News

2.9mn heads of livestock dead in Mongolia’s “dzud” disaster

bne IntelliNews February 26, 2024

Severe form of weather used to occur every eight to 12 years. Climate crisis means it now impacts country at least every other year.

Montenegro’s government at risk as president quits ruling PES

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia February 26, 2024

Several MPs leave EU-oriented PES after President Jakov Milatovic's departure, eroding majority in parliament.

Navalny murdered to take his name out of play in a high profile prisoner swap deal

bne IntelliNews February 26, 2024

Opposition figure and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was murdered ahead of a planned high profile prisoner swap, his supporters announced on February 26 to “take that bargaining chip off the table.”

EU release thirteenth sanctions packages on Russia

bne IntelliNews February 26, 2024

The EU has finally approved the thirteenth package of sanctions on the Russia, in what observers say are the weakest sanctions year.

Western Balkans to take up to 70 years to catch up with EU

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow February 26, 2024

New EBRD report finds low productivity, weak institutions and unfavourable demographics mean convergence may not happen until 2093.

Zelenskiy says 31,000 soldiers KIA in first ever comments on Ukraine’s casualty rate

bne IntelliNews February 26, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the conflict in the last two years, putting a figure on the death toll for the first time when speaking at the Year 2024 conference on February 25.

World Bank agrees Afghanistan CASA-1000 power project restart amid neighbouring nations’ “stranded asset” fears

bne IntelliNews February 25, 2024

Attempts to attract private financing get nowhere. International financing institution says work resumption will be “ring-fenced” to safeguard construction payments and future revenue.

“Unbelievable but true” data show UK firms equipping Russia’s war machine

bne IntelliNews February 23, 2024

Kremlin is end-customer for surging flows of British exports to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Georgia, new analysis indicates.

Video shows dozens of migrants stripped and forced across Serbia-North Macedonia border

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje February 23, 2024

Footage shared by NGO Legis appears to show a group of semi-naked men being sent back into North Macedonia by Serbian border police in sub-zero temperatures.

Moldova’s separatist Transnistria rumoured to be seeking unification with Russia

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest February 23, 2024

Speculation leaders in Tiraspol could ask Russia to make separatist region part of the Federation at a congress next week.

Romania’s president pitches to be CEE's candidate for Nato top seat

bne IntelliNews February 23, 2024

The alliance's CEE countries had hoped to be strong contenders to helm the alliance this time around, but the Netherlands' Mark Rutte appears to have it in the bag already.

Uzbekistan plans $500mn investment to boost Russian gas imports

Eurasianet February 22, 2024

Domestic production is declining as existing fields become exhausted.

Indications grow Turkey-Russia trade hit by tightened US sanctions

bne IntelliNews February 22, 2024

Turkish exports to Russia sank 30% in January. Turkey’s banks facilitating payments wary of being shut out of US financial system.

Critics warn clock ticking on efforts to stop Putin-style crackdown on civil society in Kyrgyzstan

bne IntelliNews February 22, 2024

Bill taking aim at “foreign” NGOs clears another hurdle in parliament loyal to Japarov regime.

Minister says Serbia 'sitting on billions' in new push to exploit lithium resources

bne IntelliNews February 22, 2024

Mining and Energy Minister Djedovic Handanovic the latest to call for revival of Rio Tinto’s stalled lithium mine project.

EU to lift sanctions on Yandex founder Volozh

bne IntelliNews February 22, 2024

EU countries have agreed to remove the sanctions from the founder of Russian internet major Yandex, Reuters reports citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

Russia’s CBR shuts down major e-payment player Qiwi

bne IntelliNews February 22, 2024

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has revoked the banking licence of Qiwi Bank, operated by the e-payment system Qiwi, the regulator announced.

Hyundai E&C picked to build new reactor at Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia February 21, 2024

Bulgaria plans to boost energy security by expanding the Kozloduy NPP, which has only two working units dating back to the Soviet era.

Albanian opposition protesters hurl Molotov cocktails at prime minister's office

bne IntelliNews February 21, 2024

The demonstration was part of a campaign of civil disobedience by supporters of Sali Berisha, opposition leader and former president and prime minister of Albania.

Navalny team proposes new sanctions to punish Russia

bne IntelliNews February 21, 2024

The opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s team has proposed three new sanctions to punish Russia, following his death in a high-security prison in Russia’s Far North on February 16.

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