Eurostat & R&D Push: Bulgaria recorded the EU’s biggest jump in government R&D budget allocations per capita since 2015, rising to EUR 92.3 per inhabitant in 2025 (up nearly sixfold). Financial Services Rules: Bulgaria’s Financial Supervision Commission says the dual price display in levs and euros ends on 8 August; from 9 August, supervised insurers, pension and capital market firms must show prices only in euros (levs only as reference). Danube Shock to Trade & Power: The Danube at the Bulgarian reference gauge is now below minus 100 cm, severely hampering navigation with more vessels suspending; officials say Kozloduy N-plant can keep running for about another week and a half if levels hold. Wildfire Response: Forestry teams helped extinguish 10 wildfires in 24 hours, while the agriculture ministry keeps a nationwide ban on grass cutting and urges strict fire safety. Business Momentum: Bulgaria’s retail trade turnover rose 7.1% year-on-year in June, and business services output grew 8.1% year-on-year in May. Energy Utility Stress: Sofia’s district heating utility Toplofikatsiya owes over EUR 1.2bn to Bulgargaz and Bulgarian Energy Holding, pushing Bulgargaz toward insolvency and raising concerns for the next heating season. Space & Defence Industrial Plan: Construction has started on a Europe-scale space and defence technology hub at the former Dobroslavtsi airport, led by EnduroSat.