Sofia Mayor: Some Defense Min's Officials Should be Arrested
Sofia Mayor Boyko Borissov said Sunday that some of the officials, working for Bulgaria's Defense Ministry should be arrested as they are on the verge of committing crime in all their actions.
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Bulgaria's Police Celebrates Professional Holiday
Bulgaria's police celebrated Saturday 129 years since the service was founded, but for the first time the traditional parade gave way to humble celebrations.
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US President Bush to Attend Olympic Opening in Beijing
US President George Bush is to go to the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics because skipping it would be an "affront" to the Chinese people, CNN reported Sunday.
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TOP 10 NEWS Experts Enter Blasts Hit Chelopechene Area after Soil Cooling More than 600 Homes Damaged by Chelopechene Blast Police Presence Remains Strong in Blast Shaken Chelopechene Bulgaria Firefighters Get New Fire Trucks on Police Holiday Serial Rapist Nabbed in Bulgaria's Pleven Bulgarian Murders Grandparents, Gets 25 Years behind Bars Man Beheads Hitler's Waxwork in Berlin's Madame Tussauds Museum Iran Warns of Huge Oil Price Leap if Attacked Israel Blamed for Shooting at Fishermen Manowar Writes History in Bulgaria with 5-Hour Gig

BULGARIAN PRESS REVIEW

Poll The best way to prevent vote buying in Bulgaria would be  Principled agreement among all major political parties not to buy votes  Introduction of majority representation political system  Harsh legislative measures and massive police presence at elections sections  Better education and special campaigns to improve the political culture  Depriving persons caught selling their votes of the right to vote (for a period of time or forever) |  Results

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BULGARIA'S DIMITROV WINS WIMBLEDON'S BOYS SINGLE TITLE
Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov became the first ever Bulgarian to win a Grand Slam title after beating his Finnish rival at the Wimbledon final.

The 17-year-old Bulgarian teenage star defeated Henri Kontinen in straight sets (7-5, 6-3).

The final match lasted for one hour and 18 minutes as in the end, the fact that Dimitrov had less unforced errors than Kontinen took its toll and Dimitrov won 7-5.

From then on Dimitrov had full control over the game and the second set was an easy 6-3 win.

The Finnish player had nine double faults with Dimitrov only one. The Fin had 22 unforced errors while Dimitrov had just six.

Dimitrov was born on May 6 1991 and he entered this year's Wimbledon as the world's number 747. His highest ranking in singles so far has been 744.


SOFIA MAYOR: SOME DEFENSE MIN'S OFFICIALS SHOULD BE ARRESTED
Sofia Mayor Boyko Borissov said Sunday that some of the officials, working for Bulgaria's Defense Ministry should be arrested as they are on the verge of committing crime in all their actions.

"Several defense ministers will be interrogated over the recent explosions in the military storehouses in Chelopechene and I hope accusations will be immediately brought," he explained.

"There are materials against military officials that have already been submitted to the Prosecutor's Office," the mayor added.

Borissov defined as "cynical" the statement, made by the Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev, saying the government is to pay back all the money that Sofia Municipality will give to people, whose houses have been destroyed by the blasts.

"Everybody, who has caused damage, is obliged to pay for its fixing afterwards. The Defense Ministry has broken the windows and the tiles of the citizens' houses due to its irresponsibility," the mayor commented.

Meanwhile, the explosions in the military storehouse in Chelopechene continue for more than three days now but the authorities claim the situation returns to normal.


SERIAL RAPIST NABBED IN BULGARIA'S PLEVEN
Police have arrested a serial rapist in the Bulgarian town of Pleven, authorities reported Saturday.

The 38-year-old Ilian Ivanov, who was arrested during an investigation of a case with a 13-year-old girl raped in 2003, has confessed to 10 rapes, police said.

The rapist used to stalk victims in dark streets and threaten them with a knife.

If pronounced guilty, Ivanov faces 15 to 20 years in jail.

BULGARIAN MURDERS GRANDPARENTS, GETS 25 YEARS BEHIND BARS
Bulgaria's Supreme Court sentenced Saturday Filip Shopov to 25 years in jail over killing his grandparents and butchering their bodies afterwards.

The judges decided to change the 19-year sentence, previously imposed on the defendant, who has both Bulgarian and Canadian citizenship.

The crimes were committed in November, 2003 in the house of the elderly people in the village of Sovoleno.

Shopov first shot his grandmother dead but did not manage to hide the bloody traces until her husband returned home. Then the killer decided to murder him as well.

After that, the criminal dismembered the bodies, put the parts in sacks and buried them in a district near Sofia.

