Latest Updates

Turkey in undeclared state of emergency following detention of Erdogan rival Imamoglu

Lira drops 14% as markets take fright. Barring an exceptional pushback from opposition, however, on past performance, country will soon go back to “normal”.

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Putin tells Russia's oligarchs that the return of Western business will not be easy or cheap

Russian President Vladimir Putin told the country’s leading oligarchs that Western companies that “slammed the door” on Russia when they left the country after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine will not be allowed to repurchase their assets cheaply.

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Trump gets PR win, but Putin concedes little in 30-day ceasefire phone call

US President Donald Trump gained a PR win after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to pause attacks on Ukraine’s energy assets in a two-hour phone call on March 18.

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Chinese intimidation tactics against Taiwan continue

The constant military pressure from China, which views the island as a breakaway province, is showing as Taipei repeatedly works to raise awareness of the issue with the international community.

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Why India’s adversaries force it to engage with authoritarian regimes

These ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ dynamics, while fraught with challenges, offer New Delhi the opportunity to secure its regional influence, contain cross border threats, and protect its economic and strategic assets.

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Singapore’s chip fraud scandal has global repercussions

Singapore has found itself at the centre of a high-profile fraud case involving the alleged illegal export of AI-capable servers, potentially containing Nvidia chips.

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Main challenger to Erdogan’s power dealt potential knockout blow by Turkish authorities’ voiding of degree

Ekrem Imamoglu, who has called on Turkey’s president to give him an “honest fight”, says those behind “illegal” move will stand accountable before history and justice.

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Iran, EEU free trade deal to take effect in mid-May

A comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union will come into force on May 15, paving the way for stronger economic ties and potentially doubling trade volumes.

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Trump to have key phone call with Putin to discuss terms needed to end the Ukraine conflict

Russia will agree to a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine, US President Donald Trump said ahead of a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

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Ecuador's Noboa cements dollar status amid election tensions

Serbian government resigns

Mexico City bans traditional bullfighting

Ecuador's Noboa cements dollar status amid election tensions

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has issued Executive Decree No. 565, formally reaffirming the US dollar as the country's sole official means of payment amid a looming presidential election and concerns about potential alternatives to the dollar.

Serbian government resigns

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic formally resigned on March 19, paving the way for a potential early election in June, as mass protests continue to challenge the government

Mexico City bans traditional bullfighting

Mexico City's legislature has approved a ban on traditional bullfighting, replacing it with a "cruelty-free" alternative that prohibits injuries to bulls.

News

Erdogan challenger Imamoglu detained in early-morning raid

Days before expected nomination as presidential candidate, Istanbul mayor accused of being a "criminal organisation leader suspect".

Israel launches second airstrikes on Gaza following Netanyahu address

Israeli IDF and INF forces launched a second day of strikes on Gaza, killing several people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Opposition lights smoke flares, sings Soviet anthem in parliament as Fidesz lawmakers restrict right of assembly, banning Pride March

Hungary's parliament has approved legislation to amend assembly laws in a fast-track procedure that effectively bans Pride marches.

Several EU countries back push to fund Prague-based RFE/RL in response to Trump axeing it

Member states want EU to fund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the Agency for Global Media.

MOL finds oil in southwest Hungary

New oil field discovered with a potential production capacity of 1,200 barrels per day.

Erdogan challenger Imamoglu detained in early-morning raid

4 hours ago

Israel launches second airstrikes on Gaza following Netanyahu address

6 hours ago

Opposition lights smoke flares, sings Soviet anthem in parliament as Fidesz lawmakers restrict right of assembly, banning Pride March

8 hours ago

Several EU countries back push to fund Prague-based RFE/RL in response to Trump axeing it

8 hours ago

MOL finds oil in southwest Hungary

9 hours ago

More News

Tech

Iraq ditches dollar in digital dinar bid to end parallel market

Iraq's Central Bank is preparing to launch a digital dinar as part of its transition to digital currency management as it prepares to take steps away from a cash-based economy.

Telegram CEO Durov returns to Dubai amid French investigation

Telegram founder has left France and returned to his adopted home of the United Arab Emirates after several months detention in the country.

