News
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry calls on world to reject the legitimacy of Putin’s presidency
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it does not recognise Vladimir Putin as the democratically elected and legitimate president of Russia the day before he was due to be inaugurated for the fifth time.
Turkey reportedly still loading Azerbaijani oil for Israel despite “total trade ban”
Trade ministry said “all products” are subject to boycott, but tankers on Ceyhan to Haifa crude export route appear unaffected.
Live fish fall from the sky in Central Iran - video
In what looks similar to some sort of Biblical miracle, large live fish fell from the sky in Yasouj, a city in Central Iran, and were left flapping on the road, a video posted on local social media purportedly shows.
Rights groups call on Tajikistan to disclose whereabouts of “forcibly disappeared” opposition leader
“Devastating reports” say Suhrob Zafar may have lost ability to walk following torture. Turkey suspected of role in rendition.
OTP reportedly makes bid to buy Tallinn-based Luminor Bank
Luminor is the third-largest bank in the Baltic states and is reportedly valued at more than €2bn.
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Czech central bank lowers interest rate to 5.25%
CNB also improves its economic outlook for this year to 1.4% growth, up from the 0.4% growth it predicted in February.
Serbs see Russians as main ally, US as biggest threat
IRI’s Western Balkan survey also reveals Albanians and Kosovars most committed to EU and Nato membership; support flagging in other countries.
Turkey reportedly freezes all trade with Israel
Under pressure from religious conservatives, Turkish leader Erdogan is said to have blocked all exports and imports. Move draws angry rebuke from Israelis.
German chancellor says 4-year timeline for Montenegro's EU membership is realistic
Montenegro is the closest to accession among the Western Balkan countries, but progress has been stalled by political instability in recent years.
Shocking trial of ex-minister has shifted domestic violence attitudes in Kazakhstan, says brother
Country’s first court hearing to be screened online has included CCTV showing how wife died after torturous beating that lasted several hours.
Orban's government opts not to commemorate 20th membership of EU accession
Hungary has slid to second poorest member state under Hungarian strongman's corrupt rule.
Slovak parliament moves closer to approving foreign agent bill aimed at NGOs
NGOs which receive more than €5,000 from outside of Slovakia will be labelled “organisations with foreign support”.
Russia doesn’t like taking a back seat to China in Central Asia trade
But domestic economic woes may be slowing Beijing’s exports.
Fighting breaks out in Georgian parliament, halting vote on 'foreign agents' law
A debate to approve Georgia’s controversial 'foreign agents' bill in its second reading was disrupted after fights broke out in the chamber between members of the ruling party and opposition MPs on May 1.
Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian oil refineries cause domestic petrol prices to surge
Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries are causing a shortage of petrol on the domestic markets and have sent prices at the pump surging in the last few weeks.
Russia is producing weapons at a record pace, and Ukraine’s partners are trying to increase support for Kyiv
Russia is producing weapons at a record pace, and Ukraine’s partners are trying to increase support. Over the past year, Russia has learned to develop new weapons and ammunition faster than at any time in its modern history.
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Fighting between protestors and riot police breaks out in Tbilisi
Baton-wielding riot police attacked protestors, firing rubber bullets and tear gas at thousands of demonstrators in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi late on the evening on April 30, as authorities tried to end weeks of demonstrations.
Lithuanian leaders back sending 29,000 military-age men back to Ukraine
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte believe that Lithuania should help Ukraine get back its military-age men living abroad.
Top Russian mobile operator MTS announces $86.5mn share buyback
Russia’s biggest mobile phone operator MTS is offering its international investors whose shares have been trapped in Russia by sanctions an opportunity to sell their shares at a discount and get a return on their investment.
Serbia's new government to have ministers under US sanctions for Russia links
Former spy chief Aleksandar Vulin, dubbed ‘Moscow’s man’ in Belgrade, to join Milos Vucevic’s new cabinet.