The investigating authorities however managed to reveal the case. Shopov made full confessions and even showed the police the spot, where the dead bodies had been buried.


US PRESIDENT BUSH TO ATTEND OLYMPIC OPENING IN BEIJING
US President George Bush is to go to the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics because skipping it would be an "affront" to the Chinese people, CNN reported Sunday.

The statement was made at a joint press conference with Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who declared he will also visit China for the beginning of the games.

Bush warned that China must improve its record on human rights and religious freedom but emphasized he did not need to use the Olympics to express his concerns on those issues.

Some world leaders are boycotting that event to protest the communist nation's human rights record.

The U.S. and Japanese leaders met on the eve of this year's Group of Eight meeting of industrialized nations.

At the summit, presidents and prime ministers hope for a deal that would set targets for reducing the pollution that causes global warming.

Bush insists on holding China and India, fast-growing economies and among the world's biggest polluters, to the same emission-reduction standards as older, developed economies.

The US president said that he hopes to get both countries to agree to a long-term goal to cut emissions. But he scaled back expectation about what the summit could achieve or what could result from meetings on the sidelines with leaders of large gas-emitting nations.

MAN BEHEADS HITLER'S WAXWORK IN BERLIN'S MADAME TUSSAUDS MUSEUM
A man raced into Berlin's Madame Tussauds wax museum on Saturday, its opening day, and ripped the head off a waxwork of Adolf Hitler, CNN reported.

The 41-year-old entered the exhibit shortly after the museum doors opened and "made for the Hitler figure," scuffling with a guard and the manager before tearing the head off the life-size statue.

The man was arrested immediately after the incident. He told officers he wanted to protest the figure being included in the museum.

Museum official Nathalie Ruoss said organizers would decide Monday what to do about the figure.

The presence of the waxwork, which depicted the Nazi dictator sitting at his desk in his bunker shortly before he committed suicide in 1945, in the new museum led to criticism in German media over recent weeks. But the museum's defenders argued Hitler's role in German history must not be ignored.

Berlin is the eighth wax museum for London-based Madame Tussauds, known for its lifelike waxworks depicting famous people including celebrities, politicians, sports stars, artists and scientists.

IRAN WARNS OF HUGE OIL PRICE LEAP IF ATTACKED
Oil prices on the global market will jump to unprecedented levels in case of any aggression against Iran, the country's oil minister said on Saturday.

"Even a slightest hint [on a possibility of the attack] will lead to an increase [in global oil prices] by USD 10-15, but in case of a real aggression against Iran, the oil prices will rise to unpredictable highs," Gholamhossein Nozari told reporters in Tehran, as cited by Ria Novosti.

"Any attack on our country will meet an incredibly powerful response," the minister added.

Rumours have long been circulating that an "imminent" attack on the Islamic Republic is planned by either the United States or Israel, in order to force Tehran to abandon its controversial uranium enrichment program.

Iran ranks fourth in terms of crude reserves after Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait, as well as fourth in terms of oil production after Saudi Arabia, the United States and Russia.

In the past two years, oil production in Iran exceeded 4 million barrels per day, currently at 4.21 million, which is a new record since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

ISRAEL BLAMED FOR SHOOTING AT FISHERMEN
Israeli marine vessels opened fire on Saturday at Palestinian fishermen, thus violating a ceasefire with Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas, Palestinian security sources said, as cited by Xinhua.

The shooting, which occurred in the Mediterranean along northwest Gaza city, caused no casualties, the sources added.

On Friday, Israeli gunboats fired two shells at Palestinian fishing boats in southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah when they were fishing offshore, causing damage to two boats.

On June 19, the Egyptian-brokered truce between Hamas and Israel took effect in the Gaza Strip but since then the two sides have exchanged several accusations over violations.

During the ceasefire, Palestinian armed groups fired rockets into Israel to express their opposition to keeping the West Bank out of the ceasefire deal. Israel, in return, closed commercial crossings into Gaza.


MANOWAR WRITES HISTORY IN BULGARIA WITH 5-HOUR GIG
Legendary Manowar lived up to their reputation of the most uncompromising and loudest heavy metal band after treating 20,000 exalted fans with a record-long, five-hour-gig in Kavarna.

The band opened the annual Kaliakra Rock Festival 2008 on the Black Sea coast on Saturday.

The group kept their promise to break the record in Bulgaria for the longest running metal show.

The audience (about 20,000 people) enjoyed Manowar's greatest hits as some of them the band performed together with Sofia's Philharmonic Orchestra.

