News

German foreign minister calls for faster EU enlargement to Western Balkans amid Russia threat

bne IntelliNews March 4, 2024

Annalena Baerbock says expansion of the EU to the Western Balkans has become a geopolitical necessity in light of Russia's "brutal imperialism".

Croatian PM Plenkovic announces spring general election

bne IntelliNews March 4, 2024

Plenkovic says the ruling HDZ is "full of self-confidence" ahead of election despite a series of scandals involving government ministers.

Nato member Albania opens air base in former ‘Stalin city’

bne IntelliNews March 4, 2024

€50mn renovation to turn Cold War era Albanian air base into an important Nato hub.

Slovak TV Markiza said to be scaling down politics in news

Albin Sybera March 4, 2024

The reported editorial changes allegedly follow pressure from the new left-right government of Robert Fico, who has labelled the station an "enemy media".

Zelenskiy says situation at Poland border has gone 'too far'

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw March 4, 2024

Ukraine says Poland is not doing enough to contain the protests that hurt its economy during wartime.

Slovak foreign minister slammed by opposition and president for meeting Russia's Lavrov

Albin Sybera March 3, 2024

Prime Minister Robert Fico praised the meeting as an example of a “balanced and sovereign Slovak foreign policy”.

Belize-flagged Rubymar ship sinks in Red Sea following Yemeni Houthi attack

bne IntelliNews March 3, 2024

A Belize-flagged bulk tanker, the MV Rubymar, sank early on Saturday March 2 in the Red Sea following a missile strike by Yemeni Houthis on February 18, US Central Command announced.

Serbian president claims West wants ‘puppet regime’ in Belgrade

bne IntelliNews March 3, 2024

President Aleksandar Vucic tackles opposition grievances over December 2023 elections, but slams Western interference in Serbian politics.

Turkey suspected of war crimes as occupying power in northern Syria, says HRW report

bne IntelliNews March 2, 2024

Given Ankara’s denunciations of Israel’s activities in Gaza, Erdogan administration exposed to claims of gross hypocrisy.

Parliamentary elections in Iran: lowest turnout since 1979 revolution

bne Tehran bureau March 2, 2024

Voter turnout in Iran’s parliamentary elections is reportedly at 40%, according to semi-official sources from Iran on March 2.

Thousands attend funeral of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny despite threat of arrest

bne IntelliNews March 1, 2024

Thousands of mourners gathered at the Quench My Sorrows church in Moscow's Maryino district to attend the funeral service of Russian opposition political Alexey Navalny.

Western Balkan leaders commit to accelerated regional cooperation

bne IntelliNews March 1, 2024

Albanian PM calls at Tirana summit for fellow Western Balkan leaders to overcome historic conflicts to achieve prosperity.

Hungary’s central bank governor slams government policy and flags risks to independence

Tamas Csonka in Budapest March 1, 2024

Central bank governor Gyorgy Matolcsy slammed the government's economic policy shift in mid-2021 and denounced attempts by the cabinet to curb the central bank’s independence.

Bulgaria has just days to strike deal on new government or faces early election

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia February 29, 2024

Gerb’s Mariya Gabriel is due to take over the PM seat on March 8, but the government’s pro-Western backers are increasingly divided.

Putin warns Nato of risk of nuclear war, tries to rally the population in his State of the Nation speech

Ben Aris in Berlin February 29, 2024

Putin rattled Russia’s nuclear sabre and tried to rally the people to his flag in a time of war in his annual State of the Nation Address to both houses of the Federal Assembly, the Russian parliament, on February 29.

Kazakhstan: Population resettlement programmes declared a failure

Eurasianet February 29, 2024

While the population of northern regions may decrease by 600,000 before 2050, the population of southern regions could rise by 1.6mn.

Lukashenko to stand for re-election as president in 2025

bne IntelliNews February 29, 2024

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, announced he will stand for re-election again in 2025, state media reported on February 25.

Czech lower house passes watered down legislation enhancing the rights of same sex couples

Albin Sybera February 29, 2024

Marriage for all staunchly opposed by the powerful conservative wing in the parliament.

Slovak Constitutional Court suspends part of Fico’s judicial overhaul

Albin Sybera February 29, 2024

Court rushes to suspend several key paragraphs in the government's controversial legislative reform

Battle for Bucharest mayor seat heats up

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest February 29, 2024

Ex-mayor Gabriela Firea unexpectedly announced her candidacy, while Romania's ruling parties are still discussing who to nominate.

Dismiss