Latest Updates

Estonia already spending more than 5% on Nato defences as it prepares for possible war with Russia

Nato members are gathering in the Hague for the annual security conference on June 25 where the US is demanding countries increase defence spending to at least 5% of GDP by 2035. Estonia is already there.

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East Asia’s petrochemical industry: stuck between tradition and transition

As the global economy begins its gradual but determined pivot towards decarbonisation and renewable energy, East Asia's petrochemical giants now find themselves straddling two competing imperatives - legacy industries and a low-carbon future.

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Asia’s fruit boom: how the continent is feeding the world’s sweet tooth

Asian growers are now tapping into global markets more aggressively than ever before.

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LONG READ: Nato summit in The Hague is all about the money, not about Ukraine

The collected membership of Nato meets in The Hague on June 25 for a cutdown version of the annual gathering, where Ukraine has been dropped from the agenda and the only thing that will be discussed is increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP.

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How President Trump clinched a ceasefire between Israel and Iran

Following twelve days of intense warfare between Iran and Israel, a ceasefire has been reached through direct US intervention and diplomatic support from other countries.

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COMMENT: The long road to a BRICS-led world order hits familiar obstacles

Brazil's upcoming BRICS summit exposes the bloc's growing pains as 21 members wrestle with deep divisions. The group's ambitious challenge to US financial dominance hits reality as internal disagreements threaten its push for global clout.

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Spare my blushes – Spanish asset manager discusses Turkey’s 0% weight in portfolios

To the MSCI EM Index, country remains a rounding error. Will the Israel-Iran clash blow it and the world further off course?

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Sanctions no longer top Russian business concern, worries now focused on internal constraints on growth – survey

Russian business leaders are increasingly less concerned about Western sanctions but more preoccupied with structural economic challenges, particularly labour shortages and cost pressures, according to the latest "CEO Barometer" poll.

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Slovak President Pellegrini backs postponement of new Nato spending target to 2035

Drawing the line: Indonesia settles long-running Aceh–North Sumatra dispute

Peruvian restaurant Maido tops global rankings in latest World's 50 Best list

Slovak President Pellegrini backs postponement of new Nato spending target to 2035

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has backed the postponement of the new Nato defence spending target of 5% of GDP to 2035.

Drawing the line: Indonesia settles long-running Aceh–North Sumatra dispute

Aceh, located at the northern tip of Sumatra, is a special autonomous province with the right to implement Sharia law. It has a distinct political identity shaped by decades of conflict, which ended with the 2005 Helsinki peace agreement.

Peruvian restaurant Maido tops global rankings in latest World's 50 Best list

Peru shines again as Maido in Lima is named the world’s best restaurant in 2025, marking a major win for chef Micha Tsumura and cementing Peru’s place as a global culinary powerhouse.

News

Russia courts Mexico with LNG offer as energy ties with US face strain

Russia is pushing to boost energy ties with Mexico, offering LNG and tech support as the country faces ageing infrastructure, low output, and heavy reliance on US gas.

The Belarusian opposition leaders Sergey and Svetlana Tikhanovsky vow to continue the fight to release more political prisoners

Belarusian opposition figures Sergey Tikhanovsky, and his wife, presidential contender Svetlana Tikhanovskaya vowed to continue their fight against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and seek the release of more political prisoners.

Polish authorities thwarted assassination attempt on Ukrainian president in 2024, officials say

Polish and Ukrainian security services disrupted an attempt to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at Rzeszów airport in April 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine said on June 23.

COMMENT: Fico hints Slovakia won’t spend 5% GDP on Nato defence under his watch

Prime Minister Robert Fico said that Slovakia would not increase defence spending to 5% of GDP as demanded by Nato, as his country has better things to spend budget money on.

Romania’s new government endorsed by parliament

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's new executive has the urgent task of restoring Romania's public finances.

Russia courts Mexico with LNG offer as energy ties with US face strain

16 hours ago

The Belarusian opposition leaders Sergey and Svetlana Tikhanovsky vow to continue the fight to release more political prisoners

23 hours ago

Polish authorities thwarted assassination attempt on Ukrainian president in 2024, officials say

1 day ago

COMMENT: Fico hints Slovakia won’t spend 5% GDP on Nato defence under his watch

1 day ago

Romania’s new government endorsed by parliament

1 day ago

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Tech

Iranian hacker group reportedly behind Albania cyber attack

Iranian hacker group Homeland Justice has repeatedly threatened Albania which hosts the Iranian opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq.