"Bulgaria is the place, where people know how to enjoy the real metal music. Death to false metal," the group's bass guitarist and main songwriter Joey DeMaio said during the show.

As a gesture of gratitude to their fans in Bulgaria the band played the country's anthem just as they did during their previous show, staged last year in the framework of the same fest.

Rock legend Alice Cooper is also expected to arrive in Kavarna for the first time. Kavarna is the starting point of Cooper's 2008 tour. He had stated that his show was so amazing that no one would dare to come on stage after he was done. Cooper's concert is going to be held Sunday.

Kavarna is hosting "Kaliakra Rock Fest" for the third time this year. Just in three years the fest became known as one of the biggest rock events on the Balkans. The fest is going to be held on July 5, 6, and 7. Some of the biggest names from the world of Rock will, once again, gather in Kavarna.

The spectacular concert of In Flames and Slayer will bring closure to the event.

The event's organizers had said that the percussions of Slayer are going to be transported from Germany. Technical requirements for the percussions are so complicated that no one on the Balkans could deal with them and this was the reason why they had to be specially transferred from Germany.

Slayer who have two Grammy "Best Metal Performance" awards are arriving in Bulgaria Sunday.

The Swedish band In Flames, performing as Slayer's support band are also visiting Bulgaria for the first time.


11 MORE MILITARY STOREHOUSE EXPLOSIONS SHAKE CHELOPECHEPE DISTRICT
A total of 11 explosions shook late on Saturday Chelopechene's military storehouses, which are on fire for about three days now.

The blasts were heard at about 11 pm, awaking the residents of the district as well as those, living in the nearby Chepintsi.

Bulgaria's Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev and the Chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian Army General Zlatan Stoykov have immediately visited the region to get informed on the current situation.

Police presence in Chelopechene remains strong as army's operative groups are constantly watching over the district.

Thursday morning the Bulgarian capital was shaken by powerful gunpowder explosions, which were heard and felt in the whole city after the Chelopechene military facility, where tons of ammo and TNT were stored, was engulfed by flames.

EXPERTS ENTER BLASTS HIT CHELOPECHENE AREA AFTER SOIL COOLING
Bulgarian authorities announced they are to cool the surface soil layer in the area of the military storehouses on fire in Chelopechene to allow sappers, military police officers, prosecutors and chemists enter it on Monday.

The announcement was made Sunday by the Defense Ministry.

The situation in the district is getting normal three days after the military facilities were engulfed by flames.

There is no danger for the people, living in the region, authorities assured although the police presence is still strong.

The Bulgarian capital was shaken by powerful gunpowder explosions, which were heard and felt in the whole city after the Chelopechene military facility, where tons of ammo and TNT were stored, burst into flames early on Thursday.

MORE THAN 600 HOMES DAMAGED BY CHELOPECHENE BLAST
Authorities are still trying to determine the exact number of homes that were damaged by Thursday's huge blast in a military facility near the Chelopechene district of Sofia.

Until now special teams have found that more than 600 houses in Chelopechene alone have been damaged by the explosion. There are broken windows and holes in the walls of most of the houses in the district.

The government said that all damages to people's houses would be paid as soon as the assessment is finished.

On Thursday morning Sofia was shaken by powerful gunpowder explosions, which were heard and felt in the whole city after the Chelopechene military facility, where tons of ammo and TNT were stored, was engulfed by flames.

Luckily there were no victims.

POLICE PRESENCE REMAINS STRONG IN BLAST SHAKEN CHELOPECHENE
Police presence remains strong in Sofia's district of Chelopechene where a military facility exploded on Thursday.

Authorities say that if citizens in the area happen to find shrapnels or bombs that did not explode, they should immediately go to the nearest police patrol.

Police advise citizens not to touch any fragments and debris thrown out by the explosion.

Thursday morning the Bulgarian capital was shaken by powerful gunpowder explosions, which were heard and felt in the whole city after the Chelopechene military facility, where tons of ammo and TNT were stored, was engulfed by flames.

BULGARIA'S POLICE CELEBRATES PROFESSIONAL HOLIDAY
Bulgaria's police celebrated Saturday 129 years since the service was founded, but for the first time the traditional parade gave way to humble celebrations.

Although there was no parade, people could enjoy demonstrations of the abilities of special forces, police dogs, and horses in the police base in Sofia's district of Benkovski.

There were also celebrations downtown Sofia, in front of the National Theater Ivan Vazov, where the brass orchestra of the Bulgarian police academy played for the guests at the event.

On Saturday, citizens who wish to take a closer look at the work of the police could visit the district police departments in Sofia, as a day of open gates was announced.

