News

Disappearances raise fears over Turkey and Central Asia regimes stepping up collaboration in transnational repression

bne IntelliNews March 14, 2024

Two Tajik dissident activists vanish without a trace. Rights defenders point to frightening frequency of state kidnappings.

Former Fidesz insider calls political rally to topple Orban

Tamas Csonka in Budapest March 14, 2024

Peter Magyar, who burst into the public eye over the Fidesz paedophile pardon scandal, has made incendiary comments about the inner workings of the government.

EU agrees to create $5.5bn Ukraine Assistance Fund

bne IntelliNews March 14, 2024

Germany wins concession that bilateral support be considered as contributions to the fund.

Hungary signs agreement with UAE on construction of €5bn city centre 'mini-Dubai' in Budapest

Tamas Csonka in Budapest March 14, 2024

The plan would transform a 130-hectare train station yard in a northern part of the capital into a new city quarter with tourism, economic, business and sports functions.

Uzbekistan, China eye joint uranium exploration

Eurasianet March 14, 2024

Tashkent is looking to an array of international partners to hit its ambitious output targets.

Tusk schedules Ukraine summit with Macron and Scholz

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw March 14, 2024

The so-called Weimar Triangle has sprung back to life under the Polish premier after an eight-year lull under the previous government of Law and Justice.

Russia ready for nuclear war, warns Putin

bne IntelliNews March 14, 2024

Speaking to Russia 1, a state-run television channel, Putin emphasises that while a nuclear confrontation is not imminent, Russia is technologically prepared for this potential scenario.

Spat over police chief's appointment puts survival of Montenegrin government at risk

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia March 13, 2024

The stability of Montenegro’s government has been seriously shaken after a conflict between Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic and Prime Minister Milojko Spajic over the election of an acting police chief.

Russian oil refineries set ablaze in second day of Ukrainian attacks

bne IntelliNews March 13, 2024

Relentless attacks on Russian refineries have led to widespread disruptions in the nation's energy supply chain.

EU lifts sanctions from Yandex founder

bne IntelliNews March 13, 2024

Netherlands-based Yandex NV, which holds all the non-Russian assets, announced its exit from the Russian market on February 5.

Kremlin reportedly planning government reshuffle after Putin’s re-election

bne IntelliNews March 13, 2024

However, no significant changes in domestic and foreign policy are expected, and there are no signs that any plans for a successor for Putin himself are on the horizon.

Navalny chief of staff attacked with hammer

bne IntelliNews March 13, 2024

Leonid Volkov, the former chief of staff of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, was violently assaulted near his residence in Vilnius on March 12.

Kazakh ex-president Nazarbayev’s foundation paid $5mn fee for fawning Oliver Stone miniseries, investigation finds

bne IntelliNews March 13, 2024

Former leader of Kazakhstan said to have constantly edited footage of scenes that critics said boosted his cult of personality.

Hungarian government abandons 4% growth target

Tamas Csonka in Budapest March 13, 2024

Hungary’s economy contracted 0.9% in 2023, ranking the country among the laggards in the EU.

Opposition attacks Slovak government plan to reconstruct public broadcasters

Albin Sybera March 13, 2024

A new Slovak television and radio broadcaster is to be set up in place of RTVS, with a board appointed partly by the government and partly by parliament.

Hungarian central bank accuses government of trying to curb its independence

Tamas Csonka in Budapest March 13, 2024

Economists say the infighting within the Orban regime is unnerving investors and hurting the currency, given the ongoing freezing of EU funds because of its violations of the rule of law.

Romanian President Iohannis confirms bid for top Nato position

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest March 13, 2024

Iohannis stresses unconditional support for Ukraine as he takes on Dutch PM Mark Rutte in race to become next Nato secretary general.

European Commission recommends start of accession talks with Bosnia

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia March 13, 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Bosnia made more reform progress in the last year than the previous decade.

Western Balkans faces heightened risk of inter-ethnic violence in 2024, US intelligence report warns

bne IntelliNews March 13, 2024

Report says local nationalist leaders and external actors could heighten tensions for their own political gains in Bosnia and Kosovo.

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