Belarus
Iranian parliament approves free trade zone with EEU
After years of negotiations, Iran's parliament has ratified an agreement with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to create a free trade zone.
Belarusian authorities release American citizen from a Minsk jail as part of Russo-US prisoner exchange deal
Prisoner release follows liberation of former US embassy employee Mark Fogel from Russian detention in a PR coup for US President Donald Trump.
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Student protests spread across the Balkans
Student protests have broken out in Bosnia and Slovenia, with demonstrators rallying in support of protests in Serbia as well as on local issues.
“Unchained” Trump is main risk to broadly positive Emerging Europe growth prospects
Steep US tariffs on the EU or a sudden cut in support for Ukraine are the major downside risks for the region, says new wiiw report.
Belarusian firm providing Russia with military-quality microchips
A Belarusian state-owned enterprise has been supplying Russia with microchips crucial for missile production, using Western-manufactured equipment, components and raw materials in violation of international sanctions.
RIDDLE: Sanctions and the Eurasian Economic Union
The first months of 2025 are likely to mark a turning point in the history of sanctions against Russia: after three years of "escalating" but steadily reducing the tempo of sanctions policy. Are sanctions working?
Belarus President Lukashenko wins re-election in a landslide, to no one’s surprise
In power since 1994, the “last dictator in Europe” took another election victory after five years of mounting repression that has crushed any opposition to his rule.
Belarus' Lukashenko is a shoo-in for his seventh election as president
Belarusians go to the polls this weekend to vote in a presidential election that is almost certain to see incumbent Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko returned to office for the seventh time.
Lukashenko mulls building a second nuclear power plant
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is mulling the idea of building a second nuclear power plant (NPP) to improve the country’s energy security and earn more money from exports to Russia.
North Korea rejects Belarus summit proposal, calls for clarity in relations
In a rare public statement, Kim Yo-jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister and influential political figure, has clarified her country’s stance on a proposed summit with Belarus
Belarusian blogger sets up a parody bank and token as a joke and unexpectedly becomes a millionaire
A Belarusian blogger set up a fake bank and launched a meme token as a joke and was stunned when it made him a millionaire in under a week.
NEO: Why pick-up points for online orders are gaining popularity vs. home delivery
The share of European consumers preferring home delivery for online orders dropped from 73% to 64% over the past year, according to a Last Mile Experts study.
First sighting of Belarusian jailed opposition leader Viktor Babariko in two years
Jailed Belarusian opposition politician Viktor Babariko, a prominent challenger to President Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 election, has sent a video message to his family in his first public appearance in more than two years.
Russia, Belarus make first cross-border digital financial asset transactions
The first cross-border transactions using digital financial assets (DFA) between Russia and Belarus have taken place as both countries try to avoid US financial sanctions.
Belarus tests new BUK missile system as a low-key arms race in Eastern Europe gathers momentum
Belarus conducted a test launch of a new Buk-MB2 air defence missile near its border with Ukraine on December 10, Ukrinform reports, as all parties to the Ukraine war ramp up their missile development and production capacity.