Latest Updates

COMMENT: South Caucasus offers a potential diplomatic triumph for Trump

The new US administration wants to become the political team that ends the longstanding conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

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Democracy nosedives as authoritarian grip tightens on Georgia

Brutal police crackdowns on pro-EU street protesters have given way to a targeted campaign of repression seemingly intent on throttling every dimension of the Georgian civil resistance movement.

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Putin’s upcoming India visit indicates deeper ties despite global shifts

Russian President Vladimir Putin is poised to visit India in the near future, marking his first trip to the South Asian nation since December 2021

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Massive quake to inflict more pain on a Thai tourism sector already struggling with safety issues

The deadly earthquake in Myanmar is expected to dent Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals in the coming weeks, adding to concerns in an industry already facing a decline in Chinese visitor numbers due to safety fears.

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What exactly is Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision for the transactional multipolar world?

Did Russian President Vladimir Putin just endorse US President Donald Trump’s plan to annex Greenland? And what exactly is Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision for a multipolar world?

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US Defence Secretary Hegseth downgrades Russian threat, focus exclusively on Taiwan in new foreign policy strategy

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reoriented the US military to prioritise deterring China’s seizure of Taiwan and shoring up homeland defence, but has downgraded Russia to a second tier, along with several other potential enemies.

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Survivors pulled from the rubble in Myanmar as the death toll rises following M7.7 earthquake

More people have been rescued from the rubble over two days after a powerful earthquake struck in neighbouring Myanmar, where the death toll in the country now exceeds 1,700 with some indicators that it may rise further.

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Myanmar National Unity Government pauses military attacks as death toll climbs toward 2,000

As reports from Myanmar say the death tally from the devastating M7.7 earthquake is rising ever closer towards 2,000, bno IntelliNews has now seen a document by the National Unity Government in exile declaring a halt to all military actions.

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BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Damp squib

Turkey’s opposition seriously lacks imagination, as it showed today by moving the Free Imamoglu, Give Us Democracy street campaign to the periphery, much to the regime’s delight.

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Lukashenko roasts his officials over soaring price of potatoes

US revokes Repsol, Eni, and Maurel et Prom Venezuela oil licences

Saudi Arabia begins work on $140bn 'Hidden Marina' as part of NEOM megaproject

Lukashenko roasts his officials over soaring price of potatoes

Potato prices have jumped by 10% over just the past two months, and an irate Lukashenko expressed his frustration at the authorities’ inability to maintain stable prices for staple goods.

US revokes Repsol, Eni, and Maurel et Prom Venezuela oil licences

The Trump administration has stripped oil majors Repsol, Maurel et Prom and Eni of Venezuela crude export licences, ratcheting up pressure on the regime of President Nicolas Maduro.

Saudi Arabia begins work on $140bn 'Hidden Marina' as part of NEOM megaproject

Saudi Arabia has started construction on the "Hidden Marina", a key component of its $1.22 trillion NEOM desert megaproject.

News

COMMENT: Is Israel's Prime Minister committing political suicide?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left the witness stand after being called in to testify in the Qatargate scandal rocking Israel’s establishment.

Lithuania pulls out US army vehicle from swamp, funeral cars seen

A US armoured vehicle that sank in a swamp near the Pabrade training area in eastern Lithuania has been recovered after a six-day rescue effort.

Brazil faces double squeeze of US tariffs and slowing growth

Brazil is resigned to the shock of new US tariffs as President Donald Trump gears up for what he has called Liberation Day (April 2), when widespread tariffs will be applied to several products and countries.

Iran's Supreme Leader warns of firm response to any US aggression

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Iran would deliver a "firm and decisive counterblow" to any American aggression

Brazil’s Bolsonaro increasingly isolated as allies seek alternatives amid legal woes

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's grip over the country's conservative movement is weakening following the recent Supreme Court's decision to put him on trial for allegedly plotting a coup.

COMMENT: Is Israel's Prime Minister committing political suicide?

12 hours ago

Lithuania pulls out US army vehicle from swamp, funeral cars seen

13 hours ago

Brazil faces double squeeze of US tariffs and slowing growth

13 hours ago

Iran's Supreme Leader warns of firm response to any US aggression

16 hours ago

Brazil’s Bolsonaro increasingly isolated as allies seek alternatives amid legal woes

16 hours ago

More News

Tech

Tether breaks record, surpasses dollar in Tehran crypto market

Tether cryptocurrency has reached a new record high of IRR 1.04mn, surpassing Ferdowsi Street's hard dollar exchange rate on March 30 as people dump the rial further weakening the national currency.

