Latest Updates

Nicaragua's exiles top 800,000 as repression follows them abroad

At least 838,363 Nicaraguans — close to 13% of the population — left the country between April 2018 and December 2024 as a result of political persecution, according to figures published this month by the Nicaragua Nunca Más Collective.

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Western Balkans coal plants continue to breach pollution limits despite legal deadlines, report says

CEE Bankwatch Network study finds coal-fired power plants emitted sulphur dioxide at more than six times legal limits in 2025, with dust pollution reaching its worst level since current emissions rules entered force.

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EU closes Russian oil 'refining loophole' but sanctions gaps remain - KSE

The EU's ban on petroleum products refined from Russian crude oil in third countries has sharply reduced the flow of Russian-linked fuel into Europe, but significant loopholes remain and products derived from Russian oil continue to reach the EU.

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Nigeria tightens telecom ownership rules for major share transactions amid rising MTN, Airtel dominance

Nigeria now requires prior regulatory clearance for transactions involving 10% or more of a licensee's shares, as MTN and Airtel consolidate their dominance of Africa's largest telecom market.

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RAGOZIN: "Russia Is Losing" — We've heard this before

Ukrainian drone strikes on transport links and fuel depots have succeeded in creating acute fuel shortages and blackouts across the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula. Russia is losing the war! We have been here before.

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Europe's heat map is turning red due to annual heatwaves - IPCC

Villages in northern France have been sweltering this week as temperatures topped a record breaking 43°C in what is already clearly going to be the fourth hottest year in recorded history.

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COMMENT: Iran war shows why Asia must quit fossil fuels

Across Asia, governments are now accelerating approvals for renewable projects and grid modernisation schemes. Battery storage investments are making headlines almost daily.

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India looks to increase its unmanned warfare capabilities

The cornerstone of this structural change is going to be a large procurement order to the tune of $2bn.

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South Africa's MTN eyes Iran exit as potential US sanctions relief hopes revive

Algeria and Namibia exit FATF grey list, six African states remain under enhanced monitoring

Bolivia state of emergency clears blockades, but Morales loyalists dig in

South Africa's MTN eyes Iran exit as potential US sanctions relief hopes revive

MTN Group (JSE: MTN) could finally unlock its long-troubled 49% stake in Iranian operator Irancell if diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran eventually lead to sanctions relief.

Algeria and Namibia exit FATF grey list, six African states remain under enhanced monitoring

Algeria and Namibia were removed from FATF's grey list after strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks, potentially easing access to international finance.

Bolivia state of emergency clears blockades, but Morales loyalists dig in

Bolivia's seven-week political crisis entered a decisive new phase after President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency, parliament ratified the measure with a two-thirds majority in a dramatic overnight session.

News

Iran, Oman agree joint committee on Strait of Hormuz shipping

Iran and Oman have agreed to form a joint foreign-ministry committee on the future management of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a joint statement says, while reaffirming safe passage and their sovereignty over the waterway.

Iran says Switzerland four-way talks collapsed after US threats

Iran's foreign ministry says four-way talks in Switzerland with the US, Pakistan and Qatar failed to reconvene after threatening US statements, with later contact running only through mediators, giving Tehran's account of the round.

Western companies lose hundreds of billions as Russia business presence shrinks

Western companies have seen the value of their assets in Russia almost halve since the start of the war in Ukraine, highlighting the scale of the economic decoupling between Russia and the West after more than four years of war, Vedomosti reports.

EU leaders reaffirm Moldova’s future in bloc at Brussels summit

European and Moldovan officials stated that bilateral relations had reached a new level and reiterated that "the future of Moldova and its citizens lies in the European Union".

Romanian PM-designate Vestea loses confidence vote, prolonging political crisis

Failed vote increases pressure on President Nicusur Dan to find a candidate with cross-party support, or Romania will face a snap election.

Iran, Oman agree joint committee on Strait of Hormuz shipping

1 hour ago

Iran says Switzerland four-way talks collapsed after US threats

8 hours ago

Western companies lose hundreds of billions as Russia business presence shrinks

9 hours ago

EU leaders reaffirm Moldova’s future in bloc at Brussels summit

11 hours ago

Romanian PM-designate Vestea loses confidence vote, prolonging political crisis

11 hours ago

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Tech

Russia weighs tighter rules on M2M SIM cards and eSIMs

Russia is weighing tighter rules on M2M SIM cards and eSIMs, including extra user ID checks, the removal of voice and SMS functions, and a possible ban on registering foreign eSIMs, in a further tightening of internet control.

