13 Bulgarians Killed in Iraq

Just shows how pointless this war is - It hasn't actually acheived anything other than more fatalities.

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,219 As of Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at least 4,219 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes eight military civilians killed in action. At least 3,399 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers. The AP count is the same as the Defense Department's tally, last updated Monday at 10 a.m. EST. The British military has reported 178 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 21; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, seven; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Latvia and Georgia, three each; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand and Romania, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan and South Korea, one death each. clipped from www.kentucky.com

Christmas Eve Age-old Tradition Brings Good Fortune

An Article about Yambol on Christmas Day from the Epoch Times. To read the whole article click on the link:
http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/life/christmas-eve-tradition-9017.html

Bulgarian dancers from the town of Yambol wait before performing a pagan traditional dance named Koledari (Koleduvane), in central Sofia. Koledari is an important ancient pagan festival that coincides with the Winter Solstice in December. For 15 years, the town of Yambol, situated in the southern part of Bulgaria, which is in Eastern Europe, has hosted the National Koledari Feast on Christmas Day. For this year’s celebration, 37 Koledari groups will gather from various parts of the country for a contest in the town’s main square. Koledari Songs Koledari songs are typical in Bulgarian folklore tradition, which mingles Christian rituals with pagan legends. The song texts cover topics like wishing one good health, long life, an abundant crop, luck, love, happiness, and joy. Some tell stories about age-old professions: about the farmer, the harvester, the shepherd, the mayor, the tailor. clipped from en.epochtimes.com

Cigarette News in Bulgaria

The State Cigarette firm to be sold to a private enterprise.

clipped from www.reuters.com PRESS DIGEST - Bulgaria - Dec 11 Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:26am EST ECONOMY - Bulgaria will sell its state cigarette producer Bulgartabak BTHG.BB directly through the privatisation agency after the government decided that no parliament approval will be necessary for the sale (Dnevnik, Trud, Duma, Sega, Standart).

Well done Prime Minister

My friends in Bulgaria have served in Iraq. They're opinion is that it is futile. Not before time Sergei......

clipped from ap.google.com SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The Bulgarian prime minister says his country will withdraw its small military force from Iraq at the end of the year. Bulgaria has 155 servicemen at a camp near Baghdad, where they handle the security of some detainees held there. Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said Thursday after a Cabinet meeting that "the presence of the Bulgarian military contingent on a humanitarian mission in Iraq ends on Dec. 31." Stanishev had pledged to withdraw Bulgarian troops from Iraq as part of his election campaign in 2005. "Our mission in Iraq has been especially difficult," Stanishev said. Thirteen Bulgarian soldiers and six civilians have died in Iraq since 2003. Bulgaria also has troops in international military missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Bosnia. Bulgaria to pull troops from Iraq at end of year

Proving a Point

If you live here these stastics are lies..... more like 30%...

clipped from ap.google.com Bulgaria inflation 11.2 percent in October SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria's annual inflation rate slowed to 11.2 percent in October, down from 11.4 percent in September, reflecting the drop in global oil prices, the government said Wednesday. Bulgaria has one of the highest inflation rates in the European Union, which it joined in 2007. Last year, annual inflation reached 12.5 percent. The government aims to reduce inflation this year and foresees it to drop below 6 percent in 2009 due to lower than expected economic growth, foreign investments and domestic consumption as a result of the global financial crisis.

Bulgarian Real Estate Slumps in Value

Bulgarian real estate slumps in value

13:29 Tue 21 Oct 2008 - Nick Iliev

Land plots in resorts or near big cities have witnessed the sharpest decline of over 28 per cent as the drastic decrease in demand has burst the bubble of their artificially inflated prices, Iskrov said.

Land plots in resorts or near big cities have witnessed the sharpest decline of over 28 per cent as the drastic decrease in demand has burst the bubble of their artificially inflated prices, Iskrov said.

The Bulgarian real estate market has enjoyed years of gradual growth, with prices constantly being on the upturn providing a healthy climate for the sector. These were the days of predictability and affluence. Not anymore, being on the outskirts of the hurricane of financial trubulence slowly approaching the country from the West, prices have taken on a sharp decline, as offers on the leading property websites in the country show.

Single family homes, shops, offices and land plots are show a decline ranging from two per cent in the most modest instances to as much as 10 per cent in larger towns and cities across the country, data from websites topimoti.bg, imoti.net and imot.bg shows.

In some grimmer cases, owners have slashed prices by as much as half in a direct consequence of the global credit crunch, the subsequent rising inflation and the waning purchasing power of the population.

Bankers are giving loans and will let customers borrow, whether for a purchase or refinancing of an existing loan, sums that reach up to half of the cost of the property. But it is exactly the lack of funds and liquid assets and cash on the market that is causing its stagnation, National Real Property Association chairperson Luchezar Iskrov told Dnevnik daily.

