India’s Bank Credit Growth Seen at 13% in FY27
India’s banking sector is projected to expand credit by roughly 13% in FY27, slightly below the 14% pace seen in FY26. Growth will be anchored by strong demand from MSMEs and retail borrowers, while corporates continue to favor bank loans over higher‑cost bonds. Crisil notes that deposit growth and new funding avenues such as acquisition financing will be pivotal, even as the Middle East conflict adds macro‑economic uncertainty. Overall, the outlook balances robust segmental demand with external risk factors.
IMF the First to Improve Russia’s Growth Outlook on Iran War Windfall
The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its 2026 growth projection for Russia to 1.1% annual GDP expansion, up from 0.8%, citing a windfall from higher oil prices triggered by the Iran‑war‑related energy price spike. The IMF expects the 2027 outlook...
Jesus Punches Trump in Face in AI Video Posted by Iran’s Embassy in Tajikistan
Iran’s embassy in Tajikistan posted an AI‑generated video showing Jesus punching Donald Trump and hurling him into a fiery pit. The clip follows Trump’s own controversial post portraying himself as a miracle‑working Jesus, which sparked backlash from his Christian base....
Istanbul-Listed Aksa Enerji Obtains $300mn Six-Year Loan From Africa Finance Corporation
Istanbul‑listed Aksa Enerji secured a $300 million six‑year loan from Africa Finance Corporation, adding to a $150 million loan taken in 2025 and bringing total African‑focused financing to $450 million. The new funding will support the commissioning of 724 MW of natural‑gas capacity across...
Hungary's Magyar to Reengage with EU but No Blank Cheques
Peter Magyar’s election ends Hungary’s veto that blocked the EU’s €90 bn ($97 bn) Ukraine aid package, clearing a major procedural hurdle. While Budapest will not provide weapons or direct financial support to Kyiv, the removal of the veto enables faster disbursement...
Serbia to Jointly Produce Drones with Israel, President Confirms
Serbia announced a joint venture with an Israeli defence firm to produce combat drones, a move President Aleksandar Vucic described as a 50‑50 partnership. The collaboration follows Serbia’s recent $335 million purchase of Elbit Systems drones and a $1.6 billion deal for...
The US and Israel Ostracized by the Global Community
Western allies are openly distancing themselves from President Trump’s aggressive foreign policy, with NATO members refusing his Gulf naval requests and Spain imposing an arms embargo on Israel while barring US supply flights. Canada announced the end of its long‑standing...
Montenegro and Albania Urged to Make the Case for EU Membership as 2030 Target Looms
Montenegro and Albania are the Western Balkan frontrunners aiming for EU membership by 2030, but Carnegie Europe warns they must persuade skeptical EU states to avoid delays. The paper notes steady progress in negotiations yet highlights rising political risk from...
Iran War Is Pushing the CRINK Alliance Closer Together, Turning It Into a Military Alliance
Escalating conflict in Iran is drawing the CRINK bloc—China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—into tighter military cooperation. Beijing is set to supply sophisticated missiles and air‑defence systems, while Moscow provides satellite intel, drones and advisors, and Pyongyang shares long‑range rocket...
Pakistan Launches Iran Transit Corridor with First Shipment to Central Asia
Pakistan has inaugurated an overland trade corridor through Iran, dispatching its first export—a refrigerated truckload of frozen meat—from Karachi to Tashkent. The road link offers a shorter, faster alternative to traditional maritime routes, promising lower freight costs and reduced handling...
BRICS+ City Network Voices Solidarity with Tehran as Tensions with US Persist
Senior officials of the BRICS+ Association of Cities and Municipalities sent a solidarity message to Tehran’s mayor, expressing concern over regional tensions with the United States. The note was authored by Il’sur Metshin, mayor of Kazan, Russia, and Washington Quaquá,...
Spain Reopens Embassy in Tehran as Diplomatic Activity Resumes
Spain reopened its embassy in Tehran on April 13, 2026, with Ambassador Antonio Sánchez‑Benedito leading a diplomatic team back to Iran after the ceasefire. The ambassador announced a focus on peace‑building, bilateral cooperation, and exploring economic and tourism opportunities. Madrid’s...
