Bulgaria
COVID is back - a new "NB.1.8.1" strain is spreading across continents
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is back. Reports from health authorities around the world have detected a new highly contagious strain of the virus that has been spreading through Asia and has now reached Russia.
Bulgarians divided on euro adoption
Bulgaria has set a target date of January 1, 2026 for euro adoption, but the government's commitment to Eurozone entry faces political opposition.
Bulgaria's EnduroSat raises €43mn to scale modular satellite production and expand global operations
Company to build one of Europe's largest space R&D facilities in Sofia, as it grows operations across Europe and the US.
Bulgarian PM says Eurozone accession not up for debate
Government aims for euro adoption on January 1, 2026, but faces opposition from President Rumen Radev and the ultranationalist, pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party.
Czech PPF bosses are ready to take on Netflix and HBO in PPF’s home markets
PPF executives say the group's local content gives it a competitive advantage over international players in small CEE markets.
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BLOG: Efforts to tackle methane emissions continue, despite Trump’s regulatory rollback
Momentum behind improved methane monitoring, quantification and mitigation continues to build in the US – even without the same regulatory pressure.
Bulgaria opens EU’s largest battery energy storage facility
Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov says facility is “first step” towards Bulgaria's ambition of reaching 10,000 MWh of operating battery capacity.
Record temperatures around the world – Statista
A heat wave is sweeping across South Asia, with temperatures having reached 44°C in India’s Jaipur and 50°C in Pakistan’s Shaheed Benazirabad in April, Statista reports.
Far-right leader accuses Bulgaria’s central bank governor of “treason” over euro adoption
Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov and other pro-Russian politicians are trying to block Bulgaria’s entry to the Eurozone, expected in January 2026.
Data centre power use expected to increase 20-fold in next five years
The first data centres consumed as much power as 20,000 homes, but the largest today use the same amount of power as100,000 homes, and are on track to burn up 5mn households' worth of power by 2030 – the same amount of power that Japan consumes.
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Brazil poultry sector hit as bird flu prompts global export bans
Brazil, the world's largest poultry exporter, has confirmed its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on a commercial farm, triggering immediate import bans from major markets including China and the EU.
Sirma to aim for dual listing on Sofia and Frankfurt bourses
If successful, Sirma's dual listing will be the second for a Bulgarian company after Shelly Group started trading on the Frankfurt bourse in 2024.
Protesters against euro adoption block roads in Bulgaria
Roads blocked in Bulgaria's biggest cities as activists step up their campaign to prevent country's entry to the Eurozone in January 2026.
COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?
As the global Democracy Index recorded a historic low in 2024, institutions tasked with upholding democratic values are under increasing pressure to adapt.
Bulgaria’s parliament speaker blocks euro referendum request
President Rumen Radev caused political crisis by proposing euro referendum just months before Bulgaria is expected to join the eurozone.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
Bulgaria’s president to seek referendum on euro adoption
Rumen Radev makes shock move to block euro adoption just months ahead of expected January 2026 Eurozone entry.
War is a growing concern across Europe – Statista
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the formal end of World War II in Europe, reports Statista.
Bulgaria’s Shelly Group expands to Poland
IoT company picks Warsaw for regional expansion after announcing decision to exit the US.
UK insect numbers plummet by two thirds in three years, Bugs Matter survey shows
The population of flying insects in the United Kingdom has fallen by two thirds in just three years, according to new findings from a nationwide “Bugs Matter” citizen survey, raising alarm among ecologists and conservation groups.