News
Budapest inaugurates monumental Puskas Arena
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban's obsession with football is legendary, and critics say spending on sports infrastructure is draining money away from the health sector and education.
Veteran Russian tour operator Intourist could IPO
Russia’s oldest and largest tour operator Intourist is planning an IPO, after it will be bought from troubled Thomas Cook by the owner of Anex Tour major Neşet Koçkar, Reuters reported on November 14 citing an announcement by Intourist.
Montenegro launches undersea power link to Italy
First "electrical bridge" from Western Balkans to the rest of Europe is expected to generate export revenues for Montenegro and its neighbours as they step up investment into renewable energy.
Iran shuts down internet as petrol riots crackdown escalates
Iranian authorities essentially turned the internet off on November 17 as a crackdown on protests against a dramatic hike in petrol prices escalated, reported Netblocks, an internet-freedom charity.
Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei blames enemies for protests as several reported dead in escalating unrest
Iran went under virtual martial law as authorities shut down the internet and blocked roads in the capital. There were some reports of shooting on the streets of Tehran.
Russia's billionaire car salesman, owner of Rolf to sell up
The owners of the largest car dealer in Russia Rolf are looking for buyers for 100% in the company, Vedomosti daily reported on November 14 citing the founder of the dealer Sergei Petrov.
Tbilisi on edge as Georgians take to streets over rejection of voting reform
Opposition parties have called for big weekend demonstrations in response to ruling party’s blocking of constitutional switch to proportional representation system in time for 2020 general election.
MOEX and Institutional Investor name Russia’s top IR teams and people
In a much sought-after title within the investment banking world, the US magazine Institutional Investor, together with Moscow Exchange, have presented their best investor relations professionals in Russia awards.
Halkbank shares head south in Istanbul after Erdogan’s White House meeting produces little
State bank embroiled in Iran sanctions-busting case. Mention of Turkish strongman in indictment and Trump Tower Istanbul under renewed scrutiny. No progress on ‘S-400’ row. Senators not thrilled at Oval Office showing of anti-Kurdish propaganda film.
Hungary delays pension bond issue due to success of MAP+
The finance ministry and the state debt manager, AKK, did not want to launch a new bond issue against a successful bond programme already in place.
Ukraine on course to smash its 2019 grain harvest record, remain world’s biggest grain exporter
With the winter grain harvest still underway Ukraine’s farmers have already brought in more grain this season than in all of last year and are on course to smash the previous record.
Moldovan PM Sandu loses confidence vote
Shaky coalition between Sandu's pro-EU ACUM bloc and President Dodon's pro-Russian Socialists fractures after just five months.
Czech CEZ’s Turkey-listed JV restructures $854mn loan with Yapi Kredi Bank
Markets, meanwhile, draw breath as Erdogan prepares for November 13 White House meeting with Trump. Betting is that the two strongmen will reach an accommodation.
Ukraine main anti-graft agency detains former central bank governor's deputy
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), the country's main anti-graft agency, has detained former deputy governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Oleksandr Pysaruk among seven people who have been accused of embezzling UAH1.2bn ($49mn)
Moscow has the second highest road rage score in the world
Mister Auto released a survey of which cities in the world are the best and worst to drive in that found Moscow has the second highest road rage index in the world, after only Ulaanbaatar.
Moscow judge refuses to release two more Russian national Baring Vostok partners to house arrest
A Moscow court extended the pre-trial detention of the remaining two partners in the Baring Vostok fund, Ivan Zyuzin and Vagan Abgaryan, until January that worked with Russia’s top fund manager Michael Calvey.
Crisis within Moldova’s ruling coalition makes Plahotniuc’s party a key player again
Moldova’s parliament is poised to vote on the no-confidence motion submitted by the Socialist Party of President Igor Dodon against the government of Prime Minister Maia Sandu.
Far-right marches in Warsaw to celebrate Poland’s Independence Day
Tens of thousands of people joined the 10th Independence March, an annual event that has gained notoriety because it is organised by far-right parties and groups seen as gaining strength in Poland.
Ukraine president pledges to hold a referendum on farmland sales for foreigners
The Ukrainian authorities will allow farmland sale to foreign citizens and companies only if the Ukrainian people give consent to it at a referendum, the nation's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on November 11.
Turkey sells $2.5bn of 5-year eurobonds at 5.70%
Spread over US Treasury paper fell sharply to 407bp from 470bp seen at previous Turkish sale, held in July.