News
Russia sentences darknet drug lord to life behind bars
Stanislav Moiseyev, co-founder of the darknet marketplace Hydra, used by thousands of drug dealers for illegal trade, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Russian court.
Slovak foreign minister culls diplomatic staff
The move is seen as part of the left-right government's reorientation of the country’s foreign policy from a staunch backer of Ukraine to a Kremlin-pleasing stance.
Poland’s insurance giant PZU to sell Alior Bank stake to Bank Pekao
PZU will use the estimated €820mn from the sale for its core operations.
Police brutality reaches new heights as Tbilisi is rocked by protests for fourth night running
The protest on December 1 was marked by a new level of violence from special forces officers and riot police.
Charges may be dropped against scandal-hit Slovak central bank governor
But new scandal breaks over French villa bought by girlfriend with oligarch's cash.
Social Democrats win Romania's general election but radical rightwing parties perform strongly
A broader version of the existing PSD-PNL “grand coalition” is the most likely outcome — unless far right candidate Calin Georgescu manages a presidential election win.
Eight arrested over terrorist attack on water canal in Kosovo
Kosovan officials have accused Serbia of orchestrating the attack targeting the Iber-Lepenci canal that supplies water to Pristina and other towns.
Moody's changes outlook on Hungary sovereign rating to negative
Likely continued freeze of EU funds and the weak external environment blamed for weaker outlook.
Varga to lead Hungarian central bank from spring 2025
Finance Minister Mihaly Varga heads for MNB, while Economy Minister Marton Nagy is to lead a new super ministry in charge of finance, economic policy and state development.
Russian authorities nervous over food prices on holidays
Ahead of the end-of-the-year holiday season Russian authorities are in talks with the leading supermarket again on price controls. The Kremlin is particularly worried about the soaring price of mayonnaise.
CSTO states express serious concern over terrorist threat in Afghanistan
Putin says country’s security situation stabilising, but killing of Chinese worker in Tajikistan in possible cross-border raid has raised anxiety.
Bulgaria loses out on EU funding after political instability stalls reforms
European Commission says Bulgaria’s second payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility will fall short of the requested €653mn.
Georgian government hit by wave of civil dissent as resistance movement snowballs
The night of November 30 saw the largest protests in Tbilisi since the ruling Georgian Dream party announced it was halting the country’s EU membership bid until 2028.
_1733059675.jpg)
Iranian ambassador denies coup rumours in Damascus
Iran's Ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, has categorically dismissed rumours of a military coup in Damascus and an attempt to detain Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Explosion on Zubin Potok canal escalates tensions between Kosovo and Serbia
Kosovan PM Albin Kurti claims the explosion was a terrorist attack aimed at destroying Kosovo's infrastructure.
Anti-Assad forces storm Syrian city of Aleppo, Iran points finger at Israel
Syrian opposition forces have seized strategic locations in the country's second-largest city of Aleppo, including the airport, following 36 hours of intense fighting.
Dozens injured in violent police crackdown on Tbilisi pro-EU protest
Georgian Dream's decision to halt the country's EU membership process until 2028 sparked the largest and angriest demonstration since spring 2024.
Putin juggles a “friendly” state visit to Kazakhstan with chilling missile threats for Ukraine
Anticipated announcements on big economic deals failed to materialise. Warnings Moscow could hit Kyiv with game-changing “Oreshnik” strikes did.
Kretinsky close to Royal Mail deal after concessions to UK government
These include maintaining deliveries of letters six days per week and parcels Monday to Friday, and keeping the brand name and Royal Mail headquarters and tax residency in the UK for the next five years.
Support for far-right parties surges ahead of Romanian general election
Poll indicates far-right to take up to 30% of parliament seats after shock presidential election lead for Calin Georgescu.