Latest Updates

Xi awards Serbia’s Vucic top honour during Beijing visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping says visit by Aleksandar Vucic will “open a new chapter” in relations with Serbia.

Read Story

CBR governor Nabiullina’s terms expires next year and replacement list is short – The Bell

The third and last term of CBR governor Elvira Nabiullina expires on June 24, 2027 and the list of possible replacements is short, The Bell reports, based on sources in the Kremlin.

Read Story

Ebola outbreak threatens African economies, World Cup football plans

During previous Ebola crises, Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournaments, World Cup qualifiers and domestic league fixtures were postponed, relocated or played behind closed doors.

Read Story

COMMENT: Turkey’s opposition leader scales water cannon. Round of applause, but autocracy looks here to stay

Barring an exceptional turn of events, ‘Action man’ Ozel is too little too late. Democracy took a knife to the back long ago.

Read Story

Russia fires Oreshnik cruise missiles at Kyiv as tit for tat cycle of violence continues

Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults of the war against Kyiv on May 24, firing two Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles alongside hundreds of drones and cruise missiles in retaliation for Ukraine's strikes a week earlier.

Read Story

Turkey’s wealth fund moved aggressively in equity, bond markets as opposition chief was ousted

Brokers talk of heavy and coordinated intervention.

Read Story

Mass protest in Serbia ends in violent clashes with police

Police fired teargas and clashed with protesters in the Serbian capital after tens of thousands gathered to demand early elections and an end to the decade-long rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.

Read Story

Slovenian MPs vote to bring back Janez Janša for fourth term as PM

Jansa has been a prominent figure in Slovenian politics for more than three decades as leader of the rightwing SDS.

Read Story

US signals shift from nation building to economic engagement in Western Balkans

South Africa’s utility Eskom delivers one full year of uninterrupted power supply

Norway overtakes Russia as world's top gas pipeline exporter

US signals shift from nation building to economic engagement in Western Balkans

State Department report highlights “partnership-based” policy in Western Balkans, while flagging Russian and Chinese influence.

South Africa’s utility Eskom delivers one full year of uninterrupted power supply

On May 16, South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom marked a full year without crippling power outages, or loadshedding, achieving a milestone not seen since September 2018, eight years earlier.

Norway overtakes Russia as world's top gas pipeline exporter

Norway overtook Russia as the world’s biggest exporter of gas via pipeline in 2025, reflecting Moscow’s loss of most of its market share in Europe over the past four years.

News

The hunt for a European mediator in Russia-Ukraine talks continues, but no talks are likely yet

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has put himself forward to represent the EU in possible ceasefire talks with Russia now the US has fully withdrawn from the process, but immediately ruled out any talks starting unless Russia agreed to a ceasefire.

US and Iran near nuclear deal, US officials say agreement 95% done

The United States and Iran are within reach of a landmark nuclear agreement, with negotiators reporting that a framework deal is 95% complete, according to officials cited by Fox News on May 24.

SMBC Indonesia offloads $1.13bn pensioner loan portfolio to BTN

In one of the largest domestic banking asset reallocations of the year, PT Bank SMBC Indonesia, recently rebranded to reflect its parent Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, has agreed to sell its pensioner and pre-pensioner retail loan portfolio.

Thousands rally in Prague in support of public media

Protesters turned out to protest against move by PM Andrej Babiš' cabinet to curtail financing for Czech Television and Czech Radio.

Philippines construction disaster leaves four dead, 17 missing

Emergency teams discovered two workers alive beneath the wreckage after the structure gave way and struck an adjacent hotel, killing a Malaysian guest. However, both trapped labourers later died despite intensive rescue efforts.

The hunt for a European mediator in Russia-Ukraine talks continues, but no talks are likely yet

2 hours ago

US and Iran near nuclear deal, US officials say agreement 95% done

8 hours ago

SMBC Indonesia offloads $1.13bn pensioner loan portfolio to BTN

11 hours ago

Thousands rally in Prague in support of public media

12 hours ago

Philippines construction disaster leaves four dead, 17 missing

13 hours ago

More News

Tech

Tau Scaling Law: China on course for 1.4nm microchip breakthrough

China’s tech holding Huawei is rewriting the rules of chip design. A new scaling law unveiled in Shanghai this week proposes replacing half a century of semiconductor orthodoxy with a fundamentally different approach.

Uzbekistan’s tech ambitions moving to “next big step” says Global Tech Weekend co-founder

Country seen as quickly emerging as one of the most promising and dynamic technology markets in the region.

