You don't have permissions to access this page Putin and Lukashenko speak on Union State ties and united historical memory at Volgograd forum Russia proposes joint aviation venture with Belarus as part of expanded industrial cooperation Russian and Belarusian agents accused of plotting attacks on exiled Belarusians in Lithuania Belarus now ‘untouchable’ under Russia’s nuclear umbrella COMMENT: Is Russia’s economy headed for hard or soft landing BLOG: The EU’s glacial push to eliminate Russian LNG Post-war order teetering – rights watchdog Tensions flare in Azerbaijan–Russia ties despite Patriarch’s visit but playing second fiddle to the Northern Route Think-tank urges EU to consider 'Big Bang' enlargement and sweeping reforms EU swaps China for Russia in procurement of rare earth metals Trump policies won’t harm Emerging Europe badly – and will actively benefit Russia Incoming German government compromises on carbon offsets to boost flagging economy ​Hungary's Fiscal Council raises red 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first round Romanian nationalist politician Simion is strong frontrunner in presidential election first round Serbian president stable after falling ill during US visit COMMENT: Turkish opposition’s efforts to bring down Erdogan regime are just not working Turkey’s inflation dips further to 37.9% in April Turkey’s opposition leader assaulted in Istanbul COMMENT: Embracing “Greater Central Asia” has become a strategic imperative for US Russia and Europe vie for investment in Central Asia Russia removes Taliban from terrorist list acknowledging it as legitimate leadership of Afghanistan Taliban seek $100mn from World Bank to restart work on CASA-1000 electricity transmission project COMMENT: Europe could benefit from partnering with Armenian tech innovation Armenia courts African countries to supply diamond industry Europe’s quest for Central Asian resources meets reality “Lost” Ottoman era painting reappears at Sotheby’s London MACRO ADVISORY: Kazakhstan’s High Stakes Oil Gambit Gold mine no cash cow for Kyrgyz government Kyrgyz PM gets polite brush off by US business executives China exports Xi Jinping Thought to Mongolia Boosting Mongolia’s democracy with reform remains an uphill battle China spikes Gazprom gas export plan in Central Asia Turkey’s foreign policy falling apart on all fronts First-ever Uzbek-language startup guidebook series launched to support aspiring entrepreneurs Oil is a major source of income for eight African countries – OWID Sanctioned Russian cargo ship sinks in Mediterranean after explosion Russia's budget oil breakeven price world’s second lowest as oil revenues recover Southeast European countries look to Algeria to diversify energy supplies Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 16% of the global population but 67% of extreme poverty - OWID Russia's expanding pull in Africa is pushing Western influence out EBRD delivers 26% expansion in investments in 2024 Global access to energy starts to fall for the first time in a decade Saudi Arabia hosts kingdom's first Africa summit Putin at 2023 Africa-Russia summit: Wiping debts Botswana throws the diamond industry a lifeline Nelson Mandela worried about natural diamonds Botswana’s 2,492-carat diamond discovery is golden opportunity to replicate legendary Jonker diamond's global legacy Kamikaze marketing: how the natural diamond industry could have reacted to the lab-grown threat Guns and gold: how two coups reshaped Burkina Faso’s mining sector Russia’s Rosatom to support nuclear projects across Africa at AEW2024 Chase and HSBC reportedly unwittingly processed payments for Wagner warlord Prigozhin Burkina Faso the latest African country to enter nuclear power plant construction talks with Russia IMF: China’s slowdown will hit sub-Saharan growth Moscow unlikely to give up Niger toehold as threat of ECOWAS military action looms CAR mercenary becomes first African to die in Ukraine conflict Russia to capitalise on Africa’s growing energy demand Minerals for security: can the US break China’s grip on the DRC BRICS seeks new global alignment at Rio ministerial summit BRICS labour meeting in Brasilia tackles AI impact CONFERENCE CALL: Aurora Women in Tech Global Awards France call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid trilateral summit in Cairo Can Eritrea’s mining sector flourish under autocratic rule SDS storms fed by sand and dust equal in weight to 350 Great Pyramids of Giza US Treasury targets Iran's National Oil Co HALLIGAN: Trump's tariffs are either madness or genius – it could go either way Brazil hosts first BRICS Sherpas meeting with expanded membership From oil to minerals: Gabon’s ambitious mining transition Guinea grants final approvals to Rio Tinto for $11.6bn Simandou iron-ore project PANNIER: Prince Karim Aga Khan IV obituary New Aga Khan takes helm of Ismaili Shi'ite Muslims Liberia’s mining resurgence: from conflict to opportunity US adds 17 Liberian-flagged bulk carriers and oil tankers to Russian sanctions-busting blacklist Force majeure at Libya’s Zawiya Refinery threatens exports and oil expansion plans facing loss of Syrian base for Africa operations seen turning to war-torn Sudan or divided Libya Libya’s mineral riches: unlocking a future beyond oil Russia funding war in Ukraine via illegal gold mining in Africa – WGC report Ukraine claims it was behind massacre of Wagner Group mercenaries in Mali Uzbekistan's Startup Garage arrives in North Africa with Casablanca launch EBRD warns of risks for emerging markets pursuing industrial