Latest Updates

Russia’s oil sector bruised but not broken by Ukraine's drone strikes

Ukraine's expanding drone campaign against Russia's oil industry is testing the Kremlin. Can it keep the domestic economy functioning after more than four years of war as its cash cow industry takes a painful pounding.

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Algeria, Nigeria offer biggest opportunities in Africa for low-cost methane emissions cuts, report finds

African oil & gas producers can achieve significant methane emissions cuts using existing tech, Carbon Limits says, noting infrastructure, regulation and gas commercialisation prospects will determine the economics of abatement.

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Deal total signed with Global South at SPIEF likely tops $100bn

This year’s St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) was considered a flop as few international companies bothered to make the trip. However, some $100bn worth of deals were signed with Global South companies.

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Markets bet big on De la Espriella, Colombia's next president. Economists are not so sure

Colombian markets were upbeat on De la Espriella's victory. But two economists tell IntelliNews the celebration may be premature, with deep state cuts, fracking and a harsh security crackdown carrying steep hidden costs.

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Ahead of Nato summit with Trump, Ankara splashes paint on VIP route homes, detains hundreds

Security forces boost detention numbers by holding 44 bird watchers who crossed paths with a mining protest.

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Climate change fuelling conflict across Africa's Lake Chad Basin, warn Scandinavian institutes

As Lake Chad shrinks and resources dry up, the region has suffered repeated attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP, forcing thousands to pay the insurgents' "tax" or flee their homes

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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.

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India’s Russian crude imports hit record level

Regardless of efforts by the US or even the EU to pressure New Delhi to abide by wider sanctions on Moscow, Russian crude is set to remain a defining feature of India's energy mix in at least the near term.

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UN expert calls on Ecuador for swift probe into Polish activist's death

Bolivia's roadblocks lifted after 48 days but Morales warns "pause" is not surrender

Cuba oil lifeline hinges on Mexican firms willing to brave US sanctions

UN expert calls on Ecuador for swift probe into Polish activist's death

The United Nations special rapporteur on human rights defenders has urged Ecuador to conduct a swift, thorough and independent investigation into the death of Monika Silva Koniuszek.

Bolivia's roadblocks lifted after 48 days but Morales warns "pause" is not surrender

Bolivia emerged from its worst social crisis in decades on June 24 as the last remaining roadblocks were lifted following a pause announced by coca grower unions loyal to former president Evo Morales.

Cuba oil lifeline hinges on Mexican firms willing to brave US sanctions

Cuba’s oil lifeline hangs by a thread. As Mexico attempts a risky private-sector workaround to bypass tightened US secondary sanctions, mid-sized firms face an overnight death sentence if they lose access to dollar clearing.

News

Saudi Arabia opens portal for foreign property ownership applications

Saudi Arabia's REGA has opened applications for foreign property ownership through its Saudi Properties portal, the official channel under a law that took effect in January, while restricting ownership in Mecca and Medina.

Qatar to resume normal LNG output within weeks, prime minister says

Qatar will resume normal LNG production within a few weeks, its prime minister says, though Iranian strike damage will keep around 17% of capacity offline for years, leaving global gas markets only partly relieved.

China, Philippines in naval head-to-head near Scarborough Shoal

The confrontation reportedly took place on the same day Manila concluded Salaknib 2026, a nearly three-month exercise involving more than 7,000 troops from the Philippines, the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

ECB comments on yuan valuation draw Chinese pushback

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has called for global discussion on the perceived undervaluation of the Chinese yuan.

Lithuanian PM steps down as coalition prepares new government

Lithuania’s ruling Social Democrats has formed a new government after expelling the radical right Nemunas Dawn party.

Saudi Arabia opens portal for foreign property ownership applications

6 hours ago

Qatar to resume normal LNG output within weeks, prime minister says

7 hours ago

China, Philippines in naval head-to-head near Scarborough Shoal

19 hours ago

ECB comments on yuan valuation draw Chinese pushback

19 hours ago

Lithuanian PM steps down as coalition prepares new government

22 hours ago

More News

Tech

Azerbaijan moves to ban under-16s from social media

Official tells parliament companies should "not have the right to exploit the psychology of our children" in Azerbaijan.

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.

Azerbaijan moves to ban under-16s from social media

20 hours ago

Russia weighs tighter rules on M2M SIM cards and eSIMs

1 day ago

AzerTelecom and Telecom Armenia sign internet transit deal

1 day ago

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

2 days ago

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

2 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

Ukraine, Europe and Global Security - Lavrov

Below is the text of an article by Russia’s veteran Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that was originally planned to be published in the Brussels-based Politico-Europe outlet, but according to reports was pulled at the last minute by editors.

