News
China sends its first east-west cargo ship via Russia’s Arctic Northern route
The first ever Chinese cargo vessel departed from the massive Ningbo-Zhoushan port on September 22 bound for Felixstowe in the UK via Russia’s frozen Northern Route, in an experiment that could have a major impact on Sino-European trade.
Trump does an about-turn on Ukraine as his “minerals diplomacy” with Russia fails
Donald Trump did an abrupt about-turn on Ukraine during an hour-long rambling speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), saying Ukraine could recapture all its lost territory in the war with Russia.
Word leaks of $43bn US-Turkey LNG deal ahead of Trump-Erdogan meeting at White House
Agreement would cover imports through 2045.
Russia steps up propaganda ahead of election with claim EU plans to “occupy” Moldova
President Maia Sandu warns Russian interference threatens Moldova's sovereignty, independence and European future.
Super typhoon Ragasa wreaks havoc across Asia
At least 14 have died in Taiwan after a barrier lake, swollen by heavy rains, burst its banks. The flood released more than 60mn tonnes of water into Guangfu township, destroying a bridge, submerging homes, and leaving 124 people missing.
US moves to retake Bagram would have “catastrophic consequences”
The Taliban military chief said Afghans had “fought well to defend their independence” and should the US consider a military operation, would continue to do so in the face of any challenge to the country’s sovereignty.
Trump at UN pledges to dismantle Venezuelan “drug networks”
US President Trump has vowed to dismantle drug trafficking operations linked to Venezuela after US forces struck at least three suspected smuggling vessels in recent weeks, leaving more than a dozen dead.
Trump praises “man of his word” Mirziyoyev as Uzbekistan signs $8bn deal for Boeing Dreamliners
Announcement came day after Kazakhstan agreed $4.2bn order with US for 300 Wabtec freight locomotives.
Trump claims US strikes demolished Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity in UN address
Trump tells UN General Assembly that US strikes demolished Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity whilst attacking European migration and energy policies as threats to western civilisation.
Spain pushes for swift EU-Mercosur deal ratification as December signing looms
Spain has intensified calls for the swift ratification of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, with Agriculture Minister Luis Planas declaring that "not a minute should be wasted" on a deal that could be signed as early as December.
_0_1758632439.jpg)
Serbia to sign new gas supply deal with Russia in October
Serbia, which imported about 3bn cubic metres of Russian gas in 2024, remains among the most energy-dependent countries in Europe.
US sanctions Brazilian judge’s wife as diplomatic row grows over Bolsonaro conviction
The US has imposed sanctions on Viviane Barci de Moraes, wife of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, ratcheting up diplomatic tensions following former president Jair Bolsonaro's conviction for coup plotting.
IMF presses Ukraine to raise budget funding estimate to $65bn
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pushed Ukraine to increase its estimate of foreign financing needs through 2027 to about $65bn, significantly higher than the government’s initial projection of $38bn.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has
Blaze sweeps through fuel market in northern Afghanistan
The blaze broke out at the Timorian Market, located at the entrance to the Mazar–Kabul highway and known as a centre for wholesale fuel storage. Local residents described flames spreading quickly through the densely packed depots.
France and European states recognise Palestine at UN two-state summit
France has joined a growing list of Western countries formally recognising the State of Palestine, in a move President Emmanuel Macron described as “the only path to peace.”
"Don’t come here to whine" if Nato downs your jets, Poland’s Sikorski warns Russia at UN
Polish foreign minister's rebuke follows incursion into Estonia airspace by Russian MIG-31s and drone violations over Poland and Romanian.
Moldova dismantles Russia-trained network ahead of general election
Group trained in Serbia under Russian special services was preparing mass unrest around the September 28 election, as part of Kremlin's hybrid war in Moldova.
_1_1758603618.jpg)
Kim shuns idea of dialogue or reunification with South Korea
By framing relations with South Korea in terms of hostility and distinct sovereign existence, North Korea is again clarifying what analysts have long described as a drift away from even nominal engagement.
Gold sets fresh record in Pakistan as global prices surge
Globally, bullion traded close to all-time highs as investors awaited key US inflation data and speeches from Federal Reserve officials later this week.