Latest Updates

Venezuela asks UK to release Bank of England gold for earthquake relief

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez said on July 8 she had written to Britain's King Charles III requesting the release of about 30 tonnes of Venezuelan gold held at the Bank of England, needed for reconstruction efforts.

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Nigeria opens Chinese-built $250mn lithium plant, targets leading role in battery supply chain

Nigeria's $250mn launch of a lithium-processing plant comes as as UNCTAD forecasts global demand will rise by 353% between 2024 and 2040, driven by electric vehicles, battery storage and clean energy tech.

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Trump's Patriot licence will help Ukraine in its next war with Russia, not this one

US President Donald Trump’s pledge to give Kyiv a license to make Patriot missiles could be a game changer – in Ukraine’s next war with Russia, but not in this one.

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North Macedonia’s rare pink ruby gets protected status in push for global recognition

IntelliNews talks to the gemstone enthusiast who spent decades putting the Macedonian ruby on the map.

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Nato's new €70bn Ukraine pledge repackages aid already promised

Nato has pledged to provide Ukraine with €70bn ($80bn) in military equipment, assistance and training this year, with a commitment to match that sum in 2027 — but little of the money is new.

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Trump offers Ukraine Patriot production licence in major policy about-face

After being distracted by the Iran war and cutting off Ukraine's aid, US President Donald Trump is back in the Ukraine peace game. In a major policy U-turn, the Trump administration has promised to give Kyiv a licence to make Patriots.

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Lebanon's paper peace: Aoun signs a framework the balance of power may not let him deliver

When Lebanese and Israeli envoys signed a US-brokered framework agreement in Washington on June 26, they turned months of cautious, indirect contacts into a formal diplomatic process — the most significant opening between the two states since 1983.

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China weaponises port inspections to punish Panama over ports ruling

Panama's Supreme Court stripped China's CK Hutchison of its canal-flanking ports, a ruling Washington spent a year engineering. Beijing hit back with a quiet blockade of Panamanian shipping. Now Panama heads to Beijing to plead for a ceasefire.

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Bolsonaro urges Trump to delay Brazil tariff until after election

IMF confirms Georgieva-Rodríguez talks on Venezuela reserves

Saudi Arabia, Canada launch investment treaty talks as Carney visits Jeddah

Bolsonaro urges Trump to delay Brazil tariff until after election

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro urged the Trump administration to delay a proposed 25% tariff on Brazilian goods until after October's presidential election, as Brazil's government said trade negotiations with Washington were advancing.

IMF confirms Georgieva-Rodríguez talks on Venezuela reserves

The IMF confirmed that Managing Director Georgieva spoke with Venezuela's interim president Rodríguez this week on tapping its $350mn reserve tranche for earthquake recovery, but did not confirm access to the $4.5bn SDR assets.

Saudi Arabia, Canada launch investment treaty talks as Carney visits Jeddah

Saudi Arabia and Canada have agreed to open negotiations on an investment protection treaty during Mark Carney's Jeddah visit, the first by a Canadian leader in 26 years, with mining at the centre.

News

SunExpress expands Syria network with new Aleppo flights from August

SunExpress, the joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Germany's Lufthansa, will launch new flights to Aleppo in August as it resumes and expands operations across the Middle East

Trump vows to remove Syria from terrorism list

US President Donald Trump said Syria had become "very stable" and confirmed that Washington would move to remove the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, following its decision to lift sanctions on Damascus.

Namibia targets domestic uranium processing in talks with China’s CGN

Namibia, the world’s third largest uranium producer, in 2024 exported nearly all its output to China, which also controls production at two of the African country’s largest mines.

Czech PM Babiš rebuffs reports Trump was not keen to shake hands

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has countered reports that US President Donald Trump was not keen to shake hands with him after a group photo of Nato leaders at the summit in Ankara.

IMF cuts 2026 global growth forecast, sees Latin America holding steady at 2.4%

The International Monetary Fund has cut its forecast for global economic growth in 2026 to 3%, citing the fallout from the war in the Middle East, while projecting that Latin America and the Caribbean would grow 2.4% this year and 2.7% in 2027.

SunExpress expands Syria network with new Aleppo flights from August

30 minutes ago

Trump vows to remove Syria from terrorism list

30 minutes ago

Namibia targets domestic uranium processing in talks with China’s CGN

2 hours ago

Czech PM Babiš rebuffs reports Trump was not keen to shake hands

4 hours ago

IMF cuts 2026 global growth forecast, sees Latin America holding steady at 2.4%

6 hours ago

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Tech

Bitcoin falls below $62,000 as US-Iran conflict escalates

Bitcoin has fallen below $62,000 as a fresh exchange of strikes between the US and Iran drives investors from risk assets, after Trump said the ceasefire was over.

