Tech
Romania refuses to license Huawei equipment for 5G applications
Telcos in Romania can only use technology from companies approved by the government in their 5G networks.
OKX announces launch of crypto exchange in Turkey
Figures have shown Turks’ ownership of digital currencies at the highest level in the world.
Yandex N.V. to reinvent itself after leaving Russia
In early February, Yandex NV (YNV) - the Dutch parent company of Russia's online giant Yandex, often referred to as the "Russian Google"- announced its long expected exit from Russia. Now YNV hopes to reinvent itself, focusing on four core businesses
GapMinder sets up €80mn VC fund with EU, EBRD among investors
Fund to target Romania and the region with focus on fintech, cybersecurity, enterprise automation and data/analytics.
Bulgarian competition body allows UAE’s Etisalat by e& to buy PPF telecom assets
CPC allows Middle Eastern investor to acquire indirect control of mobile operator Yettel Bulgaria and telecoms infrastructure provider Cetin Bulgaria from Czech PPF Group.
GlycanAge's pursuit of longevity boosted by $4.2mn seed funding
GlycanAge will use the funds to scale its business that lets users learn their biological age, as well as diversifying into the broader diagnostics market.
UK government to pay TikTok stars to tell Albanians to stay away
Leaked proposal shows London to pay money to social media influencers in Albania and other countries with high levels of illegal migration.
Russian internet major VK buys 70% in Many Apps developer
Russian state-controlled internet major VK (former Mail.ru) bought 70% in the Many Apps (Mnogo Prilozheniy) developer, which was among other projects one of the developers of the RuStore mobile app shop, according to Vedomosti daily.
Kosovo’s incumbent telco promises 5G services after massive investments this year
Telecom of Kosovo will start delivering 5G services from mid-2024, starting with the Pristina area.
Russia, Belarus to coordinate website censorship
Russia and Belarus are collaborating to establish a unified database of "extremists," according to the Belarusian ambassador in Moscow BelTA reported on February 6.
Croatian Project 3 Mobility raises €100mn in investment round
Croatian tech champions, Middle Eastern investors and international tech companies are among company's backers.
Romania to pass deepfake law after central bank chief shown hawking investment scheme
Internet flooded with fake videos showing prominent Romanians apparently promoting get-rich-quick schemes.
The Kremlin's creeping control over Russia's internet
Russian officials are poised to try to shut off the Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) starting in March, as the Kremlin increasingly takes control of RuNet.
Yandex N.V. leaves Russia in largest corporate exit since the start of the Ukraine war
One of the longest-running corporate sagas in Russia is finally coming to an end. Yandex N.V. – the Dutch parent of Russia’s biggest internet company –announced its exit from the Russian market on February 5.
‘Amazon of the Balkans’ Ananas announces regional expansion plans
Ananas to expand into Bosnia and Montenegro this year, with plans to target Albania and Kosovo in future.
Uzbekistan’s e-commerce market leader Uzum Market the most downloaded app in 2023
Uzbekistan’s Uzum Market has emerged as the top local app in the country for 2023, surpassing the likes of Telegram and Instagram with over 13.5mn downloads in the past year, the company said in a press release on February 1.
Romanian online marketplace Elefant files for insolvency
Elefant is one of the largest online retailers in Romania but its revenue plunged in 2023.
Bulgaria's Boleron seeks to raise €6mn in IPO
Digital insurance broker Boleron has scheduled its IPO on the BEAM growth market of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange for February 15.
Robots to take on labour-intensive agriculture in Serbia
Coming Computer Engineering is set to introduce the AgAR electric robot capable of taking over a wide range of tasks.
Old video of Erdogan slamming costly space travel goes viral as president applauds first Turk in orbit
Back on Earth manipulated AI-generated footage shows Istanbul’s popular opposition mayor praising Turkish leader’s party ahead of upcoming local elections.