INTERVIEW: Uzum the Uzbek unicorn scaling up in a fast-growing market

Uzum is Uzbekistan’s first ever tech unicorn and leading the pack as the country is being transformed into Central Asia’s tech hub.

Huawei and ByteDance plan significant Brazil tech investments amid US-China rivalry

Chinese technology major Huawei Technologies and TikTok owner ByteDance are preparing substantial investments in Brazil's cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence sectors.

Croatia’s Hrvatski Telekom launches 5G smart airport project to handle rising tourist traffic

Passenger numbers are rising, with Zagreb alone handling over 4.3mn people in 2024, increasing the need for smart, connected infrastructure, Croatian telco said.

Asia's role as a global data centre hub is driving economic growth across the region

Microsoft and Google recently announced multi-billion dollar investments to expand their existing facilities in Singapore, incorporating AI-ready infrastructure and renewable energy commitments.

Iranian hacker group reportedly behind Albania cyber attack

1 day ago

INTERVIEW: Uzum the Uzbek unicorn scaling up in a fast-growing market

2 days ago

Huawei and ByteDance plan significant Brazil tech investments amid US-China rivalry

5 days ago

Croatia’s Hrvatski Telekom launches 5G smart airport project to handle rising tourist traffic

5 days ago

Asia's role as a global data centre hub is driving economic growth across the region

5 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

MACRO ADVISORY: Uzbekistan is in need of another gear

Uzbekistan has recorded remarkable growth over the past six years. GDP doubled, average incomes have risen three-fold. The president wants to double the economy again, but to do that, it needs to go up another gear: privatisation needs to accelerate.

COMMENT: Black Sea becomes central to Europe’s evolving security order

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the Black Sea is emerging as the key theatre in Europe’s long-term security contest with Russia, according to political analyst Dimitar Bechev of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Remember that fellow Imamoglu?

As the world moves on to other matters, the operation that aims to keep the main political threat to Turkey’s Erdogan behind bars is still going strong.

COMMENT: Georgia goes from sanctions-dodging transit country to Russia’s oil export backdoor into Europe

Georgia has long been suspected of being a major transit country for European sanctioned goods travelling to Russia, but now it appears the trade is flowing in the other direction: Georgia has become a major backdoor into the EU for Russian oil.

COMMENT: weighing up the economic cost of the Israel-Iran war

“The longer and more intense the conflict becomes, the greater the economic cost,” said James Swanston, a Middle East and North Africa economist with Capital Economics, in a note.

MACRO ADVISORY: Uzbekistan is in need of another gear

1 day ago

COMMENT: Black Sea becomes central to Europe’s evolving security order

1 day ago

BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Remember that fellow Imamoglu?

1 day ago

COMMENT: Georgia goes from sanctions-dodging transit country to Russia’s oil export backdoor into Europe

1 day ago

COMMENT: weighing up the economic cost of the Israel-Iran war

5 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade expands 15% y/y to $31.3bn in Jan–May

Growth driven by a 31% rise in exports to $14.8bn. Imports rose a modest 3.7% to $16.5bn.

Polish retail sales ease growth in May but still point to sustained consumption as pillar of growth

Polish retail sales grew 4.4% year on year in constant prices in May, a marked slowdown from the 7.6% y/y increase recorded in April.

Where US military facilities are in the Middle East

Iran launched an attack on a US air base in Qatar on Monday evening local time, according to state media. The move comes amid escalations between Israel and Iran and is a retaliation for the US decision to attack Iran’s nuclear sites yesterday.

Polish PPI eases decline rate slightly in May

Poland's producer price index fell 1.5% year on year in May, following a revised decline of 1.6% y/y in April.

Slovak unemployment stays at 3.71% in May

Unemployment in Slovakia stayed at 3.71% in May, the same as in the previous month. The April level was the lowest on record since 1993. Year on year, it dropped by 0.07 percentage points.

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade expands 15% y/y to $31.3bn in Jan–May

10 hours ago

Polish retail sales ease growth in May but still point to sustained consumption as pillar of growth

10 hours ago

Where US military facilities are in the Middle East

23 hours ago

Polish PPI eases decline rate slightly in May

1 day ago

Slovak unemployment stays at 3.71% in May

2 days ago

More Data

Features

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would cripple the global semiconductor supply chain - and the planet

Diplomacy, deterrence, and international cooperation are the only viable path forward. The alternative is not just a local war - it is a global tech blackout.

