Iran warns of strong reaction to European nuclear accusations

Iran's foreign minister has warned of a strong reaction to European accusations of nuclear non-compliance in a worsening situation between the sides.

Hungary’s MVM joins $2.9bn Shah Deniz gas project in Azerbaijan

Hungarian state-owned energy group MVM has secured a 5% stake in the next phase of Azerbaijan’s flagship Shah Deniz gas field, joining a $2.9bn development led by BP.

Czech finance minister rejects calls for his resignation amid bitcoin scandal embarrassment

The unprecedented scandal has already cost th seat of Stanjura’s ODS party colleague and Minister of Justice Pavel Blažek, after it was revealed that Blažek’s ministry had accepted CZK1bn (€40mn) in bitcoin from a sentenced drug dealer.

Hungary breached EU law by restricting LGBTQ content, CJEU adviser says

Hungary’s controversial "child protection" law violates EU rules by restricting access to LGBTQ content, according to Tamara Capeta, Advocate General of the European Court of Justice.

PSD dithering delays government formation and urgent fiscal reforms in Romania

Leader of Romania's largest party has yet to decide who to nominate for prime minister.

International cybersecurity development foundation Cyberus and Al-Adid Business set up “Cyberdom” development hub in Qatar

Founded in Russia, Cyberus, an international cybersecurity development company, and Al-Adid Business signed a strategic partnership agreement to develop cybersecurity capabilities in Qatar.

Google signs deal with Chile for Pacific submarine cable to Asia

Google has signed a groundbreaking agreement with Chile's government to deploy a 14,800km submarine data cable across the Pacific Ocean, connecting Chile with Australia and Asia by 2027.

Russia nationalises World of Tanks game developer

Russia has completed the nationalisation of the World of Tanks game developer Lesta Games, with the Tagansky District Court of Moscow ordering the seizure of the Russian assets of the company on the extremism charges, according to The Bell.

Inside Malaysia’s $107bn semiconductor gamble

By betting big on chips, Malaysia is not just investing in factories and engineers, it’s investing in long-term technological sovereignty. As the global race for semiconductors accelerates, Malaysia is proving it intends to play for keeps.

Central Asian states ready to meet rising global demand for critical minerals

China has stranglehold on rare earths needed for emerging technologies.

COMMENT: Full speed ahead with reforms in the Western Balkans rail sector

The region must continue to transform its rail sector to become more eco-friendly, accessible and digitalised.

COMMENT: Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb strategic strikes will harden, not soften, the Kremlin’s line on Ukraine

Ukraine’s spectacular Operation Spiderweb drone strikes on Russian strategic bombers on June 1 will harden, not soften, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s resolve to continue fighting in Ukraine, says Tatiana Stanovaya.

COMMENT: Asian unity in a fragmenting world boosted by the RCEP

In the face of renewed US protectionism and the use of tariffs as economic weapons, RCEP offers the Indo-Pacific region something far more strategic: a framework for resilience, integration and independence.

COMMENT: Poland’s presidential elections to derail reforms, but not the economy

Poland’s divided electorate has delivered a blow to the governing coalition, but not yet to the country’s economic momentum - for now.

COMMENT: Asia's team lists in the Washington VS Beijing bout

While fewer in number, some Asian nations have displayed clear signs of alignment or strategic proximity to China.

Hungarian retail sales rebound in April, driven by non-food categories

Hungary’s retail sales data positively surprised in April with a calendar-adjusted increase of 5% y/y, the strongest growth in over a year and above consensus. Unadjusted data showed a 6.8% (chart) increase.

Russia’s Central Bank cuts rate to 20% as inflation and economy cool

The board of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) resolved to cut the key interest policy rate from 21% by 100 basis points to 20% at the policy meeting of June 6, the CBR said in a press release.

Hungarian industry shows signs of life in April, but recovery still fragile

Poland’s fertility rate sinks to just below 1.1 in 2024, a new historic low

Poland’s fertility rate fell to a historic low of 1.099 in 2024, Poland’s statistical office GUS said in a report, which deepened concerns about the country’s shrinking and ageing population.

Kazakhstan’s service sector activity expands at fastest rate in nearly three years in May, PMI data shows

At the same time, business sentiment hits six-month low, job shedding continues.

CITIES IN PERIL: Two decades of change are testing Tokyo’s resilience

A global megacity grapples with the overlapping stresses of urbanisation, ageing demographics and climate risk.

China helping Russia outpace Ukraine in drone production, Kyiv claims

Russia is rapidly closing the gap with Ukraine in drone warfare thanks in part to covert support from China that is supplying Russia with all the parts and technology it can, but strictly staying within technical limits imposed by sanctions.

Pakistan’s power sector in 2025 at a critical juncture

The country recorded notable growth in solar energy deployment and added new renewable capacity, but these gains came against the backdrop of deep-rooted structural challenges

CITIES IN PERIL: Droughts and heatwaves grip Tehran  

The Iranian capital’s vulnerability to the changing climate presents a significant national challenge.

Countering drones in modern warfare: lessons from Ukraine and beyond

Electronic countermeasures are among the most widely used methods for neutralising drones. These include GPS jamming, radio-frequency jamming and signal spoofing.

BALKAN BLOG: Slovenia steps up its diplomatic game in Africa

Slovenian politicians are building on the Yugoslav-era legacy of solidarity with Africa.

MOSCOW BLOG: Operation Spiderweb will harden, not soften, Putin’s resolve to defeat Ukraine

Ukraine’s supporters cheered the audacious Operation Spiderweb attack on Russia’s strategic bomber fleet at the weekend. They argue that it was “Russia’s Pearl Harbour” and “gives Zelenskiy some cards” in talks with Trump.

TEHRAN BLOG: ‘Categorised with hopeless third-world countries,’ Iranians say after Trump ban

Iranians are furious they've been placed alongside "third-world" countries in the latest visa ban list by US President Donald Trump.

BALKAN BLOG: Kosovo’s political deadlock means a freeze on reforms too

Key issues — including the EU-led dialogue with Serbia and economic reforms — remain on hold as parties fail to form a new government almost four months after the general election.

BALKAN BLOG: Serbia’s protest movement is losing momentum

Student-led demonstrations, once drawing hundreds of thousands to the streets of Belgrade and Novi Sad, have ebbed in recent weeks.

Global energy investment to reach a record $3.3 trillion in 2025, but problems with grids remain – IEA

Global energy investment is projected to reach a record $3.3 trillion in 2025, despite continued economic uncertainty and heightened geopolitical risks, according to the International Energy Agency.

NEO: Wildberries online retailer voluntarily offset its carbon footprint in Russian Far East

Wildberries, a major online marketplace that operates across Eurasia, has voluntarily offset the carbon footprint of its order pick-up points in the Russian Far East, Russian Forbes reported citing a company statement.

Central Asian states are sharing water resources

Hydropower is part of the equation.

40% of glaciers beyond saving

A recent scientific analysis reveals that Earth's glaciers are in critical condition, with nearly 40% of their ice mass effectively beyond saving – even if global temperatures were to stabilise immediately.

Kyrgyzstan offers to help Tajikistan build artificial glaciers

Each "ice tower" costs between $3,000 and $4,000 and can store up to 50,000 cubic metres of water. Kyrgyz have already built around 30.