Kazakhstan has emerged as one of world’s fastest-growing technology hubs, says report

Value of country's startup ecosystem soared to $26bn in 2024, up 18-fold since 2019, says Dealroom.co and Astana Hub analysis.

SplxAI raises €6.45mn backed by Bulgaria-based LAUNCHub

Funding to be used to further develop SplxAI’s platform, which provides automated security testing, remediation and monitoring for AI agents and applications.

Russia's VK Plans to launch a copycat of China's WeChat

Russian tech giant VK, which has recently disclosed significant losses, is planning to introduce a “super-app” in an effort to replicate the functionalities of China’s widely used WeChat app.

Albanian journalists and rights groups challenge TikTok ban in court

The government ordered internet providers to block TikTok for one year from March 13, citing safety concerns.

Tether breaks record, surpasses dollar in Tehran crypto market

1 day ago

Kazakhstan has emerged as one of world’s fastest-growing technology hubs, says report

4 days ago

SplxAI raises €6.45mn backed by Bulgaria-based LAUNCHub

4 days ago

Russia's VK Plans to launch a copycat of China's WeChat

5 days ago

Albanian journalists and rights groups challenge TikTok ban in court

5 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

Istanbul under unprecedented siege, says Turkey’s Nobel prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk in Guardian op-ed

Notes: “In my 50 years living in Istanbul, I have not seen as many so-called security measures on the streets as I have over the past few days.”

COMMENT: Jailed Istanbul mayor Imamoglu writes op-ed for The New York Times

“Democracy’s fate depends on the courage of those who refuse to remain silent when institutions crumble,” he writes from his prison cell.

COMMENT: Europe’s outlook improves as Trump makes Ukraine conflct progress

European leaders are alarmed at the increasingly warm relations between US President Trump and Putin, but economists are encouraged as even a “quick and dirty” ceasefire deal to the Ukraine conflict will buoy flagging CEE economies.

COMMENT: What impact will a raft of protests across the Emerging Markets have?

A spate of protests across several emerging markets is reigniting concerns over economic stability and long-term financial health. From Turkey to Indonesia, social unrest has flared up that threaten countries with weak fundamentals.

COMMENT: Is the EU going to fall apart?

Is the EU about to break apart under the stress of taking over the full weight of supporting Ukraine, the need to rearm and the hundreds of billions that must be invested if it is to become competitive again?

Istanbul under unprecedented siege, says Turkey’s Nobel prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk in Guardian op-ed

3 days ago

COMMENT: Jailed Istanbul mayor Imamoglu writes op-ed for The New York Times

3 days ago

COMMENT: Europe’s outlook improves as Trump makes Ukraine conflct progress

3 days ago

COMMENT: What impact will a raft of protests across the Emerging Markets have?

5 days ago

COMMENT: Is the EU going to fall apart?

10 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Czech central bankers keep interest rate at 3.75%

Czech National Bank (CNB) kept the interest rate unchanged at 3.75%, meeting wide market expectations. The rate is the lowest since January 2022.

Turkey burns through towards $30bn in reserves after detaining Imamoglu

Regime has struggled to stabilise the financial markets but, as things stand, the situation does not threaten its survival.

Romania’s macroeconomic confidence index declines amid recession fears

Decline reflects growing concerns over economic uncertainty and a potential recession.

Polish retail sales disappoint in February

Polish retail sales fell 0.5% year on year in constant prices in February, defying the consensus, which expected a 3.2% annual increase.

Kosovo’s trade gap up 13.6% y/y in February

Exports dropped by 4.3% y/y to €67.3mn in February, while imports were up 10.9% to €518.6mn.

Czech central bankers keep interest rate at 3.75%

5 days ago

Turkey burns through towards $30bn in reserves after detaining Imamoglu

5 days ago

Romania’s macroeconomic confidence index declines amid recession fears

5 days ago

Polish retail sales disappoint in February

7 days ago

Kosovo’s trade gap up 13.6% y/y in February

7 days ago

More Data

Features

Revolution, resistance and regime collapse in Damascus

The end of the 54-year rule of Syria’s Assad regime came so quickly that many refused to believe it.

