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Archived edition · September 12, 2026 Today's news →

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Ammunition 💥

Depot fire, PM's EU row, and presidential race dominate news.

Bulgaria is grappling with a new fire at an EMCO ammunition factory, which has reignited concerns about the safety of such facilities and led to calls for an investigation into potential foreign involvement. This incident follows previous explosions at the same site, for which the prosecution has yet to establish a clear cause.

On the political front, Prime Minister Rumen Radev is reportedly seeking to create divisions within the European Union, prompting questions about Bulgaria's alignment and foreign policy direction. Adding to the political turbulence, President Iliana Iotova is facing scrutiny over her decision to pardon a notorious convicted drug dealer.

The ongoing education crisis is further illuminated by new reports, with the creator of the PISA assessment noting Bulgarian students' lack of curiosity and data revealing that a significant portion of students view school as a waste of time. Social concerns are also rising due to new forms of youth violence and an outdated child justice system.

Top stories

Ammunition Factory Fire and Investigation

Another fire has broken out at an EMCO ammunition storage facility, leading Democratic Bulgaria to call for an investigation into potential Russian involvement. This incident occurs amidst ongoing inquiries into previous explosions at EMCO, with the prosecution still lacking a leading theory but having opened a case for arson at one of the company's workshops.

Prime Minister Radev's EU Stance and Foreign Policy Concerns

Prime Minister Rumen Radev is reportedly aiming to divide the European Union from within, according to a commentary. This development, alongside the appointment of Yavor Dachkov's wife as a presidential advisor on foreign policy, has raised concerns and discussions about Bulgaria's foreign policy trajectory and potential alignment shifts.

Education Crisis: Student Engagement and Disparity

The creator of the PISA assessment highlights a lack of curiosity among Bulgarian students, with preliminary PISA 2025 data indicating that 30% view school as a waste of time. Furthermore, a significant achievement gap of 90-100 points exists between wealthy and impoverished students.

Rising Youth Violence and Child Justice System Issues

A new report sheds light on an alarming increase in new forms of youth violence in Bulgaria, coinciding with concerns about the aging and potentially inadequate child justice system.

Labor Market Cooling

The Bulgarian labor market is experiencing a 'quiet cooling', indicating a slowdown in hiring and potentially impacting wage growth.

Bulmint Business Facing Bankruptcy

The company 'Bulmint', described as a 'golden business', is reportedly facing significant financial difficulties and potential bankruptcy.

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