bne IntelliNews

05/12/2024

Chaotic politics, authoritarian presidents and the path to prosperity

South Korea's president Yoon declared martial law this week, which was immediately overturned and he will now likely be impeached. The country has flourished but a mature democracy it ain't.

Just how important is it for a country to have a responsible president for it to flourish? Most of the countries in FSU have had only two presidents and the ones with lots are amongst the worst performers.

It’s a trade-off between stability and chaotic freedoms. In the early stages it seems stability is more important than freedom, but, as Korea shows, in the later stages those freedoms can give your country an extra leg up.

South Korea's president Yoon declared martial law this week, which was immediately overturned and he will now likely be impeached. The country has flourished but a mature democracy it ain't.

04/12/2024

MOSCOW BLOG: Three of US’ key regional allies are in turmoil

Three of the US military outposts in key regions of the world are either under attack or in chaos. Israel in the Middle East, Ukraine in Europe and now South Korea in SE Asia are all in turmoil thanks to the rise of geopolitical tensions, expanding wars and degrading the US’ ability to project its military might around the world.

Three of the US military outposts in key regions of the world are either under attack or in chaos: Israel in the Middle East, Ukraine in Europe and now South Korea in SE Asia.

03/12/2024

IntelliNews monthly magazine
The December issue of bne monthly Magazine is out!

COVER SECTION
Productivity at Russia's largest enterprises rising in effort to keep the economy competitive

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COVER SECTION
Russia’s economy is tougher than it looks, no chance of
a crisis in the next 3-5 years

COMPANIES & MARKETS
TAL pipeline expansion nears finish, offering Czech Republic a future free of Russian oil
Slovak gas distributor SPP concludes pilot deal with Azerbaijan's SOCAR
Pakistan could quit TAPI as India now “extremely lukewarm” on gas pipeline project, says report
Freedom Holding Corp reports 33% revenue growth in 2Q24, expands in Central Asia and Europe
Russia and Iran officially link bank card networks
US financial sanctions on Russia are working, but yet to affect trade volumes significantly
Russia cuts off gas supply to Austria's OMV
Will the renewal of the Serbia-Russia gas deal prolong Moscow's energy dominance in Europe?
Moldova’s electronics sector rises again
Studenac aims to raise €80mn with dual listing in Warsaw and Zagreb
Croatia has triple-A rating after Moody's upgrade
Top Uzbek e-commerce and fintech player Uzum posts $100mn in 9M24 net income
Half of Ukraine’s top IT firms see revenue drop amid war, relocations
Telekom Srbija plans US expansion after Trump's victory
Top Uzbek e-commerce and fintech player Uzum posts $100mn in 9M24 net income
UN talks start in South Korea on plastics pollution as waste chokes planet
This year to be warmest on record, says Copernicus
Lax rules agreed at COP29 for global carbon trading market

CENTRAL EUROPE
Trump's election complicates Tusk's foreign policy challenges
Draghi report recommendations could lift eastern EU members’ economies, says EBRD chief economist
Hungarian opposition leader claims Fidesz is wiretapping him for black propaganda campaign
Xi Jinping announces strategic partnership between China and Slovakia
Slovenia’s ex-foreign minister aims to capture centre ground with new party

SOUTHEAST EUROPE
So you want to get on the right side of Donald Trump? Try gift-wrapping a hotel
Moldova’s pro-EU President Maia Sandu wins second term
Elon Musk wants Italian judges who blocked migrant deal with Albania sacked

EASTERN EUROPE
Putin lays out his view of the new world order in Valdai speech
Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy switches rhetorical tack from victory to resistance
Finding workers in wartime Odesa
Belarus Election Committee registers six pro-regime candidates to run against Lukashenko in 2025 presidential election

EURASIA
Ukraine war fuelling a manufacturing and FDI boom in the CIS
What Trump’s return means for Armenia and the South Caucasus
Protesters attack parliament building in Abkhazia

