News
Czech president blasts Nato as government comes under fire over evacuations from Afghanistan
Milos Zeman calls on the country to focus on national defence rather than "wasting money" on the military alliance.
Kazakhstan freezes apparent Afghan refugee plans amid grumbling
Thoughts have now turned to bolstering security.
US threatens to revoke Russia’s 'market economy' status
The weapon, which has not been used since the 1990s, could lead to special duties more painful than the blunt instrument of sanctions.
Political rifts stymie efforts to fight wildfires in Bosnia
Local mayor files criminal complaint against President Milorad Dodik after he blocked requests to send army helicopters to put out fires.
Western Balkans countries quick to accept Afghan refugees as migration debate reopens in Brussels
Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia will temporarily host Afghan refugees waiting for US visas.
Afghan president reported to have fled with helicopters full of cash amid chaotic scenes at airport
Taliban appear to be standing back to allow the evacuation effort, while fear grips Kabul.
Afghans protest in Tehran as homeland falls to Taliban
Iran is home to several million Afghans, many of whom believe that the return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan has been facilitated by the Pakistani intelligence service.
President flees as Kabul falls to Taliban
Kabul fell to Taliban forces on August 15 with almost no fighting, completing the Islamic fundamentalists' recapture of Afghanistan in just six weeks since the US pulled out.
Video showing police brutality against protesters shocks Bulgaria
Parliament committee released video showing use of excessive force and brutal beating of chained protesters after prosecutors failed to act.
Bulgarian MPs under pressure to approve budget revision despite political deadlock
President and interim PM call for urgent budget revision as Bulgaria enters new wave of pandemic.
Belarus to get $1bn as part of the IMF's $650bn SDR bonanza
The embattled regime of President Alexander Lukashenko is due to receive the equivalent of $1bn from the IMF as part of its $650bn Special Drawing Rights giveaway to help struggling economies.
UK, Russian ambassadors anger Iran with photo pose evoking WWII Tehran meeting
Envoys accused of looking imperialistic after being photographed in chairs sat in by Churchill and Stalin in the Iranian capital at a time when Iran was under occupation.
Deaths from coronavirus in Russia top 800 in one day, set new record
The number of deaths from the coronavirus reached 808 in 24 hours on August 12, the highest mortality rate since the pandemic began, according to Russia’s COVID-19 task force.
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Sizzling tensions with China pose new threat to Lithuania’s food exports, rail freight sector
Lithuanian Railways is already bracing for a potential blow from the loss of Belarusian freight, following the new US sanctions on Belarus.
Farming was Ukraine’s most profitable business in 2020, outlook for this year is excellent too
Farming was the most profitable economic activity in Ukraine last year, earning $3bn for producers, according to the National Scientific centre Institute of Agrarian Economics, UBN reported on August 12.
Kyrgyz security services claim enough evidence to press on with removal of Centerra from Kumtor gold mine
Canadian miner maintains seizure of mine illegal and unjustified, but Bishkek maintains there is a corruption case to investigate.
Bulgaria’s inability to form government sends discouraging signals for North Macedonia’s EU path
After two snap parliamentary elections this year, Bulgarian political parties have failed to form a new government, leaving discussions with Skopje in limbo.
Poland’s PiS muscles through law seen as targeting US-owned broadcaster TVN
Ruling United Right coalition passed a controversial media reform that forbids non-EU entities to control domestic broadcasters.
Bank Otkritie makes comeback with record profits, looks for buyer
Central bank starts to actively look for buyer for lender, but an IPO may be more likely.
Polish ruling coalition on edge of collapse as deputy PM Gowin ousted
Deputy PM and the leader of one of the ruling coalition parties, Jaroslaw Gowin, was dismissed for his criticism of the government’s flagship economic reform programme.
