Latest Updates

Tusk unveils national doctrine to build strongest army, economy in CEE

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced a new "national doctrine" aimed at ensuring Poland develops the most powerful army and economy in the region, as the country prepares for "an era of great threats and challenges."

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Spanish blackout caused by extreme weather and a major renewables failure for the first time

A widespread blackout that plunged Spain, Portugal, Andorra and parts of southern France into darkness this week was caused by extreme weather events that saw the renewable power system collapse, as now the third disaster starts.

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ECLAC cuts Latin America growth forecast amid global uncertainties

The UN's Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has downgraded its 2025 growth forecast to 2%, adding to a chorus of international institutions painting a bleak outlook for the region.

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Iraq facing worst drought in history as water resources dwindle and climate crisis intensifies

Iraq is facing what officials are calling the "worst drought in its history," as water resources continue to dwindle and agricultural land deteriorates across the country, threatening both human security and economic stability.

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Battle of Russia’s supermarket titans continues as Magnit closes the gap with rival X5 after acquisition of high-end retailer Azbuka Vkusa

The battle for market share between Russia’s two leading supermarket chains Magnit and the X5 Group saw a strategic shift after Magnit acquired control of high-end supermarket chain Azbuka Vkusa (The ABC of Taste).

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Russia proposes joint aviation venture with Belarus as part of expanded industrial cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to establish a joint aviation enterprise with Belarusian specialists as part of deepening industrial cooperation between the two countries.

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COMMENT: Europe could benefit from partnering with Armenian tech innovation

Armenia is a democracy with a young, tech-savvy population and a hunger to scale, writes Samson Avetian of Armenia-based investment platform eqwefy.

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Caspian Sea may become next Aral, but who is to blame?

Some forecasting even indicates the decline of the body of water could pose a threat to the shipping section of the rapidly expanding Middle Corridor transit route.

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Turkey ranked 17th largest military spender in 2024 by Sipri

Israel faces major wildfires in Jerusalem hills as authorities evacuate villages

Trinidad opposition sweeps to power in decisive election victory

Turkey ranked 17th largest military spender in 2024 by Sipri

9% annual rise in global spending steepest recorded since at least end of Cold War.

Israel faces major wildfires in Jerusalem hills as authorities evacuate villages

Multiple wildfires are spreading rapidly through the Jerusalem hills area, forcing evacuations, closing major highways, and prompting Israel to request international firefighting assistance.

Trinidad opposition sweeps to power in decisive election victory

Trinidad and Tobago's parliamentary elections on April 28 delivered a victory for Kamla Persad-Bissessar's centre-left United National Congress (UNC) party, which secured 26 of 41 seats in the House of Representatives.

News

Putin and Lukashenko speak on Union State ties and united historical memory at Volgograd forum

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening political and economic integration between their two countries.

Hungarian policymakers keep rates on hold at 6.5%

The Monetary Council of the National Bank left the base rate unchanged at 6.5% with the overnight deposit and lending rates maintained at 5.50% and 7.50% respectively at a monthly policy meeting on April 29, in line with expectations.

Moldova approves €8bn development plan for 2026-2028, but faces major funding gap

Cost of updated plan is equivalent to nearly half of Moldova’s 2024 GDP.

Hungary faces potential EU legal action for quitting ICC

Hungary may face infringement proceedings from the European Commission after announcing to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, a move that could breach EU law despite the ICC not being an EU institution.

Pakistan airspace closure impacts around 600 Indian flights

Pakistan's airspace closure, in force since April 24, has significantly disrupted international flight operations for Indian carriers, primarily Air India and IndiGo.

Putin and Lukashenko speak on Union State ties and united historical memory at Volgograd forum

3 hours ago

Hungarian policymakers keep rates on hold at 6.5%

12 hours ago

Moldova approves €8bn development plan for 2026-2028, but faces major funding gap

12 hours ago

Hungary faces potential EU legal action for quitting ICC

13 hours ago

Pakistan airspace closure impacts around 600 Indian flights

14 hours ago

More News

Tech

Poland’s e-commerce turnover rises 15.2% m/m in March to PLN7.40bn

Poland’s e-commerce sector recorded a 15.2% month-on-month increase in turnover in March, reaching PLN7.395bn ($1.80bn), according to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), PAP Biznes reported on April 30.