OPINION
Central Europe's populists clamour to applaud Trump's victory
Political, economic and security headaches Trump Europe’s mounting problems
How to awaken Europe's private sector and boost economic growth
What went wrong for the EU in Georgia's and Moldova’s elections?
Will COP29 become a milestone in Azerbaijan’s long-term energy strategy?
Trump 2.0 could be a blessing for Belarus

NEW EUROPE IN NUMBERS
Germany's industry back to contraction in September

12/11/2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave another important speech on his world view at the Valdai meeting this weekend, an annual event that is a sort of ideas talking shop but always worth listening to.
He didn’t say anything extremely new – just laid out his multipolar world view again: we are all the same; countries should be nice to each other and let them develop as they see fit; and the emerging markets have already in effect emerged and are due the respect to run their own shops.
But there was a harder edge to this version as it was framed in the context of conflict: the non-aligned countries of the Global South are clubbing together and reject the proclivity of the Global North to dictate policy, values, choose laws, condemn elections, and take the right to sanction anyone it disagrees with or doesn’t like.

Putin gave a keynote speech at the annual Valdai Summit where he laid out his latest version of his "multipolar" world view.

12/11/2024

A pall of anticipated disappointment hangs over the COP29 UN climate summit that kicks off in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on November 11.

World leaders are making their way to the meeting as the Climate Crisis accelerates faster than scientists predicted and in particular following the deadly flash flooding that recently hit Valencia in Spain, killing over 200 people earlier this month, and the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in the US.

Urgent action is needed, but it appears very unlikely that the leaders will agree on the concrete measures needed to keep temperature rises to the 1.5C above the pre-industrial base line agreed at the Paris summit in 2015.

A pall of anticipated disappointment hangs over the COP29 UN climate summit that kicks off in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on November 11.

07/11/2024

Trump 2.0 is good news for Putin, bad news for Zelenskiy

Trump is back. That is bad news for Zelenskiy but good news for Putin. It makes a ceasefire more likely as while Biden was dedicated to supporting Ukraine, Trump’s “America First” mantra means he is likely to disengage and retreat behind the walls of an American Tariff Fortress. The government in Germany has also just collapsed, weakening an already riven Europe further.

Congratulations poured into Donald Trump’s office from around the world after he was declared winner.

05/11/2024

IntelliNews monthly magazine
The November issue of bne monthly Magazine is out!

COVER SECTION
Productivity at Russia's largest enterprises rising in effort to keep the economy competitive

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COVER SECTION
Productivity at Russia's largest enterprises rising in effort to keep the economy competitive

COMPANIES & MARKETS
Europe needs Draghi’s reforms to boost growth, says IIF
Hungarian government to unveil economic action plan to boost faltering growth
Fallen gold output reported at flagship mine Kumtor seized by Kyrgyzstan government
Giant titanium deposit could earn Kyrgyzstan $88bn, says cabinet head
International consortium should build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear plant, says president
EBRD and IFC make biggest direct investment into Ukraine’s telecoms in wartime
“Made in Russia” label growing in popularity
Russia’s USM Group threatens legal action against Kyiv over seizure of its steel assets in Ukraine
Serbia signs MoU with North Macedonia for gas interconnector
Western Balkans emerges as nearshoring destination
Poland’s Zabka convenience store chain aims to raise €1.5bn in upcoming Warsaw IPO
Kazakhstan raises $1.5bn from return to dollar bond market after decade away
Serbia achieves first-ever investment grade rating
Uzbekistan’s Navoi gold mining giant issues debut $1bn Eurobond
Kazakhstan and Nasdaq-listed fintech Kaspi fight back against short seller’s report
Croatia startup raises €10mn to boost AI-driven adtech
German Dataciders acquires Bulgarian IT services provider ROITI
OCSiAI opens cutting-edge graphene nanotube facility in Serbia
Estonian Bolt CEO calls remote work 'insanity'
Half of Ukraine’s top IT firms see revenue drop amid war, relocations
LNG and bio-LNG: which gas will be the pillar of Poland’s energy transition?
Ukraine ready to export biogas as biomethane plant uses the national gas pipeline system for the first time
United Nations says Earth on track to heat by a dangerous 3.1°C
Czech coal magnate Tykac to finance ex-president Klaus' climate sceptic think-tank
PPC to take over Europe’s biggest onshore wind farm in Romania