Bulgaria’s TBS eyes €42mn acquisitions across UK, Sweden, Romania

Telelink Business Services' supervisory board has approved plans to acquire majority stakes in five ICT companies in the UK, Sweden and Romania, with total consideration of up to €42.3mn.

Taiwan to manufacture 100,000 drones monthly by 2030

Taiwan projects its drone industry will expand massively to manufacture 100,000 units per month by 2030 and export half of them, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on May 21.

Poland's cyber_Folks and Shoper to merge in €1bn e-commerce tech push

Polish IT firms cyber_Folks and Shoper announced plans to join forces, strengthening their position as the leading e-commerce technology provider in CEE. The combined entity's market capitalisation is seen at around €1bn.

Tau Scaling Law: China on course for 1.4nm microchip breakthrough

9 hours ago

Uzbekistan’s tech ambitions moving to “next big step” says Global Tech Weekend co-founder

18 hours ago

Bulgaria’s TBS eyes €42mn acquisitions across UK, Sweden, Romania

1 day ago

Taiwan to manufacture 100,000 drones monthly by 2030

3 days ago

Poland's cyber_Folks and Shoper to merge in €1bn e-commerce tech push

3 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

Millions of Ukrainians may remain in EU for years even after war ends

Ukrainian refugees are likely to remain in the European Union for years – and possibly permanently – even if the war with Russia ends, according to a new report by the Clingendael Institute.

EU’s foreign policy boss Kallas is undermining Europe’s credibility

Kaja Kallas has done it again. The EU’s top foreign policy high representative called China a “cancer” that needs decisive treatment with chemotherapy rather than temporary relief with morphine.

COMMENT: Russia and China deepen strategic alignment as partnership reaches “highest level in history”

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping set out an expansive vision for their bilateral relationship in a joint statement issued during a state visit to Beijing this week, marking 30 years of strategic partnership.

ASH: UK cocks up on Russian sanctions

At the least a PR disaster for the UK around its Russia sanctions regime. At the worst the UK has been pushed by Trump’s war on Iran to easing up sanctions on Russia.

Energy, transit and geopolitics reshape ties between EU and Azerbaijan

The European Union and Azerbaijan are rebuilding relations after years of strain, says a Carnegie Politika analysis.

Millions of Ukrainians may remain in EU for years even after war ends

9 hours ago

EU’s foreign policy boss Kallas is undermining Europe’s credibility

3 days ago

COMMENT: Russia and China deepen strategic alignment as partnership reaches “highest level in history”

4 days ago

ASH: UK cocks up on Russian sanctions

4 days ago

Energy, transit and geopolitics reshape ties between EU and Azerbaijan

5 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Ukraine overtakes Moldova in income race to the title of Europe's poorest country

For years, Ukraine and Moldova have vied for the dubious honour of being the poorest country in Europe. The contest was close enough to be largely academic and they regularly traded last and second to last places for years. That symmetry is over.

Poland expected to top EU growth in 2026 as momentum offsets impact of Middle East turmoil

Poland’s economy is expected to remain among the European Union’s strongest performers in 2026, second only to Malta, European Commission says.

Moldova’s industry grows 6.1% y/y in Q1 but fails to show sustained upward trend

Despite the solid annual growth, the figures continue to reflect a short-term recovery cycle rather than a sustainable medium-term expansion.

Bets placed on 300-bp Turkey rate hike as move to crush opposition rattles markets

Court order to bring back former CHP leader seems to be part of a divide-and-rule approach.

Turkey sacrifices American treasury holdings in defence of lira amid Iran war

US paper stock plummeted from $16bn in February to $2bn in March.

Ukraine overtakes Moldova in income race to the title of Europe's poorest country

3 hours ago

Poland expected to top EU growth in 2026 as momentum offsets impact of Middle East turmoil

12 hours ago

Moldova’s industry grows 6.1% y/y in Q1 but fails to show sustained upward trend

13 hours ago

Bets placed on 300-bp Turkey rate hike as move to crush opposition rattles markets

2 days ago

Turkey sacrifices American treasury holdings in defence of lira amid Iran war

4 days ago

More Data

Features

Eastern EU faces mounting demographic strain as populations shrink and age, Eurostat says

While the EU’s total population rose slightly, many eastern member states continued to lose population over the longer term through emigration, low fertility and high mortality rates.

Western Balkans face rising trade barriers despite deeper EU integration, Bruegel says

Businesses operating in the Western Balkans say the practical costs of accessing EU markets remain high.

The geopolitical chokehold on Taiwan's polymer lifeline

For Taiwan, the sudden evaporation of naphtha and crude oil is not just a market fluctuation but a national security threat that will force an involuntary and painful "detoxification" from its plastic addiction.

