News
Europe’s Russian Arctic LNG imports from Yamal hit record high in first four months of 2026
The EU imported more Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas in the first four months of 2026 than in any equivalent period since the Yamal LNG project began exporting in 2017, according to new analysis of Kpler shipping data.
Czechoslovak Group shares plummet after short-seller's report
Defence conglomerate says it "strongly disagrees with the conclusions and assertions presented" in Hunterbrook report.
Hungary quietly returns seized assets to Ukrainian bank two months after controversial raid
Counterterrorism unit TEK stopped two cash transport vans of Oschadbank near Budapest ahead of Hungary's April general election.
_8_1778097840.jpg)
Iran rejects US Hormuz resolution as Trump warns of intensified bombing if no deal reached
Iran has rejected a US-led UN Security Council draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz as President Pezeshkian told French counterpart Macron that Washington's behaviour had derailed diplomacy.
Radev ally rules out shift in Bulgaria’s foreign policy after election win
Senior lawmaker promises there will be no “radical, extreme shift” in Sofia’s foreign policy.
Macron backs Pashinyan’s European ambitions ahead of Armenia election
Show of support from French president and other European leaders reminiscent of backing for Moldova’s pro-EU president before 2025 election.
Fitch upgrades Argentina's credit rating for first time in eight years
Fitch Ratings upgraded Argentina's long-term sovereign credit rating on May 5, lifting it one notch to 'B-' from 'CCC+' with a stable outlook, marking the country's first such upgrade in eight years.
_2_1778075688.jpg)
Iran has not yet replied to latest US proposal, contradicting Trump
An Iranian source has said that Tehran has not yet responded to the latest US proposal to end the war, contradicting US reports that the White House believes a one-page 14-point memorandum is close.
ECB warns Iran war energy shock could force rate adjustment
ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone warned the eurozone may need to adjust interest rates as the Iran war energy shock pushes inflation to 3% and oil supply losses outstrip the 1973, 1979 and 2022 crises combined.
Saudi Arabia's Alkhorayef Commercial signs as exclusive dealer for China's SANY Trucks
Saudi Arabia's Alkhorayef Commercial Company has signed as exclusive dealer for China's SANY Trucks in the Kingdom, launching an integrated operation covering sales, financing, maintenance and after-sales services.
Project Freedom fails and highlights Trump's weak hand
The White House launched Project Freedom on May 4, but US President Donald Trump cancelled it less than 48 hours later in a move that the Iranian press took as a failure and retreat.
UK imposes sanctions against recruiters of African and other migrants to fight for Russia, build drones
The sanctions “expose and disrupt the operations of those trafficking migrants as cannon fodder and feeding Putin’s drone factories with illicit components,” the UK Sanctions Minister said.
Slovak PM Fico confirms plans to meet Putin at WWII victory celebrations in Moscow
Isolated after Viktor Orban's election defeat in neighbouring Hungary, Robert Fico is expected to take a pragmatic approach to avoid isolation.
MEPs call for EU sanctions on Ivanishvili as Georgia slides toward authoritarianism
European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee warns Georgia is in rapid descent into authoritarian rule and that any EU engagement with Tbilisi must be strictly conditional on verifiable democratic reforms.
Far-right AUR and Social Democrats topple Romania’s reformist prime minister
President Nicușor Dan is expected to push for the formation of a new “pro-European” governing majority, but negotiations will be difficult.
China signs billions worth of contracts with Turkmenistan, but no financing
China - Central Asia Monitor: April 24-30, 2026.
COMMENT: How Trump lost Europe in Armenia
Forty-eight European heads of state met in Yerevan on May 4 with no American present. The Yerevan EPC was the moment Europe stopped trying to prevent the transatlantic rupture and started managing it.
Nigeria’s NNPCL signs MoU with Chinese companies to revive refineries with equity partnership model
Nigeria’s state oil company entered wants Chinese firms to accelerate the overhaul and restart of the state-owned 210,000-bpd Port Harcourt and 125,000-bpd Warri refineries amid soaring oil prices.
Confusion reigns as America’s Operation Project Freedom attempts to escort tankers through Hormuz
Confusion reigned after Iran claimed it had hit two US warships attempting to escort US-flagged tankers through the Strait of Hormuz on May 4, while the US said two US tankers had made the passage.
COMMENT: Gulf economies face uneven shocks to their external position as war disrupts trade flows
The impact of the war on Gulf economies’ external positions is diverging sharply, with some states facing severe current account deterioration while others benefit from higher energy prices Capital Economics said in a note.