Trump risks collapse of US-India relations over Russian oil trade, warns Navarro

Russian oil deliveries to Hungary off again after third attack on Druzhba pipeline as Ukraine ups attacks on Russian oil assets

Russian crude deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary were suspended on August 21 after a third attack on the Druzhba pipeline system in less than two weeks, officials confirmed. Flows are expected to remain offline for at least five days.

China willing to supply Ukraine peacekeepers if there is a UN mandate

China has indicated its readiness to send troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission, but only if such a deployment is authorised by the United Nations, Welt am Sonntag reported on August 24, citing European Union diplomats.

Uzbekistan joins Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in push for expanded trade and transit corridors

Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have adopted a joint statement and signed agreements on transport, logistics, shipbuilding, civil aviation and commodity exchange cooperation during a trilateral summit.

Brussels warns Kosovo putting relations with EU at risk by excluding Serb parties from elections

EU statement says "inclusive" elections are crucial for future relationship between Kosovo and the bloc.

South Korea’s Lee to head to Washington after two day visit to Japan

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is concluding a two-day official visit to Japan before travelling to Washington for his first summit meeting with US President Donald Trump.

North Korea test-fires two new air defence missiles

The timing of the launch was also notable, taking place on the same day South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo, before travelling to Washington.

Bosnia’s Republika Srpska votes for referendum, escalating standoff with central authorities

MPs reject Central Election Commission’s decision to revoke Milorad Dodik as president of Bosnia’s Serb entity.

Turkey to re-try contested sale to US embassy of Ataturk Forest Farm land plot

In a complaint, the Ankara Chamber of Architects argued that the sale breached the legal testament of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founding father of modern Turkey.

Kenya asks China’s approval to convert dollar-denominated $5bn railway loan into yuan

Apart from lobbying Beijing to convert the loan into yuan, Kenya hopes to generate $4bn by securitising a levy on imports to finance a planned extension of the China-built standard gauge railway (SGR).

Russia deliberately destroys a US factory based in Ukraine

Russia launched a record number of drones and missiles on August 21 and specifically targeted US company Flex's factory in Ukraine.

Ukraine hits Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline again with drones

Ukraine has carried out another strike on the Druzhba oil pipeline, hitting the Unecha oil pumping station in the latest of a series of incidents targeting the Soviet-era pipeline.

South Korea’s parliament passes disputed broadcasting bill amid opposition boycott

Lawmakers approved one of three broadcasting reform measures designed to curb government control over state broadcasters.

Thailand caps online transfers at $1,500 a day to tackle rising scams

Bank of Thailand announces new rule as part of wider efforts to combat the multi-billion-dollar scam industry that has spread rapidly across Southeast Asia.

Serbia in talks with Russia on long-term gas deal

Energy Minister Dubravka Dedovic Handanovic says Serbia is in advanced negotiations with Russian energy giant Gazprom.

As a potato crisis sweeps CIS countries, Russia halts potato imports from Georgia

Russia ceased importing potatoes from Georgia in July, ending nine consecutive months of uninterrupted shipments.

Panama exposed as hub for Venezuelan corruption and money laundering

Panama’s financial and property sectors have once again come under scrutiny, as anti-corruption watchdogs revealed the extent to which Venezuelan corruption schemes have penetrated the country.

Czech ANO party ejects candidate who schemed to kill ex-husband’s dog

For dog-loving Czechs, the scandal is the biggest setback so far for populist ANO, which is a heavy favourite to win the October parliamentary elections.

Iran-Switzerland talks spark speculation over US message on nuclear negotiations

Discussion between secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Swiss Assistant State Secretary Gabriel Lochinger potentially signal new nuclear talks.

Peru’s gold exports to China surge amid fears of illegal mining links

Peru has emerged as a growing supplier of gold to China, with exports to the Asian giant accelerating sharply in 2025, raising concerns about the origins of the mineral and the role of informal and illegal mining in fuelling the trade.