Trump's promises of Russian sanctions relief are easier said than done

Friedrich Nietzsche said: “what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger,” and Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly insisted that Western sanctions have only strengthened Russia’s economy. But he still wants to get them lifted.

Trump and Carthage: The end of history revisited

What has gone wrong with the world? Protests and wars have broken out across the globe. Analysts are warning that weak countries could face problems but the strong ones are suffering from a deeper long term rot that will change the world order.

EU holds trump card in Rosselkhozbank sanctions delisting

The EU's jurisdiction over the SWIFT messaging service is a major obstacle to US-Russian proposals to lift sanctions on Russia’s Rosselkhozbank, according to Yuliia Pavytska, head of the sanctions programme at the KSE Institute.

Indian defence reforms stymied by lack of funds

India’s plans to modernise its military and strengthen domestic defence production are facing mounting challenges due to financial constraints, despite a net boost in the country’s defence budget.

Revolution, resistance and regime collapse in Damascus

9 hours ago

Trump's promises of Russian sanctions relief are easier said than done

2 days ago

Trump and Carthage: The end of history revisited

3 days ago

EU holds trump card in Rosselkhozbank sanctions delisting

3 days ago

Indian defence reforms stymied by lack of funds

3 days ago

More Features

Blogs

ISTANBUL BLOG: Macron calls Erdogan to wish Eid Mubarak to Islamic world

Days earlier, French leader took aim at Turkish government for carrying out "systematic attacks" on freedoms. And referred to some mysterious "democratic path".

ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkey deports BBC correspondent over Imamoglu protest reports

Reporter Mark Lowen has talked about press freedom and democracy. His comments in the context of the realities of the Erdogan regime are laughable.

LATAM BLOG: Mass graves and denial in Mexico as families seek justice

The discovery of human remains at Rancho Izaguirre in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, has once again highlighted the brutal violence that dominates parts of Mexico.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Imamoglu protest police knock undercover colleague to ground, attempt to detain him

Main opposition party continues to play the fool, acting like some laws are still in effect in the country.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Make no mistake, if this regime feels threatened it is ready to kill

So far, however, the response mounted by the opposition to the jailing of its challenger Imamoglu to Erdogan has not engendered fear.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Macron calls Erdogan to wish Eid Mubarak to Islamic world

13 hours ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkey deports BBC correspondent over Imamoglu protest reports

4 days ago

LATAM BLOG: Mass graves and denial in Mexico as families seek justice

5 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Imamoglu protest police knock undercover colleague to ground, attempt to detain him

5 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Make no mistake, if this regime feels threatened it is ready to kill

8 days ago

More Blogs

bneGREEN

Toxic mine spill in North Macedonia threatens health, food safety

An accident at the Toranica lead-zinc mine leaked heavy metals and cyanide into the Kriva River.

Saudi national afforestation programme to launch digital monitoring platform

Saudi Arabia's National Afforestation Programme will soon launch an electronic platform to monitor projects interactively and provide accurate, real-time reports to officials and stakeholders.

Ukraine and Balkans ravaged by wildfires in 2024

Wildfires ravaged large swathes of land across Ukraine and the Balkans, with Ukraine suffering the highest recorded damage of any country in the region, said the EU's European Forest Fire Information System.

Central Asian states drained rivers at lower-than-expected levels in 2024

Aral Sea inflow falls short.

Green energy debts could derail Ukraine's green transition

A chronic debt crisis is threatening to undermine Ukraine’s efforts to attract investment into renewable energy sources.

Toxic mine spill in North Macedonia threatens health, food safety

1 day ago

Saudi national afforestation programme to launch digital monitoring platform

3 days ago

Ukraine and Balkans ravaged by wildfires in 2024

4 days ago

Central Asian states drained rivers at lower-than-expected levels in 2024

5 days ago

Green energy debts could derail Ukraine's green transition

5 days ago

More bneGREEN

Latest Updates

News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left the witness stand after being called in to testify in the Qatargate scandal rocking Israel’s establishment.

A US armoured vehicle that sank in a swamp near the Pabrade training area in eastern Lithuania has been recovered after a six-day rescue effort.

