Features
Iranian parliament decides to ‘close’ Strait of Hormuz following US strike
Tehran appears set to take steps to close the vital shipping lane, but it remains to be seen whether it can do it, and what impact this will have.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to attend a Nato summit in The Hague next week after all
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to attend a Nato summit in The Hague next week after all, the European Council confirmed on June 20, amid uncertainty over the US role in transatlantic security commitments.
Russian economy: cooling or recession?
One of the most closely watched sessions at the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which is underway now, is the economic panel with the heavy hitters from the Kremlin’s economic team.
Minister’s denial of 1998 mass rapes in Indonesia sparks outcry
“What actually happened? We never truly know. Who said it was mass rape? It was all hearsay,” Fadli said in a recent podcast interview.
FIC head explains why Uzbekistan today is not the Uzbekistan of five years ago
As Uzbekistan continues its transition toward a more open and market-driven economy, there is progress in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and improving the overall business climate.
Uzbekistan investment story reaches critical mass as the first round of international capital arrives to invest into its burgeoning businesses
Uzbekistan sees surge in foreign investor interest as green energy and private capital drive momentum.
TBC Uzbekistan boss Hughes building a Central Asian digital-only banking giant with retail, SME lending and AI services
Since it arrived in Uzbekistan in 2020 by taking over a fintech payment system, Georgia’s TBC has taken the market by storm. The country’s only pure online bank has grown by leaps and bounds and today has 1mn customers.
EU sanctions Turkey’s jihadists in Syria for slaughtering Alawites
Militias designated by Council of Ministers represent a failure by Ankara to organise militant groups during the Syria War.
Azerbaijan casino push aligns with business plans of president’s former son-in-law
The Azerbaijani parliament is set to adopt legislation to legalise casinos on artificial islands — which would pave the way for Emin Agalarov’s ‘Absheron Las Vegas’ project.
Arrest of billionaire Karapetyan escalates Armenia’s church-state showdown
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is embroiled in a very public confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church after accusing its head of fathering an illegitimate child.
Exiled opposition leader Felix Maradiaga speaks out on Nicaragua's authoritarian turn
Nicaraguan dissident Félix Maradiaga speaks from exile about Ortega's escalating repression. As the country cuts UN ties and deepens Russia-China partnerships, he calls for international pressure to counter the regime's transnational persecution.
US moving military assets into striking range of Iran
US President Donald Trump has not committed himself to joining Israel in the war against Iran, but he is moving military assets to within striking range of Tehran to keep that option open.
Turkey's Koc in a sweet spot in Uzbekistan's burgeoning real estate sector
The Uzbekistan real estate market has entered a sweet spot. A burgeoning population, rising capital inflows, a growing expat community and strong economic growth have combined to lift everyone’s boat.
The Navoi Mining & Metallurgical Combine is the jewel in Uzbekistan's golden crown
The Navoi Mining & Metallurgical Combine is Uzbekistan’s crown jewel and the fourth largest gold mine in the world. It also epitomises the Central Asian republic’s efforts to modernise its economy.
India likely to maintain neutral stance in Iran-Israel conflict
While New Delhi supports non-proliferation, it does not favour unilateral military solutions. A full-scale Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities could lead to regional chaos and spike oil prices, directly hurting Indian economic interests.
Western unity collapses as G7 summit in June beaks up with no joint statement
Western unity to support Ukraine in its existential struggle with Russia has collapsedю The G7 summit of the world’s richest nations in Canada, broke up on June 17 without releasing a statement condemning Russia’s military occupation of Ukraine.
Żabka opens 100th Froo convenience store in Romania
Polish convenience store operator Żabka has opened its 100th Froo-branded store in Romania, one year after launching in the market, the company said on June 16.
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Malaysia backs Iran’s retaliation against Israel, markets in Asia react
In a bold diplomatic stance, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim declared Malaysia’s support for Iran’s retaliation against Israel, citing the country’s right to defend its national dignity.
Indonesia caught between a rock and a hard place on the Iran-Israel conflict
As open hostilities once again affect millions in the Middle East, 42 Indonesian citizens have found themselves stranded in Tel Aviv after Israel closed its main international airport.
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.