Republics

The exposure of an apparent Russian spy operation in Serbia has raised fresh questions about the sustainability of the Russian-Serbian 'special relationship' as Belgrade pursues further integration with the West.

The commemorations bring mixed emotions. For some, they are a celebration of freedom and democracy. Others feel nostalgia for more certain times. And as the nation looks back, parties are looking forward to a general election early next year.

Celebrating freedom

"Nearly 1 billion euros are the Turkish investments in Bulgaria, and only for the first half of 2019. Turkish companies have invested 23m euros in our country, "said Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov, the ministry's press centre reported.

"Negotiating Chapter 4" - on free movement of capital, and "Negotiating Chapter 2" - on free movement of labor have the greatest chances of being opened in Serbia's pre-accession negotiations with the EU, announced Radio-Television of Serbia.

A group of 226 Cuban doctors are returning from Bolivia to Cuba after a decision by the Havana authorities taken due to a change in Bolivia's governance, according to BGNES.

Rolando Millares, Interpol's Bolivian spokesman, said a plane with 226 Cuban nationals had flown to Cuba, adding that all the passengers were doctors returning to Cuba.

A migrant shot and seriously wounded by Croatian police may have been struck by accident, Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said late on Sunday, responding to the latest incident that has raised questions about the tactics used by the European Union member against migrants and refugees trying to cross its territory.

"The Bulgarian economy continues its upward development and this is clearly evident from the new data of the NSI - National Statistical Institute." This is what Prime Minister Boyko Borisov wrote on his Facebook profile.

Bulgarians abroad broke the record by the amount of money they sent to their homeland.

For the first time in history, just over a billion and 100 million euros is the money which migrants transferred to Bulgarian accounts, NOVA reported.

According to statistics, about 80% of the money comes from EU countries. The exact amount is EUR 833 million.

At least 13 people have died in a major bus crash in Slovakia, AFP reported.
According to initial reports, the bus collided with a truck in the area of Nitra, about 100 km east of the Slovak capital Bratislava, the Washington Post reports.

At least 20 others were injured.

Expect details.

Today, MPs on voted to approve the state budget at first reading. The opposition Bulgarian Socilaist Party (BSP) and the liberal Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) were against the budget framework. The budget was supported by GERB, BNT reported.