Proposed defence spending hike to 5% of GDP exposes divisions among Nato members

Russia hawks in Poland and the Baltic States are firmly behind plan to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, while other members question new target.

Iran strikes hollow victory for US

Trump’s air spectacle was undeniably impressive for American audiences late over the weekend, but all hell has now broken loose.

“Project 816”: China also has secret underground nuclear weapons facilities

China also maintains underground nuclear weapons facilities, similar to those found in Iran, according to defence analysts and intelligence agencies. The most famous is “project 816”, and other secret sites are thought to be working still.

Saudi Arabia-based power company ACWA Power plunges head first into Uzbekistan's green energy sector

Saudi Arabia-based utility developer ACWA Power plunged headfirst into the Uzbekistan green energy market. Since making its first investment in 2020 with a 1,500-MW plant in the Silk Road city of Bukhara, it has built $15bn worth of new capacity.

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would cripple the global semiconductor supply chain - and the planet

19 hours ago

Proposed defence spending hike to 5% of GDP exposes divisions among Nato members

21 hours ago

Iran strikes hollow victory for US

1 day ago

“Project 816”: China also has secret underground nuclear weapons facilities

1 day ago

Saudi Arabia-based power company ACWA Power plunges head first into Uzbekistan's green energy sector

1 day ago

More Features

Blogs

TEHRAN BLOG: British nationals stranded in Iran criticise London's lack of support

British nationals remaining in Tehran have criticised the UK government for providing no assistance or instructions following Israeli attacks on Iran.

CAUCASUS BLOG: Baku's performance art of multilateralism

A critical look at Azerbaijan's Global South agenda.

ASIA BLOG: Which side leading Asian nations would back if Iran VS Israel escalates

In the event of an escalation, Beijing would likely call for restraint and push for a negotiated settlement. It may be doing so already behind the scenes. However, its silence or perceived tilt towards Tehran could provoke criticism from the West.

TEHRAN BLOG: residents stockpile supplies as Israel-Iran tensions escalate

Tehran's residents remain behind despite calls by President Donald Trump to evacuate the city of 12mn.

CAUCASUS BLOG: Armenia feels the strain as Iran-Israel conflict upends regional order

Armenia finds itself increasingly isolated in a volatile neighbourhood, surrounded by historic foes and uncertain allies.

TEHRAN BLOG: British nationals stranded in Iran criticise London's lack of support

3 days ago

CAUCASUS BLOG: Baku's performance art of multilateralism

4 days ago

ASIA BLOG: Which side leading Asian nations would back if Iran VS Israel escalates

6 days ago

TEHRAN BLOG: residents stockpile supplies as Israel-Iran tensions escalate

7 days ago

CAUCASUS BLOG: Armenia feels the strain as Iran-Israel conflict upends regional order

7 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

AI could cut climate emissions

Artificial intelligence has the potential to reduce climate-heating emissions by as much as 5.4bn tonnes annually over the next 10 years.

“Invisible peril” heatwaves can kill 500,000 people yearly

Recent scientific studies show that up to 500,000 people die annually from extreme heat, surpassing the toll of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods combined.

Farmers powerless to prevent five of the six staple crop yields from plummeting – New Scientist

Efforts by farmers to adapt to rising temperatures will not be enough to prevent severe losses in global staple crop production due to climate change, according to a new study published in New Scientist on June 18.

Where the world is losing tree cover fastest – Statista

North America is close on the heels of Latin America when it comes to tree cover loss, according to data published by the World Resources Institute, Statista reports.

China’s curb on rare earth magnet exports could significantly impact Indian EV manufacturing

India’s automotive sector is navigating an emerging supply-side challenge as China’s recent export controls on rare earth elements and magnets begin to disrupt shipments and strain global supply networks.

AI could cut climate emissions

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“Invisible peril” heatwaves can kill 500,000 people yearly

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Farmers powerless to prevent five of the six staple crop yields from plummeting – New Scientist

1 day ago

Where the world is losing tree cover fastest – Statista

2 days ago

China’s curb on rare earth magnet exports could significantly impact Indian EV manufacturing

5 days ago

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Latest Updates

News

Russia is pushing to boost energy ties with Mexico, offering LNG and tech support as the country faces ageing infrastructure, low output, and heavy reliance on US gas.

Belarusian opposition figures Sergey Tikhanovsky, and his wife, presidential contender Svetlana Tikhanovskaya vowed to continue their fight against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and seek the release of more political prisoners.

Polish and Ukrainian security services disrupted an attempt to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at Rzeszów airport in April 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine said on June 23.