policies Can Morocco's phosphate wealth put it at the centre of the global battery supply chain Foreign agricultural workers flock to South Africa as sector expands Russia's nuclear diplomacy binding emerging markets to the Kremlin Can Niger's military junta seize the country's uranium opportunity Disaster season: heat waves sweep the world – in charts and maps Niger and beyond: Francophone credit delivers coup de grâce From blood diamonds to critical minerals: Sierra Leone’s mining transformation 10 African countries to experience world’s fastest population growth to 2100 Global press freedom indicator slips – Statista Global military spending surges to $2.7 trillion – Statista SITREP: Middle East rapidly destabilised by a week of missile strikes Gold and guns: how civil war keeps Sudan's mineral riches in the ground Colombian mercenaries trapped in Sudan’s conflict COMMENT: What impact will a raft of protests across the Emerging Markets have Tunisian President Kais Saied re-elected for second term Sri Lanka's LTL Holdings targets African power sector WHO declares "global public health emergency" owing to mpox outbreak in Central Africa Climate crisis-driven global food security deteriorated between 2019 and 2022 and is even affecting the US Reserve Bank of India signals further rate cuts as inflation eases and growth outlook weakens Singapore eases monetary policy again as growth outlook dims and tariff pressures mount Russia and Indonesia work on direct bank settlement framework to bolster trade Bank of Korea expected to lower rates in April despite currency slide IMF: Global debt to exceed pandemic levels soon Oil falls 3.75% amid global trade war recession fears Chipping point – the climate toll of AI chip-making in East Asia Indonesia’s coal politics: maintaining a strategic market price despite Chinese resistance India moves to cut reliance on Chinese solar modules and PV cells Google backs Taiwan’s geothermal future in landmark Asia-Pacific energy deal mobility infrastructure in western Himalayas India eyes deeper trade ties with trusted economies Record gold prices to hit sales volume of Indian jewellery retailers Beijing VS Washington on rare earths – and why the US is losing Vietnam gold prices hit record highs as global bullion rallies Indonesia to launch national data centre by April 2025 Tehran-based ride-hailing giant sets record with nearly 6mn daily trips Chinese threat to submarine cables emerges in Indo-Pacific BMI: New US tariffs set to reshape economic landscape across Middle East US deploys six B-2 bombers to Indian Ocean ahead of Iran standoff Arab League and UN condemns brutal Israeli airstrikes on Gaza COMMENT: Gulf states court Russia but stop short of strategic shift Iran bans skateboards and scooters in public spaces Trump threatens sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil Iraq facing worst drought in history as water resources dwindle and climate crisis intensifies Unemployed Iraqi engineers block Lukoil’s site in Basra Kazakhstan will put national interests over OPEC+ oil limits US forces withdraw from military base in Syria's Al-Hasakah province Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen port city Israel to respond against Yemen for missile on Tel Aviv airport COMMENT: Israel is attempting to destabilise Syria Aid ship to Gaza hit by drone strikes near Malta in international waters Ryanair and Wizz Air to launch direct flights to Jordan in April Netanyahu to discuss Turkey-Israel relations with Trump at White House on April 7 Syrian foreign ministry urges Kuwait to reopen embassy in Damascus Middle East markets suffer massive losses as Trump tariff effects continue Deadly Israeli air raids heighten risk of renewed Lebanon-Israel conflict Israel launches airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburb amid Lebanon escalation Missile sirens sound in northern Israel amid Lebanon border tensions Is Oman the 'Switzerland of the Middle East' Iran FM to visit Russia ahead of second round of US talks Israel faces major wildfires in Jerusalem hills as authorities evacuate villages COMMENT: Is Israel's Prime Minister committing political suicide Saudi Arabia deploys AI to streamline Hajj Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air plans first flights for late 2025 Saudi Arabia's US Treasury holdings fall to $126.4bn in February Israeli fighter jets strike targets near the Syrian presidential palace Montenegro mega beach deal reignites debate over UAE investments in Western Balkans Protesters against UAE beach development deal target Montenegrin parliament Turkey says it wants no confrontation with Israel in Syria ECLAC cuts Latin America growth forecast amid global uncertainties LatAm set to be world's slowest-growing region as World Bank slashes forecasts Trump’s trade tariffs push Mexico towards recession and weigh on regional growth Latin American leaders blast US tariffs at CELAC summit as China offers economic lifeline Why investors are turning their gaze to Latin America after Trump tariffs Gazprom abandons Bolivia's Azero project after 16 years of unfulfilled promises Brazilian police foil bomb plot targeting Lady Gaga's 2mn people Rio concert IMF suspends Colombia's flexible credit line amid fiscal concerns Colombia’s import surge deepens trade deficit Latin America to miss more than three-quarters of 2030 sustainability targets EU observers reject election fraud allegations in Ecuador Ecuador's Noboa secures presidential win with 55.95% of vote El Salvador plays defiant game with IMF Bitcoin rules Trump