AzerTelecom and Telecom Armenia sign internet transit deal

Agreement adds a new connectivity route for Armenia, as Baku and Yerevan continue to implement post-conflict normalisation.

TIIF 2026: Uzbekistan bets on fintech ecosystems to drive next phase of digital growth

Uzbekistan's fintech sector is entering a new stage of development. Companies are seeking to build integrated digital ecosystems that combine banking, payments, lending and ecommerce.

TIIF 2026: Enterprise Uzbekistan employs English common law to attract global tech firms

Ambitious new legal jurisdiction is aimed at attracting international technology companies by utilising legal certainty and regulatory flexibility rather than tax incentives.

TIIF 2026: Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries ramps up Central Asian operations

Russia’s largest e-commerce operator Wildberries became the largest retailer of any sort when it overtook MasterSport in 2019 and took Russia into a new age of e-commerce. Now it is expanding into Uzbekistan's fast-growing economy.

Russia weighs tighter rules on M2M SIM cards and eSIMs

5 hours ago

AzerTelecom and Telecom Armenia sign internet transit deal

11 hours ago

TIIF 2026: Uzbekistan bets on fintech ecosystems to drive next phase of digital growth

1 day ago

TIIF 2026: Enterprise Uzbekistan employs English common law to attract global tech firms

1 day ago

TIIF 2026: Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries ramps up Central Asian operations

2 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

ORYNBAYEV: EU must trim Commission to strengthen global competitiveness

If the last twelve months have taught the European Union anything, it is that it must now stand on its own two feet. As economic pressures mount in an increasingly polarized world order, the EU must breathe new life into its struggling businesses.

Election result boosts Armenia's EU path but Russia-backed opposition still a constraint

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan secured a decisive election victory, resilient pro-Russian opposition could slow his efforts to advance peace with Azerbaijan and deepen ties with the West, says Carnegie Politika analysis.

New initiative launched to redirect Gulf energy flows away from Strait toward Mediterranean

Syria envisioned as key cog in new energy distribution network.

COMMENT: Iran and the GCC, the memory remains

Relations across the Gulf have been ruined following more than 100 days of war between Iran, Israel and the US with the Gulf neighbours to the south and east of the Islamic Republic left exposed following a new memorandum with the Trump admin.

Bosnia gas pipeline risks deepening political rifts, think-tank says

A planned EU-backed gas pipeline linking Bosnia & Herzegovina to Croatia could intensify political divisions within the country rather than easing its energy vulnerabilities.

ORYNBAYEV: EU must trim Commission to strengthen global competitiveness

1 day ago

Election result boosts Armenia's EU path but Russia-backed opposition still a constraint

6 days ago

New initiative launched to redirect Gulf energy flows away from Strait toward Mediterranean

7 days ago

COMMENT: Iran and the GCC, the memory remains

7 days ago

Bosnia gas pipeline risks deepening political rifts, think-tank says

8 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Bulgaria records EU’s sharpest fuel price rise in May

Fuel prices rose in all EU member states, with the steepest increases recorded in Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Lithuania and Romania.

Serbia property market value jumps 14% to record €2bn in Q1

The figure is the highest value for a first quarter since the Real Estate Price Register was established.

Polish retail sales ease growth to 3% y/y in May

Middle East conflict and slower real income growth are limiting consumption growth, ING analysts said.

Strategists project Singapore dollar to surge to SGD1.26 against US dollar

While Western central banks rely on adjusting benchmark interest rates to cool down hot domestic economies, the Monetary Authority of Singapore utilises the nominal effective exchange rate as its primary policy tool.

Czech regulator hikes rates by 0.25bp to 3.75% in first monetary change in 13 months

The Czech National Bank changed the main interest rate for the first time since May 2025.

Bulgaria records EU’s sharpest fuel price rise in May

1 day ago

Serbia property market value jumps 14% to record €2bn in Q1

1 day ago

Polish retail sales ease growth to 3% y/y in May

1 day ago

Strategists project Singapore dollar to surge to SGD1.26 against US dollar

1 day ago

Czech regulator hikes rates by 0.25bp to 3.75% in first monetary change in 13 months

4 days ago

More Data

Features

Russia's war economy grinds towards a halt despite oil windfall - KSE

Russia is enjoying an unexpected energy windfall from the conflict in Iran, but soaring oil revenues are proving insufficient to offset mounting fiscal pressures and a rapidly slowing economy, according to KSE.

