Latest Updates

UPDATE: Bulgaria’s Radev wins election, set for parliamentary majority

Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev is on course to secure a parliamentary majority in the country’s snap election, according to parallel vote counts, in what would be the first single-party majority since 1997.

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INTERVIEW: After Orbán, can Hungary reclaim its media?

Orbán is gone. His media empire is not. Unpicking 16 years of state capture will test Magyar's historic majority to its limits.

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Spain to formally ask EU to break Israel association agreement, Sanchez says

Spain's Pedro Sanchez has announced Madrid will formally ask the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel at a foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, as he opens the Andalusian election campaign.

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Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?

International investors unnerved by events in the Gulf may look to relocate. Turkey might seem a good choice – but things are rather more complicated than that.

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COMMENT: Chinese claims on arms transfers to Iran raise doubts

With a ceasefire in place, recent intelligence points to Tehran once more looking to replenish its depleted air defences and China potentially preparing more shipments of offensive systems including shoulder-fired missiles.

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Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping under ceasefire terms

Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping for the rest of the two-week ceasefire under three conditions, with Trump saying the US naval blockade will remain in force against Iran only.

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Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade

Turkey wants to see a slew of Gulf and other pipelines converge on its territory to ensure the world will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas.

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Freedom Holding bets on super-app ecosystem to challenge Kazakhstan's digital giants

The Kazakh-based brokerage-turned-fintech company Freedom Holding Corp is building an app, which is not just a banking service, it is supposed to organise your whole life.

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Taiwan to significantly outpace South Korea by widening GDP per capita margin

Iran rules out resuming US talks while naval blockade remains in place

Western Japan lenders strike capital, business alliance

Taiwan to significantly outpace South Korea by widening GDP per capita margin

South Korea’s real GDP per capita is projected to fall more than $10,000 behind Taiwan’s within five years, underscoring a widening divergence between the two export-led economies.

Iran rules out resuming US talks while naval blockade remains in place

Iran says no second round of US talks will take place while the naval blockade on Iranian ports remains in place, hardening Tehran's position as Trump claims a deal could be signed in Islamabad within days.

Western Japan lenders strike capital, business alliance

Japan's Shiga Bank and Senshu Ikeda Holdings, the parent of Senshu Ikeda Bank, have agreed to a capital and business tie-up, marking the latest step in the consolidation trend among Japan’s regional lenders.

News

Trump threatens to strike Iranian power plants and bridges over Strait of Hormuz incident

Trump has threatened to strike every Iranian power plant and bridge after Tehran allegedly fired at French and British ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran rules out talks while the US naval blockade remains.

India to benefit from US extension of Russian oil waiver

The United States has opted to extend a waiver permitting limited transactions involving Russian oil, despite sustained political opposition from within Washington.

Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled in 2024, IISS says

Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled from 2023 to 2024 according to IISS research, with submarine cables, legacy IT systems and underinvestment in critical infrastructure identified as key vulnerabilities.

Iran reopens six airports as commercial aviation resumes

Iran has reopened six airports including Mehrabad, Imam Khomeini, Mashhad, Birjand, Gorgan and Zahedan as commercial aviation resumes following the ceasefire with the US and Israel.

Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier

Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) loan to airBaltic after the US-Iran war drove jet fuel prices to record highs, with the airline having hedged only 6% of its Q1 fuel requirements.

Trump threatens to strike Iranian power plants and bridges over Strait of Hormuz incident

8 hours ago

India to benefit from US extension of Russian oil waiver

23 hours ago

Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled in 2024, IISS says

1 day ago

Iran reopens six airports as commercial aviation resumes

1 day ago

Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier

1 day ago

More News

Tech

New hardline security unit in charge of Russia’s VPN crackdown

The control of Russia’s internet, including the latest escalation of the war on VPNs, has reportedly shifted to the Federal Security Bureau’s (FSB) Second Service unit.

Anthropic's Mythos AI model triggers crisis meetings among top global officials

Anthropic's Claude Mythos AI model has triggered emergency meetings among finance ministers and top bankers after demonstrating an ability to find and exploit cybersecurity weaknesses across banking and IT systems.

Ukraine seizes Russian position without using soldiers in a battlefield first

In a development that could reshape modern warfare, Ukrainian forces have, for the first time, captured a Russian position using only unmanned systems – a coordinated assault carried out entirely by drones and ground-based robots.