CENTRAL EUROPE
Orban mauled in European Parliament 'intifada'
Viktor Orban’s propaganda machine sinks to new low and gets absurdly personal with focus on Peter Magyar’s groin
Slovakia's Fico hardens opposition to Ukraine's Nato bid
Journalist associations condemn interrogation of Czech reporter by Slovak authorities
Opposition ANO registers first victory in Czech Senate elections as cabinet braces for reshuffle

SOUTHEAST EUROPE
Ankara okays Turkish, Israeli and Qatari co-sponsoring of Azerbaijan defence fair despite Erdogan’s Gaza “outrage”
Hungarian PM Orban says he has a plan to unblock North Macedonia’s EU path
Nato deploys additional 200 troops to bolster KFOR readiness in Kosovo
Far-right politician Sosoaca rejected as presidential candidate in Romania

EASTERN EUROPE
New Nato boss Rutte: “My first task is Ukraine”
Ukraine can’t win on the battlefield, Orban tells press conference
Iran and Russia double down on strategic relations in first presidential meeting
Nine in 10 terrorist Tajiks recruited after migration period in Russia, study shows

EURASIA
Five Turkic states give nod to common Latin alphabet
Kyrgyzstan: President botches attempt to dispel concerns about graft
Four reporters convicted in Kyrgyzstan of call for mass riots, press freedom under siege warn watchdogs

OPINION
Is the Balkan region Israel’s newfound interest?
Drawing Article 5 lines for Ukraine to end the war
Putin's nuclear rhetoric hints at Ukrainian endgame
Kazakhstan’s Tokayev an authoritarian who has created “the illusion of change”, say analysts
Mongolia’s unique success story between rock and a hard place at risk

NEW EUROPE IN NUMBERS
Hungarian central bank raises gold reserves to record levels

04/11/2024

Analyzing Georgia's Recent Elections: A Complex Landscape

Georgia's crucial election on October 26 saw the ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), return to power with 54% of the vote amid significant controversy. Claims of Russian interference have surfaced, but a deeper dive reveals a more intricate narrative.

🔍 Key Insights:

GD utilized "administrative resources" to influence results, including tactics like ballot stuffing and vote buying.

Despite these actions, GD enjoys genuine support, particularly in rural and ethnically diverse regions.

Our investigation found no evidence of Russian interference in the regional vote. The opposition, while strong in urban centres, struggled with campaigning in many regions, which aided GD's victory. A fragmented opposition lacking a clear leader also hindered their effectiveness.

This election has been framed as a choice between aligning with Russia or the EU, but many Georgians actually seek a balanced relationship with both, valuing trade with Russia alongside the benefits of EU membership.

In our follow-up analysis, we explore how GD has reshaped perceptions of the EU, casting it as part of a “Party of War”—a label that resonates negatively with many citizens.

While the elections took place in a challenging environment, the results reflect the complexities of Georgian politics, highlighting the dual challenges facing the opposition and the strategies of the ruling party.

🔗https://www.intellinews.com/long-read-georgian-dream-s-hold-over-rural-areas-won-it-the-election-351307

🔗https://intellinews.com/balkan-blog-what-went-wrong-for-the-eu-in-georgia-s-and-moldova-s-elections-351299/?source=blogs

30/08/2024

We’re excited to spotlight the incredible lineup of experts at the Berlin Energy Forum on September 2nd, 2024, at the Capital Club, Berlin!