BULGARIA FIREFIGHTERS GET NEW FIRE TRUCKS ON POLICE HOLIDAY
Bulgaria's Interior Minister Mihail Mikov presented Saturday twelve new firetrucks, 52 jeeps for the border police, and special trucks for the gendarmerie as Bulgaria's police mark their professional holiday.

Although this year there was no parade, people could enjoy demonstrations of the abilities of special forces, police dogs, and horses in the police base in Sofia's district of Benkovski.

There were also celebrations downtown Sofia, in front of the National Theater Ivan Vazov, where the brass orchestra of the Bulgarian police academy entertained the guests.

26 BULGARIANS SUFFER INJURIES IN 26 CRASHES OVERNIGHT
A total of 26 passangers were injured as 26 heavy car crashes were reported overnight across Bulgaria, according to the data of the country's Interior Ministry.

Luckily no lives were claimed but one person is in critical condition.

In the capital city of Sofia, the number of traffic accidents during the same period was 102, including six major car crashes, which left eight injured.

In the first five days of July, the road accidents that took place in the country were 98. They killed 12 citizens as other 99 suffered heavy injuries.


ARIES
You'll see the serious side of someone threatening the stability of your group just now but will fully sympathize with their rather severe or stern attitude, having been there and done that yourself. It's an opportunity to take that person aside and at least let them know you know how it feels.

TAURUS
Get all your paper work together just now and don't be afraid to look at the truth of your net worth. Once you see things as they are your mind will be clearer and you'll be in a better position to know just how much and exactly when to spend your money.

GEMINI
Relationships never end, they just keep growing! Even though the form of the relationship will certainly change, you don't need to throw the baby out with the bath water yet. Try to see the deeper side of karmic connections and once certain lessons have been learnt, the association will then assume a different shape - if only just friendship. Stop trying to pigeonhole your associations.

CANCER
Work takes precedence today but you're probably over emphasizing the amount of energy that you need to put into your task, as it's turning out to be the case of a sledge hammer to crack open a walnut. Just relax, sit back and identify what needs to be done and then let nature take its course. Don't give yourself a heart ache when it's not necessary.

LEO
Simply refuse to play mind games today as someone throws down the gauntlet. Once you begin to play by their rules you've lost. Today it's simply a matter of sticking to your own standards, your own rules and letting others know in no uncertain term that you're not prepared to play their psychological war.

VIRGO
Allow yourself the luxury of a little lethargy even a quiet sleep if your body tells you this is the way to go. You need some relief during this particularly busy cycle at present. By doing so you'll knock the edge off that irritable side to your nature as well.

LIBRA
It's probably just as well that you took a little bit of time to think twice about a possible trip or change of lifestyle just now. Settling back into the tried and tested ways of life is the way to go. You're probably feeling more appreciative of the circumstances you've been in as well. Being less impulsive pays better dividends.

SCORPIO
You're hardly likely to want to change a decision or intellectual position you've taken but flexibility will be seen by others as a mark of your graciousness just now. If you maintain too much of a stubborn position on an issue you could do more harm than good.

SAGITTARIUS
You feel an obligation to enhance yourself just now. You can't force yourself into an area before it's time. Soon enough you'll feel more confident about pursuing a new line of study or direction in life. Till then don't allow a feeling of obligation to dominate you.

CAPRICORN
The planetary vibrations and aspects make you vulnerable to certain allergies, foods and even medicinal compounds. Trust your body signals in this matter and if you feel the least trace of reaction, particularly regarding a food or substance you've never tried before, discontinue its use.

AQUARIUS
When it comes to the ideals of love and what our culture conditions us to believe, you may find yourself at odds with that standard just now. But that's ok, because love and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so fully allow yourself to trust your feelings and discard any preconceived ideas of what the perfect lover should be like.

PISCES
You're in two minds about love, sex and marriage. On one hand you've lost interest in the traditional view and think the whole romance game is overrated. This still doesn't solve the problem of your desires though - through which you need love and affection and a creative outlet for these instincts of yours. You'll work it out soon enough.


FEARS OVER BULGARIAN NUCLEAR BOOM

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THE BILL
At a fabric store, a pretty girl spots a nice material for a dress and asks the male clerk: How much does it costs? "Only one kiss per yard," replied the male clerk with a smirk. "That's fine," said the girl. I'll take ten yards." With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the clerk quickly measured out the cloth, wrapped it up, and then teasingly held it out. The girl took the bag and pointed to the old man standing beside her, and smiled, "Grandpa will pay the bill."