Bulgaria
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.
_0_1747734818.jpg)
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.
Press freedom declines sharply in several Balkan countries
Declines reported in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania in the latest global ranking from Reporters Without Borders.
EU swaps China for Russia in procurement of rare earth metals
The EU is increasingly turning to China to source hard-to-find rare earth metals and dropping previous import deals with Russia.
Trump policies won’t harm Emerging Europe badly – and will actively benefit Russia
Latest wiiw forecasts show little direct impact on Central and Southeast Europe from Trump trade wars.
Bulgaria-based crypto lender Nexo to return to US market
"America is back — and so is Nexo," says company's co-founder after meeting with Donald Trump Jr.
Incoming German government compromises on carbon offsets to boost flagging economy
Germany’s incoming government has conditionally endorsed the European Union’s proposed 2040 climate goal and backed the EC's recommended 90% emissions reduction target but only if international carbon offsets and carbon removals are permitted.
Bulgaria's fastest-growing startup Lace AI raises $19mn in seed funding
Lace AI, which has developed AI-powered call centre technology for home services companies, posted 1,000% growth in 2024.