News
Russian investigator warns of ‘killers roaming the city’ after Putin pardons criminals who fought in Ukraine
Convicted murders and hitmen who were pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin after fighting in the army in Ukraine are back in St. Petersburg and “won’t hold back,” a senior investigator in the city has said.
Hong Kong shell companies’ exports bust sanctions, as Ukraine's Foreign Minister holds talks with Russian ally China
Shell companies operating out of Hong Kong are shipping restricted military technology to Russia, the NYT reveals. The revelations comes as Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba travels to China for key talks.
Family drama in Russian e-commerce major Wildberries as divorcing husband demands half
Vladislav Bakalchuk, the estranged husband of Wildberries e-commerce major and Russia’s richest woman Tatiana Bakalchuk, threatens to sabotage a merger with Russ Group billboard operator and claim 50% of Wildberries if the pair divorce.
European Commission in no rush to step in and settle Lukoil transit ban dispute
Ukraine’s recent sanctions have barred Lukoil from using the country for transit, affecting both Hungary and Slovakia.
Bucharest summons Russian chargé d'affaires after drone debris hits Romanian territory
Romania’s defence ministry found debris from a Russian Gheran1/2 drone near the Ukrainian border.
Albania to set up state weapons company as it seeks to revive arms industry
Defunct communist era factories to be replaced by modern arms industry in Nato member state.
Bank of Taiwan to challenge Scandinavian banks' dominance in Lithuania’s banking market
Bank of Taiwan highlighted the importance of Lithuania's strategic location as it aims to enter the local market.
Serbian weapons found in Sudan, violating UN arms embargo
Serbia claims military neutrality and appears to be indiscriminate about where its arms end up.
Political tensions and security concerns mount as Paris Olympics begin
As the Paris 2024 Olympics prepare to open, the event is facing a complex web of political tensions and security concerns, with reports of potential threats to the event putting the French organisers on high alert.
US general calls for Marshall Plan in Latin America to counter China and Russia
The head of US Southern Command has urged American leaders to develop a comprehensive economic aid program for Latin America, akin to the post-World War II Marshall Plan, in a bid to counteract growing Chinese and Russian influence in the region.
Russia to ban smartphones from the battlefield, used by Ukraine to find targets
The State Duma approved an amendment to a new law that would make it a serious disciplinary offence for soldiers to carry smartphones and other certain gadgets while serving in combat zones such as Ukraine.
EC formulates serious shortcomings for Hungary in the rule of law report
The EC formulates serious shortcomings for Hungary in the rule of law report. Hungary has made some progress on the European Commission’s recommendations made in last year's rule of law report, but there are still serious shortcomings.
Momentum builds for the start of peace talks on Ukraine
A little more momentum was built for a start to peace talks as Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba travelled to Beijing for his first post-invasion meeting with China, and more commentators say a deal is possible.
EC, US warn Montenegro’s government reshuffle puts EU accession path at risk
Inclusion of nationalist pro-Russian ZBCG in government raises concerns in Brussels and Washington.
Slovakia threatens Ukraine with retaliation over halted Russian oil imports
Ukraine’s tightened sanctions against Russian oil giant Lukoil have led to a decreased flow of Russian oil into Hungary and Slovakia.
At least three dead, hundreds injured as Typhoon Gaemi wreaks havoc across Taiwan
Typhoon Gaemi unleashed chaos across Taiwan as it made a dramatic landfall near Nan'ao Township in Yilan County in the early hours of July 25
Georgia investigates alleged plot to assassinate Ivanishvili and violently overthrow government
Claims made that Ukrainian law enforcement agencies involved. Georgian soldiers fighting in Ukraine summoned for questioning.
Poland moving forward on rule of law but progress patchy on some key issues, European Commission says
Latest rule of law report acknowledges attempts by Poland's new government to roll back changes enforced by the former ruling PiS.
“End of journalism in Mongolia” ahead if reporters bow to government pressure says jailed editor
Unurtsetseg Naran calls for public and international support. Says administration has moved to “shut her up”
Moscow raises bonus for new army recruits to $22,000 as military seeks to replace losses
Moscow residents who voluntarily sign up to join the military will receive a one-time payment of RUB1.9mn ($22,000) upon signing a contract with the Russian Defence Ministry, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has announced.