News
Bloomberg reporters face jail for story on Turkish lira crisis
Duo accused of attempting to undermine the economic stability of Turkey, the world’s biggest jailer of journalists for three straight years.
Russia’s stock market puts in its best performance in a decade, gains 26% YTD
Russia’s leading dollar denominated Russia Trading System (RTS) has surged by just over a quarter YTD as of June 14. Stocks are now trading at a levels above where they were when sanctions were imposed following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Latvian parliament votes for tough new measures against financial crime
Law allowing parliament to remove the head of Latvia's financial regulator was passed after a series of scandals that put Riga under pressure to clean up its banking sector.
Russia suspends allocation of $600mn to Belarus, Minsk says
Russia has suspended allocation of loans to Belarus for a total amount of $600mn, according to Belarusian Finance Minister Maksim Yermolovich.
Revenues of Czech top 100 companies top CZK3bn for the first time in 2018
The combined revenues of the hundred most successful Czech companies topped CZK3bn (€116.5mn) for the first time ever in 2018 after their profits increased by 12.3% year-on-year to CZK210bn (€8.2bn), the Czech News Agency reported on June 11.
Croatia sells €1.5bn Eurobond on most favourable terms to date
Bond issued shortly after Fitch raised Croatia to investment grade was 3.7 times oversubscribed.
Eager shoppers queue up outside Primark’s first CEE store in Ljubljana
Thousands-strong crowds greet the entry of fast fashion giant Primark to Slovenia, as it lines up retail space for future openings in Poland and the Czech Republic.
TANKER ATTACKS: Tehran claims somebody’s out to frame Iran
Search on for state actor possibly behind latest mysterious Gulf of Oman incidents. Iranian supreme leader, meanwhile, tells visiting Japanese PM he’s no message for ‘unworthy’ Trump. Day ends with US State Sec. Pompeo blaming Iran for attacks.
Backlash against super polluter cruise ships in Croatia
Toxic toxic sulphur oxides emitted by cruise ships exceed the entire emissions from Croatia's car fleet by a staggering 189.6 times, a new report from Transport & Environment has revealed.
Japan’s Shinzo Abe arrives in Iran. Analysts ask what message he might bear from Trump
Iranians must “play a constructive role in strengthening peace and stability in the Middle East” Japanese PM tells Tehran press call.
Hungarian investors snap up new super retail bond
First-week sales were the highest of all government securities ever, as retail investors bought €1.6bn of the five-year Map Plus government bond.
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Ukraine Constitutional Court starts hearings on Zelenskiy decision to dissolve the Rada
The Constitutional Court of Ukraine has started hearings on a lawsuit challenging the nation's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s decree on the nation's parliament's dissolution and his call for early parliamentary elections.
Albania, North Macedonia see hoped for EU accession talks slipping away
The prime ministers of Albania and North Macedonia are engaged in last ditch attempts to secure the go ahead for the start of accession negotiations at the European Council meeting later this month.
Romania’s government seeks more money as Bucharest municipality “nears bankruptcy”
Leaked letter from finance minister warns money to pay public sector salaries may run out before the end of the year.
Moldova’s outgoing government refuses to hand over power
Rival governments are installed in the government and parliament buildings in Chisinau. The situation remains calm, with the two sides consolidating their positions ahead of a possible confrontation.
King of the Hungarian fertiliser market has operating licence suspended
After a string of raids and investigations, businessman Laszlo Bige says he suspects revenge by the competition and in particular one person — but he didn't name names.
OSCE puts out hardhitting critique of Kazakh election ahead of inauguration day
As observers assess whether the June 12 ceremony for ‘pre-determined’ winner will spark renewed protests, Kazakhstan is accused of “scant respect for democratic standards”.
Ukraine launches road-show for euro-denominated Eurobond
Market conditions good as Ukraine’s Finance Ministry gets ready to offer a euro-denominated Eurobond
Kazakh protests move online with dozens of videos exposing ‘vote rigging’
Hidden camera footage said to show officials stuffing ballot box. One polling station accused of turning off lights to thwart election observers. Activists behind Wake Up, Qazaqstan campaign hindered by blocked internet, social media services.
Albania’s ruling Socialists to start proceedings to dismiss president
President Ilir Meta announced he is cancelling June 30 local elections, triggering a constitutional crisis.