Topic: Bulgaria

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3 novels about family, crime, and love

In this week's fiction roundup, two girls try to hide the deaths of their parents, two American writers fall in love (at least in a novel), and an international bestseller explores the lengths a family will go to clean up after a crime.

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Stefan Karlsson Latvia picks up the euro. It won't change much.

Latvia's entry into the Eurozone will not affect exchange rates or monetary policies, Karlsson says.
No clear path forward for Bulgaria after election split

The discovery of hundreds of thousands of illegal ballots has left Sunday's already divisive electoral results even more uncertain – and likely compounded Bulgaria's ongoing problems.
Serbia-Kosovo deal clears path to EU accession, but long road remains

The agreement to 'normalize' relations between Serbia and Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia five years ago, removes a major obstacle to each one's bid to join the EU.
Nicolae Martinescu, Olympic wrestling champ, dies

Nicolae Martinescu won gold in the Greco-Roman heavyweight wrestling class in the 1972 Olympics. Nicolae Martinescu "was a very talented wrestler," according to FILA.
3 novels about family, crime, and love

In this week's fiction roundup, two girls try to hide the deaths of their parents, two American writers fall in love (at least in a novel), and an international bestseller explores the lengths a family will go to clean up after a crime.
Global News Blog In crisis, Bulgarians aware they are on the 'periphery' of world attention

While reporting on Bulgaria's political upheaval, Monitor correspondent Tom Peter found that, while concerned, Bulgarians understood how their internal crises are viewed outside their borders.
Deal at Czech nuclear power plant fuels US-Russia economic rivalry

Companies with ties to the US and Russia are battling for a contract to expand a Czech nuclear power plant, which analysts say may be the gateway to kickstarting other nuclear power projects in Eastern Europe.
The Monitor's View In sequester's austerity, will US echo Europe's politics of fear?

The enforced austerity of the eurozone crisis has roused surprising public anger. European governments are falling. The US need not follow this path if Washington finds a consensus over fiscal issues like 'the sequester.'
For Bulgarians, brief love affair with credit comes to bitter end

Many in the former communist nation were unfamiliar with credit. Now, those who borrowed excessively are drowning in debt – and finding little relief from banks.
Bulgaria's prime minister is out, but austerity remains. What's next?

The economic ills that led to mass protests in Bulgaria earlier this week and led Prime Minister Boyko Borisov to quit aren't going to be easy to address.
Bulgarian government resigns after nationwide protests

Bulgaria's government resigned today after violent protests, joining a long list of European administrations felled by austerity during Europe's debt crisis.
Terrorism & Security EU pressured to blacklist Hezbollah in wake of Bulgaria bus attack report

While Bulgaria has fingered Hezbollah in a deadly 2012 attack on Israeli tourists, some EU members remain reluctant to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
Bulgaria's opposition questions blaming Hezbollah for bus bombing

The opposition says there isn't proof yet that Hezbollah is responsible for a bomb attack that killed Israeli tourists, and is accusing the government for looking to curry favor with the US.
Bulgaria blames Hezbollah for 2012 bombing, refueling terrorist listing debate

The European Union has long been under pressure from Israel and the US to list Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
Greece seen as most corrupt European nation, survey says

Transparency International ranks Greece, along with other European countries racked by the financial crisis, poorly in its 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index.
Terrorism & Security Serbs frustrated, Kosovars elated as former Kosovo PM acquitted of war crimes

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia acquitted Ramush Haradinaj of six counts of crimes involving the murder and torture of Serbs and non-Albanians in the '90s.
Stefan Karlsson Six types of European economic trends

Recent EU data shows great divergences in Europe between different countries in economic growth, Karlsson writes.
Iran's proxy war?

From Iranian hackers suspected of damaging Saudi oil facility computers to a suspected Hezbollah drone shot down over Israel, the largely hidden war between Iran and its foes seems to be heating up.
Editor's Blog Will the 'European dream' continue?

Amid a protracted economic crisis, Europeans are unsure they want greater integration -- but rightly concerned about backsliding into the nationalistic divisions that long haunted the continent.
Anti-Muslim groups' ad in NYC subway calls jihad 'savage.' Is now a good time?

With the Muslim world still roiled by the US-made, anti-Muslim video on YouTube, the ad citing 'war between civilized man and the savage' will appear Monday at 10 NYC subway stations.
Energy Voices Europe has had enough, but can it stand up to Gazprom?

Europe wants to escape Gazprom's stranglehold by diversifying into shale gas. But Gazprom is throwing up obstacles.
Why Pussy Riot supporters hold rallies from New York to Berlin (+video)

The Russian punk rock band spawned small bands of supporters dressed as Pussy Riot look-a-likes Friday dozens of cities worldwide. The three women were sentence Friday to two years in prison for hooliganism.
Mexico wins gold in soccer final against Brazil

Mexico won its first gold after a very early goal that Brazil was never able to overcome.
France dismantles camps, deports Gypsies

Unlike former President Sarkozy's virulent anti-immigrant media campaigns, the new Socialist government says it is motivated by health, sanitation, and security.
Modern Parenthood London 2012 Olympics: A family postcard from the Games

A British-American-Australian family from Qatar goes to the London 2012 Olympics and learns – in attending everything from track to archery to beach volleyball – that they support Team World.