Albanian opposition Democrats protest against TikTok ban

The Democrats have accused the ruling Socialist Party of exploiting a teenager's death linked to an online dispute to tighten control over online speech ahead of this year’s general election.

Saudi Arabia’s first “AI employee” goes online, saving 10,000 man-hours

Saudi Arabia has launched the first "digital employee" in the Kingdom, saving 10,000 man-hours in local employees' work.

Russia uses crypto in Chinese and Indian oil trade

Russian oil traders are said to uses cryptocurrencies in settlements for oil trade with China and India

Iraq ditches dollar in digital dinar bid to end parallel market

2 days ago

Telegram CEO Durov returns to Dubai amid French investigation

2 days ago

Albanian opposition Democrats protest against TikTok ban

2 days ago

Saudi Arabia’s first “AI employee” goes online, saving 10,000 man-hours

4 days ago

Russia uses crypto in Chinese and Indian oil trade

5 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

COMMENT: Rail and logistics firms bet on Middle Corridor as key Eurasian route

As the Trans-Caspian International Transport route grows in importance, rail operators and other companies have committed to boosting traffic along the route.

COMMENT: Meeting protesters’ demands would improve Serbia’s investment climate

Serbian officials have accused protesters of damaging the economy, but meeting the demands for more efficient institutions and a stronger judiciary would improve the investment climate in the long-term.

RAGOZIN: What did we die for?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, warned that a ceasefire in the Russo-Ukrainian war would be meaningless without security guarantees for Kyiv.

OPINION: CEE infrastructure to take centre stage as Ukraine post-war reconstruction looms

The war in Ukraine appears to be drawing to a close and Central and Eastern Europe's infrastructure capabilities – or lack thereof – will soon be thrust into the global spotlight.

COMMENT: Chevron’s Venezuela licence is gone. What happens next?

Trump's shock termination of Chevron's Venezuela licence threatens to destabilise an already fragile economy. The move could trigger currency collapse, disrupt global oil markets, and push more Venezuelans into exile.

COMMENT: Rail and logistics firms bet on Middle Corridor as key Eurasian route

1 day ago

COMMENT: Meeting protesters’ demands would improve Serbia’s investment climate

3 days ago

RAGOZIN: What did we die for?

5 days ago

OPINION: CEE infrastructure to take centre stage as Ukraine post-war reconstruction looms

7 days ago

COMMENT: Chevron’s Venezuela licence is gone. What happens next?

7 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Bulgaria’s consumer inflation speeds up to 4% in February

Consumer prices declined during 2024 but have recently started to rise with the strongest increase in restaurant and hotel prices.

Moldova’s GDP close to a standstill in 2024 due to weak agriculture

Value added generated by agriculture, accounting for 7.1% of GDP, contracted by 19% in 2024.

Polish core inflation rate eases to 3.6% y/y in February

Poland’s core inflation, an indicator that measures price growth without including prices of food and energy, eased growth to 3.6% y/y in February after a gain of 3.7% y/y the preceding month.

Number of foreign-invested companies in Uzbekistan grows by 340 in February to 15,503

China continues to extend lead in ranking of number of companies foreign investors have set up and backed in Central Asia's second largest economy. Russia second, Turkey third.

Kosovo’s economy expands by annual 4.08% in 4Q24

Strong growth reported in Kosovo's manufacturing sector, which expanded by 4.35%.

Bulgaria’s consumer inflation speeds up to 4% in February

14 hours ago

Moldova’s GDP close to a standstill in 2024 due to weak agriculture

1 day ago

Polish core inflation rate eases to 3.6% y/y in February

1 day ago

Number of foreign-invested companies in Uzbekistan grows by 340 in February to 15,503

1 day ago

Kosovo’s economy expands by annual 4.08% in 4Q24

2 days ago

More Data

Features

Mongolia goes for megaprojects to broaden economy

Ulaanbaatar has big plans to end dependence on raw mineral exports.

