News
Confusion over the Biden administration's commitment to military support for Ukraine
There is a confusion over the commitment of the Biden administration to military support for Ukraine after reports appeared over the weekend that a $100mn military aid package that includes lethal weapons had been suspended.
No sign election of Raisi as Iran’s president will derail efforts to restore nuclear deal
Now that they have presidency in the bag, hardliners may tolerate agreement with US that would give country sorely needed economic lift.
Montenegro’s ruling coalition in question after justice minister sacked over genocide denial
PM Zdravko Krivokapic faced strong opposition from some ruling coalition members when he decided to remove Vladimir Leposavic from the justice ministry.
Armenia: June 20 election preview
Armenia's closely contested June 20 election portends a slight Pashinian advantage, but too close to call
Austria blocking EU sanctions on Belarus banks to protect its business interests
Austria has blocked proposed sanctions on bank loans to Belarus to protect a branch of Raiffeisen International that has been operating in Minsk for years.
Raisi to be Iran's next president
Hardline cleric moves into unassailable lead in vote count.
Russian stocks Geneva summit rally comes to an end after 36 weeks of straight inflows
A pre-Geneva summit rally saw a record 36 weeks straight of inflows that came to an end on June 17.
Armenian election rhetoric dominated by insults and threats
Campaigns full of poisonous talk of executions, mental problems, alcoholism and political vendettas. There’s little about policy.
Kocharyan proposes Russia-style 'foreign agents' law for Armenia
Opposition leader has also invoked the spectre of George Soros. Analyst says move might be attempt to play to apparent far-right groups among his base.
Romexpo real estate project exposes divisions within Romania’s ruling coalition
€3bn development is among an increasing number of topics where the centre-right coalition is failing to find common ground.
Montenegro's parliament finally approves budget for 2021
PM Zdravko Krivokapic strikes deal with unruly coalition partners by dropping amendment that would have allowed government to borrow €900mn for early loan repayments.
Moscow introduces mandatory coronavirus vaccination
In what will be the most unpopular move since the state increased retirement ages, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced a mandatory vaccination scheme on June 16. The mayor’s decision comes as infection rates in the Russian capital soar.
Showman Slavi Trifonov’s vehicle edges ahead in polls before Bulgaria’s July general election
There Are Such People now has a narrow lead over ex-PM Boyko Borissov’s Gerb but as race tightens its unclear whether political newcomers will manage to secure a majority.
Russian government tweaks 50% dividend payout rule for state companies
Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a new order on dividend payments for state companies, which brings clarifications to adjusted net income calculations for paying at least 50% of IFRS net profit, Izvestia reports.
Putin and Biden meet in Geneva for "constructive" talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden held three hours of “constructive” talks in Geneva, although few details were released.
Porsche Engineering the latest to set up in Romanian auto-manufacturing hub Timisoara
News of Porsche Engineering’s second Romanian R&D site follows investment announcements from components producers Dräxlmaier and Continental.
Albania introduces new high denomination banknote as demand for cash grows
Pandemic further boosted demand for cash that was already pushed up by combination of economic growth and low banking penetration.
Leaders of Serbia and Kosovo fail to make progress in normalisation dialogue
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says there was nothing the two sides could agree on at meeting with Kosovan PM Albin Kurti.
Erdogan pays historic visit to post-war Nagorno-Karabakh
Analysts will watch for any continuation or further toning down of Turkey's aggressive foreign policy in wake of Turkish president's meeting with Joe Biden.
Turkey, China in firing line as Biden holds summit with Nato allies
Nato leaders designated China as presenting “systemic challenges” in a communiqué issued after a one-day summit in Brussels on June 14, as US President Joe Biden continued his tour through Europe.
