Features
South Korea’s tax reform triggers investor concerns
What was once a buoyant rally under President Lee Jae Myung’s pledge to lift the Kospi to 5,000 points is now shadowed by concerns over the economic implications of sweeping tax changes.
A year on from Sheikh Hasina’s flight into exile, Bangladesh waits for stability
A year and a day after Sheikh Hasina’s dramatic departure, Bangladesh remains – still - in the throes of a fraught transition. The interim government, though promising, is yet to deliver meaningful reform.
UN accused of enabling Hamas through Gaza aid mismanagement
There are also persistent claims that Hamas is systematically looting the aid that does make it into Gaza. Military officials estimate 80% of all assistance is intercepted either by Hamas members, its affiliates or civilians acting under its control.
The silent crisis: Abortion and reproductive rights in Turkmenistan
Turkmen women today are worse off than their grandmothers.
China wakes to the importance of moving closer to Israel
China is increasingly engaging with Israel, especially in areas such as science, high technology, and innovation. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached $16.27bn in 2024, with Israeli exports exceeding Chinese imports for the first time.
China’s military build‑up against Taiwan
Beijing’s growing arsenal of missile‑based strike systems, amphibious deployment platforms, high‑end air power and laser/cyber capabilities reflects a sustained campaign to squeeze Taiwan’s defensive window.
Russia’s Rosstat decides to hide increasing bleak income and retail figures from the public
In July Rosstat declared it will withhold data on monthly retail, wholesale trade, income, and salary data from its June release. Analysts say the reason is those numbers paint an increasingly bleak picture.
Indian opposition blames government on Trump threats
Under President Donald Trump’s second term his administration has taken a much more hawkish stance that Indian purchases enable Russia to weather sanctions and indirectly fund its war effort
Is AI making us less intelligent? The debate over declining cognitive skills in the age of ChatGPT and smartphones
Anecdotal evidence from educators paints a troubling picture. Teenagers across the world struggle to properly complete tasks in school, particularly those involving writing.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Arm of state bags itself a crypto exchange
Following claims of money laundering, Icrypex becomes the latest of hundreds of companies to be seized by Turkish regime’s TMSF.
Kazakhstan reviews its big oil contracts looking for a better deal
COMMENT: Kazakhstan is reviewing its big oil contracts Kazakhstan has begun laying the groundwork for a revision of the contracts it signed with big oil in the 1990s when the country was flat on its back.
Can India dump Russian oil imports completely if Trump’s secondary sanctions appear?
Since early 2024 India has typically bought 1.5–2.0 mbpd of Russian crude, or about 35–40% of its total imports. US President Donald Trump is threatening crushing 100% tariffs on Russia’s business partners if they continue to import crude.
Indonesia targets rice fraud in multi-agency crackdown
At the heart of the probe are allegations that hundreds of rice brands, many operated by major producers, have been repackaging low-quality or subsidised rice and marketing it as premium-grade, often at inflated prices.
India’s refiners face pressure as EU sanctions hit $14bn fuel exports
India’s petroleum exports to the European Union—valued at $14–15bn annually—are under threat following the EU’s latest sanctions package targeting Russian crude and its derivatives.
Russia-Azerbaijan crisis continues to deepen
The diplomatic crisis between Russia and Azerbaijan has expanded into cultural warfare, with Moscow dismissing a senior TASS executive for attending an Azerbaijani event.
Who are the men linked to corruption allegations dogging Zelenskiy’s government?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is facing mounting scrutiny over his decision to curb the independence of the country’s top anti-corruption bodies – provoking the largest domestic protests since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there are signs Russo-Ukraine war could stop soon as fatigue builds
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on July 30 that there are “many signs” that suggest the war in Ukraine may soon be at least temporarily halted but warned that even a ceasefire would not change Poland’s policy of building up its army.
The Asian take on recognition of a Palestinian State
Muslim-majority nations or those seeking to expand their influence in the Middle East will support or reaffirm recognition. Meanwhile, countries embedded in US frameworks or enjoying ties with Israel are are expected to remain cautious.
Papua New Guinea steps up renewable energy drive with global support
Currently, only around 13% of Papua New Guinea’s population has reliable access to electricity, with the majority of rural communities dependent on diesel generators or without power altogether.
Poland sees record life expectancy amid deepening demographic crisis
Life expectancy in Poland reached its highest recorded level in 2024, with men living on average 74.93 years and women 82.26 years, the Central Statistical Office (GUS) reported on July 30.