility CEZ, which supplies power to over 2 million households and companies in western Bulgaria, including the capital Sofia, is expected to announce on Thursday its readiness to introduce monthly bills as of February 1.

Business » Energy | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 09:22

Politics

Bulgaria to Accept 1 Guantanamo Detainee

Bulgaria will accept one detainee from the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov informs.

Politics » Diplomacy | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 16:36

Bulgaria Decides on Guantanamo Prisoners

Bulgaria's interior minister is expected to provide details about a working group decision to accept one or two detainees from the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba in response to Washington request to house prisoners.

Politics » Diplomacy | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 08:07

Bulgaria Soldier Stops Illegal Entry to NATO Afghan Air Base

Bulgarian soldier, Krasimir Petrov Katsarski, prevented the unauthorized entrance of an Afghan truck into the NATO Air Base in Kandahar, Afghanistan, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense reported Thursday.

Politics » Defense | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 17:58

Bulgarian Rangers Injured in Taliban Attack Moved to Germany

The Bulgarian rangers injured during a Taliban rocket attack in Kandahar have arrived at the US military hospital in Landschtul, Germany.

Politics » Defense | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 15:50

Bulgaria Candidate Nominated for EU Head in Afghanitsan

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Baroness Catherine Ashton, has stated that Bulgaria has put forward one of the four candidates for the new post of EU High Representative in Afghanistan.

Politics » Bulgaria in EU | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 20:14

EC Opens Bulgaria Legal Action over Social Radio Frequency

The European Commission has started legal proceedings against Bulgaria, asking the country to free up the 169 MHz radio frequency for use by applications of social value.

Politics » Bulgaria in EU | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 15:43

Bulgaria's Meglena Kuneva May Stay on in Brussels - Report

Bulgarian commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva went even before she really arrived, but her predecessor, Meglena Kuneva, looks like she will be back even before she has departed.

Politics » Bulgaria in EU | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 13:56

Bulgaria New EU Commissioner-Designate Takes EP Test Feb 3

The hearing of Bulgaria's new EU Commissioner-designate, Kristalina Georgieva, is scheduled for February 3 between 1:30 and 4:30 pm Bulgarian time.

Politics » Bulgaria in EU | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 13:34

TV Channels in Bulgaria Mandated to Air 50% EU Programs

European TV production must represent 50% of the annual TV program time in Bulgaria, per the amendments of the Radio and TV Act.

Politics » Domestic | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 17:16

Bulgaria PM Set to Sack Tobacco Fund Leadership

Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, confirmed Thursday that he is set to replace the entire leadership of the so-called Tobacco Fund.

Politics » Domestic | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 14:12

Bulgaria Tobacco Producers Cancel Protests

Bulgarian tobacco producers have postponed their planned rally against low subsidies, following a meeting with the prime minister late on Wednesday.

Politics » Domestic | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 08:33

Society

Bulgaria bTV Organizes Haiti Charity Concert

The TV channel bTV will air live on February 2 an evening charity concert under the motto: "Hope for the Children of Haiti.

Society | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 18:22

Bulgarian Red Cross Collects BGN 180 000 for Haiti Quake Victims

The Bulgarian Red Cross has collected BGN 180 000 for disaster relief for earthquake ravaged Haiti.

Society | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 17:40

380 000 Bulgarians Lose Rights to Free Healthcare

380 000 Bulgarians have lost their rights to free healthcare after changes in the health insurance laws, Katya Kashumov, from the National Revenue Agency confirmed Thursday.

Society | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 14:05

Bulgaria Watchdog Members Exposed as State Security Agents

А special panel, investigating Bulgaria's communist-era police files, has announced that five former members of the regulatory body for consumers' protection have been state security agents and collaborators.

Society | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 13:44

Bulgaria Finance Minister's Son Released from Hospital

Marko Djankov, the 5-year-old son of Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, who got injured during a play accident on January 11, has been released from hospital.

Society | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 11:13

Bulgaria Prince Kardam Deteriorates Year and Half after Hellish Crash

Prince Kardam, the eldest son of Bulgaria's former Tsar and former Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg, has rushed to a hospital after an abrupt deterioration of his health, Spanish media reported.

Society | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 10:17

Banned Turkmen Students to Attend US University in Bulgaria

Turkmen students banned from studying at universities abroad are being allowed by the government to resume their studies at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG), RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reports.

Society | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 08:51

Light Earthquake Shakes South-West Bulgaria

An earthquake measuring 3,2 on the Richter scale was reported on the territory of Bulgaria at 8:43 am on Thursday.

