Latest Bulgaria News

Avalanche on Bulgaria's Pirin Mountain kills 1 man

Dec. 20, 2024 11:15 AM EST

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — One person has died in an avalanche on Pirin Mountain, in southern Bulgaria, and rescue efforts are underway to find several others buried under the snow, the mountain rescue service said on Friday. According to initial information, the slide of a huge snow...

NATO chief inspects joint military unit in Bulgaria and urges alliance to boost support for Ukraine

Dec. 19, 2024 12:21 PM EST

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — NATO’s secretary general on Thursday visited a military training site in Bulgaria, inspecting the activities of a multinational unit set up as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Mark Rutte told reporters it was important to ensure that the...

Bulgarian officials seize 420 pounds of cocaine hidden on a cargo ship from Peru

Dec. 15, 2024 11:49 AM EST

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarian customs officials on Sunday found about 190 kilograms (420 pounds) of cocaine hidden on a ship at the Black Sea port of Burgas. The cargo vessel from Peru had a crew of 11 and was carrying copper concentrate for processing in a plant, the state-run...

EU lets Bulgaria and Romania fully integrate into Europe's ID-check-free travel zone

Dec. 12, 2024 07:34 AM EST

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union ministers on Thursday agreed to let Bulgaria and Romania fully integrate into Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone, known as the Schengen area, by lifting land border controls from next year, the EU's Hungarian presidency said. Bulgaria and Romania...

European nations vote to lower protections for wolves after farmers push to allow culls

Dec. 03, 2024 10:35 AM EST

BRUSSELS (AP) — European nations approved plans Tuesday to scale back the protection for wolves in a victory for farmers over environmentalists. The European Union proposal was adopted by the 50 parties in the Bern Convention to protect wildlife and habitat. It sets up looser...

Bulgaria and Romania 'one step closer' to full membership in Schengen zone, Hungary says

Nov. 22, 2024 08:17 AM EST

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Bulgaria and Romania could become full members of Europe's Schengen travel zone starting at the beginning of 2025, Hungarian officials said on Friday. The two Balkan countries joined the European Union in 2007 but were not integrated into the borderless...

Borissov appears winner of Bulgaria’s parliamentary election

Oct. 28, 2024 22:01 PM EDT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The center-right GERB party of ex-premier Boyko Borissov appears to be the winner of Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, the country’s central electoral commission said Monday, with 98% of the ballots counted. Results showed the GERB party receiving 26.5%...

Bulgaria's center-right GERB party wins snap vote, exit poll shows

Oct. 27, 2024 16:51 PM EDT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The center-right GERB party of former prime minister Boyko Borissov is the likely winner of Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, after exit poll results showed it placing first on Sunday. The exit poll conducted by the Gallup International pollster showed...

Vote-weary Bulgarians face a seventh general election in just over 3 years

Oct. 25, 2024 00:46 AM EDT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarians will cast ballots on Sunday in the seventh general elections in just over three years as the country faces growing political instability that might further enhance the popularity of pro-Russian and far-right groups. Of the six elections since 2021,...