Western Balkan states increase use of surveillance, censorship to suppress opponents

Use of biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies is expanding rapidly across the Balkans, according to a new BIRN report.

Serbia’s gaming sector sees 22% revenue surge in 2024

Serbian Games Association report shows a maturing sector with robust output, increased gender diversity and sustained innovation, despite signs of slowing job growth.

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.

Russian state takes over yet another e-commerce leader, online marketplace Avito

Russia’s state-owned Rosselkhozbank agricultural bank has acquired a 50% stake in Avito, the country’s largest classifieds platform, as part of a broader trend of strategic e-commerce acquisitions by the state.

Poland’s e-commerce turnover rises 15.2% m/m in March to PLN7.40bn

1 hour ago

Western Balkan states increase use of surveillance, censorship to suppress opponents

12 hours ago

Serbia’s gaming sector sees 22% revenue surge in 2024

1 day ago

Bulgaria-based crypto lender Nexo to return to US market

1 day ago

Russian state takes over yet another e-commerce leader, online marketplace Avito

5 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

Turkey’s foreign policy falling apart on all fronts, writes shadow minister

Ankara took a slap to the chops as Turkic Central Asian states inked an investment-linked deal on relations with Brussels that pointedly included no recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

COMMENT: Embracing “Greater Central Asia” has become a strategic imperative for US

Wider region increasingly seen as arena in which major powers’ interests, such as in sourcing critical minerals, collide and converge.

BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Rancid regime moves to detain lawyer to Imamoglu's lawyer

Will he need a lawyer? Perhaps not considering how the Erdogan administration routinely ignores supposedly weighty court rulings.

IMF: Enhancing financial stability for resilience during uncertain times

Capital markets are essential for driving economic activity, providing mechanisms for raising funds and allocating resources efficiently. The stability of these markets and the financial institutions that intermediate them are critical.

IMF: Global debt to exceed pandemic levels soon

Global public debt is set to rise to 95% of GDP this year and will continue to climb in the next years to top 100%, says the IMF.

Turkey’s foreign policy falling apart on all fronts, writes shadow minister

2 days ago

COMMENT: Embracing “Greater Central Asia” has become a strategic imperative for US

3 days ago

BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Rancid regime moves to detain lawyer to Imamoglu's lawyer

6 days ago

IMF: Enhancing financial stability for resilience during uncertain times

6 days ago

IMF: Global debt to exceed pandemic levels soon

6 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Czech economy grows by 2% in Q1, according to preliminary estimate

Czechia's gross domestic product grew by 2% year on year and by 0.5% quarter on quarter in the first quarter of this year (chart), according to the preliminary estimate released by the Czech Statistical Office.

Hungary’s economy contracts in Q1, casting doubt on government’s growth targets

Hungary’s economy stagnated in Q1 2025 and fell 0.4% year on year (chart) according to seasonally adjusted data, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s earlier pledges of a growth “explosion” at the start of the year.

Sharp drop in Polish inflation paves way for rate cut at next central bank meeting

A sharper-than-expected fall in Polish inflation has increased the likelihood that the National Bank of Poland will resume interest rate cuts at next week’s policy meeting.

Falling Polish interest rates will squeeze banks' income

Two dozen Polish banks will need to seek new sources of income and diversify their portfolios in 2025 as falling interest rate squeeze their net interest income, the Polish Bank Association warned, PAP reported on April 29.

Global military spending surges to $2.7 trillion – Statista

Global military spending hit $2.7 trillion last year, according to the latest data by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Statista reports.

Czech economy grows by 2% in Q1, according to preliminary estimate

5 hours ago

Hungary’s economy contracts in Q1, casting doubt on government’s growth targets

7 hours ago

Sharp drop in Polish inflation paves way for rate cut at next central bank meeting

9 hours ago

Falling Polish interest rates will squeeze banks' income

1 day ago

Global military spending surges to $2.7 trillion – Statista

1 day ago

More Data

Features

Saudi Arabia deploys AI to streamline Hajj

Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry is using artificial intelligence applications within an integrated work system to serve pilgrims and complete their procedures.

After Pahalgam attack, war clouds hover over the Indian subcontinent

Though no formal announcement or declaration of war has followed, the gravity of the situation is unmistakable. The backdrop is a brazen terror assault in India’s Pahalgam region of its Jammu and Kashmir state that killed 25 Indians and 1 Nepali.