Lithuania and Poland to jointly develop European AI gigafactory

Flagship European Commission and EuroHPC initiative aims to develop next-generation large-scale AI computing infrastructure across Europe.

Czech and Slovak e-shops eye investments and expansion

Medium and large e-shops in Czechia and Slovakia plan investments into growth and marketing and eye expansion abroad, according to a survey by Seyfor in Slovakia.

Kazakhstan aims to create Central Asia's crypto capital

Kazakhstan’s planned Alatau City aims to become Central Asia's crypto capital, with major partners onboard and $6bn in investment secured.

Oman's Etlaq signs launch deal with France's Latitude for 2027 mission

Oman's spaceport operator Etlaq has signed a letter of intent with France's Latitude for an experimental rocket launch targeted for late 2027. Find out how the deal fits Oman's push to become a regional space hub.

Bitcoin falls below $62,000 as US-Iran conflict escalates

19 hours ago

Lithuania and Poland to jointly develop European AI gigafactory

23 hours ago

Czech and Slovak e-shops eye investments and expansion

3 days ago

Kazakhstan aims to create Central Asia's crypto capital

6 days ago

Oman's Etlaq signs launch deal with France's Latitude for 2027 mission

7 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

COMMENT: Why Iran's central bank is starving banks of liquidity

Iran’s central bank is squeezing liquidity to defend the rial, meeting under a fifth of banks’ funding demand as inflation hits 57.7% and money supply growth tops 53% after the war with the US and Israel.

Trump's four-part strategy for a post-American world: retreat, rebel, replace and reform international institutions

Trump has broken with the paradigm of the rules based international order and is causing chaos with his “America first” approach. But actually he has four approaches to reforming international bodies: retreat, rebel, replace and reform.

PANNIER: Countries line up to access Central Asia’s critical minerals

The minerals are there but the planned scale of production requires a dozen or more new processing plants.

RAGOZIN: Ukraine’s history row with Poland threatens its EU path

The two countries have long been on a collision course over their differing interpretations of WWII history, but why did the clash happen now?

Europe's defence tech push risks outpacing strategy, Carnegie warns

Europe’s rapid push into defence technology risks undermining its own security ambitions unless policymakers develop a coherent strategy, says Carnegie Europe report.

COMMENT: Why Iran's central bank is starving banks of liquidity

4 days ago

Trump's four-part strategy for a post-American world: retreat, rebel, replace and reform international institutions

6 days ago

PANNIER: Countries line up to access Central Asia’s critical minerals

7 days ago

RAGOZIN: Ukraine’s history row with Poland threatens its EU path

7 days ago

Europe's defence tech push risks outpacing strategy, Carnegie warns

7 days ago

More Opinion

Data

EU remains main export market for Moldova’s pro-Russian separatist Transnistria

Between January and June, 76.9% of Transnistria's exports were shipped to EU member states.

Romania keeps policy rate at 6.5% amid ‘very high uncertainty’

BNR cited "very high uncertainties" surrounding the economic outlook and stressed the need for a balanced macroeconomic policy mix to preserve stability.

IMF downgrades global growth forecast second time in a row – Statista

The IMF downgraded global growth prospects for the second time this year, saying it expects the global economy to grow by just 3 percent in 2026. In January, this projection had still stood at 3.3 percent, Statista reports.

EBRD says bad-loan ratio in emerging Europe falls to record low

Average NPL ratio declined to a historic low of 1.86% at the end of 2025 as lending growth outpaced the increase in impaired loans.

Germany financial worries climb as cost of living tops global anxieties, Allianz says

Financial worries rose in seven of eight countries year on year and now tie with health as the top global concern, German insurer Allianz said, with just 5% describing themselves as financially secure.

EU remains main export market for Moldova’s pro-Russian separatist Transnistria

12 hours ago

Romania keeps policy rate at 6.5% amid ‘very high uncertainty’

13 hours ago

IMF downgrades global growth forecast second time in a row – Statista

1 day ago

EBRD says bad-loan ratio in emerging Europe falls to record low

1 day ago

Germany financial worries climb as cost of living tops global anxieties, Allianz says

3 days ago

More Data

Features

MEPs and environmentalists warn Albania’s Kushner-linked resort sets dangerous precedent

A luxury tourism development linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law sparked the ‘Flamingo revolution’. Opponents fear it will become a precedent for large-scale construction in protected coastal areas.

