Russia
Belarus sliding back into Soviet economy habits
Russia been transformed into a war economy, but it is still run on market lines. Belarus is going in the opposite direction, one that is increasingly mirrors Soviet-style economic management.
Russia slowly being squeezed out of Syria
The new Syrian authorities have gone a long way towards gaining full recognition by the international community and as these relations get better those with Russia are getting worse.
COMMENT: Middle East oil shock scenarios pose inflation risk, but economic hit seen as modest
The threat of escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has returned geopolitical risk to the heart of the global oil market. Yet according to Oxford Economics, the macroeconomic fallout – even in the most extreme case – may be mild.
Number of recorded disasters up 50-fold since 1970 – OWID
Tracking the occurrence of natural disasters can save lives by helping countries prepare for future ones, Our World in Data (OWID) reports.
Hungary to veto 'von der Leyen-Zelenskiy energy plan' over Russian import restrictions, foreign minister says
The European Commission is set to unveil a June 17 that would legally prohibit imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas into the European Union by the end of 2027.
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Russia’s inflation at 9.9% in May
Russia’s consumer price inflation in May 2025 stood at 0.4% month on month and 9.9% year on year, according to the latest data from RosStat statistics agency.
Thousands of Russian tourists stranded in UAE due to regional tensions
More than 10,000 Russian tourists and business travellers have been affected by flight cancellations and delays in the UAE due to the Israel-Iran conflict, with at least 2,000 people currently stranded in the Persian Gulf country.
US resists EU and UK push to cut Russian oil price cap at G7 summit
The US is resisting calls from European governments to reduce the G7 price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel, frustrating efforts by the EU and UK to increase financial pressure on Moscow as leaders meet for a G7 in Canada.
Russia’s growth model is exhausted, says Oreshkin
Russia’s current economic model has exhausted its capacity to drive growth and must be restructured to ensure future development, said Maxim Oreshkin, economic adviser to President Vladimir Putin.
Kazakhstan awards Russia, China one nuclear plant project each, Uzbekistan revises its plan to include large facility
Solution favoured by Astana will help balance relations with Moscow and Beijing.
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Slovak PM Fico wants EU leaders to postpone vote on new sanctions against Russia
Fico had previously criticised the plan to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, which the EU introduced last month.
Kremlin in delicate position between Israel and Iran, but could play peacemaker
With its long-standing good relations with both Tel Aviv and Tehran, the outbreak of war in the Middle East has put Moscow in a delicate position, but it has also been presented it with the opportunity to act as peacemaker.
Europe’s defence needs to adapt to different US, Czech President Pavel says
Europe must be able to defend its own interests "without active American support if necessary", Petr Pavel tells the Globsec security forum.
Israeli embassies worldwide suspend operations
Israeli diplomatic missions globally have suspended operations amid the ongoing Israeli military operation against Iran which has killed nearly 80 people.
Hungarian pro-government security analyst allegedly linked to Russian intelligence
Georg Spottle, a German-Hungarian security policy commentator frequently featured in Hungarian pro-government media, has reportedly maintained contact with Russian intelligence operatives.
CITIES IN PERIL: Boomtowns built on melting ground
The warming climate has opened up some of the world’s coldest regions to mining and shipping, but melting permafrost under cities like Yakutsk and Norilsk is causing buildings and infrastructure to crumble.
Ukraine’s “enemies database” adds foreign leaders over Moscow ties
A Ukrainian website that catalogues perceived "enemies of Ukraine" has added several prominent Russia-friendly foreign leaders to its database, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
ASIA BLOG: The Russians are coming, and coming, and coming...
Since President Putin announced partial mobilisation in September 2022, hundreds of thousands of Russian men – mainly in their 20s and early 30s – have fled the country to avoid being drafted. Many have ended up in Southeast Asia.
Serbia's Vucic makes surprise visit to Ukraine
The visit risks aggravating already tense relations with Moscow, after Russian intelligence scolded Serbia for supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Ocean acidification reaches critical levels, study warns of global marine crisis
Ocean acidification, a key indicator of planetary health, has exceeded safety thresholds on a global scale, according to a major new study published in Global Change Biology.