Features
Uzbekistan rapidly opening up but inflation and credit boom represent substantial danger ahead
Officials have been working hard to remodel the economy under President Mirziyoyev. Progress is good, but this is no walk in the park. Tough tasks, such as battling inflationary pressures, preventing a credit bubble and creating enough jobs, remain.
GULF ON EDGE: Saudi Arabia hit by ratings downgrade as reverberations from oil attacks spread
In possible sign kingdom is backing off from potential conflict, Iran says third countries have delivered messages from Riyadh.
Violence against doctors escalates in North Macedonia’s neglected health service
Physical and verbal attacks on medical personnel at state-run healthcare facilities in North Macedonia have soared in the last two years as patients and their relatives turn on doctors over the system’s failings.
INTERVIEW: Reformer pledges to transform Ukraine's notoriously corrupt State Customs Service
“If you have to get into a fight somewhere, then you should do it where it can bring you the greatest results,” says Max Nefyodov in an exclusive interview with bne IntelliNews.
IRAN STAND-OFF: Sour conclusion to UN Assembly week as Trump denies ever offering to drop sanctions for talks
Relations deteriorate further as Iran's president says United Nations HQ in New York should be moved to a “better country”. Meanwhile, Turkey’s Erdogan returns home saying Ankara will defy Washington by buying oil and gas from Islamic Republic.
The cost of carbon in Russia, braced to implement the Paris Accord
Russia ratified the Paris Climate Accord on September 23, committing itself to reducing CO2 emissions to 70% of the 1990 levels. Massive forests and investment into improving energy efficiency have left Russia in a strong position to reduce CO2.
Trump launches his re-election campaign in Kyiv with Ukraine-gate
The meeting of world leaders in New York for the UN annual general meeting should have been Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s coming out party, but the meeting has been overshadowed by the “whistle blower” scandal and "Ukrainegate".
Pashinian takes “Velvet Revolution” on the road to L.A.
The Armenian PM was enthusiastically received in California in spite of Azerbaijani government attempts to rain on his parade.
Russia signs off on Paris accord, sets itself an easy CO2 target
The Russian government has ratified the 2015 Paris Agreement on combating climate change, committing itself to reducing carbon dioxide emissions to 70% of 1990 levels by 2030.
Unpacking Azerbaijan’s sovereign wealth record
Global energy prices and the scale of Azerbaijan’s energy exports will determine whether the fund can continue growing at such a rapid pace.
Enthusiasm for coal starts to burn out in the Western Balkans
Montenegro, like most of the countries in the EU-aspiring region, derives a large share of its power from coal, but the decision to drop plans to build a new coal power plant is a sign countries in the region could be kicking the coal habit.
PROTESTS IN KAZAKHSTAN: New president faces another outbreak of pro-democracy, anti-China rallies
Efforts to quell tensions have included a move by Tokayev to sanction certain anti-government gatherings, but almost every week now brings a demonstration the authorities won’t tolerate.
Cutting the cloth in Uzbekistan
The Central Asian nation’s new era government is in a rush to transition to an open market oriented economy. Developing the textile industry is a top priority. Meanwhile, the Uzbeks are also seeing a lot of action in oil, gas and real estate.
SAUDI OIL ATTACKS: US reaches the Iran Rubicon
There’s some tough talk about as White House works out how to respond to weekend’s strikes, but hesitancy shown by key officials in both Riyadh and Washington shows the Iranians may have their foes firmly on the back foot.
LONG READ: Shopping for Russian stocks with ETFs
Russia’s stock market has returned about 30% this year making it one of the best performing in the world, but as a retail investor how do you go about buying some Russian shares? bne IntelliNews reviews the dozen exchange-traded funds.
NEWSBASE: Market reels as Aramco facilities come under fire
A major attack on Saudi oil facilities has cut production by 5.7mn bpd, but the full effect will not be felt until existing reserves dry up.