Kazakh observers view Tokayev’s option to seek another presidential term as power transfer “fail-safe”

The constitutional overhaul, drafted and approved within weeks earlier this year, has prompted widespread speculation about Tokayev's long-term political plans.

Slovenia heads into peak tourist season on a high, but staffing pressures persist

Tourism plays a vital role in Slovenia's economy, contributing 5.4% directly to GDP and 8.7% overall once indirect effects are taken into account.

INTERVIEW: Uzbekistan's largest lender bets on retail banking as reforms transform financial sector

The National Bank of Uzbekistan, the country’s largest commercial bank, is betting that the next phase of the country's economic transformation will be driven not by state-backed megaprojects but by households and small businesses.

What the failed war on Iran means for Eurasia's security

The collapse of the American and Israeli campaign against Iran has reset a regional balance and helped make the emerging multipolar order visible, with lessons for the limits of force and the future of Greater Eurasia.

MEPs and environmentalists warn Albania’s Kushner-linked resort sets dangerous precedent

1 day ago

Kazakh observers view Tokayev’s option to seek another presidential term as power transfer “fail-safe”

1 day ago

Slovenia heads into peak tourist season on a high, but staffing pressures persist

2 days ago

INTERVIEW: Uzbekistan's largest lender bets on retail banking as reforms transform financial sector

2 days ago

What the failed war on Iran means for Eurasia's security

3 days ago

More Features

Blogs

CAUCASUS BLOG: EU bets on Armenia and Azerbaijan

Brussels’ South Caucasus policy has shifted as it seeks to secure regional stability, expand transport corridors and reduce Russian influence.

KYIV BLOG: Russia, Ukraine political assassinations and the backpack bomb in Monaco

A bomber targeted Ukrainian real estate mogul and online scammer yesterday in Monaco, the principality’s first ever terror attack, in the latest of a string of alleged SBU assassinations overseas.

BALKAN BLOG: Dancing robots, giant flags and Serbia's latest political spectacle

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić has confirmed he will resign within weeks, signalling the start of an election campaign that could reshape the country's political landscape.

KYIV BLOG: The Ukraine war stuck in a violent stalemate

The efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end have stalled in the face of an escalating exchange of drone and missiles and the stalemated EU efforts to mediate.

BALKAN BLOG: US U-turn on Albanian opposition leader comes at a dangerous moment for PM

Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government has been targeted by a wave of mass protests dubbed the "Flamingo Revolution".

CAUCASUS BLOG: EU bets on Armenia and Azerbaijan

6 days ago

KYIV BLOG: Russia, Ukraine political assassinations and the backpack bomb in Monaco

8 days ago

BALKAN BLOG: Dancing robots, giant flags and Serbia's latest political spectacle

11 days ago

KYIV BLOG: The Ukraine war stuck in a violent stalemate

15 days ago

BALKAN BLOG: US U-turn on Albanian opposition leader comes at a dangerous moment for PM

27 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

Europe heatwave boosts Thai tourism, air conditioner exports

Air conditioner exports to Europe climbed 41.3% year-on-year to $130.1mn in May. Shipments during the first five months of the year rose 16.5% to $696.8mn.

Uzbekistan expands anti-desertification drive with 1.27mn-hectare reforestation plan

Uzbekistan faces mounting environmental pressures linked to climate change, water scarcity and land degradation.

Pakistan’s energy pivot: Iranian oil today, renewables tomorrow

Renewables and nuclear power are expected to play a larger role in Pakistan’s electricity mix in the coming years, helping to limit exposure to global fuel price swings and geopolitical disruptions.

China's massive battery capacity buildout – Statista

China’s lead in renewable energy is matched by its dominance in battery storage, Statista reports.

Hungarian government unveils major wind power expansion plan after decade-long pause

The Tisza-government has introduced new regulations aimed at accelerating wind power development by easing long-standing restrictions on new projects financed from the EU's RRF scheme.

Europe heatwave boosts Thai tourism, air conditioner exports

15 hours ago

Uzbekistan expands anti-desertification drive with 1.27mn-hectare reforestation plan

18 hours ago

Pakistan’s energy pivot: Iranian oil today, renewables tomorrow

1 day ago

China's massive battery capacity buildout – Statista

1 day ago

Hungarian government unveils major wind power expansion plan after decade-long pause

3 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

SunExpress, the joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Germany's Lufthansa, will launch new flights to Aleppo in August as it resumes and expands operations across the Middle East

US President Donald Trump said Syria had become "very stable" and confirmed that Washington would move to remove the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, following its decision to lift sanctions on Damascus.