TIIF 2026: Uzbekistan's aviation boom has outrun every forecast

Central Asia overtook South Asia last year to become the fastest-growing aviation sub-region in the world, carrying roughly 60mn passengers in 2025. Next up: the IPO of Uzbekistan Airways, the national carrier.

TIIF 2026: Germany turns to Uzbekistan as Berlin looks for growth, minerals and skilled workers in Central Asia

Germany is making one of its most visible business pushes into Uzbekistan in years, as Berlin looks beyond its traditional European and Asian markets for new sources of growth, raw materials, industrial partnerships and skilled labour.

TIIF 2026: Masdar and ACWA Power, twin engines behind Uzbekistan's renewable energy boom

Two Gulf utility giants control the lion's share of Central Asia's largest green energy market. At the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) this month, the two companies set out plans that would take investment capital to $20bn.

TIIF 2026: Bootstrapping Uzbekistan's private capital

A draft law that would, for the first time, give Uzbekistan a functioning legal framework for private equity, venture capital and other alternative investment vehicles is now in its final stage of review by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Russia's war economy grinds towards a halt despite oil windfall - KSE

7 hours ago

TIIF 2026: Uzbekistan's aviation boom has outrun every forecast

1 day ago

TIIF 2026: Germany turns to Uzbekistan as Berlin looks for growth, minerals and skilled workers in Central Asia

1 day ago

TIIF 2026: Masdar and ACWA Power, twin engines behind Uzbekistan's renewable energy boom

1 day ago

TIIF 2026: Bootstrapping Uzbekistan's private capital

1 day ago

More Features

Blogs

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".

KYIV BLOG: Ukraine peace deal goes back to square one at London summit

The E3 European leaders met in London over the weekend to thrash out a new formula to take to the Kremlin and end the war in Ukraine. Unfortunately, the document they produced takes us all the way back to the very beginning of the process.

BALKAN BLOG: Albania’s ‘flamingo revolution’ raises questions over Rama’s long rule

What began as an environmental campaign against the planned development linked to Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner has rapidly evolved into a broader protest movement.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Ozgur Ozel, master of the loud-but-useless protest

He’s passionate but ultimately dull. While he’s directing matters, the regime can happily go about dismantling the opposition.

MOSCOW BLOG: Germans return to SPIEF as Russia sanctions resolve starts to fray

German businessmen are going to the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia’s premier investment forum, in a public show of the fraying commitment to cutting off commercial ties under the sanctions regime.

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

11 days ago

KYIV BLOG: Ukraine peace deal goes back to square one at London summit

14 days ago

BALKAN BLOG: Albania’s ‘flamingo revolution’ raises questions over Rama’s long rule

19 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Ozgur Ozel, master of the loud-but-useless protest

20 days ago

MOSCOW BLOG: Germans return to SPIEF as Russia sanctions resolve starts to fray

20 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

Romania adds more than 10,000 rooftop solar prosumers a month

Romania had 332,684 prosumers connected to the electricity grid as of April 30, with a combined installed capacity of 3,789 MW, according to energy regulator ANRE.

Lithuanian carbon farming programme secures first corporate buyers

Several international companies have purchased the first carbon credits generated by local farmers in Lithuania.

Vietnam's Ca Mau starts construction of wind farm

Southern Vietnam's Ca Mau Province has begun construction of a nearly $95mn wind power project aimed at boosting renewable energy production and supporting long-term economic growth.

India faces twin threat of extreme heat and a slow moving monsoon

Most parts of India are facing unprecedented heatwave conditions. For several weeks, India’s capital, New Delhi, has been suffering under temperatures over 40 °C.

Philippines approves 13 renewable energy projects

The Philippines’ Department of Energy has welcomed the certification of 13 renewable energy projects valued at PHP344.62bn ($5.7bn) under the government’s Green Lane initiative in the first five months of 2026.

Romania adds more than 10,000 rooftop solar prosumers a month

11 hours ago

Lithuanian carbon farming programme secures first corporate buyers

22 hours ago

Vietnam's Ca Mau starts construction of wind farm

1 day ago

India faces twin threat of extreme heat and a slow moving monsoon

4 days ago

Philippines approves 13 renewable energy projects

5 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Iran and Oman have agreed to form a joint foreign-ministry committee on the future management of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a joint statement says, while reaffirming safe passage and their sovereignty over the waterway.

Iran's foreign ministry says four-way talks in Switzerland with the US, Pakistan and Qatar failed to reconvene after threatening US statements, with later contact running only through mediators, giving Tehran's account of the round.

Western companies have seen the value of their assets in Russia almost halve since the start of the war in Ukraine, highlighting the scale of the economic decoupling between Russia and the West after more than four years of war, Vedomosti reports.

