Latest News from Bulgaria
Bulgaria Gives 11-Month Jail Term to People Smuggler
A Bulgarian court has sentenced a people trafficker to 11 months in prison and a BGN 2,000 (EUR 1,000) fine for helping smuggle 54 migrants into Bulgaria from Turkey, the Chief Prosecutor's office announced on Friday.
Ankara Says Turkish Stream Talks with Russia Now Frozen
Turkey and Russia have frozen their talks over the proposed Turkish Stream gas pipeline project due to disagreement over a gas price discount, a Turkish government official has said.
Bomb Threat Evacuates Building of Bulgarian Presidency
A bomb threat necessitated the evacuation of the building of the Bulgarian Presidency in Sofia on Friday.
All the officials serving in the presidential administration have been evacuated away from the building.
Interior Minister Says Bulgaria Will Fulfill Its Commitment to Accept Refugees
Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova assured that Bulgaria will fulfill its commitment to accept the refugees, who will be distributed from Greece, Italy and Hungary according to the new quota system unveiled by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday.
Obama 'Didn't Know' of US Talks with Bulgaria on Russia Overflight Ban
US President Barack Obama didn't know about State Department's move to ask Bulgaria and Greece to deny overflight permissions to Syria-bound Russian planes, Bloomberg says.
A piece on BloombergView reads that "there's disagreement inside the US government" on how to act to prevent Russian from flying combat missions a new air base inside Syria.
Bulgaria Had Negative Balance of Trade in 2014
The final figures on foreign trade for 2014, which were released by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on Friday, reveal that Bulgaria had a negative balance of trade with imports exceeding exports.
In 2014, the value of exported goods amounted to BGN 43.2 B, which represented a decrease of 0.7 % compared to 2013.
Bulgarian-German Drama Awarded at Montreal Film Festival
Dosieto Petrov (The Petrov File), a drama co-produced by Bulgaria and Germany, has grabbed one of the two Best Director awards at the Montreal Film Festival's 2015 edition.
Two Women Claim First Medals for Bulgaria at World Wrestling Championship
Two women claimed the first medals for Bulgaria at the World Wrestling Championship, which is taking place in Las Vegas.
Evelina Georgieva in the 55 kg weight class and Taybe Yusein in the 63 kg weight class won two bronze medals in the women's freestyle.
Bulgaria Gives Russia Explanation on Overflight Ban
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has said its officials met diplomats from the Russian Embassy to discuss Sofia's move to deny overflight to a Russian aircraft convoy on Tuesday.
Turkey Intercepts 712 Refugees Close to Border with Bulgaria
Turkish authorities intercepted on Wednesday 712 refugees headed for the EU in the northwestern province of Edirne near the border with Bulgaria.
The usual number of refugees intercepted in Edirne on a daily basis is 100-150, but the recent surge in their number was due to the announced plans of EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to relocate 160 000 people.
Bulgaria 'Agreed to Bar Russia from Overflying' - ex-CIA Official
Bulgaria agreed to stop allowing Russian aircraft flying to Syria into its airspace, a former CIA official has told CBS News.
In the words of former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell, the United States can respond to Russia's actions of strengthening its military presence in Syria by cutting off air routes it is using for shipments.
Bulgaria Businesses to Hold Nationwide Protest over Power Prices
Bulgarian employers' organizations are calling in a new protest to vent their anger at a hike in power prices for industrial consumers.
They will also insist on the resignation of Ivan Ivanov, the head of Bulgaria's energy regulator.
Romania Leads Balkans on Open Budget Index
Romania has scored surprisingly well in a new world ranking of countries concerning the transparency of their budget arrangements.
The open budget index of the International Budget Partnership, IBP, for 2015, ranks Balkan states very differently on the global scale.
In the 2015 index, Romania came in ninth place globally, with an index of 75 out of a maximum of 100.
DW: Why Do So Many Refugees Avoid Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is ranking among worst destinations for asylum seekers in a handbook, with some saying "xenophobia and Islamophobia are widespread", Deutsche Welle has noted.
In a text titled Why do so many refugees avoid Bulgaria?, Alexander Andreev and Tatiana Vaksberg have given several examples of this.
Bulgaria, Serbia PMs Discuss Migrant Crisis in Europe, Impact on Balkans
The prime ministers of Balkan neighbours Bulgaria and Serbia discussed the migration crisis in Europe and its implications for the region on Thursday, the Bulgarian government's press office announced.