News
Russian coal exports hit record highs after EU shipping sanctions were softened
Russian exports of coal have soared to record levels after the EU softened sanctions on European shipping companies allowing them to carry goods worldwide shortly after a ban was imposed in August as part of the fifth package of sanctions.
Khamenei’s sister speaks out against her brother’s ‘despotic caliphate’
It has brought nothing but suffering, she says, condemning the Iranian regime’s bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters.
CESEE banks expect credit conditions to tighten and NPLs to rise
With most COVID-19-related support measures having been phased out, borrowers are now being put under pressure by surging inflation and sharply rising interest rates.
No confidence motion in Slovakia to be decided by independent MPs
The political crisis comes at a time when unrest is growing at the political chaos and the botched response to the worsening cost of living crisis.
Hungary scraps fuel price cap after panic buying leaves pumps dry
The chaos and the hike in prices are a huge embarrassment to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who introduced the cap in November last year to ease rising inflation before the election.
Hungary blocks joint EU aid to Ukraine at Ecofin meeting
Budapest has been holding up aid for Ukraine as well as EU approval of a minimum corporate tax as part of an attempt to unfreeze €7.5bn of Cohesion Fund money and €5.8bn of Recovery and Resilience Fund cash.
Czech financial group PPF records loss of €318mn for 1H22 due to exit from Russia
In September the company announced it had completed the sale of Home Credit’s Russian branch and its subsidiaries to Russian-based investors as part of the “process of divesting all Russian assets”.
Kyiv police arrest Banksy thieves
Ukrainian police have arrested eight people who cut down a mural by famous British street artist Banksy, the Kyiv Independent reported on November 2.
Belgrade and Pristina blame each other for explosions in northern Kosovo
Several explosions and gunshots were reported in two municipalities in northern Kosovo.
Bulgarian police filmed shooting migrant in the chest ahead of Schengen decision
Video footage shows 19-year-old Syrian citizen Abdullah Mohammed was shot at close range at Bulgaria’s border with Turkey.
EU leaders call for faster enlargement for Western Balkans to counter Russian influence
EU leaders sought to reassure the Western Balkans countries that their future is inside the bloc at Tirana summit.
Turkish exporters fear pre-election minimum wage hike will hit competitiveness
Exporters’ association head also warns that if Turkey maintains a brake on lira depreciation, then the “exports side and the production side comes to a halt”.
Latvia revokes Russian opposition TV station Dozhd’s broadcasting licence
Following an on-air gaffe, Latvia's National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP) has cancelled Dozhd's (Rain's) licence for threatening national security.
Oil tanker jam forms off Turkey as Russian oil price cap disrupts markets
An oil tanker traffic jam has formed off the Turkish coast after the EU’s introduction of a price cap on global Russian crude supplies, the Financial Times reported on December 5. Turkish authorities are demanding new proof of full insurance cover.
Latest Russian missile attack stifled by Ukrainian Air Defence
Russia fired more than 70 missiles at Ukraine on Monday, December 5, but Ukraine’s air defence unleashed an impressive performance and shot down over 60 projectiles, the Ukrainian Air Force tweeted on December 5.
Georgia’s ex-president Saakashvili “poisoned”, claims doctor
US-based toxicologist says that "testing has revealed the presence of heavy metals" in former president's body.
Croatia and Serbia deny secret Chinese police presence
Beijing reportedly set up dozens of police stations around the globe to monitor and repatriate Chinese citizens
EU to help Western Balkans curb illegal migration surge
Illegal movements along the Western Balkans routes have significantly increased in 2022.
Mongolia protesters demand government name officials accused of thieving state coal export profits
Christmas trees burnt down, road blocked in Ulaanbaatar as demonstrators demand details on fate of 44 trillion tughrik, or $12.8bn, in times of economic hardship.
Nerudova gains on Pavel and Babis in Czech presidential race
Former university rector has tweeted that she does not wish to discuss her rivals' (controversial) pasts, "but our future".