and Bukele cement controversial migrant deportation deal Cross-border oil smuggling reveals dark underbelly of US-Mexico trade nexus Mexico rejects bleak IMF recession forecast Panama’s Mulino rules out mining law in bid to restart First Quantum project Trinidad opposition sweeps to power in decisive election victory Venezuela embraces Russian GLONASS in challenge to US satellite dominance Japanese official warns of wider Asian security impact of Trump tariffs ASIA BLOG: Is China preparing to poke the paper tiger in the White House Asian giants thrive in Russia despite sanctions ASIA BLOG: China suddenly recognises need for community Myanmar junta chief to attend regional summit in Bangkok Southeast Asia's leading economies ponder possible US tariffs as 90-day pause takes effect China doubles down on Cambodia ties amid global trade tensions but Myanmar’s celebrations damped by earthquake aftermath Albanese defies ‘incumbency curse’ with a landslide re-election in Australia Pakistan airspace closure impacts around 600 Indian flights war clouds hover over the Indian subcontinent Nusantara: Indonesia’s grand ambition to reshape its future Empty shelves and soaring costs hit Japan’s rice supply China to boost Russian LNG imports in 2025 Myanmar’s recovery stalls as extent of losses still not known North Korea acknowledges deployment of troops to support Russia in Kursk region North Korea is making billions of dollars a year from supplying Russia with weapons India bans Pakistani Youtube channels over provocative content after Kashmir attack US imposes preliminary duties on Southeast Asian solar imports Papua New Guinea tribal conflict leaves 30 dead amid gold mine dispute Singapore election outcome a ‘clear signal of trust South Korea’s PPP narrows presidential field to two finalists China accuses US of sophisticated cyberattacks Thailand's Maha Songkran World Water Festival draws over 558,000 visitors Magnit acquires controlling stake in Azbuka Vkusa German Prosecutors Confirm Termination of Money Laundering Investigation Against Alisher Usmanov Comments by President of the Russian Fertilizers Producers Association Andrey Guryev on bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin PhosAgro/UNESCO/IUPAC green chemistry research grants awarded for the 8th time to world's best young scientists Download the pdf version Download the pdf version Download the pdf version Download the pdf version Bombed and burned out of their cities and villages elderly men and people with medical issues or disabilities are bleeding across Moldova’s borders daily authorities are setting up tents and converting old boarding schools exhibition centres and kindergartens to house those who are fleeing.  The first step to safety is getting out of Ukraine. Kirill, 28, left Odesa for Palanca, Moldova the morning of March 21. He will go on to Budapest where an acquaintance is waiting for him. Martial law in Ukraine prevents men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country Kirill set out alone when explosions near the city began to get out of hand leaving his parents and sister who are “not yet ready to leave” behind “Every morning you wake up to sirens and [sometimes] bombings this morning there were around 15 or 16 explosions in Odesa,” he says.  While the bombs are not in the centre of Odesa, Kirill says, he saw news that the Russians were attacking the city’s outskirts the morning he left. According to Ukrainian Pravda Russian naval artillery damaged several homes in the city.  several volunteers and a photojournalist confirmed they had met Ukrainians who are returning A volunteer from Israel met a family that has been in Moldova for two weeks but has now “had enough”; another returned to Odesa after only two days because they believe it is safe left Odesa when explosions near the city began to get out of hand tells me he hopes he will soon be able to return and it will win… and so I think everything will be okay His hope is to return by the end of April before the summer season starts you need to be there!” When asked how he could smile through everything Kirill responds that losing his leg got him used to difficult situations Unlike Kirill, many refugees do not know where to go. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, partnered with REACH a research organisation that works to inform more effective humanitarian action to determine the intentions of Ukrainian refugees entering Moldova According to an internal document from the two organisations though the majority were not sure for how long The other most popular destinations were Germany (14%) and Poland (10%) Some larger-scale projects can provide longer-term haven west of the refugee crossing in Palanca and 30 minutes south of Comrat the capital of the Russian-speaking Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia there is a defunct boarding school for young people with special needs that has been reopened to house refugees While most of those fleeing Ukraine stay here for one some have registered to remain for much longer.  “There are people who don’t know what will come next Some of them write applications so they can stay for three months 90-100 kilometres from the border with Ukraine They hope that peace will arrive soon,” Maksim Bolgar Bolgar has been running the refugee site since opening its doors on February 28 The Gagauz regional authorities asked Bolgar to run the centre because of his background leading summer camps for young people and managing logistics for large-scale events.  