News
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Russian Olympic athletes should be allowed to compete under the Russian flag says businessman Alisher Usmanov
Russian oligarch and president of the Olympic fencing committee Alisher Usmanov weighed into the doping scandal on December 6, sending a letter to the Olympic committee saying competing under the national flag is a right, not a privilege.
Poland launches huge renewable energy auction in bid to improve energy mix
Polish energy market regulator URE launched an auction for up to 2.5 gigawatts of onshore wind power capacity as Warsaw seeks to meet the EU-required target of a 15% share of renewable energy in final energy consumption by 2020.
Poland’s oil and gas giant Orlen plans takeover of utility Energa
PKN Orlen aims to build a strong group capable of competing on the international market, but takeover plans raise questions about Energa’s controversial project to build a major new coal-fired power plant.
New York judge tells Turkey’s Halkbank to turn up and enter plea in Iran sanctions busting case
Move must be made before state lender can challenge US court’s ability to hold trial, he adds.
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Vanquisher of Erdogan’s grip on Istanbul chosen by Bloomberg as one of top 50 people of 2019
Ekrem Imamoglu seen as possibly biggest threat to Turkish strongman in next presidential election.
Leaked documents show Kosovan PM Haradinaj spent €500,000 on lunches
Expenses scandal erupts in Kosovo as local media report that Haradinaj spent an average of €1,000 each working day on extravagant lunches during less than two years in office.
Bosnia finally names prime minister 14 months after election
As Bosnia's new state-level prime minister, Zoran Tegeltija says he will implement much needed reforms to unlock the country’s EU membership path and secure a new deal with the IMF.
Uzbekistan mulls soum Eurobond as it explores funding options
Having made a successful debut on the international bond market this year, Uzbekistan is considering options for future funding that could include a Eurobond issue in the local currency.
Putin accuses Bulgaria of deliberately delaying Turkish Stream
Russian president claims Bulgaria is under "international pressure" to delay pipeline project, while section via neighbouring Serbia is nearly finished.
Erdogan backs off threat to veto Nato defence plan for Poland, Baltics
Military bloc’s leaders don’t discuss Turkish leader’s demand for classification of Kurdish militia as “terrorist”. Communique describing “a forward-looking reflection process” appears to give strongman way out of dispute.
Turkish equity indices back in ‘Buy into weakness’ territory says VTB
More bank share price gains ‘likely only in early 2020’. Signs emerge, meanwhile, foreign investors are locking in stock market gains as sanctions risk mounts.
The price Europe pays for Russian gas fell to its lowest level in 15 years
The price Europe pays for Russian gas fell to its lowest level in 15 years, according to Russian national gas company Gazprom’s accounts.
Hungarian startup gets funding to enter US meat substitute market
Plantcraft Innovacios has developed soy, gluten, and additive-free cold cuts using natural plant protein sources. It's now targeting the US where a revolution in plant-based meat substitutes is already underway.
After Polish gold airlift, Slovakia mulls bringing its gold home from London
Slovakia’s former prime minister and leader of the ruling Smer party Robert Fico has called for Slovakia’s investment gold, stored in the Bank of England, to be brought home.
Attacks on the National Bank of Ukraine escalate
The attacks and intimidation on the National Bank of Ukraine, allegedly being carried out by oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, went up a notch on December 3 when protestors targeted the private residence of NBU governor Yakiv Smolii.
Russia's $55bn Power of Siberia gas pipeline to China comes online
Russia’s Gazprom flagship Power of Siberia gas pipeline mega-project that connects Russia’s Siberian gas fields with China came online on December 2, after the investment of billions of dollars that will earn the company billions more
Estonia’s Coop Pank raises €37.9mn in IPO on local exchange
Coop Bank sells 71% of offered shares as retail investors help get IPO away despite disappointing response from institutional amid flood of negative news stories on Baltic banking sector.
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Albania to revise 2019, 2020 budgets to fund post-earthquake reconstruction
Finance Minister Anila Denaj says budgets will be revised from scratch and funds diverted from other projects to fund reconstruction after 4,000 people lost their homes.
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Iran’s oil export claims not without foundation says Tankertrackers.com
Satellite technology firm refers to 700,000 barrels a day possibly successfully shipped despite US attempt to drive consignments to zero.
Ukraine, Russia discuss new gas transit deal at bilateral meeting
Ukrainian and Russian ministers extended talks for a new natural gas supply contract though Ukraine at a bilateral meeting in Vienna on November 28, Ukraine's energy ministry said in a press release that day.