According to Iskrov, the Bulgarian market was still to experience the worst, though a decrease in economic activity had already been recorded.

The falling prices caused alarm amongst the market speculators, loan borrowers and property developers who are desperate to offload properties as quick as possible and turn them into cash before any further slump in their value comes about, insisted Vladimir Lafchiev, manager of property agency Viel.

Land plots in resorts or near big cities have witnessed the sharpest decline of over 28 per cent as the drastic decrease in demand has burst the bubble of their artificially inflated prices, Iskrov said.

Prices of flats in Pernik, an industrial town 30km from Sofia, have so far registered a decline in value by 10 per cent in the past month alone, Bulgarian news agency BTA reported.


http://propertywisebulgaria.com/article/bulgarian-real-estate-slumps-in-value/id_3100/catid_25

Here we go again!

The same old story of Musims trying to get a sob sob story going so they can start getting special treatment and become untouchables just like what has happened in the rest of Europe. Just get on with it and stop moaning that everyone is anti-musilim. There was a bit of anti-muslim graffiti on a wall, so what? There's graffiti everywhere against everything what makes you think you're so special.

clipped from www.sofiaecho.com Vandalising of mosques "unacceptable" Yusein was quoted by Dnevnik daily as saying that although Bulgarian Muslims have enjoyed harmonious relations with other religious groups for hundreds of years, the desecrations are a sign that Bulgarian society is not as tolerant as it is purported to be. The criticism from the MP from Movement for Rights and Freedom (MRF) party was triggered by attacks on mosques in Pleven and Yambol where derogatory signs appeared on walls. Another arson attack, in Kazanluk, led to the partial destruction of a mosque. Several days ago, in Plovdiv, a man was brutally beaten up for praying in a mosque. No suspects have been detained or charged. Others supported Yusein by saying that desecrating churches, mosques or graves was "absolutely unacceptable". Ivan Sotirov, of the United Democratic Forces, has said that MRF itself creates the grounds for ethnic separation because it uses the ethnic vote for corporate purposes.

Fast Food Pizza Creeping In

It's only a matter of time when fast food will become the norm here. The fashion for healthy food is coming to an end in Bulgaria as I speak!

clipped from www.sofiaecho.com GMJ Restaurants picked as Pizza Hut representative for Bulgaria Over the next months, the chain will be revamped into full-service restaurants. GMJ will be the first company to launch the Pizza Delivered Fresh service in Bulgaria. The formula is in place in the US, the UK and other countries. Bulgaria is the first country in Central and Eastern Europe country in which the service will be available. Polish company AmRest also holds rights to develop the Pizza Hut brand in Bulgaria. The company, which stepped on the market last year, also represents Burger King and KFC in Bulgaria. GMJ Restaurants International will be the new representative in Bulgaria for the Pizza Hut franchise, Tsvetan Trenchev, a partner in the newly founded company, said. The chain was formerly represented by Excel Associates, where Trenchev also had a stake.

St Sofia Day

Celebrations in Sofia today, yet another Bulgarian day to party.

clipped from www.novinite.com Bulgaria's Capital Celebrates St. Sofia Day Bulgaria's capital celebrates Wednesday St. Sofia Day, the date when the Orthodox world pays homage to the Holy Martyrs Sofia and her three daughters Faith, Hope and Love. The flag of the capital was hoisted at an official ceremony attended by President Georgi Parvanov. The mayor of the city Boyko Borissov has not joined the festive event as he was paying an official visit to Israel. A liturgy was held in front of St. Sofia church during the official ceremony. In 1992 Sofia municipal council selected this date for Sofia's Day at the proposal of the former mayor. Between 1979 and 1992 Sofia's Day was marked on April 3, the day when Sofia was pronounced Bulgaria's capital back in 1879.

Fire Brigades Busiest Period

Yambol firemen have been working overtime recently as the lack of rain leaves areas tinder dry.

clipped from www.focus-fen.net Fire brigades in Bulgaria put off 40 fires 4 September 2008 | 19:54 | FOCUS News Agency Sofia. Fire brigades in Bulgaria have received 229 signals since midnight on September 3rd until 18.00 September 4th, Ministry of Interior press center reports. 212 of the signals were for fires, 12 were for emergency rescue activities and 5 of them were fake. The fire brigades have tried to put off 40 fires. They had received a signal for a fire in a house in Bulgarian village of Hadzhidimovo, Yambol region at 15.27. 59-year-old man had been injured in the fire. He had at about 8% burnings on his hand. There were material damages. The probable reason for the fire was a technical fault in the gas installation.