South Africa's Eskom Selects Thyspunt as Preferred Site for Nuclear Plant Amid Heritage Risk
Eskom has selected Thyspunt on the Eastern Cape as the preferred location for a 5,200 MW nuclear power station, citing better grid access and existing infrastructure. The draft environmental scoping report, prepared by WSP Group Africa, notes no unmitigable environmental constraints...
Iran's Business Leaders Warn Internet Shutdowns Costing up to $80mn a Day
Iran's leading business chambers warned that internet shutdowns tied to the ongoing conflict are draining up to $80 million a day from the country's digital economy. Direct losses are estimated at $30‑$40 million daily, with indirect costs pushing the total higher. Hundreds...
Saudi Arabia's First Mills Deploys AI Agent Platform in Food Production First
Saudi Arabia’s leading flour‑miller First Mills has become the first customer of Glasgow‑based AI startup Kodamai, installing its Kelvingrove platform – the world’s first mathematically verified autonomous‑agent system – across four production sites. The platform uses category theory, type theory and...
Iran Warns Persian Gulf Port Security ‘for All or None’ as Hormuz Tensions Escalate
Iran’s Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters warned on April 13 that security in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman must be collective, stating any threat to Iranian ports endangers all regional ports. The statement follows the collapse of Iran‑U.S. talks and...
Slovenia’s NLB Announces €29 per Share Takeover Bid for Addiko Bank
Slovenian banking giant NLB has launched a voluntary public takeover offer for Austria’s Addiko Bank at €29 per share (about $32), representing a 25.8% premium to the recent average price. The bid seeks a controlling majority and outbids Raiffeisen Bank...
US-Iran Islamabad Talks End without Deal as Hormuz Control Remains Key Sticking Point
The United States and Iran held their first high‑level face‑to‑face talks since 1979 in Islamabad, but after more than 21 hours the meeting ended without an agreement. The core dispute centered on the Strait of Hormuz, where Washington demands unrestricted...
US Naval Showdown with Iran in Strait of Hormuz
During ongoing Islamabad talks, the United States Navy sent multiple warships through the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran’s coordination, marking the first such unapproved transit since the conflict began. Two vessels successfully exited while a third reversed course after Iran...
As Lebanon, Israel Negotiations Begin Hezbollah Hardens It Line
Lebanon’s government is pursuing direct talks with Israel to halt the six‑year conflict that has devastated its economy and infrastructure. Hezbollah’s secretary‑general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, publicly rejected any diplomatic solution, insisting the “resistance” will continue until the last breath. The...
OPINION: Hungarian Vote Puts EU Unity on the Line
Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary election pits long‑time premier Viktor Orbán against opposition leader Péter Magyar in what the Clingendael Institute calls a make‑or‑break moment for EU‑Hungary relations. The EU has frozen billions of euros (≈$1.2 billion) over rule‑of‑law concerns, while Orbán’s rhetoric...
Megadeal Rumored for Russian VTB Bank and E-Commerce Major Wildberries
Russia's state‑controlled VTB Bank and e‑commerce giant Wildberries are reportedly in talks about a merger or equity swap that could reshape the country's digital finance landscape. Wildberries generated roughly $67 bn in gross merchandise value in 2025, a 49% year‑on‑year increase,...
Armenia Pushes Semiconductor Ambitions as Part of High-Tech Growth Strategy
Armenia announced draft state programmes to build a semiconductor ecosystem by the early 2030s, aiming to boost R&D, engineering capacity and talent pipelines. The plan follows a 2025 cooperation agreement with the United States that includes support for chips, robotics...
US-Brokered Talks Push Lebanon Onto a Hezbollah Fault Line Between Sovereignty and Civil War
Washington is set to host the first direct Israel‑Lebanon talks, centering on Hezbollah’s total disarmament. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has ordered the army to impose a state monopoly on weapons in the Beirut governorate, marking a direct challenge to...
MetLife Weighs Sale of Ukrainian Unit Amid Market Consolidation
MetLife is exploring a sale of its Ukrainian subsidiary, a deal potentially worth between $90 million and $220 million. The unit, Ukraine’s largest life insurer, reported $263 million in assets and nearly $1 billion in net profit for 2025. Interested parties include Uniqa, TAS...