Hear from Olena Pavlenko, President of the DiXi Group, and Dr. Dawud Ansari, a global authority on the geopolitics of energy. They’ll be joined by Dr. Tom O'Donnell, an expert in global energy systems. Together, they will lead an insightful discussion on Germany’s Green Hydrogen initiatives and their global implications.

This is your chance to learn from the best in the field and engage in a conversation that could shape the future of energy.

🗓 Date: September 2nd, 2024
📍 Venue: Capital Club, Berlin
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Secure your spot and be part of this expert-driven event:
https://www.berlinenergyforum.de/register

27/08/2024

📢 We’re excited to spotlight the incredible lineup of experts at the Berlin Energy Forum on September 2nd, 2024, at the Capital Club, Berlin!

Hear from Olena Pavlenko, President of the DiXi Group, and Dr. Dawud Ansari, a global authority on the geopolitics of energy. They’ll be joined by Dr. Tom O'Donnell, an expert in global energy systems. Together, they will lead an insightful discussion on Germany’s Green Hydrogen initiatives and their global implications.

This is your chance to learn from the best in the field and engage in a conversation that could shape the future of energy.

🗓 Date: September 2nd, 2024
📍 Venue: Capital Club, Berlin
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Secure your spot and be part of this expert-driven event:

https://www.berlinenergyforum.de/register

26/08/2024

📢 We’re excited to spotlight the incredible lineup of experts at the Berlin Energy Forum on September 2nd, 2024, at the Capital Club, Berlin!

Hear from Olena Pavlenko, President of the DiXi Group, and Dr. Dawud Ansari, a global authority on the geopolitics of energy. They’ll be joined by Dr. Tom O'Donnell, an expert in global energy systems. Together, they will lead an insightful discussion on Germany’s Green Hydrogen initiatives and their global implications.

This is your chance to learn from the best in the field and engage in a conversation that could shape the future of energy.

🗓 Date: September 2nd, 2024
📍 Venue: Capital Club, Berlin
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Secure your spot and be part of this expert-driven event:

https://www.berlinenergyforum.de/register

05/08/2024

IntelliNews monthly magazine
The AUGUST issue of bne monthly Magazine is out!

COVER SECTION
Ukraine’s government mulls raising taxes to plug a $12bn hole in the budget

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COVER SECTION
Ukraine’s government mulls raising taxes to plug a $12bn hole in the budget

COMPANIES & MARKETS
Ukraine’s biggest private power producer races to recover as winter looms
Increasingly isolated by sanctions, Russia’s metal producers are being pushed into China’s arms
Russian exports of diamonds to Hong Kong up 18-fold in 5M24
Uzbekistan's AGMK announces $15bn expansion to drive up copper cathode output
Eurasian Development Bank moves into Central Asia’s Islamic finance sector
Local, international and regional chains vie for Balkans’ expanding food retail market
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD signs agreement to build $1bn production plant in Turkey
IPO boom gathers momentum in Russia
Bulgaria is not ready for eurozone, say European Commission and ECB
Who consumes the most power to mine bitcoins?
Croatia struggles with surge in cyber attacks
Russia's war-driven brain drain reverses as up to 45% of emigres return home
Plants absorbing less carbon dioxide in 2023, accelerating global warming
Earth records hottest year since records began
Investment into green energy to top $2 trillion in 2024 for first time – IEA

CENTRAL EUROPE
Orban’s new right-wing alliance meets legal threshold to set up faction in EP
Slovak PM’s Smer party isolated in European Parliament after split from S&D group
Slovakia's populist government tames the broadcasters
Hungary vows to use its EU presidency to "Make Europe Great Again"
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas resigns

SOUTHEAST EUROPE
Egypt and Serbia add their voices to the growing number of calls to end the fighting in Ukraine
Parade of Serbian army troops in Bosnia sparks outrage among Muslims
Economic shock therapy makes 2024 most trying in a generation for Turks

EASTERN EUROPE
Modi spends a busy day doing deals with Russia
Nato directly accuses China of supplying Russia with arms for the first time
EU expands sanctions regime on Belarus
US to develop cheap "ERAM" glide bombs for Ukraine