Jesus punches Trump in face in AI video posted by Iran’s embassy in Tajikistan

Clip then shows bloodied US leader knocked into fiery pit of hell.

Iran's business leaders warn internet shutdowns costing up to $80mn a day

Iran's business chambers warn that internet shutdowns are costing the digital economy up to $80mn a day as the country remains offline for the seventh week.

New hardline security unit in charge of Russia’s VPN crackdown

1 day ago

Anthropic's Mythos AI model triggers crisis meetings among top global officials

2 days ago

Ukraine seizes Russian position without using soldiers in a battlefield first

3 days ago

Jesus punches Trump in face in AI video posted by Iran’s embassy in Tajikistan

4 days ago

Iran's business leaders warn internet shutdowns costing up to $80mn a day

6 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

Hungary vote driven by domestic anger but opens door to EU reset, analysts say

Landslide election win for Tisza reflects deep domestic frustration rather than foreign policy concerns, but could pave the way for a reset in relations with the EU, analysts told an ECFR webinar.

EU credibility on the line as Bosnia’s accession path stalls

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s long and troubled path towards European Union membership risks drifting further into irrelevance, warns EPC policy brief.

Montenegro and Albania urged to make the case for EU membership as 2030 target looms

Western Balkan frontrunners Montenegro and Albania must do more to convince sceptical EU member states of their value or risk delays to their 2030 accession ambitions, a Carnegie Europe paper says.

Orbán’s election defeat shakes illiberal allies in Southeast Europe

Implications for leaders across Southeast Europe who have aligned themselves with Viktor Orban's brand of illiberal governance.

COMMENT: The US naval blockade of Iran won't work

The US is moving to choke Iran’s oil lifeline. The market is starting to price something much bigger because the Trump administration naval blockade of Iran is not going to work.

Hungary vote driven by domestic anger but opens door to EU reset, analysts say

5 days ago

EU credibility on the line as Bosnia’s accession path stalls

5 days ago

Montenegro and Albania urged to make the case for EU membership as 2030 target looms

5 days ago

Orbán’s election defeat shakes illiberal allies in Southeast Europe

6 days ago

COMMENT: The US naval blockade of Iran won't work

6 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Iran now offering tax relief to families with three or more children

Iranian authorities have announced tax exemptions for families with three or more children born after October 2021, with a 15% increase in annual tax relief per eligible child under the youth population law.

India’s bank credit growth seen at 13% in FY27

India’s bank credit growth is expected to be around 13% this fiscal year, driven by robust growth in the micro, small and medium enterprise and retail sectors.

IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall

The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices.

Turkish automaker Tofas obtains €276mn BBVA loan to produce new K9 LCV models for Stellantis

Istanbul-listed company provided eight-year funding by Madrid-listed bank at Euribor+2.25-2.35%.

IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall

The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices.

Iran now offering tax relief to families with three or more children

1 day ago

India’s bank credit growth seen at 13% in FY27

3 days ago

IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall

3 days ago

Turkish automaker Tofas obtains €276mn BBVA loan to produce new K9 LCV models for Stellantis

4 days ago

IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall

4 days ago

More Data

Features

Carney leads middle power coalition drive as CANZUK gains traction

Canada's Mark Carney is driving a middle power alliance push through CANZUK and a wider variable-geometry foreign policy, backed by NATO 2% defence spending this year and plans for a Defence, Security and Resilience Bank.

Kuwait citizenship purge tops 50,000 as new decree tightens revocation rules

Kuwait has stripped more than 50,000 people of citizenship since September 2024 with the latest decree tightening revocation rules, DNA testing authorised and nationality decisions shielded from judicial review.

Hungary's Orban in first interview since losing election says Fidesz needs "full renewal"

Commits to staying on to lead the revival. Political scientist says he sees the decline of the party as essentially irreversible.

Indonesia, US forge defence partnership

The MDCP is a clear signal that when it comes to regional deterrence and technological modernisation, Indonesia views the US as its primary partner, but it will continue to deal with Russia and China to ensure the lights stay on at home.

Peter Magyar calls on Hungarian president to step down, announces plans for media shake-up in fiery interview

Incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar called on the president, Tamas Sulyok, to resign after the new government is formed, saying otherwise the new majority would seek his removal.

