Latest News from Bulgaria
Bomb threat that caused Polish plane to divert was hoax, airline says
A bomb threat that turned out to be a hoax forced a passenger plane en route from Warsaw to Egypt to make an emergency landing in Bulgaria on Nov. 19, the operator of the aircraft said.
The Airbus A320 landed just before dawn in the Black Sea city of Burgas, where authorities said all 161 passengers and crew were evacuated safely.
Initial Checks Find No Bomb on Board Polish Airplane in Bulgaria's Burgas
Polish airline Small Planet has sent out another plane to transport passengers of its aircraft which made an emergency landing in Bulgaria's Burgas over a bomb threat on Thursday morning, Sofia-based Focus news agency reported.
It was not immediately clear when the second plane will arrive, according to a spokesperson of Burgas Airport, Focus said.
The end of Schengen as we know it: Greece could get kicked out
The Paris attacks on November 13 may result in changes to the Schengen Zone with media reports of Greece getting kicked out, along with Spain and Italy, under a radical plan to save the European Union passport-free travel.
Rifles Used in Paris Attacks Were Reportedly Manufactured in Bulgaria
The AK-47 assault rifles used in the attacks in Paris last week had reportedly been manufactured in Bulgaria.
The weapons were manufactured in the country in the 1980s, but it is unclear whether the attackers acquired them from Bulgaria or somewhere else.
Vitosha Blvd in Bulgaria's Sofia Ranks World's 54th Most Expensive Retail Location
Vitosha Boulevard in Bulgaria's capital Sofia ranks 54th among the 65 most expensive retail locations in the world, according to Cushman & Wakefield's 2015/2016 report Main Streets Across the World.
With its EUR 528 per square meter (sq.m.) annual rent, Vitosha Boulevard goes down two positions compared to the 2014/2015 edition of the report.
EU Commission Adopts 195 Energy Projects of Common Interest
The European Commission said on Wednesday that it has adopted a list of 195 key energy infrastructure projects that form key building blocks of the EU's Energy Union.
Ten migrants reported missing after boat capsizes on Aegean
Ten Syrian migrants have been reported missing and five others have been rescued after an inflatable boat capsized off the Turkish resort town of Bodrum.
Bulgaria, Slovakia to Demand Equal EU Treatment of Pipeline Projects
Sofia and Bratislava will push for Nord Stream II and South Stream gas pipeline projects to be put on an equal footing by the EU Commission, Bulgarian Deputy PM Meglena Kuneva has said.
The Bulgarian National Radio quotes her as saying an EU Summit scheduled for December is have gas pipeline projects as part of its agenda.
Press Freedom NGO Urges Bulgaria PM to Stop 'Harassment of Journalists'
An international press freedom organization has sought to raise Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov's awareness of instances of harassment of journalists working with an independent investigative website.
Bulgaria Nationalist Leader, MP Released on Bail after 'Unlawful Arrest'
The Sofia City Court (SCC) has ruled nationalist leader Volen Siderov and a party member Desislav Chukolov should be released on bail only several hours after having been detained on Tuesday.
Siderov and Chukolov are facing charges of hooliganism. They were indicted and taken into custody for 72 hours upon arrival at the Sofia Investigation Office on Tuesday.
Bulgaria Urges Extra Caution in Travel to Belgium
Bulgaria advised on Tuesday its citizens travelling to Belgium or staying there to be vigilant regarding potential terrorist attacks.
Bulgarian Interior Ministry Devises Strategy on Countering Terrorism
The Bulgarian interior ministry has devised a strategy on countering the radicalisation of terrorism (2015-2020).
The strategy points to extremism and radicalisation as threatening the founding values of the EU - democracy, human rights, freedom and the rule of law.
Bulgarian Authorities Order Detention of Nationalist Leader Siderov
Sofia investigative officials have ordered the detention of Ataka party leader Volen Siderov, the prosecution has announced.
Siderov and Desislav Chukolov, a member of his party, arrived at the investigation office in Bulgaria's capital on Tuesday morning after being summoned at the request of the Prosecutor's office.
The two are facing hooliganism charges.
EU Commission Adopts Bulgaria's Fisheries, Aquaculture Programme Worth EUR 113 M
At the end of the last week, the European Commission adopted a key investment package on maritime affairs, fisheries and aquaculture in Bulgaria.
The programme worth a total ?? EUR 113 M foresees the allocation of EUR 88 M from EU funds in the 2014-2020 programme period.
Postponed Junior Eurovision Opening Ceremony Due on November 17
The postponed Opening Ceremony of Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015 will take place this Tuesday in Bulgaria's capital Sofia, after having been postponed over the Paris attacks of last week.
The event will be held at the Bulgarian National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Sofia at 19:30 (local time).