US-Iran Ceasefire Eases Oil Prices but Gulf Economies Showing Strain – Oxford Economics
A two‑week US‑Iran cease‑fire announced on April 7 triggered a 13% drop in Brent crude, pulling prices to about $93 per barrel. Oxford Economics still expects a two‑month closure of the Strait of Hormuz followed by lingering disruptions, forecasting a 0.8%...
Windfall Tax Delay Exposes Indonesia’s Challenge in Capturing Commodity Gains
Indonesia has postponed its planned windfall tax on coal and nickel exports, originally set for April 1, to resolve technical disputes over profit definitions, price thresholds, and calculation methods. The delay reflects a broader tension between the government’s short‑term fiscal pressures—exacerbated...
Mirziyoyeva Appears at Mar-a-Lago as US, Uzbekistan Expand Ties
Saida Mirziyoyeva, daughter of Uzbekistan’s President and head of his administration, visited Donald Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago estate and met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Sergio Gor. The trip coincided with the inaugural meeting of the American‑Uzbek Business...
North Macedonia’s FX Reserves up 9.6% Y/Y in March
North Macedonia's foreign exchange reserves rose 9.6% year‑on‑year to €4.249 bn (about $4.6 bn) in March 2026, according to the central bank. The gain follows a 5.5% dip in February, which the bank linked to rising business costs from Middle‑East tensions. Securities still...
Peru Scales up Solar Capacity as Sunny Complex Reaches 345 MW
Peru’s utility‑scale solar sector accelerated with the commissioning of Sunny Expansión, a 141 MW addition that lifts the Sunny complex in Arequipa to 345 MW. The expansion, approved by COES on April 3, 2026, followed a rapid six‑month development cycle after the original...
Russia Allows Telegram Campaigning for Duma Elections Despite Platform's Formal Blocking
Russia’s Central Election Commission has ruled that political parties and candidates may use Telegram for State Duma campaigning, even though the messenger remains officially blocked by Roskomnadzor. The decision clashes with a prior anti‑monopoly ruling that deemed Telegram advertising unlawful,...
COMMENT: Should the Ceasefire Fail, We Could Expect a ‘Digital Hormuz’ Scenario
In less than three years GCC states have assembled the world’s largest non‑US digital infrastructure, with data‑centre capacity slated to triple to 3.3 GW by 2030 and projects like the UAE’s Stargate AI campus backed by $15 bn from Microsoft and partners....
UAE Demands Iran Be Held 'Fully Liable' For Damages Missiles and Drones Attacks
The United Arab Emirates announced it will hold Iran fully liable for the 2,819 missiles and drones launched at its territory over the past 40 days, demanding reparations and an unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks have...
Iranian Crude Trades at a Premium to Brent After US Waives Sanctions
The United States temporarily lifted the ban on Iranian crude on March 20, allowing Iran’s light oil to re‑enter global markets. This policy shift pushed Iranian crude $1 above the Brent benchmark, its first premium since May 2022, and narrowed the Brent‑Urals...
Saudi Development Fund Signs First-Ever $15mn Loan with Pacific Island Nation Palau
The Saudi Fund for Development, a state‑owned financing arm created in 1974, has signed a $15 million loan with Palau, marking its first partnership with a Pacific island nation. The loan, channeled through Palau’s National Development Bank, will fund affordable, climate‑resilient...
Russia Shares Israel Key Power Sector Targeting Intelligence for a Possible Iranian Power Day Retaliation
Russia has reportedly supplied Iran with detailed intelligence on 55 critical Israeli power‑sector targets ahead of a U.S.‑promised “Power Day” strike on Iran’s grid. The intel, confirmed by Israeli and Ukrainian sources, highlights Israel’s isolated electricity network, where a few...
Tokyo Equities on Edge as Iran Tensions Cloud Outlook
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.47% to 53,123.49 on April 3, reflecting heightened sensitivity to Iran‑related geopolitical risk. A U.S. deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and President Trump’s frustrated social‑media remarks have kept markets on edge. Traders anticipate...
