News
Czech Republic introduced new emergency anti-COVID measures
There are now more than 5,000 active cases of coronavirus for the first time since the pandemic started.
Anti-Kremlin protests grow in Russian Far East
Tens of thousands have demanded the release of Khabarovsk governor Sergei Furgal, arrested this month on murder charges. The appointment of an interim governor has failed to prevent protests from entering their third week.
Ukraine's parliament approves investment nanny bill
Ukraine’s parliament has approved the “investment nanny” bill, which offers state assistance and oversight to large investment projects, including a 15-year state guarantee on foreign investments.
Ukraine places 2033 eurobonds for $2bn at 7.253%
Ukraine returns to the international market after pulling a Eurobond issue at the beginning of this month following the resignation of central bank governor Yakiv Smolii.
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.
Erdogan’s power to ban layoffs in Turkey extended to July 2021
New poll, meanwhile, determines country can only expect U-shaped recovery from COVID-19 crisis and will this year suffer first GDP contraction for a decade.
Romanian PM promises €8bn-9bn investment and western partner for nuclear power plant expansion
Romania close to signing an agreement with "Euro-Atlantic partners" to complete the third and fourth reactors at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, PM Ludovic Orban says after talks with China's CGN were scrapped.
Kosovo Telecom workers stage protest over bankruptcy fears
Telco's accounts frozen after a Pristina court's decision to allow a private enforcement agency to recoup millions of euros in compensation to local virtual mobile operator Z-Mobile.
Bulgaria’s PM replaces five ministers in attempt to soothe public anger
Boyko Borissov tries to save his government with reshuffle after two weeks of mass protests, but critics say the move comes too late.
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.
Dacia car plant in Romania risks quarantine as epidemic gains momentum
Number of COVID-19 infections exceeds the safety threshold in central Romanian auto-manufacturing cluster that includes Renault's Dacia factory.
COVID-19 to drive Poland’s budget deficit to 21st century-unprecedented PLN100bn
Back in September, the government tabled a no-deficit budget for 2020, the first in three decades. But efforts to ease the impact of the coronavirus pandemic are instead expected to result in by far the biggest budget hole of the 21st century.
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.
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Hacker group warns Macedonian parties against appointing ethnic Albanian PM
Group calling itself AnonOpsMKD threatens “complete blackout” in North Macedonia if the ethnic Albanian DUI party — in kingmaker position after the July 15 general election — gets to choose the next prime minister.
BlackRock trims exposure to Borsa Istanbul equities citing Turkey’s likely economic trajectory in coming months
Other market news: Deutsche Bank local unit closed. Analyst says Turkey one of most vulnerable EMs to balance of payments trouble. TUSIAD calls on government to return to free market principles to draw back foreign investors. Honda Turkey for sale.
Turkey’s central bank returns to shorting dollar futures on Borsa Istanbul derivatives market
“Those administrating economy policy in Ankara have created, through public banks and the Central Bank, an open position of 45 billion dollars,” former Turkish central banker writes in op-ed.