Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev stated on Friday that Bulgaria has no involvement in a company based in its capital, Sofia, in the supply of the thousands of pagers that detonated in Lebanon.
Bulgaria and Norway have emerged as new focal points in the global search to determine the source of the thousands of pagers supplied to Hezbollah that detonated in Lebanon. The death toll from the explosions on Tuesday and Wednesday has climbed to 37, with injuries reaching 2,931, as reported by Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad on Thursday.
According to media reports, Norta Global Ltd, a company based in Sofia, facilitated the sale of the pagers to Hezbollah, with 1.6 million euros related to the transaction passing through Bulgaria and sent to Hungary.
In this regard, Norwegian police have launched a preliminary investigation as the company is owned by a Norwegian citizen.
In response to global inquiries, Glavchev stated that Bulgaria is not associated with the manufacturing and transit of the pagers that detonated in Lebanon. He further clarified that the country is not involved in the customs clearance of such goods.
Earlier on Friday, Bulgaria's State Agency for National Security (DANS) announced that a joint inspection with the Interior Ministry and the National Customs Agency concluded that communication devices resembling those detonated in Lebanon have not been imported, exported, or produced in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria denies Sofia-based company's connection to pager explosions in Lebanon
Farmers across China are holding vibrant festivities to celebrate the seventh Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival which falls on Sunday, showcasing the rich agricultural achievements of different regions.
The harvest festival's main event of east China's Shandong Province kicked off on Friday in the coastal city of Weihai, with the lively "Haidai Harvest Song"-- a melodic ode to the area's rich maritime heritage.
Delegations from 16 cities in Shandong took the stage, showcasing their local agricultural specialties and performing traditional village songs and floats.
The event also featured a farmers' market, an agricultural carnival, and exhibitions on smart farming equipment and the achievements in rural revitalization, providing a comprehensive look at Shandong's agricultural prowess.
Similarly, the Jiangsu provincial event in Zhenjiang City started on Thursday, featuring a bustling farmers' fair with a dazzling array of local produce, from grapes and pastries to flowers and farm-fresh eggs, with exhibitors eagerly introducing their products to the delighted crowds to promote local agricultural goods.
"I saw so many unique agricultural products in this farmers' fair. They are fascinating, and the flavors are delicious!" said local resident Yu Xueying with excitement.
In Heshan City, south China's Guangdong Province, a traditional fire dragon dance, a century-old traditional event inscribed in the Third National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, kicked off the celebration on Friday in Chenshan Village.
A 100-meter-long "fire dragon", accompanied by dragon balls and fish lanterns, winded through the village streets, creating a spectacular display. The sounds of firecrackers filled the air, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Each year, around the autumn equinox, the village hosts a grand fire dragon dance involving over 100 young participants, with villagers of all ages joining in to pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests.
In Lanzhou, capital city of northwest China's Gansu Province, farmers participated in a lively sports competition on Friday, engaging in basketball, tug-of-war, and group dance, all while sharing the joy of a good harvest.
"Joining in this event, we're able to celebrate the bountiful harvest together. May our people continue to reap abundant harvests year after year," said local farmer Yang Shengjun.
Chinese farmers celebrate seventh harvest festival with festive events
