News
EU plans €1.9bn Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova
New facility to support reforms, advance Moldova's EU integration and mitigate the impact of Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine.
Georgia’s surging art imports fuel speculation over Ivanishvili’s offshore tax exemption
Many politicians and analysts in Georgia suspect Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili is behind the $480.7mn of art works imported into Georgia in January.
Potential US troop withdrawal from Europe to leave Kosovo exposed
Fears US may consider withdrawing its troops from Europe, including Kosovo, if Trump and Putin reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
Latin America faces growth hit as trade tensions escalate, warns Moody's
Trade conflicts and new tariffs could reduce Latin American economic growth by 0.3 percentage points in 2025 and 0.4 percentage points in 2026, with recovery delayed until 2028, Moody's Analytics warned in a recent report.
Saudi Arabia launches new official riyal symbol
Saudi Arabia unveiled a new currency symbol for its riyal on February 20, marking a historic move to strengthen the national currency's identity.
Israel receives bodies of four deceased hostages including Bibas family
The remains of four Israeli hostages - Kfir Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Shiri Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz - were transferred to Israeli custody on the morning of February 20.
Turkmenistan making moves to integrate into Middle Corridor trade routes
Ashgabat wants to join the party.
EU endorses Hungary's revised medium-term fiscal plan
The European Council has endorsed Hungary's medium-term budgetary plan, which outlines a path for deficit reduction but reflects a more cautious economic outlook, National Economy Minister Marton Nagy announced after the Ecofin meeting.
Detained Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli ends hunger strike after 38 days
Amaglobeli is among hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Georgia since November 28 when countrywide, nightly demonstrations began in response to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s suspension of EU accession talks.
Moldova’s top anti-corruption prosecutor resigns over ‘anti-democratic’ bill
Veronica Dragalin said new law would dismantle the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and weaken prosecutors’ ability to investigate top politicians.
Trump interested in jointly developing Arctic oil and gas with Russia
The US and Russia are looking at joint energy projects in the Arctic, as part of the ceasefire negotiation in Riyadh, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund boss Kirill Dmitriev told Politico on February 19.
Erdogan fires back at business association that attacked his administration
Turkish president accuses Tusiad of meddling in politics, undermining government. Prosecutor expands probe.
Zelenskiy, Trump take verbal swipes at each other as relations between Washington and Kyiv nosedive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump, accusing the US president of being trapped in a “disinformation bubble” over the war in Ukraine.
European Parliament report calls for removal of EU measures against Kosovo
The measures introduced in response to tensions in Serb-majority north Kosovo included freezing EU funds and suspension of high-level meetings with Kosovo officials.
Brazil's Bolsonaro charged with alleged coup conspiracy
Brazilian prosecutors have charged former president Jair Bolsonaro with allegedly orchestrating a far-right conspiracy to retain power through a military coup, which could lead to decades of imprisonment if he is convicted.
EU eyes “strategic autonomy” partnership with Latin America amid deepening rift with US
The European Union is seeking to deepen its relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean, framing the partnership as one built on "strategic autonomy" rather than as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the region.
Trump’s mineral deal for Ukraine “worse than Versailles”, reports The Daily Telegraph
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ordered his staff not to sign the proposed deal that would hand the US control over Ukraine's raw materials and key infrastructure.
Zelenskiy freezes US minerals deal, reaches out to Arab nations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has frozen a proposed concession to mine Ukraine’s considerable mineral resources after the US side offered little in return and is travelling in the Middle East to look for new partners.
EU Parliament joins lawsuit against Hungary over controversial Sovereignty Law
The European Parliament legal committee voted on February 18 to join the lawsuit against Hungary in the European Court of Justice regarding the controversial sovereignty protection law adopted in late 2023.
US and Russian officials hold landmark peace talks in Saudi Arabia as Ukraine remains excluded
Senior US and Russian officials have concluded extensive talks at the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two powers since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.