Border Watch: Kapitan Andreevo hit a record with over 5,300 cars entering Bulgaria from Türkiye in 24 hours; waiting at Kapikule is about 30–40 minutes and processing is being sped up, with renovations limited to freight lanes. Sport & Tourism: Pamporovo hosted the DECATHLON Persenk Ultra Mountain Running Festival with 800+ runners from 26 countries through Aug 23, boosting the summer adventure calendar. Travel Rules Update: Bulgaria’s tourism reform talks at Golden Sands include changes to the Tourism Act: municipalities to earmark at least 50% of tourist-tax revenue for events and transport connectivity, plus more transparency and clearer resort legal status. Black Sea Business: Hotel industry leaders want private apartments in resorts taxed and billed like hotels (not households), arguing this would help fix neglected resort infrastructure. Digital Nomads: Bulgaria introduced a new digital-nomad residence scheme for eligible non-EU/EEA/Swiss remote workers, with a Type D visa first and proof of remote work and income. Culture Spotlight: The 149th Shipka Epopee anniversary is marked with ceremonies, wreath-laying, reenactments and free bus transport to Shipka Peak. Inbound Demand: Incoming agencies say this summer’s bookings are mostly last-minute, often 3–4 weeks ahead, driven by uncertainty and higher prices. Safety & Access: EU261 airline passenger-rights reforms keep existing protections and add new rights, including stronger transparency and compensation claims.