Record gold prices to hit sales volume of Indian jewellery retailers

Gold prices in India have been on a steady uptrend for months, recently touching record highs driven by the US-China trade tensions, a weakening US dollar and rising investor appetite for safe-haven assets.

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.

UKRAINE REMONT: Store openings surge as supermarkets adapt to war

Ukraine's grocery retail sector continued to grow throughout 2024, with major chains increasing their store numbers across the country.

Saudi Arabia deploys AI to streamline Hajj

8 hours ago

After Pahalgam attack, war clouds hover over the Indian subcontinent

14 hours ago

Record gold prices to hit sales volume of Indian jewellery retailers

14 hours ago

Trump policies won’t harm Emerging Europe badly – and will actively benefit Russia

1 day ago

UKRAINE REMONT: Store openings surge as supermarkets adapt to war

1 day ago

More Features

Blogs

LATAM BLOG: Mexico has changed – but for whom?

Under Mexico City's gentrified surface, the wounds of Tlatelolco and Ayotzinapa remain unhealed. After 11 years, the author finds a quieter nation with booming foreign investment, yet questions if democracy has truly triumphed over cartels.

KYIV BLOG: Trump has done a deal with Putin. Now he’s trying to force Europe and Ukraine to accept the terms.

There seems to be some confusion over where the Russo-Ukraine ceasefire talks are. Bottom line: Trump has done a deal with Putin, but needs Europe to cooperate to make it work. Brussels is unwilling, so Trump is turning the screws to make it happen.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkey’s opposition is at it again, insulting the intelligence of voters

CHP’s performance amounts to a circus show that the Erdogan regime is only too happy to live with.

ASIA BLOG: Is China preparing to poke the paper tiger in the White House?

The US intimidates certain countries. But America is just a paper tiger. Don’t believe its bluff. One poke and it’ll burst!

BALKAN BLOG: Albania’s moment to make a push for EU accession

Albania has a realistic chance of joining the EU by the end of this decade.

LATAM BLOG: Mexico has changed – but for whom?

8 days ago

KYIV BLOG: Trump has done a deal with Putin. Now he’s trying to force Europe and Ukraine to accept the terms.

11 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkey’s opposition is at it again, insulting the intelligence of voters

14 days ago

ASIA BLOG: Is China preparing to poke the paper tiger in the White House?

16 days ago

BALKAN BLOG: Albania’s moment to make a push for EU accession

17 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

Chipping point – the climate toll of AI chip-making in East Asia

The meteoric rise of AI is sparking a parallel and largely overlooked environmental challenge: the significant climate impact of chip manufacturing, particularly in East Asia, says a new report from Greenpeace.

China and EU step up climate leadership as Trump left out of pre-COP30 talks

Leaders of more than a dozen countries, including China’s President Xi Jinping and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, gathered virtually last week for high-level climate talks ahead of the Brazilian COP30.

BERTRAND: China now accounts for 64% of world’s renewable energy output

According to the latest report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an extraordinary 64% – nearly two-thirds – of all renewable energy capacity added globally in 2024 was installed in China.

Azerbaijan and China sign major renewable energy deals

Baku is accelerating its partnerships with major Chinese energy firms in developing large-scale renewable infrastructure, including offshore wind, floating solar and battery storage projects.

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.

Chipping point – the climate toll of AI chip-making in East Asia

13 hours ago

China and EU step up climate leadership as Trump left out of pre-COP30 talks

1 day ago

BERTRAND: China now accounts for 64% of world’s renewable energy output

5 days ago

Azerbaijan and China sign major renewable energy deals

5 days ago

Incoming German government compromises on carbon offsets to boost flagging economy

6 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening political and economic integration between their two countries.

The Monetary Council of the National Bank left the base rate unchanged at 6.5% with the overnight deposit and lending rates maintained at 5.50% and 7.50% respectively at a monthly policy meeting on April 29, in line with expectations.

Cost of updated plan is equivalent to nearly half of Moldova’s 2024 GDP.

Hungary may face infringement proceedings from the European Commission after announcing to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, a move that could breach EU law despite the ICC not being an EU institution.