European Volleyball to Bulgaria

There is a good chance that Bulgaria and Greece will host the European Volleyball championships in 2011.

clipped from www.sofiaecho.com Bulgaria in the running to co-host volleyball Euro 2011 16:55 Fri 12 Sep 2008 - Elitsa Savova Bulgaria and Greece’s joint application to host the men's European volleyball championships in 2011 had a strong chance of winning, European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) president André Meyer said in Varna as quoted by Dnevnik daily. Varna Palace of Culture and Sports director Simeon Varchev said that the sports hall needed reconstruction to meet the new standards. The court would be widened, cutting into the stands, but two additional stands would be built to compensate. The other candidates to host the event are a joint bid made by Czech Republic and Austria, Denmark, France and the Netherlands. The final decision would be made on September 25 or 26. Meyer said that it was his last inspection in Varna and he was satisfied with what he had seen. He promised to recommend CEV’s board to approve Bulgaria and Greece’s bid.

Tips to Cure Hangovers

If you have had too much Rakia the night before, here are some recommendations.

clipped from harilaos.blogspot.com TOP 10 hangover cures I bet you all have had crazy nights with tough mornings after... Here are the TOP 10 hangover cures, according to Forbes: Water (Lots Of It) Sports Drinks Pain Relievers Vitamins B6 and B12 Berocca Prickly Pear Tripe Soup Haejangguk Rosiglitazone Breakfast of Champions Read the full article here for more info. Well I couldn't help adding the Greek recommendation for a bad hangover: Patsas soup (similar to #7). It's served hot and spicy, with garlic and vinegar, in the early hours of the morning. Guaranteed results! What's your local hangover recipe?? I want to hear! :)

Ismet Durel the Circumciser

A most relevant advertising campaign.

clipped from www.kiwipulse.com Ismet Dural is a circumciser who owns a clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. To spread the words on his specialize business he needed an easy and economical advertising solution. Healthy People by Grey, an advertising agency hired by Ismet came up with a very simple yet creative idea. They created a long poster with perforated edges so that if you rip a piece off you will get his contact info just like a business card along with the circumcised part of the penis. Very well executed and suitable ad for the purpose of the business. I can’t think of a better idea for advertising a circumcision clinic! Can you? Ismet Dural: Circumciser as a Profession Advertising Agency: Healthy People by Grey, Istanbul, Turkey Creative Director: Nurcan Yıldız Art Director: Tarık Akın Copywriter: Erçin Sadıkoğlu Released: January 2008

Eurovision Star Seriously Injured

Tragic news as the singer cam 5th in last year's Eurovision song contest.

clipped from www.novinite.com The famous Bulgarian singer and winner of the "Eurovision 2007" song contest Elitsa Todorova sustained head trauma Saturday from a freak accident during her concert rehearsal. Photo by elitsatodorova.com The famous Bulgarian singer and winner of the "Eurovision 2007" song contest Elitsa Todorova survived by miracle Saturday, after hundreds of kilograms of iron crashed down, on top of her during a concert rehearsal. The company that has built the stage on the sand has not yet offered an explanation of the cause of the incident. A sudden storm had caused a scaffold from the concert's stage to crash down on performers and the technical team. Two other individuals have been injured, however, Elitsa's condition is the most serious one because the singer had sustained head trauma. It is still unclear if the concert would take place as scheduled. According to reports, the wind in the area is becoming stronger and there is a possibility of cancelling it.

Yazaki Factory

Ivo, Galia's son works in the factory in Yambol.

clipped from www.novinite.com The Japanese corporation Yazaki is investing in a second facotry in Bulgaria, this time in the northeast city of Turgovishte. Photo by yazaki-bulgaria.com new factory, which will produce equipment for the cars of the French brand Renault, will start manufacturing operations in the northeastern Bulgarian city of Turgovishte by the middle of 2009. The investment will be made by the Japanese car equipment producer Yazaki through the firm Zenon-BG. The Japanese car equipment producer Yazaki already has a similar factory in the southeast Bulgarian city of Yambol, which employs 2 200 workers, and has an area of 26 000 square meters. After Turgovishte, the company is planning to open two more similar plants elsewhere in the country. It will produce the complete cable installations for Renault Megane, which will be exported to France to be installed in the cars manufactured there.

