Новости за 04.01.2017

Outgoing Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev received a new summons to the Sofia Investigation Office late in December, his institution says.

No reason has been mentioned in the Defense Ministry's statement.

However, in just over a month the minister in resignation has been handed two indictments on two separate charges.

One was about a deal to repair Bulgaria's MiG-29 aircraft fleet and the other was related to a procurement for uniforms of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

Macedonia's Foreign Ministry is cautious in its response to comments by Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who earlier this week said Belgrade made a mistake when it recognized Macedonia under that name.

The Serbian top diplomat then explained the name FYROM would be used multilaterally and that using the name "Macedonia' harmed Serbia's "Greek brothers".

"Very close and deep friendly relations" exist between the two countries and their respective citizens and what politicians... Читать дальше...

Outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has called on the cabinet to make sure police forces are stationed in every village.

"The Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Finance must find the legal possibility for having a police officer in aevery village, or at least one police officer for two villages," daily 24 Chasa quotes Borisov as saying before a cabinet meeting.

The outgoing Prime Minister's words come as authorities are seeking to reassure residents of rural areas... Читать дальше...

Bulgaria's Anti-Doping Center has included the names of 26 names in a list of Bulgarian sports players who will be subjected to constant checks throughout 2017.

Many of these compete in wrestling, including Elitsa Yankova (who won bronze in last year's Olympics), Mimi Hristova, Dzhanan Manolova, Taybe Yuseyn, Vladimir Dubov, Nikolay Bayryakov, and Daniel Aleksandrov, the list on the center's website shows.

Ivet Lalova-Collio, Tihomir Ivanov, Radoslava Mavrodieva and Georgi Tsonov are the athletes added to the list. Читать дальше...

Turkish police have sealed off roads into Bulgaria, fearing the gunman who killed 39 and wounded dozens in a nightclub in Istanbul might escape, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) says.

Specialized squads have been deployed along roads leading into and out of Kırklareli (known in Bulgaria as Lozengrad), near the border with Bulgaria, with everyone entering or leaving the town undergoing strict inspection.

Anti-terror units are also based in the region, BTA reports, citing Turrkey's Haberler. Читать дальше...

Christmas holidays of school students will continue by January 06, Friday, due to fears of a flu epidemic, Bulgaria's Education Ministry has said.

Schools were to reopen no January 05.

However, a third of Bulgaria's municipalities have already registered a flu epidemic, and authorities are trying to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Another reason are expectations of heavy snowfall and negative temperatures across the country, the ministry says.

Turkey's Deputy PM Numan Kurtulmus said on Tuesday the state of emergency in force since July would be extended by three months.

The measure will be applied as of January 19 if approved by Parliament, he added.

Kurtulmuş cited as a reason the presence of members of US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen's movement, which Turkey sees as a terrorist organization dubbed FETÖ and blames for the July 15 failed coup attempt.

The state of emergency can be declared for a maximum period of six months... Читать дальше...

The number of migrants who crossed into Bulgaria fell by more than 40% last year compared to 2015, outgoing Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has said.

For December alone, there is a decrease by 60%, Focus News Agency quotes her as adding before a cabinet meeting.

Bachvarova has argued the construction of a fence along the border with Turkey is almost complete, two sections of just 9-10 km due to be built "very soon".

"We also count on the [EUR] 160 M to be absorbed... We are ready with all projects... Читать дальше...

The Bulgarian National Radio and copyright organization Musicautor remain at loggerheads over music fees, with officials being cautious in their reaction.

Since January 01, the public radio is barred from playing more than 14 000 000 musical pieces from around the world and plays mostly classical music, jazz and folklore music.

Until the end of last year, the BNR used to pay 1% of its state subsidy (the broadcaster is funding through budget allocations and not fees from taxpayers)... Читать дальше...

Former Finance Minister Simeon Djankov has contacted the prosecution after reports he is facing an indictment over the sale of state-owned assets in an energy company in 2011, authorities say.

Djankov is to appear in the investigative unit of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office later on Wednesday, the Chief Prosecutor's Spokesperson Rumyana Arnaudova has told NOVA TV broadcaster.

He will be charged with abuse of office over the same deal which brought former Economy and Energy Minister... Читать дальше...

Bulgaria neither fears nor hates other countries, but is simply guided by principles in its policy toward Russia, outgoing Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov has said.

In an interview with the Bulgarian National Television, Mitov has made it clear "he wishes all the best to the Russian people" on a personal note, but the country "must take a certain position" to those who act in contravention to international norms.

Speaking about the 10-year anniversary of Bulgaria's membership in the EU... Читать дальше...

A 4.2-magnitude quake been registered in north central Bulgaria, seismologists say.