Pakistan's airspace closure, in force since April 24, has significantly disrupted international flight operations for Indian carriers, primarily Air India and IndiGo.

Tech

Poland’s e-commerce sector recorded a 15.2% month-on-month increase in turnover in March, reaching PLN7.395bn ($1.80bn), according to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), PAP Biznes reported on April 30.

Use of biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies is expanding rapidly across the Balkans, according to a new BIRN report.

Serbian Games Association report shows a maturing sector with robust output, increased gender diversity and sustained innovation, despite signs of slowing job growth.

"America is back — and so is Nexo," says company's co-founder after meeting with Donald Trump Jr.

Russia’s state-owned Rosselkhozbank agricultural bank has acquired a 50% stake in Avito, the country’s largest classifieds platform, as part of a broader trend of strategic e-commerce acquisitions by the state.

Opinion

Ankara took a slap to the chops as Turkic Central Asian states inked an investment-linked deal on relations with Brussels that pointedly included no recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Wider region increasingly seen as arena in which major powers’ interests, such as in sourcing critical minerals, collide and converge.

Will he need a lawyer? Perhaps not considering how the Erdogan administration routinely ignores supposedly weighty court rulings.

Capital markets are essential for driving economic activity, providing mechanisms for raising funds and allocating resources efficiently. The stability of these markets and the financial institutions that intermediate them are critical.

Global public debt is set to rise to 95% of GDP this year and will continue to climb in the next years to top 100%, says the IMF.

Data

Czechia's gross domestic product grew by 2% year on year and by 0.5% quarter on quarter in the first quarter of this year (chart), according to the preliminary estimate released by the Czech Statistical Office.

Hungary’s economy stagnated in Q1 2025 and fell 0.4% year on year (chart) according to seasonally adjusted data, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s earlier pledges of a growth “explosion” at the start of the year.

A sharper-than-expected fall in Polish inflation has increased the likelihood that the National Bank of Poland will resume interest rate cuts at next week’s policy meeting.

Two dozen Polish banks will need to seek new sources of income and diversify their portfolios in 2025 as falling interest rate squeeze their net interest income, the Polish Bank Association warned, PAP reported on April 29.

Global military spending hit $2.7 trillion last year, according to the latest data by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Statista reports.

Features

Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry is using artificial intelligence applications within an integrated work system to serve pilgrims and complete their procedures.

Though no formal announcement or declaration of war has followed, the gravity of the situation is unmistakable. The backdrop is a brazen terror assault in India’s Pahalgam region of its Jammu and Kashmir state that killed 25 Indians and 1 Nepali.

Gold prices in India have been on a steady uptrend for months, recently touching record highs driven by the US-China trade tensions, a weakening US dollar and rising investor appetite for safe-haven assets.

Latest wiiw forecasts show little direct impact on Central and Southeast Europe from Trump trade wars.

Ukraine's grocery retail sector continued to grow throughout 2024, with major chains increasing their store numbers across the country.

Blogs

Under Mexico City's gentrified surface, the wounds of Tlatelolco and Ayotzinapa remain unhealed. After 11 years, the author finds a quieter nation with booming foreign investment, yet questions if democracy has truly triumphed over cartels.

There seems to be some confusion over where the Russo-Ukraine ceasefire talks are. Bottom line: Trump has done a deal with Putin, but needs Europe to cooperate to make it work. Brussels is unwilling, so Trump is turning the screws to make it happen.

CHP’s performance amounts to a circus show that the Erdogan regime is only too happy to live with.

The US intimidates certain countries. But America is just a paper tiger. Don’t believe its bluff. One poke and it’ll burst!

Albania has a realistic chance of joining the EU by the end of this decade.

bneGREEN

The meteoric rise of AI is sparking a parallel and largely overlooked environmental challenge: the significant climate impact of chip manufacturing, particularly in East Asia, says a new report from Greenpeace.

Leaders of more than a dozen countries, including China’s President Xi Jinping and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, gathered virtually last week for high-level climate talks ahead of the Brazilian COP30.

According to the latest report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an extraordinary 64% – nearly two-thirds – of all renewable energy capacity added globally in 2024 was installed in China.

Baku is accelerating its partnerships with major Chinese energy firms in developing large-scale renewable infrastructure, including offshore wind, floating solar and battery storage projects.

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.

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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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