News
Effect of coronavirus on Russian market subdued so far
The overall economic impact of the coronavirus on the Russian economy will remain low. However, if the epidemic widens, it poses significant risks to Russia’s economic development amidst deteriorating global economic conditions.
Turkey’s banks ‘hire Ernst & Young to analyse forming asset management company for billions in bad debt’
Lira remains under pressure amid economic anxiety and worries over course of Syria and Libya conflicts. Erdogan set to speak to Putin on Idlib standoff.
Coronavirus fear spreads across Iran, Iraq, Armenia and Azerbaijan after Qom deaths
Iranian officials worry turnout will be decimated at parliamentary polls. Reports of sick German man taken off Tehran metro. Iraq Airways scraps flights to and from Islamic Republic.
Turkey ‘asks US for Patriot missiles to help counter Russia-backed Syrian troops’
Trump’s latest word on Syria is that he and “tough guy” Erdogan “are working together on seeing what can be done”.
Russian investor to give up Chisinau International Airport
Speculation is swirling in Moldova about the reasons behind Russian billionaire Andrei Goncearenko's announcement he is ready to sell his stake in the operator of Moldova's main airport.
Hot spring looms in Albania as president urges people to rise up against government
President Ilir Meta has called on all Albanians to join mass protests against the government in March, signalling a return to the unrest that marked the first half of last year.
Secret Iranian court hands jail sentences to eight environmentalists accused of spying for US
Case is mysterious. Judiciary has spoken of surveys of cheetahs used as pretext for espionage. Reports of military officials saying cameras were planted to pinpoint missile test areas have circulated. UN has condemned Tehran’s actions in affair.
Inflow of Russian retail investors to MOEX could be misleading
Hundreds of thousands of Russians have opened individual retail accounts with Moscow Exchange (MOEX) to buy and sell shares, but most of the accounts are empty and inactive
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Joy as Turkish court acquits “Gezi park” defendant Kavala but tears as he's rearrested
After surprise verdict, pundits consider whether under-pressure Erdogan might want to see businessman and philanthropist free as a sop to the West.
US promises up to $1bn in energy infrastructure financing for Three Seas Initiative
The financing will go primarily to strengthen energy security across the initiative’s countries, which consider it necessary to end, or at least reduce, dependence on Russia as an energy supplier.
Dutch court reinstates order for Russia to pay $50bn to Yukos shareholders
A Dutch appeals court has ordered the Russian government to fork out $50bn to former shareholders of defunct Russian oil giant Yukos, marking another twist in a more than decade-old legal battle.
Opposition party warns of possible run on the Bulgarian lev over delayed ERM2 entry
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov unexpectedly said his government will not push for entry into the Exchange Rate Mechanism, one of the key steps towards adoption of the euro.
Bosnia’s Dodik calls for RSexit
Milorad Dodik wants a "RSexit" secession referendum for Republika Srpska, as Bosnian Serb politicians say they will block the work of state-level institutions.
EU proposes slashing Poland’s coal transition money to €1bn
Poland’s share in the EU’s just transition project should be cut in half to €1bn unless Warsaw signs up to the 2050 climate neutrality goal, European Council President Charles Michel has proposed.
Kyrgyzstan scraps Chinese logistics centre investment after mass protests
Successful demonstration shows suspicions over who benefits from Chinese investment in Central Asia have not been allayed and relays more anger over Muslims including ethnic-Kyrgyz held in Beijing’s “re-education camps”.
Romania ready to develop new nuclear reactor without foreign partners
Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced last month that Bucharest will scrap its deal with China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) to expand the Cernavoda nuclear power plant.
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US attorney general ‘at Trump’s request made effort to help Turkey’s Halkbank sidestep indictment’
Turkish president Erdogan who has been implicated in the sanctions-busting affair in which lender is embroiled said to have pushed for White House action.
Naftogaz in talks with investment banks over possible IPO
Ukraine’s national gas company Naftogaz has held talks with international investment banks and potential investors about the prospects for an IPO, Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev said on February 17.
Polish miners send new warning to PiS government
Mining unions at Poland’s biggest hard coal miner Polska Grupa Gornicza (PGG) went on a two-hour warning strike on February 17.
Poll shows very tight race in Poland’s pivotal presidential vote
The presidential contest could upend Poland’s politics overnight if incumbent President Andrzej Duda fails to win re-election.