Black Sea Tech & Safety: Bulgaria ordered emergency marine pollution checks after drone attacks on two commercial ships in the country’s EEZ—one sank, the other caught fire, and two sailors were injured—while authorities collect water samples near Cape Kaliakra, Byala and Sozopol. Maritime Law: A separate explainer breaks down what the incident means under international law, contrasting Bulgaria’s territorial sea (up to 12 nautical miles) with its wider EEZ (up to 200). Smart Cities Research: Primetel joins the Metacities Excellence Hub, linking Bulgaria with Cyprus and Greece to test digital twins, AI and big-data tools for smart mobility, urban planning and energy management. Digital Government: Bulgaria’s Innovation Minister says “communication with the state” could be made fast and seamless by 2030 via the EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet). Science Policy: Bulgaria backs the Kyoto Vision for a Golden Age of Science, stressing responsible AI use in research and support for early-career scientists. Drones in Bulgaria: Inter Drone Expo 2026 opens in Sofia as PM Rumen Radev highlights unmanned systems across sectors and notes the Black Sea drone incident. Archaeology: Trapezitsa Hill research in Veliko Tarnovo is presented after 20 years, spanning over 4,500 years of history. Economy & AI: The World Bank keeps Bulgaria’s 2026 growth forecast at 2.6% and points to AI as a productivity lever while warning of a wider budget deficit. Energy & Industry: Inter Drone Expo also ties into broader unmanned and defense tech momentum, while Bulgaria’s participation in international science initiatives continues to grow.