Eurasia / News

EDB allocates $1mn for Kazakh flood relief

bne IntelliNews May 16, 2024

The Eurasian Development Bank has decided to allocate funds to help eliminate the consequences of the massive floods in several regions of Kazakhstan.

Protesters picket Yerevan EBRD event demanding Armenian PM’s resignation

Clare Nuttall in Yerevan May 16, 2024

Nikol Pashinyan is under pressure to resign after giving up territory to Azerbaijan under a border demarcation deal.

Heavy floods claim several lives in Iran's second biggest city Mashhad

bne Tehran bureau May 15, 2024

Heavy floods in the Iranian city of Mashhad have killed several people who were stuck in a submerged car as a torrent of water swept them away.

Georgia's parliament passes controversial 'foreign agents' bill amid mass protests and U.S. warnings

Tornike Mandaria in Tbilisi May 15, 2024

Washington says it might impose financial and travel restrictions on certain individuals if the bill remains unchanged or if security forces continue to violently suppress protests.

Georgian Dream accuses West of funding violent opposition to its foreign agents law

Ben Aris in Berlin May 14, 2024

Controversial Russian-style "foreign agent" law passes final reading on May 14, though it is expected to be temporarily vetoed by the president.

Kazakh ex-minister convicted of savage torture and murder of wife in trial that gripped nation

Peter Baunov in Astana May 14, 2024

Kuandyk Bishimbayev jailed for 24 years. Jury members wept as CCTV footage of sickening assault was shown. Campaigners hope for permanent change in attitudes to domestic violence.

Transit fee rivals Russia, Kazakhstan “happy” China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway not progressing

bne IntelliNews May 13, 2024

Beijing appears deterred by cost and geopolitical considerations, but if realised “CKU” would open up shortest China-Europe rail route.

Anti-government protests mount in Armenia

Ani Avetisyan May 13, 2024

The protests are fuelled by public discontent over Pashinian's decision to make unilateral concessions of territory to Azerbaijan in a border delimitation deal.

Georgians rally against "foreign agents" bill in largest protest in country's history

Tornike Mandaria in Tbilisi May 13, 2024

With parliament set to commence the bill's final reading on May 14, organisers have called for continuous protests, urging Georgians to make their voices heard.

EU-Georgia relations hit a new low as Tbilisi warns of foreign-funded power-grab

Tornike Mandaria May 9, 2024

State Security Service accuses demonstrators of wanting to overthrow the government with foreign funding.

Korea turns to Uzbekistan in bid to meet demand for additional 3,000 automotive workers per year

Mokhi Sultanova in Tashkent May 7, 2024

Wider world of work both east and west appears to be opening up to Uzbek labour migrants.

Nothing concrete has yet emerged from nuclear plant talks with Russia, says Uzbekistan

Mokhi Sultanova in Tashkent May 6, 2024

Tashkent has received proposals from other countries, though as things stand there are no talks on alternatives to Russian bid, UzAtom director says.

Turkey reportedly still loading Azerbaijani oil for Israel despite “total trade ban”

bne IntelliNews May 5, 2024

Trade ministry said “all products” are subject to boycott, but tankers on Ceyhan to Haifa crude export route appear unaffected.

Rights groups call on Tajikistan to disclose whereabouts of “forcibly disappeared” opposition leader

bne IntelliNews May 4, 2024

“Devastating reports” say Suhrob Zafar may have lost ability to walk following torture. Turkey suspected of role in rendition.

Shocking trial of ex-minister has shifted domestic violence attitudes in Kazakhstan, says brother

bne IntelliNews May 2, 2024

Country’s first court hearing to be screened online has included CCTV showing how wife died after torturous beating that lasted several hours.

Russia doesn’t like taking a back seat to China in Central Asia trade

Eurasianet May 1, 2024

But domestic economic woes may be slowing Beijing’s exports.

Fighting breaks out in Georgian parliament, halting vote on 'foreign agents' law

bne IntelliNews May 1, 2024

A debate to approve Georgia’s controversial 'foreign agents' bill in its second reading was disrupted after fights broke out in the chamber between members of the ruling party and opposition MPs on May 1.

Fighting between protestors and riot police breaks out in Tbilisi

bne IntelliNews April 30, 2024

Baton-wielding riot police attacked protestors, firing rubber bullets and tear gas at thousands of demonstrators in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi late on the evening on April 30, as authorities tried to end weeks of demonstrations.

Georgian oligarch Ivanishvili advocates repression, blames Western “Party of War” for country’s ills

Ben Aris in Berlin April 30, 2024

Georgian Dream's founder's strong comments indicate that the party is not planning to back down, despite big demonstrations against the 'foreign agents' bill over the past two weeks.

Tajikistan protests to Russia over treatment of citizens with 1,000 stranded at Moscow airport

bne IntelliNews April 29, 2024

Central Asians have faced xenophobic backlash since March terror attack allegedly committed by Tajik gunmen.

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