Southeast Europe erupts in weekend of protests

Protests in Serbia, Georgia and Hungary reflect mounting discontent over corruption and democratic backsliding, while Romanians turn out to show commitment to EU values in face of rising far right.

Tehran art museum reveals hidden Picasso masterpieces after four decades

The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art has once again thrown open its doors to art lovers, rolling out a rare selection of works by Pablo Picasso in its latest exhibition, ‘Picasso in Tehran’.

USAID ends operations in Indonesia, raising concerns over aid programmes

For 64 years, USAID has played a role in Indonesia, providing $153.5mn in aid in 2024 alone.

Global warming could affect Indian wheat crop as temperatures remain above normal

Higher than normal temperatures in India in February have led to concerns that this may impact the nationwide wheat crop.

Mongolia goes for megaprojects to broaden economy

1 day ago

Southeast Europe erupts in weekend of protests

2 days ago

Tehran art museum reveals hidden Picasso masterpieces after four decades

4 days ago

USAID ends operations in Indonesia, raising concerns over aid programmes

4 days ago

Global warming could affect Indian wheat crop as temperatures remain above normal

4 days ago

More Features

Blogs

TEL AVIV BLOG: Israeli society reacts to resumption of Gaza conflict and ceasefire collapse

Israeli society is torn over the latest early morning airstrikes on Gaza, with those connected with the abducted urging calm.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Latest from the odorous regime

Turkey watchers peel back the layers as Bankpozitif, Flash TV and Payfix seized as part of illegal sports betting prosecution.

MOSCOW BLOG: Little common ground as Russia prepares to offer ceasefire conditions

Bankova opened the bidding in the peace talks by calling for a 30-day ceasefire and withdrawing from Russia’s Kursk region as an act of “good faith”. But both sides have adopted harder lines with little common ground as starting positions.

MOSCOW BLOG: In Trump we "cautiously" trust, say Russian entrepreneurs

As high-stakes negotiations continue between the Trump administration and the Kremlin over a potential ceasefire or peace deal in Ukraine, middle-class Russian professionals and small business owners are seeking improvements in their working lives.

TEHRAN BLOG: Iran faces perfect storm as energy crisis meets Trump's foreign policy

Iran's energy crisis could push the country over the edge, with the Trump administration well aware of the plight of the Islamic Republic.

TEL AVIV BLOG: Israeli society reacts to resumption of Gaza conflict and ceasefire collapse

1 day ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Latest from the odorous regime

4 days ago

MOSCOW BLOG: Little common ground as Russia prepares to offer ceasefire conditions

6 days ago

MOSCOW BLOG: In Trump we "cautiously" trust, say Russian entrepreneurs

7 days ago

TEHRAN BLOG: Iran faces perfect storm as energy crisis meets Trump's foreign policy

7 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

Bulgaria to build €15mn H2START hydrogen valley

Bulgaria's Stara Zagora to become one of only two hydrogen valleys in Europe, producing 500 tonnes of hydrogen annually.

Air quality in Tajikistan ranked among world’s worst – survey

Central Asia one of globe’s most air-polluted regions.

IEA says battery costs have plunged by 75% since 2015

You might have noticed that batteries are everywhere these days. They power phones and many other gadgets, but also more and more cars, bikes, scooters and vans.

Environmental groups caution against overdevelopment of river resources in Central Asia

Call on international financial institutions to reevaluate projects.

The countries improving air pollution most – Statista

Countries in Central and Southeast Asia as well as in Eastern and Southern Europe have improved their air quality most since before the pandemic, a newly released report by IQAir among 93 countries and territories has found, Statista reports.

Bulgaria to build €15mn H2START hydrogen valley

1 day ago

Air quality in Tajikistan ranked among world’s worst – survey

1 day ago

IEA says battery costs have plunged by 75% since 2015

2 days ago

Environmental groups caution against overdevelopment of river resources in Central Asia

3 days ago

The countries improving air pollution most – Statista

4 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Days before expected nomination as presidential candidate, Istanbul mayor accused of being a "criminal organisation leader suspect".

Israeli IDF and INF forces launched a second day of strikes on Gaza, killing several people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Hungary's parliament has approved legislation to amend assembly laws in a fast-track procedure that effectively bans Pride marches.

