News
Romania to postpone euro adoption target until 2029
Romania has repeatedly put back its target for euro adoption, missing a window of opportunity in 2015-17 when it met all the nominal convergence criteria set by the Maastricht Treaty.
Academic close to Erdogan says Turkey should prepare for state of emergency due to economic crisis
Professor walks back comments but fears circulate that move could be made to prepare for a sudden and unjust snap election.
Top EU court says Bulgaria must issue ID to baby girl with two mothers
Bulgaria does not recognise same-sex marriage and refused to name both as mothers in a national birth certificate.
Putin, Xi vow “renewed friendship” at virtual summit a week after Putin’s summit with Biden
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, held a virtual summit on December 15 in a show of solidarity against what they called “US aggression.”
Lithuanian premier rejects ministers' resignations over Belarus sanctions-busting scandal
Head of state-owned railways will instead step down over contract that allows Belaruskali potash to continue being carried to Port of Klapeida.
Belarusian court sentences Tikhanovskaya’s husband and other leading opposition figures to 15-18 years in jail
A Belarusian court sentenced Sergey Tikhanovsky to 18 years in jail along with several other top opposition figures, journalists and bloggers on December 14 as the Lukashenko regime continued its brutal repression of its enemies.
Owner of Russia's largest car dealer Rolf forced to sell
Russia's largest car dealer Rolf of Sergei Petrov has been sold to rival KlyuchAvto for an undisclosed amount.
Hungary’s central bank announces package of tightening measures
MNB raises rates by another 30 bps, widens interest rate corridor and phases out QE and bond purchase schemes.
President Zeman agrees to all new Czech government ministerial appointments
President climbdown on vetoing foreign minister gifts Prime Minister Petr Fiala first victory in what is likely to be a long tug of war.
Crisis-hit Turkish lira takes high-volatility rollercoaster ride featuring new all-time low
Day saw a stomach-churning descent of 7%.
Bulgaria’s parliament endorses government led by Kiril Petkov
Appointment puts an end to the deep political crisis in the country that has held three general elections since April.
Albania’s opposition Democrats in disarray as delegates vote to dismiss party leader at unauthorised assembly
Current party leader Lulzim Basha says he won't quit despite vote at unauthorised assembly hosted by his predecessor Sali Berisha.
Bosnian Serbs vote to start quitting key state institutions
Opposition fear move will result in a new war while international community warns of a serious escalation "threatening the stability of the country and the entire region".
Russia issues a eight-point list of demands
Following the two-hour December 7 virtual summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden the Russian Foreign Ministry has followed up and issued a concrete eight-point list of demands on December 10.
Lithuania humiliated by Belarus sanction-breaking scandal
Foreign and transport ministers offer to resign after revelation that state-owned railways has continued to transport potash exports of sanctioned regime.
Hungary’s government to defer €1bn of investment as budget gap balloons
Delay in receiving recovery funds also plays a part in decision.
Bulgaria’s Change Continues inks coalition deal, nominates cabinet
Formation of the coalition should put an end to the deep political crisis in Bulgaria, which has gone through three general elections and two caretaker governments since April.
Biden pledges no backstage talks with Russia about Nato’s eastern flank
US president reassures Bucharest Nine of commitment after talks with President Putin stoke fears.
Russian wines export to France, as bottlenecks tighten in Europe
Russia could see a 20-25% spike in the prices of imported wines in 2022 due to a poor harvest in Italy and France, supply chain disruptions and higher costs, RBC business portal wrote citing local distributors and retailers.
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Grim plights in Belarus and Turkey underlined as Committee to Protect Journalists reports “especially bleak year” worldwide
Prison census finds number of journalists jailed around the world in 2021 hit a new record.
