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Russia & Central Asia

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Russia's alleged election meddling
Ukraine
Russia
Vladimir Putin
Espionage
Harvesters gather wheat in Zghurivka, Ukraine, in August 2022. Photo: AP
China food security

Beyond Russian oil, China also increases appetite for Ukrainian wheat flour

Chinese and Ukrainian officials sign a protocol in Kyiv on inspection, quarantine and sanitary requirements for exports.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine proposes ceasefire on striking energy targets to Russia

Russia

Floods kill 5 in Russia, thousands evacuated after dam wall breaks

Afghanistan

Afghan mother demands answers after son dies in Pakistani hospital bombing

Human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the March 16 strike on a drug treatment centre that killed 411.

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Samira Muhammadi holds up a photograph of her son, Aref Khan, who was killed by a Pakistani airstrike that struck a drug rehabilitation centre on March 16.Photo: AFP
Samira Muhammadi holds up a photograph of her son, Aref Khan, who was killed by a Pakistani airstrike that struck a drug rehabilitation centre on March 16.Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Russian wheat freighter sinks after attack by Ukrainian drones

At least one sailor has died and two are still missing in the Sea of Azov after attack.

Hungary

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

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Central Asia

Afghanistan wants US$10 billion in trade deals with Central Asia

Central Asia’s typical trade routes through Russia are hampered by heavy sanctions, while the Taliban is trying to trade with the world despite international sanctions.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (centre, back), along with representatives from Central Asian states, takes part in the Afghanistan-Central Asia Consultative Dialogue at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kabul on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (centre, back), along with representatives from Central Asian states, takes part in the Afghanistan-Central Asia Consultative Dialogue at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kabul on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Zelensky fears Ukraine may get less US support to fight Russia due to Iran war

Zelensky has offered to share Ukraine’s battlefield expertise with the US and allies to develop countermeasures against Iranian attacks.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine asks for Easter truce, 8 die in Russian strikes

President Zelensky has signalled his openness for a potential Easter ceasefire; his nation and Russia both mark the holiday on April 12.

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Rescue crews and police work at the scene after air strikes in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. Photo: via dpa
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.

An Air China plane at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Photo: Shutterstock
An Air China plane at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Photo: Shutterstock
Ukraine war

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

Students are being offered attractive packages to sign up, with the prospect of ending their contracts after one year.

Ukraine war

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

A small sliver of land in the area has remained beyond Moscow’s reach since 2022, and Kyiv denies that the situation has changed.

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
Russia

Russian military plane crashes into Crimea cliff, killing 29 people

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

A Russian An-26 military transport plane crashed in Crimea on Wednesday, killing 29 people on board. File photo: Xinhua/Sputnik
A Russian An-26 military transport plane crashed in Crimea on Wednesday, killing 29 people on board. File photo: Xinhua/Sputnik
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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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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A storage tank of Russia’s state oil pipeline company Transneft, pictured at the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga, Russia in 2018. Photo: Reuters
A storage tank of Russia’s state oil pipeline company Transneft, pictured at the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga, Russia in 2018. Photo: Reuters
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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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
China trade

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

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

A radiologist gives instructions to a patient about to undergo an MRI scan. Photo: Shutterstock
A radiologist gives instructions to a patient about to undergo an MRI scan. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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
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