Bucharest

A Romanian lawyer, a Bulgarian politician and a Croatian scientist have been listed as three of 28 people from EU states who are "shaping, shaking and stirring Europe" in a feature published by the Politico website on Wednesday.

Romania is represented on the list by Laura Codruta Kovesi, the woman leading the country's battle against corruption.

The top ranking Bulgarian male tennis player Grigor Dimitrov defeated Gael Monfils from France in the exhibition match held at the Arena Armeec hall in Sofia on Saturday.

The match turned into a true spectacle for tennis lovers in Bulgaria, with both players demonstrating their excellent skills, attractive play and sense of humour.

Tehnology tries to empower citizens | Photo: civicalert.ro 

A Romanian civic organisation has launched a smartphone app designed to help people report neighbourhood concerns, like potholes or delays in picking up trash.

The 4th annual Economic and Trade Forum between China and 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe started on Tuesday in China's eastern coastal city of Suzhou.

Romania has been told to pay compensation to eight people of 2,400 euro each for the length of criminal proceedings in a case related to their ill-treatment in December 1989.

The European Court for Human Rights announced the ruling on Tuesday.

Hundreds of cars and goods vehicles waited for hours at Romania's checkpoints with Hungary over the weekend as the custom procedures slowed following Bucharest's decision to tighten border controls.

More than 100,000 Romanians are expected to visit the main book fair in the capital, Bucharest, from November 18 to 22 November, which suggest that reading is alive and well in the country.

Vitosha Boulevard in Bulgaria's capital Sofia ranks 54th among the 65 most expensive retail locations in the world, according to Cushman & Wakefield's 2015/2016 report Main Streets Across the World.

With its EUR 528 per square meter (sq.m.) annual rent, Vitosha Boulevard goes down two positions compared to the 2014/2015 edition of the report.

"Parks are among the few smoke-free places here," says Larisa Marinescu, 32, pushing a stroller with her eight-month-old girl round a park in Bucharest.

"It is very difficult to find a non-smoking place to eat with a child. This is not normal," she adds.

Marinescu is one of many Romanians who are strongly opposed to smoking.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev warned that Russia is planning to wage a "hybrid warfare" campaign aimed at destabilising the whole of Europe.

Plevneliev called on the EU and NATO to do more to counter the rising threat of Russian aggression.