EURASIA
China’s Xi uses SCO summit trip to further build Central Asia ties
Uzbekistan parliament remains unreformed ahead of the October general election
Georgia’s president to challenge government’s “Russian” law in constitutional court

OPINION
Can Europe stand firm in its support for Ukraine as it struggles to contain Russian aggression?
Israel emerging as source of tension in Azerbaijan’s special relationship with Turkey
Georgia’s dreams dying as EU accession suspended
Armenia needs a green light from Brussels to fulfil its European dream

NEW EUROPE IN NUMBERS
wiiw sees brighter growth prospects for ‘resilient’ Emerging Europe

09/07/2024

IntelliNews monthly magazine
The JULY issue of bne monthly Magazine is out!

COVER SECTION
The war in Ukraine is inching towards a ceasefire as pressures mount

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COVER SECTION
The war in Ukraine is inching towards a ceasefire as pressures mount

COMPANIES & MARKETS
Poland, Hungary and Slovakia set to enter EU's Excessive Deficit Procedure
Czech minister says two investors are interested in taking over Liberty Steel’s insolvent local unit
Rail Baltica could require an extra €19bn in funding, say audit offices
Forget oil, forget gas. Kyrgyzstan has plans to power Central Asia with water
Hungary’s MVM Group acquires 5% stake in Shah Deniz gasfield in Azerbaijan
Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s appearance in Kyrgyzstan sparks hopes of ski resort investment
Russia overtakes Japan to become the fourth largest economy in the world in PPP terms
EU to target LNG and helium in 14th sanctions package against Russia
EBRD to invest €1.5bn into Ukraine until the war ends
Turkey hits Chinese cars with additional 40% tariff
Serbia set to approve Rio Tinto’s lithium project with new environmental guarantees
Russian engineers to switch on Turkey’s first nuclear plant within a year
Rising internal political tensions put Bosnia’s economic growth at risk, IMF warns
Russian bond investors increasingly unwilling to buy OFZ treasury bills as macroeconomic concerns rise
Business as usual? US sanctions against Russia's financial market fail to incite panic
Hungarian state buys back Budapest Airport in deal worth €4.3bn
Energean cashes in €883mn from Croatia, Egypt and Italy asset sale
Russian e-commerce major Wildberries to buy billboard company Russ Group
Who consumes the most power to mine bitcoins?
Azerbaijan’s first generation of startups paves the way for technological lift-off
Central Asia’s first 3D-printed house built in Almaty
Uzbekistan “will suffer” as Taliban canal diverts fifth of Amu Darya river, warns expert
The Caspian Sea to shrink by a third due to global warming
Extreme wildfires have doubled in two decades, due to climate crisis

CENTRAL EUROPE
Far-right gains in Europe pose challenge for EU enlargement
Hungary wants to 'Make Europe Great Again' during its EU presidency
Eurosceptics sweep Czech EP elections
Pellegrini pledges to unite deeply divided Slovakia
Slovak parliament approves dismantling of public broadcaster

SOUTHEAST EUROPE
Turkish intelligence reportedly foiled terrorist plot to attack Moscow mall after Crocus City massacre
Bulgaria’s Gerb wins snap general election amid record-low turnout
EU to officially begin accession negotiations with Moldova on June 25
North Macedonia elects new prime minister after flooding temporarily halts proceedings
New Croatian MEP arrives in Ferrari to “represent the little man” in Brussels

EASTERN EUROPE
Dagestan rocked by a series of terrorist attacks
78 countries sign limited communique at Ukraine summit in Switzerland
Putin visits North Korea to boost military ties
Russian warships dock in Cuba for Caribbean drills amid Ukraine tensions

EURASIA
Uzbekistan, Korea prepare to take “special” relations to next level as presidents meet
Armenia is poised to exit Russian-led CSTO, says Pashinyan
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan & China: When is a done deal really done?
“Recruiting ground” for jihadist terrorists Tajikistan bans hijab

