Trump threatens tariffs as Canada signals recognition of Palestinian state

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 35% tariff on Canadian imports as tensions rise over Canada’s plan to recognise Palestinian statehood

Iraqi PM launches Turkish-Lebanese joint bridge project in Baghdad reconstruction

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani launched construction of the Krayat Bridge over the River Tigris as part of Baghdad's long-delayed reconstruction campaign.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov calls Syria a 'good friend'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia considers Syria a long-standing and reliable friend during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani.

Riyadh Air expected to launch London Heathrow service in October

Argentina's Milei faces legal pressure in US over $LIBRA scandal

Argentine President Javier Milei faces mounting legal pressure in the US over his alleged role in promoting the $LIBRA crypto scam, as victims pursue a class-action lawsuit in New York federal court seeking compensation.

Vietnam positioned to become key player in global semiconductor supply chain

Vietnam is poised to become a pivotal link in the global semiconductor industry, according to Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng.

India boosts domestic chip design

India has approved financial support for 23 semiconductor design projects under its Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, aimed at strengthening the domestic chip ecosystem.

Japan targets tech giants with new app market regulations

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has released new guidelines under a law designed to address monopolistic practices in the smartphone app sector, primarily targeting Apple and Google.

The top three ‘megatrends’ set to transform the Asia Pacific region

The rapid development of technologies such as generative AI and the metaverse is already changing how people in Asia Pacific live, work, socialise and shop.

Bots jump Schengen queue in Turkey snapping up valuable visa appointments

Prized slots sold on for up to €3,000 on black market. Russian hackers suspected of running operation.

COMMENT: Trump’s new Venezuela oil waiver raises more questions than answers

The Trump administration quietly granted Chevron a new oil licence in Venezuela, just after a major prisoner swap. But the deal may enrich regime insiders and boost China’s oil access, raising questions about the coherence of US sanctions policy.

ING: Household spending and investment drive the Czech economy

Continued gains in household spending and a rebound in investment in 2Q provide a solid base for an economic recovery. GDP growth came in below expectations and was dragged down by a negative net export contribution.

COMMENT: What Brazil can learn from the EU's asymmetric surrender

The EU's capitulation to Trump's trade demands, accepting 15% tariffs and $1.35 trillion in commitments, reveals the cost of lacking strategic leverage. For Brazil, facing similar US pressure, Europe's surrender serves as a stark warning.

BERTRAND: China after Communism, preparing for a post-CCP China

This may be one of the most insane reports ever produced by a US think-tank, and that's saying something.

MACRO ADVISORY: Georgia is too important to sanction

Despite warnings from the World Bank, the IMF and some Rating Agencies that the continuing protests in Tbilisi and the deteriorating relations with the European Union will have a negative impact on Georgia’s economy its not happening yet.

IMF corrects growth forecast upwards – Statista

Despite uncertain market conditions amid the Trump administration's tariff regime and major global conflicts, the International Monetary Fund has upped its global economic growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 slightly, Statista reported on July 30.

Turkish banks conclude syndicated loan renewals with high rollover rates, longer maturities and lower costs

Country rolls over around $200bn each year.

Czech central banker sees limited scope for more rate cuts

The Czech National Bank (CNB) governor Jakub Seidler says he sees “limited scope” for more rate cuts due to persistent services inflaton, Reuters reported on July 30.

Hungary’s government finally faces reality, cuts 2025 growth forecast to 1%

When China sneezes, Mongolia catches a cold

Direct knock-on effects from US–China trade war stymie Mongolian economy.

The Asian take on recognition of a Palestinian State

Muslim-majority nations or those seeking to expand their influence in the Middle East will support or reaffirm recognition. Meanwhile, countries embedded in US frameworks or enjoying ties with Israel are are expected to remain cautious.

Papua New Guinea steps up renewable energy drive with global support

Currently, only around 13% of Papua New Guinea’s population has reliable access to electricity, with the majority of rural communities dependent on diesel generators or without power altogether.

Poland sees record life expectancy amid deepening demographic crisis

Life expectancy in Poland reached its highest recorded level in 2024, with men living on average 74.93 years and women 82.26 years, the Central Statistical Office (GUS) reported on July 30.

China’s carrot and stick game with the US

Beijing may continue to tighten the screw in some sectors while signalling openness to negotiation in others - a two-pronged approach of punishment alongside the offer of resolution - or as it is oftentimes labelled in the West, carrot and stick.

Venezuela democracy in tatters one year after rigged poll as Trump policies aid Maduro

Venezuela's democracy collapsed after Nicolás Maduro's disputed July 2024 election victory, despite clear evidence of fraud. A year later, systematic repression has crushed the opposition, while Trump's policies seem to help Maduro's survival.

ASIA BLOG: If the Thailand-Cambodia conflict escalates, Vietnam won’t stand idle – nor will the US and China

The current flare-up between Thailand and Cambodia feels different from previous disputes. What initially appeared to be a limited skirmish over disputed borderland and nationalist rhetoric now carries the faint, unmistakable whiff of escalation.

Zelenskiy losing the trust of his people as he adopts more authoritarian ruling style

Messages circulating on social media in the last few days claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is proposing a new law that makes criticising the president illegal. The claims are almost certainly Russian disinformation.

ASIA BLOG: The global fallout of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan

There have already been rumblings in Taiwan that self destruction of key infrastructure would be preferential to Chinese takeover.

TEHRAN BLOG: Iranians describe life in constant fear after recent conflict

In the days when the shadow of recent events weighs heavily on people's hearts, life appears suspended and filled with anxiety.

MOSCOW BLOG: Europe reduced to making gestures in its support of Ukraine

US President Donald Trump announced that the US is withdrawing from supplying free military equipment to the Ukraine and from now on any weapons will be “100%” paid for by Kyiv’s European Nato allies.

300-MW solar energy project underway in Iraq’s Karbala desert

Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziad Ali Fadel announced the continuation of work on the Karbala solar power plant project, which represents the first solar project to actually enter Iraq's national electricity grid

Trump fast-tracks deep-sea mining in hunt for critical mineral supplies

The Trump administration has also moved to fast-track seabed mining in international waters following an executive order issued in April by President Donald Trump, bypassing multilateral regulations in what has been called a "gold rush."

Trump to kill US Climate Crisis commitment by shuttering EPA

The Trump administration will end any pretence of trying to fight the accelerating Climate Crisis with a plan to shutter the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and end its core programmes to reduce emissions.

Iran faces new heatwave as 12 stations record temperatures above 50°C

Iran is experiencing a new heatwave beginning July 29, with more than 12 weather stations recording temperatures above 50°C (122°F) in the past 24 hours, according to the country's meteorological service.

Croatian scientists’ discovery may hold key to combatting water pollution


Scientists at Croatia’s Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB) have become the first in the world to decode the genes of a small parasite called Dentitruncus truttae.