Brazil is resigned to the shock of new US tariffs as President Donald Trump gears up for what he has called Liberation Day (April 2), when widespread tariffs will be applied to several products and countries.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Iran would deliver a "firm and decisive counterblow" to any American aggression

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's grip over the country's conservative movement is weakening following the recent Supreme Court's decision to put him on trial for allegedly plotting a coup.

Tech

Tether cryptocurrency has reached a new record high of IRR 1.04mn, surpassing Ferdowsi Street's hard dollar exchange rate on March 30 as people dump the rial further weakening the national currency.

Value of country's startup ecosystem soared to $26bn in 2024, up 18-fold since 2019, says Dealroom.co and Astana Hub analysis.

Funding to be used to further develop SplxAI’s platform, which provides automated security testing, remediation and monitoring for AI agents and applications.

Russian tech giant VK, which has recently disclosed significant losses, is planning to introduce a “super-app” in an effort to replicate the functionalities of China’s widely used WeChat app.

The government ordered internet providers to block TikTok for one year from March 13, citing safety concerns.

Opinion

Notes: “In my 50 years living in Istanbul, I have not seen as many so-called security measures on the streets as I have over the past few days.”

“Democracy’s fate depends on the courage of those who refuse to remain silent when institutions crumble,” he writes from his prison cell.

European leaders are alarmed at the increasingly warm relations between US President Trump and Putin, but economists are encouraged as even a “quick and dirty” ceasefire deal to the Ukraine conflict will buoy flagging CEE economies.

A spate of protests across several emerging markets is reigniting concerns over economic stability and long-term financial health. From Turkey to Indonesia, social unrest has flared up that threaten countries with weak fundamentals.

Is the EU about to break apart under the stress of taking over the full weight of supporting Ukraine, the need to rearm and the hundreds of billions that must be invested if it is to become competitive again?

Data

Czech National Bank (CNB) kept the interest rate unchanged at 3.75%, meeting wide market expectations. The rate is the lowest since January 2022.

Regime has struggled to stabilise the financial markets but, as things stand, the situation does not threaten its survival.

Decline reflects growing concerns over economic uncertainty and a potential recession.

Polish retail sales fell 0.5% year on year in constant prices in February, defying the consensus, which expected a 3.2% annual increase.

Exports dropped by 4.3% y/y to €67.3mn in February, while imports were up 10.9% to €518.6mn.

Features

The end of the 54-year rule of Syria’s Assad regime came so quickly that many refused to believe it.

Friedrich Nietzsche said: “what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger,” and Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly insisted that Western sanctions have only strengthened Russia’s economy. But he still wants to get them lifted.

What has gone wrong with the world? Protests and wars have broken out across the globe. Analysts are warning that weak countries could face problems but the strong ones are suffering from a deeper long term rot that will change the world order.

The EU's jurisdiction over the SWIFT messaging service is a major obstacle to US-Russian proposals to lift sanctions on Russia’s Rosselkhozbank, according to Yuliia Pavytska, head of the sanctions programme at the KSE Institute.

India’s plans to modernise its military and strengthen domestic defence production are facing mounting challenges due to financial constraints, despite a net boost in the country’s defence budget.

Blogs

Days earlier, French leader took aim at Turkish government for carrying out "systematic attacks" on freedoms. And referred to some mysterious "democratic path".

Reporter Mark Lowen has talked about press freedom and democracy. His comments in the context of the realities of the Erdogan regime are laughable.

The discovery of human remains at Rancho Izaguirre in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, has once again highlighted the brutal violence that dominates parts of Mexico.

Main opposition party continues to play the fool, acting like some laws are still in effect in the country.

So far, however, the response mounted by the opposition to the jailing of its challenger Imamoglu to Erdogan has not engendered fear.

bneGREEN

An accident at the Toranica lead-zinc mine leaked heavy metals and cyanide into the Kriva River.

Saudi Arabia's National Afforestation Programme will soon launch an electronic platform to monitor projects interactively and provide accurate, real-time reports to officials and stakeholders.

Wildfires ravaged large swathes of land across Ukraine and the Balkans, with Ukraine suffering the highest recorded damage of any country in the region, said the EU's European Forest Fire Information System.

Aral Sea inflow falls short.

A chronic debt crisis is threatening to undermine Ukraine’s efforts to attract investment into renewable energy sources.

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In this episode of the Emerging Global Podcast, Ruthie Blum, former advisor to the Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan....

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