Novinite (Sofia News Agency)

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar's first 100 days in office have brought a striking change in the political mood in Budapest, according to German public broadcaster ARD. After Viktor Orban's re-election four years ago, Hungary was marked by what German political scientist Ellen Boss described as an almost depressive atmosphere. Today, she says, the mood is markedly different.

Burgas is already debating what could become the face of Eurovision 2027, with two very different mascot ideas emerging from local institutions: a capybara named Kapi and a colorful seagull-inspired character called Euroglarus. The first proposal comes from Burgas Zoo, which wants Kapi the capybara to become one of the symbols of next year's contest. The animal has no natural connection to the Black Sea city, but the zoo says that is part of the concept.

A powerful GPS jammer capable of disrupting satellite navigation signals across parts of Sofia has been located and neutralized in the capital's Dragalevtsi district in a joint operation involving the State Agency for National Security, the Communications Regulation Commission and the Interior Ministry's State Security Service.

Last week, Maria Zakharova demanded that Washington and Ankara explain themselves over a planned weapons transfer to Ukraine put a Bulgarian company in front of an international audience that had never heard of it. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman warned that the delivery would damage Moscow's relations with both capitals and questioned when exactly the "deadly cargo" would reach Kyiv.

Fuel prices in Bulgaria recorded one of the largest annual increases in the European Union in July, with the cost of fuels and lubricants for personal vehicles rising by 22.2 percent compared with the same month last year, according to Eurostat data reported by BTA. Across the EU, fuel and lubricant prices increased by 16.9 percent year-on-year in July. The annual rate of increase has slowed from 20.7 percent in May and 13.7 percent in June.

Bulgaria is set for another day of dangerously hot weather, with a nationwide warning in effect tomorrow and temperatures expected to approach or exceed 40°C in some areas. Temperatures in the orange warning zones could reach around 40°C or higher, while maximum temperatures across the rest of the country are forecast to range between 34°C and 39°C. Sofia will also remain hot, with temperatures around 35°C.

Bulgaria’s newly purchased anti-drone systems cannot provide a comprehensive shield for the country’s territory or borders, according to Todor Ivandzhikov, chairman of the Association of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry. He said the country needs a layered defense system, better coordination between institutions and a joint strategy with Romania to address growing drone threats along NATO’s eastern flank.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said it will continue using all available diplomatic and legal mechanisms to ensure that Iva Mihaylova receives necessary medical treatment after a North Macedonian appeals court again refused to allow her to leave the country for treatment. The Court of Appeal in Stip on August 20 upheld a decision by the Basic Court in Kocani denying Mihaylova permission to travel outside North Macedonia for medical care.

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev has sought to calm concerns over new checks in the capital's parks, saying children can ride bicycles and families can celebrate birthdays there as long as they follow existing rules and do not disturb other visitors. “Your child can safely ride a bike in the park. And yes, you can celebrate their birthday there.

The Plovdiv District Court has ordered former police officer Todor Lapkov to remain in custody over the alleged killing of a 21-year-old man in the town of Saedinenie. Prosecutors accuse Lapkov of shooting the young man with an illegally held hunting rifle before dismembering his body and concealing it in sacks near his farm. Lapkov himself requested to remain in detention, telling the court that he feared retaliation and possible attacks on his farm.