The baby bust: how a global demographic crisis crept up on everyone

Just a decade ago, the dominant demographic narrative was of "dying Russia" — a population hollowed out by the chaos that followed the Soviet collapse, shrinking through a combination of low birth rates, high mortality and mass emigration.

Can a satirical social media movement change Indian politics?

While not a new concept, the Cockroach Janta Party, has a similar aesthetic quality to the Gen-Z movements that led to political regime changes in India’s neighbouring countries, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Eastern EU faces mounting demographic strain as populations shrink and age, Eurostat says

9 hours ago

Western Balkans face rising trade barriers despite deeper EU integration, Bruegel says

3 days ago

The geopolitical chokehold on Taiwan's polymer lifeline

3 days ago

The baby bust: how a global demographic crisis crept up on everyone

3 days ago

Can a satirical social media movement change Indian politics?

3 days ago

More Features

Blogs

CAUCASUS BLOG: Russia's South Ossetia treaty edges toward annexation

New treaty amounts to de facto annexation of separatist Georgian republic, analysts and Georgian opposition figures say.

Venezuela unveils draft oil rules to guide foreign investment push, economy expands

Venezuela has begun circulating draft regulations linked to its newly approved hydrocarbons law.

MOSCOW BLOG: Trump eats humble pie in Beijing

US President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing ends today and he has been forced to eat humble pie after coming out of the gate last year with an extremely aggressive policy on China.

VISEGRAD BLOG: Hungary’s post-Orban reckoning

PM Peter Magyar pledged to dismantle the institutional and financial legacy of Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule, with implications beyond Hungary’s borders.

MOSCOW BLOG: Russia's social contract has broken down

Something has quietly shifted in Russia. Not the social and economic meltdown Western pundits have been confidently predicting almost continuously for the last two decades. But something has changed and the people are not happy.

CAUCASUS BLOG: Russia's South Ossetia treaty edges toward annexation

3 days ago

Venezuela unveils draft oil rules to guide foreign investment push, economy expands

5 days ago

MOSCOW BLOG: Trump eats humble pie in Beijing

10 days ago

VISEGRAD BLOG: Hungary’s post-Orban reckoning

11 days ago

MOSCOW BLOG: Russia's social contract has broken down

12 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

Tehran Energy Exchange prepares to list first solar power plant project fund

Iran's Energy Exchange is preparing to list the country's first solar power plant project investment fund, with subscription expected to open within a month, the exchange's market development deputy has said.

Wind and solar overtake coal in Turkey’s power generation for first time - EMBER

Wind and solar energy generated more electricity than coal in Turkey for the first time in April 2026, marking a milestone in the country’s energy transition as strong rainfall also boosted hydroelectric output, according to Ember.

Romania seeks to secure €771mn RRF grant tied to renewable energy land reform

Romania is still on track to meet a key Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) milestone linked to a €771mn grant for renewable energy investments, acting Agriculture Minister Tanczos Barna said.

Vietnam plans 270MW floating solar across hydropower reservoirs

Vietnam’s state-owned power producer EVNGENCO1 has proposed adding 270MW of floating solar capacity across three hydropower reservoirs in southern Vietnam

Taiwan’s renewable energy push is a combination of ambition, delays, and dependence

The government originally targeted a 2025 electricity mix of 20% renewables, 50% LNG and 30% coal. That target has since quietly slipped, with officials now acknowledging that the 20% renewables goal will likely not be reached until after 2026.

Tehran Energy Exchange prepares to list first solar power plant project fund

3 days ago

Wind and solar overtake coal in Turkey’s power generation for first time - EMBER

4 days ago

Romania seeks to secure €771mn RRF grant tied to renewable energy land reform

4 days ago

Vietnam plans 270MW floating solar across hydropower reservoirs

6 days ago

Taiwan’s renewable energy push is a combination of ambition, delays, and dependence

6 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has put himself forward to represent the EU in possible ceasefire talks with Russia now the US has fully withdrawn from the process, but immediately ruled out any talks starting unless Russia agreed to a ceasefire.

The United States and Iran are within reach of a landmark nuclear agreement, with negotiators reporting that a framework deal is 95% complete, according to officials cited by Fox News on May 24.

In one of the largest domestic banking asset reallocations of the year, PT Bank SMBC Indonesia, recently rebranded to reflect its parent Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, has agreed to sell its pensioner and pre-pensioner retail loan portfolio.

Protesters turned out to protest against move by PM Andrej Babiš' cabinet to curtail financing for Czech Television and Czech Radio.

