News
Is Armenia facing a colour revolution? Popular protests on the rise in Emerging Europe
Whether or not the detention of opposition leader Nikol Pashinian proves enough to lop the head off the Armenian demonstrations, analysts will note yet another example of how ready people are across Emerging Europe to take to the streets.
Armenian protest leader detained shortly after PM walks out of crisis meeting
Masked police officers grab Nikol Pashinian who had uncompromisingly told Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan in their televised encounter that he had only arrived to discuss his resignation.
Alarm bells over Turkey’s economic bind ‘akin to those of 1997 Asian debt crisis’
No problems yet seen with banks struggling to roll over foreign loans, but investors are “being complacent” says analyst.
Russian internet disrupted by war with Telegram, Facebook, Amazon and Google warned
Russian telecom watchdog Roskomnadzor could not effectively enforce country-wide ban on Telegram messenger, disturbing the work of dozens of unrelated services as a result of blanket blocking of eighteen Amazon and Google IP address clusters and clos
Embattled Soros foundation to exit politically hostile Hungary
Open Society Foundations will move its East European headquarters to Berlin, after billionaire philanthropist George Soros was stigmatised by Viktor Orban's right-wing government and accused of various plots to undermine Hungary.
Help save Iran nuclear deal 500 UK, French and German MPs urge US lawmakers
As the clock ticks down on Trump’s May 12 ‘fix or nix’ deadline, the legislators say “the value of all the promises and threats our countries make” is at stake.
Kremlin says nationalising sanctioned aluminium major Rusal on the table
"Temporary nationalisation" of Russian aluminium major Rusal is one of the possible means of supporting the company badly hurt by the latest round of US sanctions, Kremlin's spokesman Dmitri Peskov told the press on April 19.
Kyrgyz president fires government after parliament’s vote of no confidence
Cabinet of PM Isakov was seen as close to President Jeenbekov’s predecessor Almazbek Atambayev who observers say may be trying to wield power from the shadows.
CEE Equity Partners announces closing of second fund after $800mn pours in
Second China-CEE Investment Cooperation fund expected to grow to $1bn later this year after first closing on $800mn, and will expand investment focus to encompass healthcare, tourism, education and agriculture.
Moldova’s top banks, insurers up for sale
Financial sector in limbo as no buyers come forward for stakes in major banks and insurers that were confiscated after illegal coordination by shareholders was detected.
Cash-rich Penta to expand leading Czech pharma chain Dr.Max to China
Penta looks to long-term success in the world's second largest pharma market after making a record €245mn consolidated net profit in 2017.
Turkey’s Erdogan calls snap landmark elections set to deliver one-man rule
Observers claim president is hurrying to hold the polls before the economy goes haywire, but the initial market response to his announcement is very positive.
Putin and Trump trying to walk back Syria strike and sanctions tensions
The US administration is split over how to react to Russia’s increasing aggression, both the presidents of both countries have made peace offerings in an attempt to improve relations.
Furious protests continue as Sargsyan sworn in as Armenian PM
No let-up in big demonstrations as ex-president—on the record as stating he would not seek the prime minister’s office—gets parliament’s backing. Call goes out for a “non-violent Velvet Revolution” despite clashes.
Advent in direct talks to buy Sanofi's generics arm Zentiva
Private equity investor Advent International aims to turn Prague-based Zentiva into an independent European leader in generic drugs.
Fall in Russian ruble to hit Slovenian exporters
With sales on the Russian market the most important part of local giants Gorenje and Krka’s export business, the Slovenian central bank warns of the risks for the export-oriented Balkan country.
Czech media oligarchs add radio stations to their media empire
Czech Media Investment group, controlled by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, will pay €73mn for Lagardere group radio stations operating in Czechia, Poland, Slovakia and Romania.
Splits apparent in EU over enlargement
European Commission recommends start of accession negotiations for Albania and Macedonia, but French President Macron says Paris will oppose any enlargement until the EU reconfigures post-Brexit.
Turkey’s ruling party poised for early election decision after ally's request
Landmark polls, after which the post of PM will be abolished in favour of a near all-powerful executive president, could be held as soon as August.
What’s the cost of US sanctions on Russia?
How much will the new US sanctions imposed on April 6 cost Russia? There is the $16bn that the oligarchs named on the sanctions list have already lost from the fall in share prices in the first week- but there is a lot more than that.