New Emergency Number for Burgas and Yambol

112 is the numbr now you ring in case of emergencies.

clipped from www.focus-fen.net 112 emergency number to be launched in Burgas by the end of week: minister 25 August 2008 | 14:48 | FOCUS News Agency Burgas. Minister of Emergency Situations Emel Etem has announced in the seaside city of Burgas that 112 emergency telephone number will be launched in the city at the end of the week, Focus News Agency’s correspondent reported. The telephone number will cover four regions – Burgas, Sliven, Yambol and Stara Zagora. The operators have already been appointed. They have been attending training courses since Saturday. “On August 27th at 00.00 a.m. the emergency call center will be connected with all lines in the region. People will be able to call the 112 emergency number as of August 28th 07.00 a.m.,” the minister added. Burgas is one of the six centers in Bulgaria, which process calls on 112 emergency number. Katya NIKOLOVA

The Ulimate Modern Drug

Would be a prescrption for many in this world!

clipped from www.guideforunguided.com

Disappearing Moon

I saw this tonight as the moon gradually disappeared with the earth's shadow. I am typing this and looking out at the diminishing moon as it happens right now!!

clipped from www.sofiaecho.com Earth will hide the Moon tonight 11:46 Sat 16 Aug 2008 The wonders of nature keep on surprising in August. After the solar eclipse from August 1 and the meteor shower on august 12 and 13, in the night of August 16 a partial lunar eclipse will be observed. It will begin at 10.36 pm EEST and will end on 1.45am on August 17. It is the second of only two lunar eclipses in 2008 and will be visible by most of Eastern Europe and Africa, and a large portion of Western and Central Asia and India. Parts of Australia will see the eclipse begin before sunrise, while parts of South America will see it end just after sunset. The next lunar eclipse will take place on February 9 2009 and will be penumbral. A total lunar eclipse will be seen as late as December 21 2010.

Away from the Black Sea

Just proves that there a re some people who want more than a boozing holiday on the Black Sea Coast

clipped from www.sofiaecho.com Increase in alternative tourists visiting Bulgaria Alternative tourists are especially interested in visiting local archaeological sites and monasteries, Domouschiev said. Some of the foreign tourists prefer to devote their holidays to learning traditional Bulgarian crafts as well as Bulgarian cuisine. Wine and village tourism are also widely developed. According to the Tourism Investors Union, smaller companies are more engaged with alternative tourism. They are often owners of eco-houses in the mountains, away from the typical tourist areas. However, larger tour operators have also noticed this market niche and have started to develop there own expeditions around the mountains but have also managed to develop alternative tourism opportunities near the Black Sea.

This Year's Bulgarian Harvest Report

Yet another disadvantage of joining the EU.

clipped from www.sofiaecho.com Bulgaria harvests 1.6M tons of premium wheat -expert 10:45 Wed 13 Aug 2008 - dnevnik.bg At least 1.6 million of Bulgaria's 4.3-million-ton wheat crop harvested this year is of premium quality, said Zlati Zlatev, director of the government's grain executive service. The government official dismissed as untrue earlier reports that as much as 80% of the wheat crop was only good enough for animal feed and the country would have to import quality wheat. The record harvest has depressed domestic prices, more or less keeping a lid on commodity trading in the first month after the 2008 crop came to the market. After Bulgaria joined the EU, State Fund Agriculture no longer subsidises grain storage. Farmers have to sell immediately to secure cash for the fall sowing. Wheat exports also remain sluggish despite a recent farming ministry statement that over 200,000 tons of wheat and barley had been shipped abroad in a month. Read the full story on Dnevnik.bg

Perseid meteor shower in Sofia

Really sorry I didn't see this one myself.

clipped from www.thesun.co.uk STARGAZERS all over the world have been enjoying meteor showers from the comet Swift-Tuttle. This stunning picture was taken in the early hours of this morning near the town of Sofia in Bulgaria. It is a meteor shower which comes every year, and is visible from mid-July with the greatest activity between August 8 and 14. The peak of the Perseids meteor shower over the eastern sky is expected tonight and in the early hours of tomorrow morning. The meteors are called Perseids because the point they appear to come from lies in the constellation Perseus. The shower has been observed for about 2000 years, with the first known information on these meteors coming from the Far East. In early medieval Europe, the Perseids came to be known as the "tears of St Lawrence." During the peak, the rate of meteors reaches 60 or more per hour. They can be seen all across the sky, but because of the path of Swift-Tuttle's orbit, Perseids are primarily visible in the northern hemisphere.

Bulgarian Music Idol - Best in the World

Music Idol 2008 in Bulgaria. Someone thinks that it is the best in the world, see what you think with the link given.

http://www.blog.co.uk/

UFO in Plovdiv today

Video: Car Crashes in East-Europe Bulgaria

People need to STAY HOME on streets like that. Warning : ***** Brutal.And those are just "light" accidents, everyday 100s die in brutal accidents across BG.People just do not care for life when their driving with 220km/h.I have a friend who went 256km/h on the highway, if you hit something with that kind of a speed your ***** gone.



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Archaeologists in Bulgaria’s Sozopol discover witch graves

A team of archaeologists working in the town of Sozopol discovered four graves that supposedly belonged to ancient witches.

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