Society » Environment | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 09:52

Crime

Crucial Witness in Killer Train Trial Wanted by Bulgaria Court

The District Court in Bulgaria's northern city of Pleven ordered the search for a crucial witness in the case of the deadly fire in the Kardam-Sofia train.

Crime | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 20:19

Bulgaria Blagoevgrad Court Shaken by Latest Judiciary Scandal

A probe of Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) of the District Court in the southern city of Blagoevgrad confirms the allegations of numerous violations in the jurisdiction.

Crime | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 19:30

Bulgaria Court Releases Top Crime Boss 'Baretata' over Illness

Sofia City Court has changed the detention status of Zlatomir Ivanov aka Zlatko Baretata from 'custody' to 'house arrest'.

Crime | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 18:55

Big Mate of Gangster 'Baretata' Arrested in Bulgaria's Samokov

Special squads from the Bulgarian Criminal Police Directorate have arrested Ivaylo Borisov aka Torino, after a lengthy search operation. Borisov is a known associate of Zlatomir Ivanov aka Baretata

Crime | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 17:38

Bulgaria SAPARD Case Defendant Accused of Witness Tempering

Bulgaria's murky businessman, Mario Nikolov, who is charged with draining SAPARD funds and money laundering, had pressured a witness to withdraw damaging testimony.

Crime | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 12:45

No Progress in Trial over Bulgarian Showman Death

Prosecutors have demanded that the case over the car crash that claimed the life of Bulgaria's famous and controversial TV and radio anchor Emil Trifonov, aka Kembala, be referred back to the appellate court.

Crime | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 12:25

Bulgarian Court Releases 'Impudent' Gang Member on Bail

The Sofia Court of Appeal has ruled the release of Anton Petrov aka the Hamster on bail of BGN 20 000. This overturns a previous decision by Sofia City Court to keep Petrov behind bars.

Crime | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 12:24

Teenager Shot Dead at Sofia Central Train Station

An eighteen-year old boy has been shot dead with a bullet in the head close to the central train station in the capital Sofia.

Crime | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 11:33

Views on BG

Risk.net: Surplus of Bulgarian EUAs Could Flood Market

A surplus of European Union Emission Allowances (EUAs) sales from Bulgarian companies triggered by a pending European Commission decision could put downward pressure on carbon prices,

Views on BG | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 19:11

Lack of Screening Burnt the Commission

The Jeleva episode reflects a deeper need for reform of the EU institutions' rules on conflicts of interest.

Views on BG | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 11:56

Tough times? Car Dealer Flogs Bulgarian Land with Big Sales

Businesses all over Cyprus have developed their own marketing schemes to lift profits during the global recession but a Nicosia car dealer's unique offer of a car-and-land package must be among the most creative.

Views on BG | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 11:41

Smiles

Bulgaria in Dutch

In Dutch:

Smiles | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 10:03

Quotes

Today's Quote

"I made commitments and everything I promised is going on; we are working on getting more money,"

Quotes | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 19:37

World

Toyota Announces Mass Recall of Vehicles over Safety Concerns

Toyota has announced the mass recall of vehicles in the US, Europe and China over concerns about accelerator pedals getting stuck on floor mats.

World | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 15:33

9 Bodies Found in Belgian Apartment Block Rubble

Nine people died when a block of flats collapsed in the city of Liege in eastern Belgium, officials say.

World | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 13:45

Obama Makes Jobs Top US Priority

US President Barack Obama has said in his first State of the Union address that creating jobs must be the nation's number one focus.

World | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 09:25

Haiti Girl Rescued after 15 Days

A teenage girl has been pulled out of the rubble in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, a full 15 days after the earthquake struck, BBC reported.

World | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 09:00

Business

Flexjob Manager Pamoukchiev: Temporary Jobs Not Popular in Bulgaria as in the Netherlands

Interview with Ludmil Pamoukchiev, Head of the Bulgarian office of the Dutch company Flexjob – an agency for temporary employment, for the Dutch Survey ("International Survey: Bulgaria-Netherlands") of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency).

» Business | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 11:40

Diplomacy

Why Bulgaria Has Image Issues in the Netherlands

By Dirk van Harten, the only Dutch journalist working and living in Bulgaria, specially for the Dutch Survey of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency).

» Diplomacy | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 13:53

Crime

Bloody Coincidence: Murders of Bulgarian Mafia Bosses on Dutch Soil*

"Bulgarian criminals don’t feel very well on Dutch soil. They prefer countries such as those in Eastern Europe or Spain, for example. They don’t like the northern European states much.”

» Crime | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 16:50
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