OPINION
A downbeat Berlin Recovery Conference highlights that Ukraine is increasingly in survival mode
Azerbaijan’s new strategy is to become a green energy hub
Moscow is playing a long gas game
Russia is pushing Turkmenistan out of the natural gas market

NEW EUROPE IN NUMBERS
Serbia’s grey economy turns over nearly €15bn annually

COMPANIES & MARKETS
Poland, Hungary and Slovakia set to enter EU's Excessive Deficit Procedure
Czech minister says two investors are interested in taking over Liberty Steel’s insolvent local unit
Rail Baltica could require an extra €19bn in funding, say audit offices
Forget oil, forget gas. Kyrgyzstan has plans to power Central Asia with water
Hungary’s MVM Group acquires 5% stake in Shah Deniz gasfield in Azerbaijan
Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s appearance in Kyrgyzstan sparks hopes of ski resort investment
Russia overtakes Japan to become the fourth largest economy in the world in PPP terms
EU to target LNG and helium in 14th sanctions package against Russia
EBRD to invest €1.5bn into Ukraine until the war ends
Turkey hits Chinese cars with additional 40% tariff
Serbia set to approve Rio Tinto’s lithium project with new environmental guarantees
Russian engineers to switch on Turkey’s first nuclear plant within a year
Rising internal political tensions put Bosnia’s economic growth at risk, IMF warns
Russian bond investors increasingly unwilling to buy OFZ treasury bills as macroeconomic concerns rise
Business as usual? US sanctions against Russia's financial market fail to incite panic
Hungarian state buys back Budapest Airport in deal worth €4.3bn
Energean cashes in €883mn from Croatia, Egypt and Italy asset sale
Russian e-commerce major Wildberries to buy billboard company Russ Group
Who consumes the most power to mine bitcoins?
Azerbaijan’s first generation of startups paves the way for technological lift-off
Central Asia’s first 3D-printed house built in Almaty
Uzbekistan “will suffer” as Taliban canal diverts fifth of Amu Darya river, warns expert
The Caspian Sea to shrink by a third due to global warming
Extreme wildfires have doubled in two decades, due to climate crisis

CENTRAL EUROPE
Far-right gains in Europe pose challenge for EU enlargement
Hungary wants to 'Make Europe Great Again' during its EU presidency
Eurosceptics sweep Czech EP elections
Pellegrini pledges to unite deeply divided Slovakia
Slovak parliament approves dismantling of public broadcaster

SOUTHEAST EUROPE
Turkish intelligence reportedly foiled terrorist plot to attack Moscow mall after Crocus City massacre
Bulgaria’s Gerb wins snap general election amid record-low turnout
EU to officially begin accession negotiations with Moldova on June 25
North Macedonia elects new prime minister after flooding temporarily halts proceedings
New Croatian MEP arrives in Ferrari to “represent the little man” in Brussels

EASTERN EUROPE
Dagestan rocked by a series of terrorist attacks
78 countries sign limited communique at Ukraine summit in Switzerland
Putin visits North Korea to boost military ties
Russian warships dock in Cuba for Caribbean drills amid Ukraine tensions

EURASIA
Uzbekistan, Korea prepare to take “special” relations to next level as presidents meet
Armenia is poised to exit Russian-led CSTO, says Pashinyan
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan & China: When is a done deal really done?
“Recruiting ground” for jihadist terrorists Tajikistan bans hijab

OPINION
A downbeat Berlin Recovery Conference highlights that Ukraine is increasingly in survival mode
Azerbaijan’s new strategy is to become a green energy hub
Moscow is playing a long gas game
Russia is pushing Turkmenistan out of the natural gas market

NEW EUROPE IN NUMBERS
Serbia’s grey economy turns over nearly €15bn annually

06/06/2024

IntelliNews monthly magazine
The JUNE issue of bne monthly Magazine is out!

