Armenian PM agrees deal to end Karabakh war after rapid Azerbaijani advance

Baku’s forces confirm capture of Shusha and seemed poised to move on to main city Stepanakert.

Hungary's government makes u-turn and imposes tough new restrictions as country faces spike in new COVID-19 infections

Latest measures fall short of those seen during the first wave of the pandemic, but signal a clear shift away from some of the most lenient policies pursued in the region.

Azerbaijan shoots down Russian helicopter over Armenia killing two servicemen

Baku reportedly apologises, says it was an accident. Aircraft brought down with shoulder-launched missile near Azerbaijani border while fighting continued to rage over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Estonia's far-right interior minister resigns after questioning Biden's election win

Interior Minister Mart Helme stepped down after a vicious verbal attack on US president-elect Biden, condemned by top politicians as damaging Estonia’s relations with the US, a crucial ally.

A record 1,000 protesters arrested at Belarus weekend demonstration

Belarusian police arrested a record 1,000 protesters at the traditional Sunday demonstrations on November 9 calling for the resignation of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko.

Iran only cautiously wonders if Biden spring is in the air after Trump bitter winter

Next occupant of White House should “make up for past mistakes” of predecessor says Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Azerbaijan, Armenia ‘close to striking meaningful ceasefire’, Baku claims capture of Shusha

Truce would reportedly require Armenia to cede large chunk of territory while placing Turkish and Russian peacekeeping mission in area.

Turkish markets head blindly into market opening with new central bank chief and no finance minister

Goldman Sachs sticks to wait-and-see mode as analysts ponder whether big changes in monetary policy are imminent.

Turkey’s finance minister resigns day after central bank governor is fired by Erdogan

All eyes on rising turmoil in presidential administration and economic management of country.

After betting everything on a Trump victory, Hungarian PM congratulates US president-elect Biden on Sunday

Hungary’s illiberal leader openly endorsed Trump before the US election and admitted he had "no plan B" for a Biden win, while Hungarian pro-government media outlets remained in denial.

Serbia tightens restrictions as coronavirus cases reach new records

Serbia is registering new records in the daily number of new cases, which reached nearly 2,700 on November 7.

CEE politicians highlight trade and security ties as they congratulate Biden

Politicians rush to congratulate new US president-elect as result is announced — but not Slovenian PM and staunch Trump supporter Janez Jansa, who takes to Twitter to mock state of rule of law in US.

Bulgaria puts first veto on North Macedonia’s EU path

Bulgaria blocked its neighbour's progress towards EU accession after its controversial unilateral conditions were not included in the EU negotiation framework for North Macedonia.

Russian aid is too little, too late for Moldova's president

Russia to send €2.9mn grant for drought-hit Moldovan farmers ahead of presidential election runoff, but no sign of the €500mn loan promised earlier.

Latvia reports 313 COVID-19 cases, state of emergency to be declared

Prime Minister Krisjanis Kariņs says tougher measures are needed as record new cases reported.

Protests in Ljubljana against coronavirus restrictions turn violent

Police clashed with anti-lockdown protestors in the Slovenian capital as demonstrators started throwing paving stones at officers.

Karabakh war “may be moving towards potentially bloody battle for city of Shusha” says analyst

Azerbaijani forces reported to be 3-4 km from mountain fortress city of great symbolic cultural significance to Baku.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Markets creak as foreign investors’ stock holdings fall below $20bn for first time since 2009

Turkish markets volatile as US presidential election result awaited.

Lithuania uneasy about possible coronavirus mutation at local mink farms

Russia blames coronavirus spike on return of holidaymakers from Turkey

No data available from UK on how many virus cases it “imported” after opening Turkish tourism corridor despite many warnings Ankara’s pandemic data was flawed.