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.

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.

Ukraine, Europe and Global Security - Lavrov

22 hours ago

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

1 day ago

ORYNBAYEV: EU must trim Commission to strengthen global competitiveness

2 days ago

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

7 days ago

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

8 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Iran's economy contracts 0.7% in year to March on construction, drought

Iran's economy contracted 0.7% in the year to March, preliminary Central Bank of Iran estimates show, as construction fell 15.8% and agriculture 4.2%, with only the oil sector and services posting growth.

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.

Iran's economy contracts 0.7% in year to March on construction, drought

8 hours ago

Bulgaria records EU’s sharpest fuel price rise in May

2 days ago

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

2 days ago

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

2 days ago

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

2 days ago

More Data

Features

Global growth to stabilise in 3Q26 as Iran ceasefire eases energy shock - Erste Bank

A framework agreement between Washington and Tehran has already pulled oil prices lower, but Erste Group's quarterly outlook warns the inflationary scar tissue from the conflict will outlast the crisis itself across the world.

Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor funded by Russian Abramovich, key to Kremlin's sanctions-evasion network

Moldovan fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor has become one of the Kremlin's most important unofficial operatives in Moldova’s domestic politics. He is funded by some of Russia’s richest oligarchs, close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

TIIF 2026: Uzbekistan sees tourism as next engine of growth as it seeks to become Central Asia's travel hub

The great cities of the Silk Road have captivated travellers’ imaginations for centuries. Today, however, Uzbekistan is pursuing a far more ambitious goal than simply preserving its tremendous heritage.

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.

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.

Global growth to stabilise in 3Q26 as Iran ceasefire eases energy shock - Erste Bank

1 hour ago

Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor funded by Russian Abramovich, key to Kremlin's sanctions-evasion network

22 hours ago

TIIF 2026: Uzbekistan sees tourism as next engine of growth as it seeks to become Central Asia's travel hub

23 hours ago

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

1 day ago

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

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

12 days ago

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

15 days ago

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

20 days ago

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

21 days ago

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

21 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

Expert views: Addressing water-management challenges in Central Asia

A Eurasianet partner post.

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.

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.

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.

Lithuanian carbon farming programme secures first corporate buyers

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

Expert views: Addressing water-management challenges in Central Asia

10 hours ago

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

1 day ago

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

1 day ago

COMMENT: Iran war shows why Asia must quit fossil fuels

1 day ago

Lithuanian carbon farming programme secures first corporate buyers

1 day ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Saudi Arabia's REGA has opened applications for foreign property ownership through its Saudi Properties portal, the official channel under a law that took effect in January, while restricting ownership in Mecca and Medina.

Qatar will resume normal LNG production within a few weeks, its prime minister says, though Iranian strike damage will keep around 17% of capacity offline for years, leaving global gas markets only partly relieved.

The confrontation reportedly took place on the same day Manila concluded Salaknib 2026, a nearly three-month exercise involving more than 7,000 troops from the Philippines, the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has called for global discussion on the perceived undervaluation of the Chinese yuan.

Lithuania’s ruling Social Democrats has formed a new government after expelling the radical right Nemunas Dawn party.

Tech

Official tells parliament companies should "not have the right to exploit the psychology of our children" in Azerbaijan.

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.

Opinion

Below is the text of an article by Russia’s veteran Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that was originally planned to be published in the Brussels-based Politico-Europe outlet, but according to reports was pulled at the last minute by editors.

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.

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.

Data

Iran's economy contracted 0.7% in the year to March, preliminary Central Bank of Iran estimates show, as construction fell 15.8% and agriculture 4.2%, with only the oil sector and services posting growth.

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.

Features

A framework agreement between Washington and Tehran has already pulled oil prices lower, but Erste Group's quarterly outlook warns the inflationary scar tissue from the conflict will outlast the crisis itself across the world.

Moldovan fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor has become one of the Kremlin's most important unofficial operatives in Moldova’s domestic politics. He is funded by some of Russia’s richest oligarchs, close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The great cities of the Silk Road have captivated travellers’ imaginations for centuries. Today, however, Uzbekistan is pursuing a far more ambitious goal than simply preserving its tremendous heritage.

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.

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.

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

A Eurasianet partner post.

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.

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.

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

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

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