COVER SECTION
Russia’s despair index result is the best ever, while Ukraine’s crashes
“Guns and butter” are both important, Putin tells military commanders
Ukraine’s strategy of hitting Russian oil refineries is working
Russia hits Ukrainian power facilities in six regions with intense missile attack, imports from EU won't cover winter demand

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Sign up to receive the magazine each month by email for free here

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COVER SECTION
Russia’s despair index result is the best ever, while Ukraine’s crashes
“Guns and butter” are both important, Putin tells military commanders
Ukraine’s strategy of hitting Russian oil refineries is working
Russia hits Ukrainian power facilities in six regions with intense missile attack, imports from EU won't cover winter demand

COMPANIES & MARKETS
China and Hungary sign 18 agreements during last leg of Xi's European tour
Czech government slams Liberty Steel for missed social payments and unrealistic promises
Hungary’s OTP makes reported record bid for EU bank
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan join forces to power Europe
IIF analysis shows Kazakhstan’s economy faces bumps in the road – but no major obstacles as things stand
Russia's nuclear diplomacy binding emerging markets to the Kremlin
European banks still in Russia see profits quadruple, pay over €800mn in taxes
Turkey signs LNG deal with US supermajor ExxonMobil placing question mark over Russian gas supplies
Fitch believes Bulgaria unlikely to enter eurozone in January 2025
Top Russian mobile operator MTS announces $86.5mn share buyback
Premier Energy seeks to raise over €135mn with Bucharest IPO
Dollar remains dominant in global trade, but global tensions are fragmenting the world, says IMF
BRICS currency is coming soon
Latvia’s start-up scene: a second fiddle no more
Russia prepares a crackdown on crypto
Caspian Sea water levels dropping cause alarm in Iran's north
European election results could spell further backtracking on climate policy
Trees are “coughing not breathing” due to climate crisis stress, study finds

SPECIAL FOCUS
President Raisi's death and its implications for Iran and the region
What happens when an Iranian president dies in office?
Turkey says helicopter carrying Iran’s Raisi did not emit transponder signal, adds Turkish drone used to find wreckage
Who will be the next Iranian president following Raisi’s death?

CENTRAL EUROPE
Von der Leyen says EU will close rule-of-law dispute with Poland
Polish judge shows up in Minsk asking for political asylum
Assassination attempt on Fico shows radicalisation of Slovak society
Central Europe nudges Ukrainian refugees to return home
University of Ljubljana students occupy faculty in protest against military operations in Gaza

SOUTHEAST EUROPE
Turkey simply relabels Russian oil products and exports them to Europe, research indicates
China to intensify relations with Serbia after President Xi's landmark visit to Belgrade
North Macedonia’s opposition VMRO-DPMNE celebrates twin electoral victory
Kosovo to become first Muslim-majority country to legalise same-sex marriage
German chancellor says 4-year timeline for Montenegro's EU membership is realistic

EASTERN EUROPE
Putin, Xi hold in-depth wide-ranging talks in Beijing in symbolic meeting
Ukraine – running through the numbers
A private company is building Belarus President Lukashenko a luxurious bolthole in Russia's Sochi – investigation
Former Nexta editor Protasevich says he owes Belarus authorities $7.6mn in damages
Ukrainian oligarch Kolomoisky faces life imprisonment for murder

EURASIA
Kazakh ex-minister convicted of savage torture and murder of wife in trial that gripped nation
Georgian oligarch Ivanishvili advocates repression, blames Western “Party of War” for country’s ills
New India-Europe transit corridor set to challenge IMEC, Suez routes

OPINION
The bilateral relations between China and the European Union are important but challenging
Putin visits China; US sanctions also make trade between China and Russia more difficult
Aliyev continues to block the chance of peace in the South Caucasus
Exhausting Russia, strategies and fantasies Russia and Iran have some people in Moscow asking questions

NEW EUROPE IN NUMBERS
Global warming acceleration at its peak but the La Nina effect this year will reduce temperatures less than expected