News
Turkey seizes fast food chain Maydanoz Doner over prosecution aimed at Gulenists
Total of 1,371 companies seized over links to clan since military coup attempt of 2016.
Putin opens the door to the return of Western business to Russia
President Vladimir Putin has opened the door to Western companies’ return to the Russian market, but only on the Kremlin’s terms and only after sanctions are lifted, the Russian president said on February 21.
Six Israeli hostages released from Gaza amid critical Bibas family update
Three Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas in Gaza as part of the latest prisoner exchange scheme between the group and the Israeli state.
Russia considers ceding its frozen $300bn CBR money as part of a ceasefire deal
Russia is considering the use of $300bn in frozen assets held in Europe to help rebuild Ukraine, but insists part of the money be used to rebuild the Ukrainian territories under its control, Reuters reports.
Putin says sanctions have strengthened, not weakened, Russian economy
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Western sanctions have played a “stimulating role” in Russia’s economic development, rather than bring it to its knees.
Serbian energy sector faces crisis as banks set to close NIS accounts
Foreign banks will halt transactions with NIS before US sanctions take effect on February 28, which could effectively paralyse the oil company’s operations.
Brazil's Lula backs Ukraine peace mission but rules out sending troops
Brazil will not send troops to Ukraine but would support a peacekeeping mission, President Lula da Silva said in a joint statement with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
UN warns Syria faces 50-year economic recovery
Syria needs at least 10 years to recover its pre-war economic levels even with strong growth, while current slow growth rates of 1.3% annually could extend recovery beyond 50 years.
White House offers a revised mineral deal, but US-Ukraine relations still in limbo
The White House has offered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy a revised version of its deal to exploit rare earth minerals that Kyiv rejected last week because the terms were too harsh.
Hungary set to block extension of EU sanctions against Russia, citing peace talks
Hungary will not vote in favour of extending sanctions against Russian and Belarusian individuals at the upcoming meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, arguing that it would hinder US-Russian peace talks.
EU plans €1.9bn Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova
New facility to support reforms, advance Moldova's EU integration and mitigate the impact of Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine.
Georgia’s surging art imports fuel speculation over Ivanishvili’s offshore tax exemption
Many politicians and analysts in Georgia suspect Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili is behind the $480.7mn of art works imported into Georgia in January.
Potential US troop withdrawal from Europe to leave Kosovo exposed
Fears US may consider withdrawing its troops from Europe, including Kosovo, if Trump and Putin reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
Latin America faces growth hit as trade tensions escalate, warns Moody's
Trade conflicts and new tariffs could reduce Latin American economic growth by 0.3 percentage points in 2025 and 0.4 percentage points in 2026, with recovery delayed until 2028, Moody's Analytics warned in a recent report.
Saudi Arabia launches new official riyal symbol
Saudi Arabia unveiled a new currency symbol for its riyal on February 20, marking a historic move to strengthen the national currency's identity.
Israel receives bodies of four deceased hostages including Bibas family
The remains of four Israeli hostages - Kfir Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Shiri Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz - were transferred to Israeli custody on the morning of February 20.
Turkmenistan making moves to integrate into Middle Corridor trade routes
Ashgabat wants to join the party.
EU endorses Hungary's revised medium-term fiscal plan
The European Council has endorsed Hungary's medium-term budgetary plan, which outlines a path for deficit reduction but reflects a more cautious economic outlook, National Economy Minister Marton Nagy announced after the Ecofin meeting.
Detained Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli ends hunger strike after 38 days
Amaglobeli is among hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Georgia since November 28 when countrywide, nightly demonstrations began in response to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s suspension of EU accession talks.
Moldova’s top anti-corruption prosecutor resigns over ‘anti-democratic’ bill
Veronica Dragalin said new law would dismantle the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and weaken prosecutors’ ability to investigate top politicians.