Emergency teams discovered two workers alive beneath the wreckage after the structure gave way and struck an adjacent hotel, killing a Malaysian guest. However, both trapped labourers later died despite intensive rescue efforts.

Tech

China’s tech holding Huawei is rewriting the rules of chip design. A new scaling law unveiled in Shanghai this week proposes replacing half a century of semiconductor orthodoxy with a fundamentally different approach.

Country seen as quickly emerging as one of the most promising and dynamic technology markets in the region.

Telelink Business Services' supervisory board has approved plans to acquire majority stakes in five ICT companies in the UK, Sweden and Romania, with total consideration of up to €42.3mn.

Taiwan projects its drone industry will expand massively to manufacture 100,000 units per month by 2030 and export half of them, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on May 21.

Polish IT firms cyber_Folks and Shoper announced plans to join forces, strengthening their position as the leading e-commerce technology provider in CEE. The combined entity's market capitalisation is seen at around €1bn.

Opinion

Ukrainian refugees are likely to remain in the European Union for years – and possibly permanently – even if the war with Russia ends, according to a new report by the Clingendael Institute.

Kaja Kallas has done it again. The EU’s top foreign policy high representative called China a “cancer” that needs decisive treatment with chemotherapy rather than temporary relief with morphine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping set out an expansive vision for their bilateral relationship in a joint statement issued during a state visit to Beijing this week, marking 30 years of strategic partnership.

At the least a PR disaster for the UK around its Russia sanctions regime. At the worst the UK has been pushed by Trump’s war on Iran to easing up sanctions on Russia.

The European Union and Azerbaijan are rebuilding relations after years of strain, says a Carnegie Politika analysis.

Data

For years, Ukraine and Moldova have vied for the dubious honour of being the poorest country in Europe. The contest was close enough to be largely academic and they regularly traded last and second to last places for years. That symmetry is over.

Poland’s economy is expected to remain among the European Union’s strongest performers in 2026, second only to Malta, European Commission says.

Despite the solid annual growth, the figures continue to reflect a short-term recovery cycle rather than a sustainable medium-term expansion.

Court order to bring back former CHP leader seems to be part of a divide-and-rule approach.

US paper stock plummeted from $16bn in February to $2bn in March.

Features

While the EU’s total population rose slightly, many eastern member states continued to lose population over the longer term through emigration, low fertility and high mortality rates.

Businesses operating in the Western Balkans say the practical costs of accessing EU markets remain high.

For Taiwan, the sudden evaporation of naphtha and crude oil is not just a market fluctuation but a national security threat that will force an involuntary and painful "detoxification" from its plastic addiction.

Just a decade ago, the dominant demographic narrative was of "dying Russia" — a population hollowed out by the chaos that followed the Soviet collapse, shrinking through a combination of low birth rates, high mortality and mass emigration.

While not a new concept, the Cockroach Janta Party, has a similar aesthetic quality to the Gen-Z movements that led to political regime changes in India’s neighbouring countries, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Blogs

New treaty amounts to de facto annexation of separatist Georgian republic, analysts and Georgian opposition figures say.

Venezuela has begun circulating draft regulations linked to its newly approved hydrocarbons law.

US President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing ends today and he has been forced to eat humble pie after coming out of the gate last year with an extremely aggressive policy on China.

PM Peter Magyar pledged to dismantle the institutional and financial legacy of Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule, with implications beyond Hungary’s borders.

Something has quietly shifted in Russia. Not the social and economic meltdown Western pundits have been confidently predicting almost continuously for the last two decades. But something has changed and the people are not happy.

bneGREEN

Iran's Energy Exchange is preparing to list the country's first solar power plant project investment fund, with subscription expected to open within a month, the exchange's market development deputy has said.

Wind and solar energy generated more electricity than coal in Turkey for the first time in April 2026, marking a milestone in the country’s energy transition as strong rainfall also boosted hydroelectric output, according to Ember.

Romania is still on track to meet a key Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) milestone linked to a €771mn grant for renewable energy investments, acting Agriculture Minister Tanczos Barna said.

Vietnam’s state-owned power producer EVNGENCO1 has proposed adding 270MW of floating solar capacity across three hydropower reservoirs in southern Vietnam

The government originally targeted a 2025 electricity mix of 20% renewables, 50% LNG and 30% coal. That target has since quietly slipped, with officials now acknowledging that the 20% renewables goal will likely not be reached until after 2026.

Follow Us On

Most Read

Podcasts

Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte warned that the West needs to prepare of the possibility that Chinese President Xi Jinping will ....

Reports

Cookies on the bne IntelliNews website