European and Moldovan officials stated that bilateral relations had reached a new level and reiterated that "the future of Moldova and its citizens lies in the European Union".

Failed vote increases pressure on President Nicusur Dan to find a candidate with cross-party support, or Romania will face a snap election.

Tech

Russia is weighing tighter rules on M2M SIM cards and eSIMs, including extra user ID checks, the removal of voice and SMS functions, and a possible ban on registering foreign eSIMs, in a further tightening of internet control.

Agreement adds a new connectivity route for Armenia, as Baku and Yerevan continue to implement post-conflict normalisation.

Uzbekistan's fintech sector is entering a new stage of development. Companies are seeking to build integrated digital ecosystems that combine banking, payments, lending and ecommerce.

Ambitious new legal jurisdiction is aimed at attracting international technology companies by utilising legal certainty and regulatory flexibility rather than tax incentives.

Russia’s largest e-commerce operator Wildberries became the largest retailer of any sort when it overtook MasterSport in 2019 and took Russia into a new age of e-commerce. Now it is expanding into Uzbekistan's fast-growing economy.

Opinion

If the last twelve months have taught the European Union anything, it is that it must now stand on its own two feet. As economic pressures mount in an increasingly polarized world order, the EU must breathe new life into its struggling businesses.

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan secured a decisive election victory, resilient pro-Russian opposition could slow his efforts to advance peace with Azerbaijan and deepen ties with the West, says Carnegie Politika analysis.

Syria envisioned as key cog in new energy distribution network.

Relations across the Gulf have been ruined following more than 100 days of war between Iran, Israel and the US with the Gulf neighbours to the south and east of the Islamic Republic left exposed following a new memorandum with the Trump admin.

A planned EU-backed gas pipeline linking Bosnia & Herzegovina to Croatia could intensify political divisions within the country rather than easing its energy vulnerabilities.

Data

Fuel prices rose in all EU member states, with the steepest increases recorded in Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Lithuania and Romania.

The figure is the highest value for a first quarter since the Real Estate Price Register was established.

Middle East conflict and slower real income growth are limiting consumption growth, ING analysts said.

While Western central banks rely on adjusting benchmark interest rates to cool down hot domestic economies, the Monetary Authority of Singapore utilises the nominal effective exchange rate as its primary policy tool.

The Czech National Bank changed the main interest rate for the first time since May 2025.

Features

Russia is enjoying an unexpected energy windfall from the conflict in Iran, but soaring oil revenues are proving insufficient to offset mounting fiscal pressures and a rapidly slowing economy, according to KSE.

Central Asia overtook South Asia last year to become the fastest-growing aviation sub-region in the world, carrying roughly 60mn passengers in 2025. Next up: the IPO of Uzbekistan Airways, the national carrier.

Germany is making one of its most visible business pushes into Uzbekistan in years, as Berlin looks beyond its traditional European and Asian markets for new sources of growth, raw materials, industrial partnerships and skilled labour.

Two Gulf utility giants control the lion's share of Central Asia's largest green energy market. At the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) this month, the two companies set out plans that would take investment capital to $20bn.

A draft law that would, for the first time, give Uzbekistan a functioning legal framework for private equity, venture capital and other alternative investment vehicles is now in its final stage of review by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Blogs

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

The E3 European leaders met in London over the weekend to thrash out a new formula to take to the Kremlin and end the war in Ukraine. Unfortunately, the document they produced takes us all the way back to the very beginning of the process.

What began as an environmental campaign against the planned development linked to Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner has rapidly evolved into a broader protest movement.

He’s passionate but ultimately dull. While he’s directing matters, the regime can happily go about dismantling the opposition.

German businessmen are going to the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia’s premier investment forum, in a public show of the fraying commitment to cutting off commercial ties under the sanctions regime.

bneGREEN

Romania had 332,684 prosumers connected to the electricity grid as of April 30, with a combined installed capacity of 3,789 MW, according to energy regulator ANRE.

Several international companies have purchased the first carbon credits generated by local farmers in Lithuania.

Southern Vietnam's Ca Mau Province has begun construction of a nearly $95mn wind power project aimed at boosting renewable energy production and supporting long-term economic growth.

Most parts of India are facing unprecedented heatwave conditions. For several weeks, India’s capital, New Delhi, has been suffering under temperatures over 40 °C.

The Philippines’ Department of Energy has welcomed the certification of 13 renewable energy projects valued at PHP344.62bn ($5.7bn) under the government’s Green Lane initiative in the first five months of 2026.

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