
Cuba needs a long-term solution to its energy crisis
May 22, 2026 13:20 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy
Cuba has run out of oil, the countrys energy minister announced on May 14, 2026. It marks a new depth to the islands energy crisis, which has gotten worse in recent months amid the tightening of U.S. sanctions imposed in...

Rice feeds billions of people – but its role in fueling climate change is growing
May 22, 2026 13:18 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature
Rice feeds more than half the world. From terraced paddies in Southeast Asia to irrigated fields in China and India, it underpins daily meals for billions of people. But the same flooded soils that help rice thrive also...

First Trump, now Putin – all roads lead to Xi Jinping
May 22, 2026 13:16 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics
The red carpet at Beijing Capital International Airport has had something of a workout in recent months. In addition to Donald Trumps visit from May 13-15 and Vladimir Putin over the past couple of days, a parade of world...
British Pound Retreats as Retail Sales Plunge Unexpectedly
May 22, 2026 08:05 am UTC| Insights & Views
Data revealing a -1.3% month-on-month decrease in UK retail sales volumes today put great downward pressure on the British pound. With a notable 0.7 percentage point deficit, this value was much below the consensus...
Tehran’s Counter: A High-Stakes Diplomatic Deadlock
May 22, 2026 04:47 am UTC| Insights & Views
Following a suggested two-week ceasefire in hostilities, the geopolitical situation remains tense. The first American plan called for Iran to stop all regional attacks and guarantee safe passage through the vital Strait of...
UK Retail Outlook: Consumer Resilience vs. Economic Headwinds
May 22, 2026 04:44 am UTC| Insights & Views
Usually set between 07:00 and 07:30 UK time, the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) is ready to publish its monthly Retail Sales bulletin this morning. Market players are getting ready for the statistics following a...
Manufacturing vs. Momentum: Philly Fed Index and Rising Jobless Claims Signal Economic Shift
May 21, 2026 16:51 pm UTC| Insights & Views
A pillar of regional economic forecasting since 1968, the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index remains a crucial early warning indicator for the general U.S. economy. Covering Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, this index...