Namibia, the world’s third largest uranium producer, in 2024 exported nearly all its output to China, which also controls production at two of the African country’s largest mines.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has countered reports that US President Donald Trump was not keen to shake hands with him after a group photo of Nato leaders at the summit in Ankara.

The International Monetary Fund has cut its forecast for global economic growth in 2026 to 3%, citing the fallout from the war in the Middle East, while projecting that Latin America and the Caribbean would grow 2.4% this year and 2.7% in 2027.

Tech

Bitcoin has fallen below $62,000 as a fresh exchange of strikes between the US and Iran drives investors from risk assets, after Trump said the ceasefire was over.

Flagship European Commission and EuroHPC initiative aims to develop next-generation large-scale AI computing infrastructure across Europe.

Medium and large e-shops in Czechia and Slovakia plan investments into growth and marketing and eye expansion abroad, according to a survey by Seyfor in Slovakia.

Kazakhstan’s planned Alatau City aims to become Central Asia's crypto capital, with major partners onboard and $6bn in investment secured.

Oman's spaceport operator Etlaq has signed a letter of intent with France's Latitude for an experimental rocket launch targeted for late 2027. Find out how the deal fits Oman's push to become a regional space hub.

Opinion

Iran’s central bank is squeezing liquidity to defend the rial, meeting under a fifth of banks’ funding demand as inflation hits 57.7% and money supply growth tops 53% after the war with the US and Israel.

Trump has broken with the paradigm of the rules based international order and is causing chaos with his “America first” approach. But actually he has four approaches to reforming international bodies: retreat, rebel, replace and reform.

The minerals are there but the planned scale of production requires a dozen or more new processing plants.

The two countries have long been on a collision course over their differing interpretations of WWII history, but why did the clash happen now?

Europe’s rapid push into defence technology risks undermining its own security ambitions unless policymakers develop a coherent strategy, says Carnegie Europe report.

Data

Between January and June, 76.9% of Transnistria's exports were shipped to EU member states.

BNR cited "very high uncertainties" surrounding the economic outlook and stressed the need for a balanced macroeconomic policy mix to preserve stability.

The IMF downgraded global growth prospects for the second time this year, saying it expects the global economy to grow by just 3 percent in 2026. In January, this projection had still stood at 3.3 percent, Statista reports.

Average NPL ratio declined to a historic low of 1.86% at the end of 2025 as lending growth outpaced the increase in impaired loans.

Financial worries rose in seven of eight countries year on year and now tie with health as the top global concern, German insurer Allianz said, with just 5% describing themselves as financially secure.

Features

A luxury tourism development linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law sparked the ‘Flamingo revolution’. Opponents fear it will become a precedent for large-scale construction in protected coastal areas.

The constitutional overhaul, drafted and approved within weeks earlier this year, has prompted widespread speculation about Tokayev's long-term political plans.

Tourism plays a vital role in Slovenia's economy, contributing 5.4% directly to GDP and 8.7% overall once indirect effects are taken into account.

The National Bank of Uzbekistan, the country’s largest commercial bank, is betting that the next phase of the country's economic transformation will be driven not by state-backed megaprojects but by households and small businesses.

The collapse of the American and Israeli campaign against Iran has reset a regional balance and helped make the emerging multipolar order visible, with lessons for the limits of force and the future of Greater Eurasia.

Blogs

Brussels’ South Caucasus policy has shifted as it seeks to secure regional stability, expand transport corridors and reduce Russian influence.

A bomber targeted Ukrainian real estate mogul and online scammer yesterday in Monaco, the principality’s first ever terror attack, in the latest of a string of alleged SBU assassinations overseas.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić has confirmed he will resign within weeks, signalling the start of an election campaign that could reshape the country's political landscape.

The efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end have stalled in the face of an escalating exchange of drone and missiles and the stalemated EU efforts to mediate.

Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government has been targeted by a wave of mass protests dubbed the "Flamingo Revolution".

bneGREEN

Air conditioner exports to Europe climbed 41.3% year-on-year to $130.1mn in May. Shipments during the first five months of the year rose 16.5% to $696.8mn.

Uzbekistan faces mounting environmental pressures linked to climate change, water scarcity and land degradation.

Renewables and nuclear power are expected to play a larger role in Pakistan’s electricity mix in the coming years, helping to limit exposure to global fuel price swings and geopolitical disruptions.

China’s lead in renewable energy is matched by its dominance in battery storage, Statista reports.

The Tisza-government has introduced new regulations aimed at accelerating wind power development by easing long-standing restrictions on new projects financed from the EU's RRF scheme.

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