News archive of December 2018

Due to the declared military situation in Ukraine, the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and for the safety of the passengers, the national carrier "Bulgaria Air" stopped its flights between Sofia and Odessa until 16 December 2018 inclusive, according to the carrier's website.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent at least 11 messages to Saud al-Qahtani, his closest adviser who oversaw the team that killed Jamal Khashoggi, in the hours before and after the journalist's death in October, according to a highly classified CIA assessment seen by the Wall Street Journal.

The day will also see a highly anticipated meeting between US president Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whose nations have been embroiled in an escalating trade war with new US tariffs on Chinese goods set to take effect a month from now.

National Ombudsman Maya Manolova is one of the candidates for the next mayor of Sofia. This was announced by the chairman of the Sofia party organization Kaloyan Pargov, reported the Bulgarian National Television. 

A former Chinese official accused of taking bribes has been extradited from Bulgaria to China in the first such move by an EU member state, Beijing's top graft buster said, reported AFP

Yao Jinqi, 62, was sent back to China after it was established he would not face the death penalty, according to Sofia authorities.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with heads of major trade unions in Bulgaria, Plamen Dimitrov and Dimitar Manolov and representatives of coal mining trade unions that a clear commitment from the state for the development of coal mining and the Bulgarian TPPs was necessary.

Riot police and protesters have clashed in central Paris during a third weekend of nationwide "yellow vest" rallies sparked by rising fuel prices, reported BBC. 

Police fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon on the Champs Elysees while masked protesters hurled projectiles at officers.

President Klaus Iohannis stated on Saturday in Alba Iulia that we have the duty to show, through what we carry out, that we are "the capable successors of the Greater Union project."

Activists demonstrated outside the Varvakeios fish and meat market in downtown Athens on Saturday to protest the slaughter of animals. The demo was organized by the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere and began at nearby Monastiraki Square. [InTime News]

The Panorama of European Cinema, Athens's annual arthouse festival, is back with a tribute to women in film. Screenings take place at the Trianon cinema, near the Victoria electric railway (ISAP) station in central Athens. Featuring a number of masterclasses, tributes and side events, the festival runs from November 21 to December 5.