Russia
Rosatom warns of nuclear risk after reported strike near Iran's Bushehr plant
Rosatom says a strike breached the protection circuit of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, warning the risk of a catastrophic nuclear incident is rising sharply as Russian personnel are evacuated from the site.
Explosives found near Serbia gas pipeline ahead of Hungary vote
Powerful explosives were discovered near a key gas pipeline in northern Serbia that supplies Russian gas to Hungary, raising concerns about energy security a week before Hungary’s parliamentary election.
Russia to increase energy supplies to India
Russia has indicated it is prepared to increase deliveries of oil and LNG to India, in order to maintain support for New Delhi’s fertiliser requirements, as global energy markets remain unsettled.
Russia’s services sector slips back into contraction posting 49.5 as demand softens
Russia’s services sector returned to contraction in March, as weaker demand weighed on activity despite a modest improvement in business confidence, according to data published by S&P Global on April 3.
Russia orders major websites to block VPN traffic from April 15
Russia ordered major websites to block VPN traffic from April 15 or face penalties, tightening internet controls that mirror Iran's wartime blackout as Moscow positions itself as a mediator in the Gulf conflict.
Gold overtakes US Treasuries in central bank reserves
Gold has overtaken US Treasuries as the largest component of global central bank reserves for the first time since the mid-1990s, marking a significant shift in the structure of the international monetary system, Bloomberg reports.
Putin strengthens food supply ties with Egypt, proposes grain and energy hub
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his government to work on securing food supplies to Egypt, particularly grain shipments, as part of efforts to strengthen strategic ties between the two countries.
IntelliNews launches IntelliNews Reputation Leaders Awards
April 2, 2026. bne IntelliNews, a leading provider of business news and data about emerging markets, today announces the launch of the IntelliNews Reputation Leaders Awards – an independent, annual awards programme.
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022.
Jurong Island’s output cut triggers $1.64 petrol spike in Australia
Singapore’s reclaimed oil refining region, the 32-square-kilometre Jurong Island, has become the primary driver of record-high petrol prices in Australia as Middle East supply shocks ripple through the Asia-Pacific energy corridor.
Erdogan lobbies Fico in campaign to lift EU sanctions on Uzbek tycoon Usmanov
Media outlet publishes full text of letter written to Slovak PM by Turkish president.
Armenian PM strikes combative tone in talks with Putin
Policy rifts over elections, security ties and Armenia’s geopolitical direction on show at joint press conference.
Gulf interest, market jitters and EU delays shape Ukraine’s defence industry outlook
Ukraine’s defence sector is drawing growing interest from Gulf states but the push to attract investment comes against a backdrop of deteriorating sentiment.
Ust-Luga and Primorsk to their lowest levels since pre-war time
Russia has lost over $1bn in oil export revenues Ukraine’s week-long attacks on its two most important Baltic Sea ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk. Weekly shipments through both ports have fallen by two-thirds.
Russian manufacturing PMI slips further into the red to 48.3 as demand weakens
Russia’s manufacturing sector slipped further into the red in March, as weakening demand, falling output and declining business confidence highlighted mounting pressure on industrial activity, according to the latest data from S&P Global.
Gazprom Export sues former German trading subsidiary SEFE in Russian court
Gazprom Export filed a lawsuit in St Petersburg against its former German trading subsidiary SEFE, the latest in a series of Russian court actions against European energy firms since Western sanctions severed gas ties.
Wiretaps reveal Hungary colluded with Russia to delist oligarchs from sanctions list
Secretly recorded calls between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjarto and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov also show diplomats' shared criticism of the European Union.
Europe gets “strategic window” in its periphery amid Russian retreat
Erosion of Moscow’s influence in Balkans and South Caucasus creates an opportunity for Europe to expand its strategic role, says Carnegie Europe paper, but authors warn retreat is unlikely to be permanent.
US Polar LNG eyes equipment of sanctioned Russian Arctic LNG 2 project
US liquefied natural gas major Polar LNG is reportedly seeking to buy equipment from the sanctioned Russian Arctic LNG 2 project for its own Arctic needs.
Frontline Big Macs signal fragile recovery in southern Ukraine
Reopening of Mykolaiv restaurant just kilometres from the frontline hailed by officials and business leaders as a small but potent symbol of economic resilience.