News archive of December 2023

The holiday working hours of public transportation, shops and supermarkets for New Year's Eve day, Sunday, were announced. 

According to Athens Mass Transit System (OASA), bus and trolley routes will conclude by 11 p.m., with last departures from terminals expected between 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

OASA advises Airport Express bus passengers to check routes by calling 11185. 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wrapped up the year with fresh threats of a nuclear attack on Seoul and orders for a military arsenal build-up to prepare for a war that can "break out any time" on the peninsula, state media reported Sunday.

Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and most of his supporters have been rejected as candidates for the Feb. 8 election, party officials said Sunday after nominations for the ballot closed.

As the New Year approaches, Bulgarians embrace the ancient tradition of "survakane," crafting magical dogwood sticks known as "survachki" to usher in health and prosperity on Basil's Day.

A fire broke out on a long distance KTEL bus in the Magnesia region traveling the Athens-Thessaloniki route in the early hours of Sunday. 

All passengers were safely evacuated, and shortly after, they continued their journey on another bus that arrived for pick-up, as reported by state broadcaster ERT. 

As the New Year approaches, Greek destinations are bustling with Bulgarian tourists, with many already settled into hotels, particularly in northern Greece. Reports from Thassos and Samothraki highlight a notable increase in Bulgarian groups choosing these nearby islands for their New Year's festivities compared to previous years.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Mariya Gabriel, expressed gratitude to the collective efforts that propelled Bulgaria into the Schengen agreement for air and sea borders. Highlighting Bulgaria's pivotal role in safeguarding the European Union's external boundaries, Gabriel emphasized the country's robust border control system, reinforcing EU security.

A 25-year-old man was apprehended on Sunday for a series of car burglaries in cemetery car parks across Western Thessaloniki. 

The suspect was located on Saturday afternoon in a cemetery by the police. 

Get ready for a mixed bag of weather as January 2024 approaches. According to meteorologist Krassimir Stoev from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, the month is expected to bring temperatures within the typical range for this time of year.

Bulgaria's impending entry into the Schengen zone through air and sea borders from March 2024 has been met with widespread acclaim, signaling a remarkable stride in European integration. Amidst this pivotal development, leaders have offered diverse perspectives on the momentous decision, highlighting its profound significance for the nation's future within the European landscape.