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Russia & Central Asia

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Russia's alleged election meddling
Ukraine
Russia
Vladimir Putin
Espionage
An Air China plane at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Photo: Shutterstock
China energy security

Chinese airlines shed weight, add flights over Russia to trim fuel costs

Some carriers have even removed non-essential items like in-flight magazines from their planes.

Ukraine war

Russia is luring students with large financial packages to join drone units

Ukraine war

Russia says it has taken full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region

US-China trade war

US lawmakers call for major crackdown on China’s alleged sanctioned oil imports

Bipartisan panel argues sanctions have concentrated discounted oil in Beijing's hands – charges the Chinese government denies.

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This aerial picture taken on October 1, 2025 off the coast of the western France port of Saint-Nazaire shows the tanker Boracay from one of Russia’s “shadow fleets”. Photo: AFP
This aerial picture taken on October 1, 2025 off the coast of the western France port of Saint-Nazaire shows the tanker Boracay from one of Russia’s “shadow fleets”. Photo: AFP
Russia

Russian military plane crashes into Crimea cliff, killing 29 people

The crash was likely due to a technical failure, with no survivors reported.

Crime

France convicts Chinese captain of oil tanker linked to Russian shadow fleet

Chen Zhangjie, who is currently at sea, was jailed for a year in absentia. The Borocay was thought to be transporting Russian oil to India.

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Americas and the Caribbean

US to allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba in lifeline for the island

Cuba has not received an oil tanker in three months, according to its president, leading to strict petrol rationing and blackouts.

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A person walks past a petrol station in Havana, Cuba amid a fuel crisis on the Caribbean island. Photo: EPA
A person walks past a petrol station in Havana, Cuba amid a fuel crisis on the Caribbean island. Photo: EPA
Ukraine war

Ukraine strikes Russian Baltic port, hundreds of drones shot down

Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian refineries, oil depots and ports justified as part of the effort to cut revenues funding the war.

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US, Israel war on Iran

How Ukraine turned Iranian drone swarms in Gulf into a money-spinner

Zelensky’s Gulf tour secures defence agreements, offering Ukraine’s drone tech to Middle East nations facing Iranian threats.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Trump and Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

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Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict Chinese President Xi Jinping, then US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia, on November 21, 2024. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ukraine’s not America’s war, Iran not our war’: US, G7 diplomats trade barbs

The US secretary of state chided allies for rebuffing Trump’s demand for military help in the Gulf.

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Rocket trails are seen in the sky amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on Friday. Photo: AFP
Rocket trails are seen in the sky amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on Friday. Photo: AFP
China trade

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

Ukraine war

Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as Russia starts spring offensive

US redirects air defences and eases oil sanctions on Moscow, leaving Kyiv to face Russian assaults with dwindling resources.

Ukraine war

Russia fires hundreds of drones at Ukraine in deadly massive attack

Swarms of drones rock Ukrainian cities, killing at least six and injuring dozens.

A Russian drone targeting Lviv, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters
Extreme weather

‘Flashing red’: UN alarmed as heat trapped by Earth hits record high

UN chief warns of a state of emergency as 2015–2025 is confirmed as the hottest decade on record.

A man shades himself from the searing sun in Melbourne, Australia in January. Photo: EPA
A man shades himself from the searing sun in Melbourne, Australia in January. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

‘No immunity’: Iran war threatens energy crisis worse than 1970s oil shocks

The boss of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, spoke out as the war grinds into its fourth week.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine and US conclude talks as Zelensky urges sanctions pressure on Russia

Washington has temporarily lifted some sanctions ‌on ‌Russian oil to help cope with supply shortages caused by war in Iran.

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Ukraine war

Most of Ukraine’s Chernihiv region has no power after Russian attack

Meanwhile, although Putin’s regime has thwarted protests over the blocking of the popular messaging app, Telegram, there is still discontent.

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Yevheniia Yeremina, 89, stands in her kitchen using a gas stove to warm her apartment, which has no electricity and heating, in Kyiv on January 26. Russia has often attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure amid its invasion. Photo: AFP
Yevheniia Yeremina, 89, stands in her kitchen using a gas stove to warm her apartment, which has no electricity and heating, in Kyiv on January 26. Russia has often attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure amid its invasion. Photo: AFP
China energy security

China’s Russian oil imports spike in early 2026, but Iran war changes outlook

China’s need to bolster crude stockpiles amid rising geopolitical risks likely to have been a factor behind pre-war import surge, analyst says.

Ukraine war

EU leaders clash with Hungary’s Orban for blocking Ukraine loan

A vital US$103 billion lifeline is being held up by Budapest over a dispute involving a war-damaged oil pipeline.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s exiled prince Reza Pahlavi plans to flip the script on Beijing

Pahlavi camp plays down China’s mediation, outlines plans to recalibrate ties with Beijing and Moscow in the event of a regime change.

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A protestor in New York City holds an image of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, during a demonstration against the Iranian government. Photo: Reuters
Russia

Pro-Kremlin Russian blogger who turned on Putin sent to psychiatric unit

Ilya Remeslo made a career calling out Putin’s critics until an abrupt about-turn saw him denouncing the Russian leader as a ‘war criminal’.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: Sputnik/EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: Sputnik/EPA
Ukraine war

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

Pakistan

Pakistan announces 5-day pause on Afghan strikes for Eid

The temporary ceasefire comes after Monday’s hospital strike, the deadliest in an escalating conflict between the two neighbours.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns of ‘brothers in hatred’ as Iran war steals focus

Ukrainian leader visits London as the Middle East conflict overshadows the four-year war against Russia.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte at 10 Downing Street in London. Photo: Reuters
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