While the halls of the converted school are dusky when daytime skies are overcast and there is the inevitable dust of a long-disused building those who stop by have all the amenities they need: beds with clean sheets because very many of them are going to Europe through Romania,” says Bolgar refugees have been on the road for at least two days head of a project to host refugees in Congaz a 29-year-old Moldovan who has been running donation efforts in Gagauzia has traveled to different sites to deliver more expensive goods such as refrigerators sinks and boilers that the average Moldovan donor could not afford.  There are still few places for those who want to remain in Moldova, Celac says. Moldova’s foreign minister, Nicu Popescu, stated that most refugees are placed in private homes 76% of refugees moving through Moldova choose to travel to certain European countries because they already have friends or family living there but others who have fled Ukraine have no such connections and will depend on rental apartments hostels or refugee centres for accommodation 5% responded they do not know where they will stay.  At first there were only 100 beds at the Congaz site but within the first week two large waves of evacuees demanded more space who often donate to projects across Gagauzia the centre managed to increase capacity to 160 most refugee aid has depended on the graciousness of strangers People from all over the south of Moldova have come to the Congaz centre to help whether it be with logistics or the donation of foodstuffs which include preserved meats and other foods compotes and jams taken from winter stores Mayors who have taken on the task of welcoming and housing Ukrainians are “crying” because they are not yet receiving funding People are asking: how long can we continue with these efforts and without proper help “they will not make it another month” The Moldovan government is responsible for funding the Congaz centre but as of now “we have absolutely no money,” Bolgar says “Everything depends on volunteers because there is no financing mechanism The chef who is making food is working without weekends since February 28 when everything began.” UNHCR has reported that as of March 21, almost 368,000 refugees have entered Moldova. As of last week, 110,000 Ukrainians planned to stay.  they are usually “very emotionally upset,” Bolgar says A young couple needed to send their one-year-old girl to the hospital for five days because of a tooth infection and her father volunteered with the Congaz centre while she recovered Some refugees arrive and must be hospitalised due to COVID-19 (this has happened only twice so far in the Congaz centre); many need help with further transport now staying at the refuge in Congaz.  One family of women arrived in Congaz with a three-year-old daughter and a two-week-old boy [so] we offered [to take them to] the neighbouring centre [for youth but] we could only send the mother with her young children But the older mother also came with her mother 92 years old… who would be here to look after her And so we convinced [the centre] to take the grandmother the daughter with two young children… because really Another group arrived from Mykolaiv a city on a large river north of the Black Sea that is besieged and shelled daily; it is considered the last holdout before Russian foot soldiers can move forward to Odesa The three young women have been sheltering in the former school for a week with their children because one of their fellow travellers became sick and was taken to the hospital Once their friend recovers, the young women and their families will travel by car through Romania then on to Germany to meet relatives. On March 12, German Foreign Minister Annalena Bareback met with Moldova’s Popescu and offered to relocate 2,500 refugees from Moldova to Berlin but this is only a drop in the bucket of those who will need shelter.  62% of the refugees REACH surveyed across border checkpoints left their homes because of active conflict, 36% because of shelling in or near their homes, and 14% for fear that conflict will break out. The tide of refugees will only increase as the violence in Ukraine spreads, and it is possible that the crisis might last for years Even if this war stops today, Celac says, it will not be the end of the refugee crisis. People will continue to flee, and more will decide to return to Ukraine. As a major point of transit that is already accepting the most refugees per capita Check the box to receive the e-magazine to your inbox every month for free Get notified when there's a new bne IntelliNews Podcasts added During today's working visit to the villages of Kongaz and Kopchak (ATU Gagauzia) Igor Dodon took part in the opening ceremony of two sports complexes as part of the national program for the rehabilitation of the country's sports infrastructure.The new complexes included grounds for playing football etc."Sports activities are useful for both health and socialization which is why I support and encourage the organization of as many sports events in the Republic of Moldova as possible.In the autumn of last year a nation-wide project was launched to build 300 sports complexes in the localities of the Republic of Moldova In 2018 it was planned to begin work on the construction of almost 100 sports grounds The program is being implemented under the aegis of the President of the Republic of Moldova within the framework of the National Campaign "I Love Moldova" in partnership with the First Lady "Din Suflet" Charity Fund,"- Igor Dodon wrote on his social network page.