Member states want EU to fund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the Agency for Global Media.

New oil field discovered with a potential production capacity of 1,200 barrels per day.

Tech

Iraq's Central Bank is preparing to launch a digital dinar as part of its transition to digital currency management as it prepares to take steps away from a cash-based economy.

Telegram founder has left France and returned to his adopted home of the United Arab Emirates after several months detention in the country.

The Democrats have accused the ruling Socialist Party of exploiting a teenager's death linked to an online dispute to tighten control over online speech ahead of this year’s general election.

Saudi Arabia has launched the first "digital employee" in the Kingdom, saving 10,000 man-hours in local employees' work.

Russian oil traders are said to uses cryptocurrencies in settlements for oil trade with China and India

Opinion

As the Trans-Caspian International Transport route grows in importance, rail operators and other companies have committed to boosting traffic along the route.

Serbian officials have accused protesters of damaging the economy, but meeting the demands for more efficient institutions and a stronger judiciary would improve the investment climate in the long-term.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, warned that a ceasefire in the Russo-Ukrainian war would be meaningless without security guarantees for Kyiv.

The war in Ukraine appears to be drawing to a close and Central and Eastern Europe's infrastructure capabilities – or lack thereof – will soon be thrust into the global spotlight.

Trump's shock termination of Chevron's Venezuela licence threatens to destabilise an already fragile economy. The move could trigger currency collapse, disrupt global oil markets, and push more Venezuelans into exile.

Data

Consumer prices declined during 2024 but have recently started to rise with the strongest increase in restaurant and hotel prices.

Value added generated by agriculture, accounting for 7.1% of GDP, contracted by 19% in 2024.

Poland’s core inflation, an indicator that measures price growth without including prices of food and energy, eased growth to 3.6% y/y in February after a gain of 3.7% y/y the preceding month.

China continues to extend lead in ranking of number of companies foreign investors have set up and backed in Central Asia's second largest economy. Russia second, Turkey third.

Strong growth reported in Kosovo's manufacturing sector, which expanded by 4.35%.

Features

Ulaanbaatar has big plans to end dependence on raw mineral exports.

Protests in Serbia, Georgia and Hungary reflect mounting discontent over corruption and democratic backsliding, while Romanians turn out to show commitment to EU values in face of rising far right.

The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art has once again thrown open its doors to art lovers, rolling out a rare selection of works by Pablo Picasso in its latest exhibition, ‘Picasso in Tehran’.

For 64 years, USAID has played a role in Indonesia, providing $153.5mn in aid in 2024 alone.

Higher than normal temperatures in India in February have led to concerns that this may impact the nationwide wheat crop.

Blogs

Israeli society is torn over the latest early morning airstrikes on Gaza, with those connected with the abducted urging calm.

Turkey watchers peel back the layers as Bankpozitif, Flash TV and Payfix seized as part of illegal sports betting prosecution.

Bankova opened the bidding in the peace talks by calling for a 30-day ceasefire and withdrawing from Russia’s Kursk region as an act of “good faith”. But both sides have adopted harder lines with little common ground as starting positions.

As high-stakes negotiations continue between the Trump administration and the Kremlin over a potential ceasefire or peace deal in Ukraine, middle-class Russian professionals and small business owners are seeking improvements in their working lives.

Iran's energy crisis could push the country over the edge, with the Trump administration well aware of the plight of the Islamic Republic.

bneGREEN

Bulgaria's Stara Zagora to become one of only two hydrogen valleys in Europe, producing 500 tonnes of hydrogen annually.

Central Asia one of globe’s most air-polluted regions.

You might have noticed that batteries are everywhere these days. They power phones and many other gadgets, but also more and more cars, bikes, scooters and vans.

Call on international financial institutions to reevaluate projects.

Countries in Central and Southeast Asia as well as in Eastern and Southern Europe have improved their air quality most since before the pandemic, a newly released report by IQAir among 93 countries and territories has found, Statista reports.

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In this episode of the Emerging Global Podcast, Ruthie Blum, former advisor to the Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan....

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