Focus News Agency

Bulgaria's Ombudsman Urges Parliament to Hold a Vote on Referendum Results

National Ombudsman Maya Manolova has called on Parliament to have a say on the results of a referendum on Bulgaria's electoral system held in November.

At a press conference, Manolova has argued the remaining 20 days of work would be "enough" for Parliament to debate and vote on the three issues overwhelmingly backed by Bulgarian citizens.

Passenger Train Derails in Central Bulgaria

A passenger train has gone off the tracks after hitting a pile of snow in central Bulgaria, the Interior Ministry says.

The incident unfolded at 05:56 between Panagyurishte and Septemvri, according to Focus News Agency. The train was moving en route from Panagyurishte to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city.

Reportedly, no-one has been injured.

Fresh Appeal Foils Tender for Bulgaria's Road Toll System

The controversial decision to restart a tender procedure for the design and construction of Bulgaria's road toll system has been blocked by yet another appeal, officials have confirmed.

The tender will be brought to a halt, Focus News Agency quotes outgoing Regional Development Minister Lilyana Pavlova as saying.

Road Conditions Normal in Bulgaria as Great Return to Sofia Begins

Up to 200 000 vehicles are expected to enter Sofia through Monday as a long weekend is coming to an end, police say.

It is after 12:00 local time (EET) that traffic is expected to become much more intense, Focus News Agency quotes the head of traffic police's Sofia unit as saying.

Security Beefed up at Railway Stations, Airports around New Year

Additional police forces will be deployed to railway and bus stations and airports, as well as the winter resorts across the country and public venues where celebrations are being held, Bulgaria's outgoing Interior Minister has said,

Luggage and identity documents will be carefully examined in these areas, Focus News Agency quotes Bacharova as saying after a security meeting.

Moderate Earthquake Rocks Romania's Vrancea

A 5-6 magnitude quake hit Vrancea county in Romania early Wednesday and was felt across Bulgaria, seismologists and media report.

There are no reports of injured people after the quake.

The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre measured its epicenter at a depth of 98 km beneath the surface, 148 km north of the capital Bucharest and 8 km west of Nereju.

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