Features
EBRD lowers 2025 forecasts citing subdued global growth and trade fragmentation
Weaker external demand and potential impact of Trump tariffs weigh on Emerging Europe, Central Asia and Semed regions, with growth now projected at 3.2%.
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Indonesia at a tipping point: volatile policies and budget cuts drive frustration
Student-led protests in several Indonesian cities were triggered by frustration over spending cuts, the lack of policy stability and police censorship.
Ukraine’s public debt surges 60% since Russian invasion, debt could become a problem post-war
Ukraine had no debt following the fall of the Soviet Union and a healthy 35% of GDP before the war with Russia began three years ago, but as most international aid is in the form of loans, the debt-to-GDP ratio is now 64% and still rising.
Russia and China remain rivals in the Arctic, and now the US is knocking at the door
Russia and China’s “no limits” partnership has strengthened considerably over the past three years. They have been driven together by the geopolitical clash between East and West. But there is one place they remain rivals: the Arctic.
INTERVIEW: New growth drivers for Kazakhstan’s economy, says BCC Invest
BCC Invest head of research Sultan Zhumagali says trade and construction have emerged as engines of growth in an economy that is no longer purely resource-driven.
China’s stare-down of Trump’s energy tariffs will not end well – for the US
In a swift response to President Donald Trump's imposition of a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, Beijing has retaliated by levying tariffs on US energy exports. The Chinese government announced a 15% tariff on US coal and LNG, alongside 10% on crude.
Azerbaijan moves to erode media freedom
The suspension of BBC News Azerbaijani’s operations and the financial collapse of Turan Information Agency — within days of each other — signal an accelerating erosion of independent journalism.
Millions face longer wait to retire as Iran overhauls pensions
Iran has set maximum retirement ages of 62 for men and 55 for women as part of sweeping pension reforms announced by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.
Ukraine doesn't have any rare earth metals, and the strategic minerals it does have are not worth trillions of dollars
US President Donald Trump wants a $500bn deal to gain control over Ukraine’s rare earth metals wealth. The problem is, Ukraine doesn’t have any. It does have "strategically important metals", but they are not worth trillions of dollars.
Trump puts Japan between a rock and a hard place on Ukraine
Ukraine's ambassador to Japan comes across as desperate to keep the war with Russia relevant to a nation losing interest.
Bali’s tourism boom, a friend but also a dangerous foe
Known as the Island of the Gods, the island of a Thousand Temples, and the Lost Paradise, Bali’s beauty leaves visitors in awe—so much so that many keep coming back, and some even choose to call it home - but should they?
Sending EU peacekeepers to Ukraine is not going to work
The EU’s main plan for providing Ukraine with security from another Russian attack in a post-war set up is not going to work.
‘Perp walk’ pictures of businessmen who attacked Erdogan draw mocking response from opposition
Finance minister advised to hold up photo and say, “This is how favourable the investment environment in Turkey is.”
Myanmar military trainers extorting money from families of forcibly recruited soldiers
Families of individuals forcibly recruited into Myanmar's military junta told bno IntelliNews that so-called training instructors are extorting money from them.
Shrinking cloud cover may be driving record global temperatures, scientists warn
Scientists warn that fewer clouds could be triggering a feedback loop that accelerates warming, making it even harder to curb rising temperatures.
Romania's retail market expands despite economic slowdown, says Colliers
Growth reflects improved purchasing power, with Romania outpacing major economies in the region – and even some Western European countries – in per capita spending on clothing and footwear, says new Colliers report.
LONG READ: Can Ukraine go it alone (with a little help from the EU) if the US abandons it?
Now that Ukraine’s Nato membership hopes have been dashed and its Western allies are unlikely to offer binding bilateral security guarantees, can Ukraine continue to fight Russia on its own, given the EU continues to support it?
Trump could use Putin to talk to Iran
Russia's Putin is being floated as a possible "Iran whisperer" as part of the Trump administration's latest push to tackle the long-standing Iran problem.
Putin taking Trump talks seriously, appoints a heavy-weight team to lead the talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking the upcoming ceasefire talks with US President Donald Trump very seriously and has put together a heavyweight team of his top officials to conduct the negotiations.
Ukraine's position in ceasefire talks takes turn for the worst as the Munich Security Conference gets underway
Some analysts are claiming that Putin “won the war” after Trump held a phone conversation with Putin on February 12 going over the heads of Europe and without consulting Ukraine. The two leaders plan to meet in Riyadh for one-on-one talks.