Parliament endorsed the new government that emerged from the overwhelming July election victory of the pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity, including President Maia Sandu’s appointment of Natalia Gavrilita as PM.

Sporadic clashes and accusations between Azerbaijan and Armenia over their lingering border war have left a question as to whether anything will stop the smouldering conflict. 

Askar Akayev was once lauded by Western countries as a democratic outlier in a region of despots and strongmen.

The illicit business has boomed as bicycles become a market increasingly being filled with high-end models costing thousands of Euros.