Philippines Inflation Seen Quickening as Oil and Food Costs Rise
Philippine headline inflation is projected to rise sharply in March, with estimates ranging from 3.5% to 4.3% after February’s 2.4% rate. The surge is driven by higher oil, electricity and food prices, especially rice. Analysts warn the reading could push...
Iran Ramps up Jask Exports, but Still Heavily Reliant on Kharg Island
Iran has increased crude loadings at its Jask terminal, but the port remains a minor supplement to the dominant Kharg Island hub. In March, Jask accounted for only about 4.4% of Iran’s oil exports while Kharg handled roughly 84‑90% of...
Kazakhstan Service Sector Saw Green Shoots of Recovery in March, PMI Shows
Kazakhstan’s service sector showed modest recovery in March, with the Freedom Holding Corp Purchasing Managers’ Index climbing to 49.2 from 48.0 in February. The uptick was driven by a slight rebound in new business orders, while input‑price inflation eased back...
China's Invisible Hand in Iran’s F-35 Success
A Chinese social‑media account posted a step‑by‑step guide on how Iran could use its existing air‑defence systems to engage a U.S. F‑35 stealth fighter. Days later Iran announced it forced an F‑35A to make an emergency landing, citing a passive...
Taiwan Secures LNG Supply Assurances From a ‘Major’ Country
Taiwan’s economy minister announced that a major LNG‑producing nation has offered full support for the island’s natural‑gas needs, pledging additional cargoes on request. The move follows concerns that the Iran war could disrupt Middle‑East supplies, prompting Taiwan to diversify its...
Iran War Accelerates Chinese US Treasure Bill Sell Off
China has accelerated the sale of its U.S. Treasury bill holdings, dropping from $682.6 bn in November 2025 to $633.4 bn—a $50 bn decline in four months and the lowest level since 2008. The sell‑off follows a pattern of larger drawdowns during the...
Albania on Alert After US Warning of Potential Iran-Linked Threats
Albania has placed security forces on heightened alert after the U.S. Embassy in Tirana warned that Iran‑linked groups could target American citizens, U.S. interests and popular venues. The embassy urged U.S. travelers to stay vigilant, while Albanian officials said no...
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Austria Rejects US Requests to Use Airspace for Iran Strikes
Austria has denied the United States permission to use its airspace for military operations against Iran, invoking its 1955 neutrality law. The defence ministry said each request will be assessed individually, but no blanket overflight ban exists. Austria joins Spain,...
Iran Condemns Strike on Century-Old Pasteur Institute as 'Beyond a War Crime'
Iran's foreign ministry condemned a US‑Israeli airstrike on the century‑old Pasteur Institute of Iran, labeling it a war crime and a direct assault on global health security. The institute, founded in 1920 and part of the International Pasteur Network, is...
Tisza Needs Supermajority Victory in Hungarian Elections to Unlock EU Frozen Funds
Hungary’s opposition Tisza party must secure a two‑thirds parliamentary supermajority in the April 12 election to reverse laws that have frozen roughly €18 bn ($19.44 bn) of EU funding. While polls show Tisza leading, merely ousting Prime Minister Viktor Orban will not suffice;...
Gazprom Export Sues Former German Trading Subsidiary SEFE in Russian Court
Gazprom Export has filed a lawsuit against its former German trading arm SEFE Marketing & Trading in the St Petersburg Arbitration Court. SEFE, which was placed under German trusteeship in 2022 and nationalised with a €6.3 bn (≈ $6.9 bn) recapitalisation, now operates as a key...
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UAE Energy Minister Says World Must Not Be Held 'Hostage' By Iran over Hormuz
UAE Energy Minister Suhail al‑Mazrouei warned that Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz could hold global trade hostage, urging a unified international response. He highlighted the potential economic fallout if safe passage is not guaranteed and stressed the UAE’s...
Ukraine Among Riskiest Markets as Equity Risk Premium Nears 20%
Ukraine’s equity risk premium has surged to roughly 19.8%, edging close to the 20% mark, making it one of the world’s most hazardous investment arenas. By contrast, mature markets such as Canada, Germany and Singapore sit near a 4‑5% premium,...