Eurasian Development Bank council agrees to reduce Russia’s stake - document

Russia will lose its majority stake in the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) after the council of the Kazakhstan-based bank approved a redistribution of member states’ shares, according to a document seen by bne IntelliNews.

McDonald’s ‘set to abandon’ Kazakhstan amid Russia sanctions impact on supplies

Franchisee banned by US parent corporation from purchasing Russian meat supplies. Alternative sourcing would apparently mean running business at a loss.

Montenegro heading towards early election as ruling coalition fails to agree on government

Arguments and accusations of bribery reported among fragmented coalition of 20 small parties.

US continues to promote direct dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia

McDonald’s revokes licence of Bosnian franchise after series of scandals

Closure reportedly follows disputes concerning unpaid rent and alleged political involvement.

Croatia’s government threatens to blacklist retailers who hike prices during switch to euro

Economy minister says vendors won't get away with hiking prices after euro adoption, but retailers blame high inflation for price increases.

Kyrgyzstan presses ahead with prosecution of border deal critics despite hunger strike

Making an example of group looks like attempt to put indefinite end to Kyrgyzstan’s periodic cycle of extra-parliamentary regime changes.

Belarus Corruption Watch: How companies in Central Asia help Belarus bypass Western sanctions

In a recent investigation, the Belarusian Investigative Centre has detailed how Belarusian wood working suppliers use Central Asian countries to circumvent EU sanctions.

Britain reportedly to designate Iran’s IRGC as terrorist

Move appears to be response to arrest by Iranian regime of seven people with links to UK amid anti-government protests.

Hundreds of Russian soldiers reportedly killed by midnight Ukrainian missile strike on barracks on New Year’s Eve

Around 400 Russian soldiers were reportedly killed in a Ukrainian HIMARS missile attack in the occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine. The attack hit a building in the city of Makiivka, where Russian forces were believed to be stationed for the holidays.

Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP secures fuel from Western suppliers, ending dependence on Russia

Kozloduy NPP signs contracts with Westinghouse and Framatome on delivery of nuclear fuel.

Mongolian Stock Exchange floats 34% of shares in public offering

Thirty years ago the Mongolian Stock Exchange was opened up to privatize the country’s Soviet-era assets. Last week the exchange conducted an initial public offering to sell off a third of its own shares to the public.

Moldova provokes Transnistria and Russia with bid to criminalise separatist activities

Russia-backed separatists in Transnistria urge Moldovan MPs not to pass planned amendments to Criminal Code.

Croatia switches to euro ten years after joining EU

Newest EU member Croatia becomes 20th eurozone country shortly after getting go-ahead to join Schengen zone.

Russia launches devastating missile attack on Ukraine on New Year’s Eve

The sky over the Russian city of Astrakhan on the Black Sea was full of vapour trails of dozens of missiles on their way to strike Ukrainian cities on New Year’s Eve.

Kosovo Serbs start to remove barricades in north

Removal of the barricades is seen as a sign of the de-escalation of tensions in northern Kosovo, at least temporarily.

Arkady Volozh's farewell message to Yandex staff

Sources inside Yandex have provided bne IntelliNews with the full farewell message circulated by co-founder and former CEO Arkady Volozh.

Russian consumer spending on New Year’s parties and gifts down by a quarter this year

Spending by Russian consumers on the biggest shopping day of the year before New Year’s Eve may fall by a quarter due to the economic slowdown and sanctions, according to the forecasts of the Tinkoff Kassa service.

Major missile strike disrupts Ukraine's festivities

A volley of Russian missile and drone strikes interrupted Ukraine’s festive celebrations on December 29.

Erdogan scraps retirement age requirement, move is latest pre-election sweetener

Minimum wage boosted 55%. Government-guaranteed credit splurge for small businesses expected.