Eastern Europe / News
Belarus presidential candidate barred from ballot leaves country with his children
Valery Tsepkalo and his children have left Belarus after "trusted sources" warned of his imminent arrest by Belarusian authorities. His wife Veronika has stayed to support Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the main rival to incumbent President Lukashenko
Russia's CBR makes cautious interest rate cut to 4.25%
CBR makes cautious quarter-point interest rate cut to 4.25%, against analysts' expectations.
Lukashenko accuses foreign media of inciting public unrest
Expel foreign media that call for "Maidans", says Belarus' authoritarian president as the August 9 presidential election approaches.
Belarus opposition presidential candidate makes bold statements in first TV address
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya sharply criticised the current system and said she will announce a new, free and fair presidential vote if she is elected on August 9.
Russia, Turkey ‘agree to continue work towards sustainable Libya ceasefire’
Announcement comes after vote by Egyptian parliament to give green light to possible military intervention.
Ukraine bus hostages freed after president’s intervention
Day-long standoff on bus in Lutsk ends after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy posts video telling people to watch 2005 documentary Earthlings.
Russia's Putin sets new 2030 goals as National Projects scaled back
The Kremlin has secured Putin's possible re-election for two six-year terms in 2024, but he risks running up to his re-election without having fulfilled the previous economic platform due to the coronavirus crisis.
Azerbaijan blames Georgia for helping arm Armenia
According to the allegations, Georgia allowed a shipment of Serbian rocket launchers destined for Armenia to transit its territory.
Thousands show up to support Belarus' leading opposition presidential contender
Between 5,000 and 10,000 gathered in Minsk to support opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, wife of arrested blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky. The other former opposition candidates have rallied behind her against incumbent Lukashenko.
Ex-Ukrgazbank CEO Shevchenko elected NBU governor
MPs vote to install Kyrylo Shevchenko as head of the National Bank of Ukraine, but question of whether he will maintain the central bank’s independence remains open.
Dozens detained in Belarus as election protests continue
Protests were sparked by the barring of two opposition candidates — considered the strongest challengers to incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko — from the presidential ballot.
US sanctions entities linked to "Putin's chef" Prigozhin
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin accused Prigozhin of "exploiting Sudan’s natural resources for personal gain and spreading malign influence around the globe”.
IMF head urges Ukraine to preserve NBU independence
IMF issues warning as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy prepares to appoint a new central bank governor. Zelenskiy promised an “independent technocrat” but analysts are sceptical.
Protests in Belarus after opposition candidates blocked from standing in presidential election
Clashes between protesters and police as hundreds demonstrate in Minsk and other cities.
Gazprom swings to first quarterly loss since 2015
The coronavirus pandemic caused Gazprom's European sales to collapse, and ruble devaluation led to hefty foreign exchange losses.
Belarus denies main presidential challengers spots on the ballot
Former banker Viktor Babariko has been disqualified by Belarus' central electoral commission due to the ongoing investigation into his alleged money-laundering activities. Valery Tsepkalo's candidature has also been rejected.
Russia's Putin puts brakes on National Projects spending spree
Putin could extend his signature National Projects investment leap worth over $400bn from 2024 to as far as 2030 owing to the pressure of the coronavirus crisis.
Russian Norilsk Nickel reports third fuel spill as it wards off $2bn fine
The timing for yet another fuel spill is unfortunate as the company is contesting RUB148bn ($2.1bn) environmental damages estimated by the RosPrirodNadzor watchdog.
International Fencing Federation announces coronavirus support plan
CHF1mn support plan to help fencers and fencing federations through the coronavirus pandemic that forced a halt to the sport.
Iran blames misalignment and poor communications for UIA PS752 downing
The flight was shot down outside Tehran on January 8, killing all 176 people on board.