Prime Minister Robert Fico said that Slovakia would not increase defence spending to 5% of GDP as demanded by Nato, as his country has better things to spend budget money on.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's new executive has the urgent task of restoring Romania's public finances.

Tech

Iranian hacker group Homeland Justice has repeatedly threatened Albania which hosts the Iranian opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq.

Uzum is Uzbekistan’s first ever tech unicorn and leading the pack as the country is being transformed into Central Asia’s tech hub.

Chinese technology major Huawei Technologies and TikTok owner ByteDance are preparing substantial investments in Brazil's cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence sectors.

Passenger numbers are rising, with Zagreb alone handling over 4.3mn people in 2024, increasing the need for smart, connected infrastructure, Croatian telco said.

Microsoft and Google recently announced multi-billion dollar investments to expand their existing facilities in Singapore, incorporating AI-ready infrastructure and renewable energy commitments.

Opinion

Uzbekistan has recorded remarkable growth over the past six years. GDP doubled, average incomes have risen three-fold. The president wants to double the economy again, but to do that, it needs to go up another gear: privatisation needs to accelerate.

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the Black Sea is emerging as the key theatre in Europe’s long-term security contest with Russia, according to political analyst Dimitar Bechev of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

As the world moves on to other matters, the operation that aims to keep the main political threat to Turkey’s Erdogan behind bars is still going strong.

Georgia has long been suspected of being a major transit country for European sanctioned goods travelling to Russia, but now it appears the trade is flowing in the other direction: Georgia has become a major backdoor into the EU for Russian oil.

“The longer and more intense the conflict becomes, the greater the economic cost,” said James Swanston, a Middle East and North Africa economist with Capital Economics, in a note.

Data

Growth driven by a 31% rise in exports to $14.8bn. Imports rose a modest 3.7% to $16.5bn.

Polish retail sales grew 4.4% year on year in constant prices in May, a marked slowdown from the 7.6% y/y increase recorded in April.

Iran launched an attack on a US air base in Qatar on Monday evening local time, according to state media. The move comes amid escalations between Israel and Iran and is a retaliation for the US decision to attack Iran’s nuclear sites yesterday.

Poland's producer price index fell 1.5% year on year in May, following a revised decline of 1.6% y/y in April.

Unemployment in Slovakia stayed at 3.71% in May, the same as in the previous month. The April level was the lowest on record since 1993. Year on year, it dropped by 0.07 percentage points.

Features

Diplomacy, deterrence, and international cooperation are the only viable path forward. The alternative is not just a local war - it is a global tech blackout.

Russia hawks in Poland and the Baltic States are firmly behind plan to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, while other members question new target.

Trump’s air spectacle was undeniably impressive for American audiences late over the weekend, but all hell has now broken loose.

China also maintains underground nuclear weapons facilities, similar to those found in Iran, according to defence analysts and intelligence agencies. The most famous is “project 816”, and other secret sites are thought to be working still.

Saudi Arabia-based utility developer ACWA Power plunged headfirst into the Uzbekistan green energy market. Since making its first investment in 2020 with a 1,500-MW plant in the Silk Road city of Bukhara, it has built $15bn worth of new capacity.

Blogs

British nationals remaining in Tehran have criticised the UK government for providing no assistance or instructions following Israeli attacks on Iran.

A critical look at Azerbaijan's Global South agenda.

In the event of an escalation, Beijing would likely call for restraint and push for a negotiated settlement. It may be doing so already behind the scenes. However, its silence or perceived tilt towards Tehran could provoke criticism from the West.

Tehran's residents remain behind despite calls by President Donald Trump to evacuate the city of 12mn.

Armenia finds itself increasingly isolated in a volatile neighbourhood, surrounded by historic foes and uncertain allies.

bneGREEN

Artificial intelligence has the potential to reduce climate-heating emissions by as much as 5.4bn tonnes annually over the next 10 years.

Recent scientific studies show that up to 500,000 people die annually from extreme heat, surpassing the toll of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods combined.

Efforts by farmers to adapt to rising temperatures will not be enough to prevent severe losses in global staple crop production due to climate change, according to a new study published in New Scientist on June 18.

North America is close on the heels of Latin America when it comes to tree cover loss, according to data published by the World Resources Institute, Statista reports.

India’s automotive sector is navigating an emerging supply-side challenge as China’s recent export controls on rare earth elements and magnets begin to disrupt shipments and strain global supply networks.

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In this episode of the Emerging Global Podcast, Ruthie Blum, former advisor to the Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan....

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