Latest News from Bulgaria

Sofia Airport Records Record 5 M Passengers in 2016

Nearly 50 million passengers have departed and arrived at Sofia Airport in 2016.

This is a record for Bulgaria's capital Airport.

Passengers serviced were 22% year-on-year.

Total number of passengers was 4,980,387. Out of these, over 2.3 million were serviced at Terminal 1, while another 2.6 million were serviced at Terminal 2.

Need for Belene To Be Analysed by Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Next week, Bulgaria's Energy Ministry will sign a contract with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences for the preparation of an analysis as to whether Bulgaria needs new nuclear capacity, as understood by the statement of outgoing Minister Petkova on bTV on Thursday morning.

Code Yellow Declared for 12 Regions

Code-yellow has been declared on Thursday in 12 regions in western Bulgaria, reported the National Institute of Metereology and Hydrology.

The lowest level of warning is in force for the regions of Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Lovech, Gabrovo, Sofia, Sofia-region, Pernik, Kustendil, Blagoevgrad, Pazardzhik and Plovdiv.

Amnesty International: Bulgaria, 15 Countries Sold Arms

Bulgaria and at least 15 other countries have supplied arms to pro-government Iraqi para-military groupings indicted on charges of carrying out several military crimes and violating human rights, read an Amnesty International report.

Bulgaria's Defense Minister Summoned to Sofia Investigation Office

Outgoing Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev received a new summons to the Sofia Investigation Office late in December, his institution says.

No reason has been mentioned in the Defense Ministry's statement.

However, in just over a month the minister in resignation has been handed two indictments on two separate charges.

Bulgaria's PM Demands Enhanced Police Presence in Villages

Outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has called on the cabinet to make sure police forces are stationed in every village.

"The Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Finance must find the legal possibility for having a police officer in aevery village, or at least one police officer for two villages," daily 24 Chasa quotes Borisov as saying before a cabinet meeting.

Turkey Blocks Bulgaria Border over Manhunt for Istanbul Attacker

Turkish police have sealed off roads into Bulgaria, fearing the gunman who killed 39 and wounded dozens in a nightclub in Istanbul might escape, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) says.

Croatia Accused of Illegally Deporting Refugees

Croatia has illegally deported refugees to Serbia, breaking international laws, the Jesuit Refugee Service, JRS, in the country claims.

Schools to Remain Closed by January 09

Christmas holidays of school students will continue by January 06, Friday, due to fears of a flu epidemic, Bulgaria's Education Ministry has said.

Schools were to reopen no January 05.

However, a third of Bulgaria's municipalities have already registered a flu epidemic, and authorities are trying to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Migratory Pressure on Bulgaria Fell Sharply Last Year - IntMin

The number of migrants who crossed into Bulgaria fell by more than 40% last year compared to 2015, outgoing Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has said.

For December alone, there is a decrease by 60%, Focus News Agency quotes her as adding before a cabinet meeting.

Russophiles-Russophobes Divide in Bulgaria 'Artificial' - FM

Bulgaria neither fears nor hates other countries, but is simply guided by principles in its policy toward Russia, outgoing Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov has said.