Carney leads middle power coalition drive as CANZUK gains traction

1 day ago

Kuwait citizenship purge tops 50,000 as new decree tightens revocation rules

2 days ago

Hungary's Orban in first interview since losing election says Fidesz needs "full renewal"

2 days ago

Indonesia, US forge defence partnership

2 days ago

Peter Magyar calls on Hungarian president to step down, announces plans for media shake-up in fiery interview

3 days ago

More Features

Blogs

ASIA BLOG: How Taiwan’s KMT risks the nation’s sovereignty

As Taiwan’s opposition leader, Cheng Li-wun leads a delegation across China the fine line between opposition outreach and quasi-diplomacy is being blurred. It is an issue that should concern anyone with a stake in Taiwan’s democratic integrity.

TEHRAN BLOG: Ceasefire brings quiet relief to Iran, but few believe it will hold

Iranians remain split in the early hours of the two-week ceasefire between their government and US and Israel on the otherside, but as things stand any return to normality is better than nothing.

CAUCASUS BLOG: Armenian PM’s Moscow pushback plays to a domestic audience pre-election

Nikol Pashinyan made unusually blunt comments to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow.

MOSCOW BLOG: Pax Americana exposed as a paper tiger

Superficially the war in Iran has dealt Ukraine a huge blow. The White House is now completely distracted, and the Trump administration seems to have abandoned, or at least paused, the ceasefire negotiations with Russia.

BALKAN BLOG: The connection between the Middle East conflict and Slovenia’s closely fought election

Strong pro-Palestine sentiment in Slovenia causes alleged interference by Israeli private security firm ahead of general election to backfire.

ASIA BLOG: How Taiwan’s KMT risks the nation’s sovereignty

9 days ago

TEHRAN BLOG: Ceasefire brings quiet relief to Iran, but few believe it will hold

11 days ago

CAUCASUS BLOG: Armenian PM’s Moscow pushback plays to a domestic audience pre-election

13 days ago

MOSCOW BLOG: Pax Americana exposed as a paper tiger

17 days ago

BALKAN BLOG: The connection between the Middle East conflict and Slovenia’s closely fought election

18 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

Tehran enters sixth consecutive year of drought as dam levels drop

Tehran has entered its sixth consecutive year of drought with rainfall down 35%, as the capital's water utility warns dam levels remain fragile and calls on residents to cut consumption ahead of summer.

Iraq says Tigris river pollution contained after sediment surge from Diyala

Iraq's environment minister says authorities have contained a Tigris river pollution crisis caused by sediment from water releases, days after a mass fish die-off in Wasit province killed over 1,000 tonnes of fish.

Moldova prepares damage claims against Russia over energy infrastructure and environmental damage

Russian drone attack against a hydropower plant on the territory of Ukraine blamed for pollution of Dniester River.

Falling battery prices make round-the-clock solar power supply viable in India

A recent report by energy think tank Ember says that declining battery storage costs have reached a level where it makes it economically viable for solar power to supply most of India’s electricity demand.

Argentina eases glacier protection in $40bn mining push despite environmental fears

Argentina’s Congress has approved a reform to the country’s glacier protection law, relaxing restrictions on mining in high-altitude regions in a move aimed at attracting billions in investment, while drawing criticism from environmental groups.

Tehran enters sixth consecutive year of drought as dam levels drop

5 days ago

Iraq says Tigris river pollution contained after sediment surge from Diyala

5 days ago

Moldova prepares damage claims against Russia over energy infrastructure and environmental damage

5 days ago

Falling battery prices make round-the-clock solar power supply viable in India

9 days ago

Argentina eases glacier protection in $40bn mining push despite environmental fears

9 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Trump has threatened to strike every Iranian power plant and bridge after Tehran allegedly fired at French and British ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran rules out talks while the US naval blockade remains.

The United States has opted to extend a waiver permitting limited transactions involving Russian oil, despite sustained political opposition from within Washington.

Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled from 2023 to 2024 according to IISS research, with submarine cables, legacy IT systems and underinvestment in critical infrastructure identified as key vulnerabilities.

Iran has reopened six airports including Mehrabad, Imam Khomeini, Mashhad, Birjand, Gorgan and Zahedan as commercial aviation resumes following the ceasefire with the US and Israel.

Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) loan to airBaltic after the US-Iran war drove jet fuel prices to record highs, with the airline having hedged only 6% of its Q1 fuel requirements.

Tech

The control of Russia’s internet, including the latest escalation of the war on VPNs, has reportedly shifted to the Federal Security Bureau’s (FSB) Second Service unit.

Anthropic's Claude Mythos AI model has triggered emergency meetings among finance ministers and top bankers after demonstrating an ability to find and exploit cybersecurity weaknesses across banking and IT systems.

In a development that could reshape modern warfare, Ukrainian forces have, for the first time, captured a Russian position using only unmanned systems – a coordinated assault carried out entirely by drones and ground-based robots.

Clip then shows bloodied US leader knocked into fiery pit of hell.

Iran's business chambers warn that internet shutdowns are costing the digital economy up to $80mn a day as the country remains offline for the seventh week.

Opinion

Landslide election win for Tisza reflects deep domestic frustration rather than foreign policy concerns, but could pave the way for a reset in relations with the EU, analysts told an ECFR webinar.

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s long and troubled path towards European Union membership risks drifting further into irrelevance, warns EPC policy brief.

Western Balkan frontrunners Montenegro and Albania must do more to convince sceptical EU member states of their value or risk delays to their 2030 accession ambitions, a Carnegie Europe paper says.

Implications for leaders across Southeast Europe who have aligned themselves with Viktor Orban's brand of illiberal governance.

The US is moving to choke Iran’s oil lifeline. The market is starting to price something much bigger because the Trump administration naval blockade of Iran is not going to work.

Data

Iranian authorities have announced tax exemptions for families with three or more children born after October 2021, with a 15% increase in annual tax relief per eligible child under the youth population law.

India’s bank credit growth is expected to be around 13% this fiscal year, driven by robust growth in the micro, small and medium enterprise and retail sectors.

The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices.

Istanbul-listed company provided eight-year funding by Madrid-listed bank at Euribor+2.25-2.35%.

The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices.

Features

Canada's Mark Carney is driving a middle power alliance push through CANZUK and a wider variable-geometry foreign policy, backed by NATO 2% defence spending this year and plans for a Defence, Security and Resilience Bank.

Kuwait has stripped more than 50,000 people of citizenship since September 2024 with the latest decree tightening revocation rules, DNA testing authorised and nationality decisions shielded from judicial review.

Commits to staying on to lead the revival. Political scientist says he sees the decline of the party as essentially irreversible.

The MDCP is a clear signal that when it comes to regional deterrence and technological modernisation, Indonesia views the US as its primary partner, but it will continue to deal with Russia and China to ensure the lights stay on at home.

Incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar called on the president, Tamas Sulyok, to resign after the new government is formed, saying otherwise the new majority would seek his removal.

Blogs

As Taiwan’s opposition leader, Cheng Li-wun leads a delegation across China the fine line between opposition outreach and quasi-diplomacy is being blurred. It is an issue that should concern anyone with a stake in Taiwan’s democratic integrity.

Iranians remain split in the early hours of the two-week ceasefire between their government and US and Israel on the otherside, but as things stand any return to normality is better than nothing.

Nikol Pashinyan made unusually blunt comments to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow.

Superficially the war in Iran has dealt Ukraine a huge blow. The White House is now completely distracted, and the Trump administration seems to have abandoned, or at least paused, the ceasefire negotiations with Russia.

Strong pro-Palestine sentiment in Slovenia causes alleged interference by Israeli private security firm ahead of general election to backfire.

bneGREEN

Tehran has entered its sixth consecutive year of drought with rainfall down 35%, as the capital's water utility warns dam levels remain fragile and calls on residents to cut consumption ahead of summer.

Iraq's environment minister says authorities have contained a Tigris river pollution crisis caused by sediment from water releases, days after a mass fish die-off in Wasit province killed over 1,000 tonnes of fish.

Russian drone attack against a hydropower plant on the territory of Ukraine blamed for pollution of Dniester River.

A recent report by energy think tank Ember says that declining battery storage costs have reached a level where it makes it economically viable for solar power to supply most of India’s electricity demand.

Argentina’s Congress has approved a reform to the country’s glacier protection law, relaxing restrictions on mining in high-altitude regions in a move aimed at attracting billions in investment, while drawing criticism from environmental groups.

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