News
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Iran strikes US base in Bahrain and Kuwait International Airport
Iran announced that it had struck the headquarters of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain as well as the Kuwait International Airport, resulting in one death.
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Israel-Hezbollah clashes continue despite Trump’s truce announcement
Israel and Hezbollah traded fire on June 2 despite Trump announcing a ceasefire understanding, with Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and renewed evacuation warnings for Nabatiyeh casting doubt over the deal's durability.
China’s BYD captures 35% of Africa EV market, as latecomer rival Tesla bets on Morocco
Chinese EV giant BYD upped its market share from just 4% in 2023 as electric vehicle sales on the continent accelerated. Tesla is betting on Morocco, Africa’s leading EV manufacturing hub.
Ukraine drones hit St Petersburg oil terminal as Russia's SPIEF investment forum kicks off
Ukraine hit St Petersburg oil terminals on the morning of June 3 just as Russia’s flagship St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) kicks in a message designed to show that nowhere in Russia is safe from Ukraine’s long-range drones.
Kazakhstan taking on lots of debt to China
China-Central Asia Monitor: May 22-28, 2026
Moldova's deputy PM says reunification with Romania envisaged if EU accession stalls
Unification with Romania is being discussed as a potential long-term alternative should Moldova's EU accession ambitions fail to advance.
Protesters break through police cordon in Tirana as anger grows over Trump-linked resort project
Protests are part of a wider mobilisation against a $4bn tourism development backed by investors linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
European Council President Costa urges Western Balkans to seize enlargement momentum
Visit to Western Balkans takes place as Brussels seeks to maintain momentum in its long-stalled expansion policy amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
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Iran seeks Japanese help in rebuilding war-damaged oil sector
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has asked Japan to participate in reconstructing infrastructure damaged in recent US-Israeli attacks, including refineries, in exchange for efforts to restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Panama moves to shed its tax haven status, on its own terms
Panama's new 15% tax on shell companies is being sold as a clean-up. It is also a carefully negotiated minimum, designed to satisfy Brussels while preserving the offshore model that built the country's service economy.
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Israel's Elbit Systems records $60bn order backlog
Israel-based Elbit Systems reported a $60bn order backlog in its latest quarterly results, with 71% from outside Israel, a sign foreign buyers are still relying on Israeli arms exports despite pressure during the Iran war.
Kremlin collects $3bn from Russia’s oligarchs in "voluntary contributions" to the budget
Russia has collected RUB225bn ($3.1bn) in "voluntary contributions" from major businesses as of late May as the Ministry of Finance (MinFin) scrambles to raise more money for the increasingly pressured budget.
German business returns to Russia for St Petersburg Investment forum
A group of German business figures is set to attend Russia’s flagship St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) which kicks off on June 3, marking a return of top German companies to Russia’s flagship event.
Chinese mining giant Zijin wins Canadian approval for $4bn takeover of Africa-focused Allied Gold
Allied Gold operates producing gold assets and development projects across Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Ethiopia
Tensions rise between Romania and Russia after drone strikes apartment block
A drone struck an apartment block in Romania's Galați, close to the Ukrainian border, causing a fire and prompting the evacuation of dozens of residents.
Shareholders of Prague bourse leader ČEZ greenlight company restructuring and nationalisation
ČEZ plans to move sales, distribution, trading and energy activities under a new subsidiary, while production is placed under full state control
President says Czechia should adopt euro if it helps the economy
Export-oriented Czechia committed to adopt the euro as part of its EU accession in 2004, but little progress has been made since then.
Malaysia enforces under-16 social media ban
Moving to curb digital harms, the federal government, on June 1, officially began enforcing a blanket prohibition barring children under the age of 16 from creating or operating independent social media accounts.
Indonesian employers' association, mining cartels yield to country’s $66bn export monopoly
In a political concession to the state’s economic centralisation agenda, Indonesia’s powerful business consortia have announced their support for President Prabowo Subianto's newly launched export monopoly.
Rubio backs Trans-Caspian gas pipeline proposal in meeting with Turkmenistan’s top diplomat
Infrastructure could boost European energy security, though Russia could move to block it.