News
Lukashenko offers to release 1,300 political prisoners – if they leave the country
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s latest proposal to release political prisoners on the condition of immediate exile marks a calculated extension of his decades-long repressive rule, not a departure from it.
ExxonMobil held secret Kremlin talks on a return to the Russian market
US oil major ExxonMobil held secret talks with the Kremlin on a possible return to working in Russia, the Wall Street Journal reports
Council of Europe expert body calls for repeal of Georgia’s ‘foreign agents’ law
Law requires organisations and media outlets receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence”.
Poland doubles down on opposing Ukraine’s EU bid over WW2-era massacres
Deputy PM Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Ukraine “will have no chance" of joining the European Union without acknowledging the atrocities committed in Volhynia in 1943.
European leaders pledge support for Moldova’s EU path on independence day
Leaders of France, Germany and Poland pledged firm support for Moldova's bid as it heads for a crucial general election in September.
Record gold prices in Vietnam as monopoly ends
The surge followed the publication of a measure that removes exclusive state control over gold bars.
Kyrgyzstan starts underground gold mining at nationalised Kumtor deposit
Output a big contributor to country’s economy, though some lawmakers say government is not transparent on precious metal sales.
Prague bourse registers record trading on August 26
Hike driven by trading in shares of majority state-owned energy utility ČEZ.
Drone flyover finds no sign of life in search for Russian climber stranded on Kyrgyzstan’s highest mountain
Natalia Nagovitsyna trapped near top of Jengish Chokusu for two weeks with broken leg in freezing conditions.
US grants Serbia’s NIS sixth sanctions waiver
The delay follows recent US-Russia talks in Alaska, which may have influenced Washington’s decision.
Brazil tightens surveillance of Bolsonaro as coup trial approaches
Brazilian authorities have imposed round-the-clock police monitoring of former president Jair Bolsonaro amid warnings he represents a "concrete flight risk" ahead of his trial on coup-related charges.
Russia orders emergency operation in race to save mountaineer trapped on Kyrgyzstan’s highest peak
Top official responds to desperate appeal from climber Natalia Nagovitsyna’s son who believes she is still alive.
_1756222537.jpg)
End of Bolivia's leftist era leaves Chinese and Russian lithium deals in limbo
Bolivia’s October presidential run-off has become a contest not only between two political traditions but also over the management of the country’s vast but underdeveloped lithium resources.
Kosovo gets parliament speaker but months-long political stalemate persists
Prolonged political deadlock had prevented Kosovo's assembly from functioning and blocked the formation of new state institutions since the February general election.
Turkey’s “fast lane” transport minister hit with motorway speeding ticket
Abdulkadir Uraloglu posted video of himself driving at 225 km/h, with clip set to folk music and Erdogan speeches on infrastructure.
Hydropower poised to drive Africa’s clean energy future – IHA report
Hydropower, with 43.5 GW of installed conventional capacity, is becoming increasingly important for Africa’s development, supported by large national projects as well as smaller private-sector initiatives.
Ukraine unveils upgraded Neptune missile with extended range capabilities
Ukraine has unveiled a new version of its domestically produced Neptune missile, the same weapon used to sink Russia’s Black Sea fleet flagship, the Moskva in April 2022, with a redesigned airframe and an expanded range of up to 1,000 km.
Polish President Nawrocki vetoes bill aiding Ukrainian refugees, financing Starlink access
Ukraine may lose access to Elon Musk’s Starlink internet system after Polish President Karol Nawrocki blocked an aid bill aiming to extend support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
_1_1756172090.jpg)
Modi vows to shield Indian farmers and small firms against US tariffs
The remarks came hours before the US administration of President Donald Trump was due to impose higher duties on a range of Indian exports.
65 Ukrainian deportees held in inhumane conditions on Russia-Georgia border returned home
Ukrainian nationals stranded at the Russia-Georgia border after being deported from Russia have been flown home, ending a two-month long ordeal.